Okay for ladies who do their hair at home...

[Blossssom]

...did you ever think a black woman could get away with that ever in the history of America? LOL!

My mom still can't believe I don't go to the shop to have my hair done.

Going to the "shop" is as common for black women as breathing. Everybody I know goes to the "shop" to have their hair done. My sister who wears a weave used to go every week, but now she too does her hair at home.

For many black women, going to the "shop" is a way of life. As for other race women (or black women with naturally straight hair like my cousins), it's a luxury or some place to go when a "special occasion" is coming up.

Many black women have no choice BUT to go to the "shop". I'm so glad God has set me free from THAT particular prison! My bathroom is my "shop" and my hair looks better than those ladies who are slaves TO the "shop".

Knowledge is POWER, ladies!

 

[ProseChild]

When I was growing up, we moved around alot; plus we were never blessed with financial means. So my mom and grandma were 'kitchenticians'. I remember many Sunday mornings getting my hair straightened in the kitchen, before getting dressed for church. Or, Mama doing roller-sets once I had a relaxer.

I think I may have gone to the salon less than 10 times my entire life (and I'm 25). I just don't have the disposable income, and I honestly don't trust someone else that much with my hair. So this has never been my way of life. I'm sure that I'm in the minority, though.

 

[Blossssom]

When I was growing up, we moved around alot; plus we were never blessed with financial means. So my mom and grandma were 'kitchenticians'. I remember many Sunday mornings getting my hair straightened in the kitchen, before getting dressed for church. Or, Mama doing roller-sets once I had a relaxer.

I think I may have gone to the salon less than 10 times my entire life (and I'm 25). I just don't have the disposable income, and I honestly don't trust someone else that much with my hair. So this has never been my way of life. I'm sure that I'm in the minority, though.

Hey, is that "Rudy" in your avatar? If so, that's a real nice shot of her.

Yea, I can't believe all the thousands of dollars I've saved not having to step foot in a salon every week or every two weeks.

What a relief! And now that I care for my own hair, beauticians would never baby my hair the way I do. I think a lot of them are half the problem anyway as to why your hair won't grow the way you would like it.

Many of them need to "trim" something every time you walk in the door! You ain't never gonna have long hair with scissors constantly visiting it.

 

[Sosoothing]

I have only been to a hair dresser/salon twice. Once to get it braided when I was about 12 (the braids were so tight, I cried) and the next time was for my wedding (I ended up being late for my own wedding because of that woman) My mother always did my hair, relaxing and plaiting. I think she had a bad experience with a hair dresser because she always taught us that it was hard finding a hair dresser that would care for your hair like it was their own. So I grew up thinking most hair dressers did more harm than good. I still love doing my own hair,braiding and all .

 

[bludacious]

Well some of us needs the beauty shop! If I had gone to the beauty shop maybe I wouldn't have

-Overprocessed my hair with a home perm
-Tried to dye my hair. My hair fell out.
-Called my self cutting bains and looked like a raggedy fool!
-In hot comb days, maybe I wouldn't have burned my hair along with ears and side of my face.

I need the beauty shop at least every six months. I give up. I have a wonderful beautician.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

Well I agree with Bludacious that we do need the shop occasionally for specific processes, but I don't believe in weekly shop visits. I used to be religous about them, and my mother still is.
My hair has THRIVED since I've stopped letting other people play & cut in it. I keep close track of my spending for tax purposes and so far this year I've saved thousands, yes thousands, of dollars. Last year I spent $3520 on salon visits alone. That doesn't include products that I purchased for home maintenance. This year I've spent about $800. I've been to the shop 4 times, and I've been goin bananas buyin products. I would *much* rather be a PJ than payin a jealous chick to brush my wet hair and cut it off.
Just my lil two cents...I found a wonderful male hairdresser and he doesn't even believe in trimming my hair...he'll dust when I request, but I have to beg for a trim and that's how it should be because I take excellent care of my ends...
but hey, what do I know?

 

[lovechic]

I wit you Blossssom, My shop is my bathroom!

 

[JewelleNY]

well, i totally dislike going to the beauty salon. i stopped going when i moved to a new city and the experiences i had were so horrible. the first lady was giving out hair coupons on the street so i should have known that was a sign. she used a relaxer for coarse resistant hair which burned like "fire and brimstone" and was slow washing it out! after that my friend recommended the dominican salons which had my hair bouncy and pretty but after a couple of visits i noticed my hair was shedding all over the place. even the beautician said she did not want to blow out my hair anymore because so much was coming out each time she ran the dryer through my hair. she looked at me with pity! after that it was it! i started doing my own everything. at first i had a lot of breakage and shedding but now with the help of this forum i am on my way to great hair. the difference is unbelievable! i wish i had better pics to show you guys but i am working on buying a digital camera.

 

[Blossssom]

I wit you Blossssom, My shop is my bathroom!

Yip!

And BluDacious and DivineInspiration are so correct. For "processes", definitely go to the shop, but we should be able to wash/condition/style our own hair at home.

There's no way I'm paying $35 a week for somebody to wash my hair. Thank you GOD for home flat irons!

And Lkays mother is right. Not all beauticians are bad, but it's so hard to find one that will treat your hair the same way you do. And in the end, a lot of stylists are harmful to your hair, especially the ones that have the "get 'em in and get 'em out" attitude. They just care about the money. Not your hair.

I also go to a male stylist and he trims off what I tell 'im. Nothing more!

 

[lovechic]

Yip!

And BluDacious and DivineInspiration are so correct. For "processes", definitely go to the shop, but we should be able to wash/condition/style our own hair at home.

There's no way I'm paying $35 a week for somebody to wash my hair. Thank you GOD for home flat irons!

And Lkays mother is right. Not all beauticians are bad, but it's so hard to find one that will treat your hair the same way you do. And in the end, a lot of stylists are harmful to your hair, especially the ones that have the "get 'em in and get 'em out" attitude. They just care about the money. Not your hair.

I also go to a male stylist and he trims off what I tell 'im. Nothing more!

That's what I'm saying! I can wash and deep condition my own hair at the crib!

 

[Blossssom]

well, i totally dislike going to the beauty salon. i stopped going when i moved to a new city and the experiences i had were so horrible. the first lady was giving out hair coupons on the street so i should have known that was a sign. she used a relaxer for coarse resistant hair which burned like "fire and brimstone" and was slow washing it out! after that my friend recommended the dominican salons which had my hair bouncy and pretty but after a couple of visits i noticed my hair was shedding all over the place. even the beautician said she did not want to blow out my hair anymore because so much was coming out each time she ran the dryer through my hair. she looked at me with pity! after that it was it! i started doing my own everything. at first i had a lot of breakage and shedding but now with the help of this forum i am on my way to great hair. the difference is unbelievable! i wish i had better pics to show you guys but i am working on buying a digital camera.

She ran the dryer THROUGH your hair? Omigoodness!

I remember one stylist I used to go to who used Motions products. No offense to people who use them, but that crap made my hair fall out.

I later went to another stylist and he told me Motions is the cheapest product out there and you'll be bald soon.

Again, no offense to those who use it and didn't experience what I did, but after I left that shop, my hair stopped falling.

 

[lovechic]

I can make my wash and sets look just as good as any stylist with my ceramic flat iron, flat iron hair cream and shining serum!

 

[Blossssom]

I can make my wash and sets look just as good as any stylist with my ceramic flat iron, flat iron hair cream and shining serum!

Me too!

When they began selling flat irons for the REST OF US, it opened up a whole new world.

No more shop for me! Stylists are going to be hurting pretty soon with all these ceramic irons on the market! LOL!

And back in the 90s when roller sets were very popular, I did my own at home as well. All you need is a little "know how" and a few hair products.

Save that money, girl!

 

[Lorraine]

My hair may not look great but at least I can only blame myself. I haven't been to the salon in over a year and my hair is the longest it's ever been!

 

[Doll]

I used to visit the Salon every two weeks due to the constant brainwashing of my stylist. Since coming to LHCF I only visit the Salon when I absolutely need a relaxer about every 12 to 14 weeks, and take care of my own hair in between.

I am also guilty of letting her trim everytime she feels the need without question. I have decided to take a break from Mr. Scissors for a good long while. I have joined the waist length challenge and would like to at least make a good attempt at it!

 

[lovechic]

My hair may not look great but at least I can only blame myself. I haven't been to the salon in over a year and my hair is the longest it's ever been!

Me to Lorraine, I haven't been to the Salon in a long time, My hair has never been this long until I took my hair care into my own hands!

 

[lovechic]

I used to visit the Salon every two weeks due to the constant brainwashing of my stylist. Since coming to LHCF I only visit the Salon when I absolutely need a relaxer about every 12 to 14 weeks, and take care of my own hair in between.

I am also guilty of letting her trim everytime she feels the need without question. I have decided to take a break from Mr. Scissors for a good long while. I have joined the waist length challenge and would like to at least make a good attempt at it!

Yayyyy!!! I'm so happy you are on our challenge! I can't wait for all of us to be waistlength in 2 years!

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

Hello! Slave to the stylist checking in. I go every two weeks (as my money allows) and sometimes wash in-between visits at home.

I think if I couldn't go to the hairdresser as regulary as I do, I'd probably loose my mind. Totally worth the $$$, imo.

 

[caligirl]

I used to get my hair pressed in the shop every 2 weeks like clockwork for the past 20 years! I truly believed it was a crime to wash my own hair and be seen with it natural in public. The first time I washed my hair at home, I had no clue what I was doing. I'm still learning!

 

[locabouthair]

i stopped going to the hairdresser when i decided to wear my hair natural. i'll only go there to get my hair pressed because last time i tried doing that myself i lost a lot of hair.

 

[Miss*Tress]

I suppose back in the day, weekly visits to the beauty shop were as much for social reasons as for getting one's hair done. That was the place for catching up with your neighbors, on gossip, and just general bonding.

I used to go to one of those old-fashioned shops in Ft. Lauderdale: the shop had no air-condtioning, the owner did not use a blow dryer, she knew nothing about the latest haircuts, but she gave the best relaxers and roller sets. My hair was always so beautiful when I used to go there so it was well worth it. Just thinking back, how did I stand all that heat in there? LOL

 

[Enchantmt]

I've always been able to do my own hair. The only thing I need a stylist for is a cut/trim. The best stylist I ever had was also a man but I didnt like the products he used so I always brought my own. When I had the extra money it was nice to go so I didnt have to be bothered with doing it myself, but I cant afford to do that now. Now that I'm natural it doesnt matter. I do want to make a trip to NY so I can get a cut at curves or the curly girl authors salon, but that wont be for a while yet.

 

[Koffie]

I can make my wash and sets look just as good as any stylist with my ceramic flat iron, flat iron hair cream and shining serum!

What kind of flat iron hair cream and shining serum do you use?

 

[Valerie]

I do my hair at home, and I must admit, my hair is in a much better way, than when I went to the salon. I tend to go to the salon, on very rarely.

 

[MzTami]

I haven't been to the "chop" shop in years. Reason being is they never, never, never do my hair the way I want it done. I always come out broke and disappointed. I remember for my graduation pictures, I saved up money to go the the "chop" shop and she did exactly that "chopped" off all of my hair. She cut it so bad that I cried for weeks. My brother saw my hair and said "who did that to her hair." The stylist shaved the back of my hair and shaved the right side only and had the left side about 6 inches long. What kind of hairdo was that??? So my sister divided the left side up to try and cover the shaved right side for my pictures. Believe it or not you couldn't tell it was so messed up on my picture. Thank you sista!

Another time I went and said, I want the Halle Berry cut(like she had in Boomerang) I came out looking like T-Boz from TLC. I have had nothing but bad experiences. And they always, always, want to cut cut cut cut!

I know that I am styled challenged, but it feels a lot better when I mess up my own hair instead of paying someone to mess it up!




Transitioning
Last relaxer- 07/02/2005
Texture-2b/medium???4b/medium ( I haven't figured it out yet)
Length- 2 to 3 inches pass shoulder
Goal-shoulder length 100% natural healthy hair.

I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live my life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is!- unknown

 

[luvSLave]

I used to have a standing Saturday morning appointment every week and wouldn't have dreamed of doing my own hair. Then, like JewelleNY, I moved to another city and had a bunch of bad experiences with hairdressers. At that point I started doing my own hair and found this board in the process. I eventually did find a very good stylist but she only does my touch-ups, color and dusting. My styles may not always turn heads, but the fact that my hair is healthy and longer than its been since high school and that I no longer have to schedule things around salon visits makes up for it.

 

[Blossssom]

I suppose back in the day, weekly visits to the beauty shop were as much for social reasons as for getting one's hair done. That was the place for catching up with your neighbors, on gossip, and just general bonding.

I used to go to one of those old-fashioned shops in Ft. Lauderdale: the shop had no air-condtioning, the owner did not use a blow dryer, she knew nothing about the latest haircuts, but she gave the best relaxers and roller sets. My hair was always so beautiful when I used to go there so it was well worth it. Just thinking back, how did I stand all that heat in there? LOL

That was definitely an old school salon and they are now extinct. I miss those kind of salons. Stylists cared more about your hair than seeing the hair on Ben Franklin's head.

 

[Blossssom]

I haven't been to the "chop" shop in years. Reason being is they never, never, never do my hair the way I want it done. I always come out broke and disappointed. I remember for my graduation pictures, I saved up money to go the the "chop" shop and she did exactly that "chopped" off all of my hair. She cut it so bad that I cried for weeks. My brother saw my hair and said "who did that to her hair." The stylist shaved the back of my hair and shaved the right side only and had the left side about 6 inches long. What kind of hairdo was that??? So my sister divided the left side up to try and cover the shaved right side for my pictures. Believe it or not you couldn't tell it was so messed up on my picture. Thank you sista!

Another time I went and said, I want the Halle Berry cut(like she had in Boomerang) I came out looking like T-Boz from TLC. I have had nothing but bad experiences. And they always, always, want to cut cut cut cut!

I know that I am styled challenged, but it feels a lot better when I mess up my own hair instead of paying someone to mess it up!

I know... I can count on one hand how many "styles" actually came out the way I wanted it to over the last 20 years.

You can bring in a picture of what you want and they still can't get it right.

I've told myself if I EVER decided to go back to "styling", I'm going to whoever did the woman's hair in the photograph. That way I'll know it will be done correctly.

These "shops" just want to cut all your hair off; keep you coming every week to two weeks to "clean it up" and take all your money at the same time.

They go to school to learn how to cut hair and that's all they want to do. They have no interest in seeing your hair long.

I had a stylist once who trimmed your hair every time you came in there! I was going every week back then. I had a "style" and she had to trim to maintain it.

Pathetic!

 

[Blossssom]

I used to have a standing Saturday morning appointment every week and wouldn't have dreamed of doing my own hair. Then, like JewelleNY, I moved to another city and had a bunch of bad experiences with hairdressers. At that point I started doing my own hair and found this board in the process. I eventually did find a very good stylist but she only does my touch-ups, color and dusting. My styles may not always turn heads, but the fact that my hair is healthy and longer than its been since high school and that I no longer have to schedule things around salon visits makes up for it.

I'm glad I am not the only one who is no longer in the dark when it comes to being able to do your own hair.

It truly is a gift a God!

Happy Sunday, ladies!

 

[Porsche19]

I feel that I can never go to a stylist again. Imagine...

I would bring my own products, my own comb, tell them HOW to detangle my hair, tell them how much product to use, tell them how I want them to go about shampooing, deep conditioning, and styling my hair. I would have something to say about every move that they would make. It would be a disaster I'll just do it myself to save the stress (and the money) I can do everything myself except braiding.