Rant: Natural Hair and the Salons

[bluediamond0829]

I'm just really trying to budget but these salons good grief and I love the way my hair turns out when I go to them but really is doing a shampoo/condition/hydration/blowdry and press really worth 80.00 to 100.00.

And just think I'm trying to at least go every two weeks. That's like 200.00 a month .

I'm just so frustrated with how much some salons charge. I dont knock that people that work as stylist and they are skilled stylist, but dagggggggggg. This is just as much as relaxing. I can't say these last couple days I haven't been somewhat tempted(and im going on 3 years of being natural)

And also when I try to DIY at home its a 50/50 chance my hair will turn out like I want it. I am going to try to start trying to learn how to rollerset. But I just dont do well with my own hair and I feel like I end up causing more damage even though I have a steamer, sit under dryer, flexi rods, the best products and alot of other products and equipment.

 

[HairGroupie]

IA. This is the main reason I DIY most things concerning my hair. The natural salons here in Houston do a nice job, but they are all ridiculously expensive or not accepting new appts for months. I would love to find a natural salon that is budget friendly.

 

[curlyninjagirl]

I'm a DIYer, who got outta the salon game years ago because I think that the salons will charge whatever people are willing to pay. It's a luxury. Also, there's no one I trust with my hair more than myself. IMHO, I think every woman should acquire these skills.

 

[bludaydreamr]

ITA. I went to my stylist for the first six months of my transition; she was working from home, but had a lot of clients, so when she moved into a shop her prices jumped $55-$75(shampoo/condition/hydration/blowdry) and she wanted $20 to trim. I was good paying $120 to $130 with tip/month, but I was and will not pay $150+ a month for non-chemical services I refuse.

I went to one person who was cheaper, I didn't get hydration, and she damaged my hair. I don't think I will allow anyone to have their hands in my head on a regular basis. With the money and equipment that you have invested, I would practice my skills.

ETA:OP, there is a stylist, who is also a member here. She did a wonderful job with my hair; her name is Balisi, she was in Alpharetta when I went to her a few years ago. Here is a recent thread where someone went to her last month:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/hair-care-tips-product-review-discussion/497420-my-visit-balisi-pics.html

 

[AmyRose92]

The last time I went to a salon was to press my hair for my cousin's wedding (since I was a bridesmaid). Needless to say, I couldn't wash out the burnt smell in my hair for two weeks and there are some parts of my hair that will not revert.

I am so tired of playing Russian Roulette with my hair and paying stylists a boatload of money to do my hair while they a) complain about how rough it is, b) try to give me incorrect information about hair, and c) don't know how to properly style my hair so that it looks good while staying healthy. I'm not really a DIY but I'm learning to be so that I can save my hair strands AND a couple of bucks in my account.

 

[AfroKink]

I'm just really trying to budget but these salons good grief and I love the way my hair turns out when I go to them but really is doing a shampoo/condition/hydration/blowdry and press really worth 80.00 to 100.00.

And just think I'm trying to at least go every two weeks. That's like 200.00 a month .

I'm just so frustrated with how much some salons charge. I dont knock that people that work as stylist and they are skilled stylist, but dagggggggggg. This is just as much as relaxing. I can't say these last couple days I haven't been somewhat tempted(and im going on 3 years of being natural)

And also when I try to DIY at home its a 50/50 chance my hair will turn out like I want it. I am going to try to start trying to learn how to rollerset. But I just dont do well with my own hair and I feel like I end up causing more damage even though I have a steamer, sit under dryer, flexi rods, the best products and alot of other products and equipment.

I'll do it for you for $79.99! lol

But seriously, they are too expensive and I'm too cheap. Keep practicing your skills and you'll get better and more confident in your abilities.

 

[LunadeMiel]

OMG 200/month . I'm natural and the lady that I go to charges me $30 for wash and set and blow out.

 

[Lynnerie]

There are a lot of good vids on Youtube that will help you step up your game. Going to the salon should be just to give yourself a break, we shouldn't be dependent on them. If you have all the tools I would set aside some time every 2 weeks to do your hair. Make sure you have enough time so you won't be rushed and get frustrated.

 

[bluediamond0829]

Thank you ladies for your suggestions.

I just will have to become a DIY and pray that I find the right regimen for my hair that works and the right tools to use.

I found someone to finally went to the salon which seemed like instead of it taking me 20 to 30 minutes it took me 45 minutes to get their and a older lady washes my hair and its nothing gentle about her(its like she was beating my dang head)---im like look massage the shampoo in and conditioner in not beat and splatter water all over me. But it turned out very nice.(the older lady didn't do my hair)---but she overbooked because when I got their she was still working on a weave. Not bad for $55.00 but instead of being in the salon with my natural salon for a hour I ended up being their 2 hours not something I liked at all. I'm going to try out Salon Cabelo with Rachel from the youtube next month. She is hard to get a appointment with but it maybe a straight shot their to her place compared to how long it took me to finally make it to the other one and maybe she won't beat my head. And she charges $60.00.

 

[Whimsy]

Even if the salon's were cheap, I'd suggest you learn and try your best to DIY because nobody will baby your hair like you will. Nobody will monitor your hair's progress and health like you will and nobody cares more about your hair than you.

Good luck!!

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

I've honed my skills and I can finally cowash, blowout and flat iron my hair and get salon-like results. Hallelujah!
I still visit the salon when I want pampering, or I just want a break, and I feel comfortable doing that. Nothing beats the freedom and independence of being an accomplished DIY-er.

Keep at it, I did, and you'll get better. Promise.

 

[tdwillis]

I agree that there are so great youtube videos that teach you how to style hair. Styling was my challenge, but I tried it on the day of my baby shower and it came out really cute.

 

[bludaydreamr]

This is one of my favorite youtube tutorials, I found her on fotki, and she straightened my hair for a reasonable price; she was also very gentle.

[video=youtube;PXFgoTT1mU8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXFgoTT1mU8[/video]

 

[CheLala13]

You should try things until you find something that really works for you. I would probably try an easy style if one of your experimentations doesn't work out. I've never had a bad hair day, just give me some water and some hair butter and I'll make it happen. I would definitely say don't give up. Maybe only go to the salon once a month?

 

[Glamorous_chic]

op i understand. im exactly the same way. i know that everyone says oh just diy, but not everyone has the skills to diy. i know people that can flat iron like no one's business. i'm not one of them i wish i was. i've tried diy for the last 2 years, and all i did was more harm than good to my hair. it ends up being too much manipulation, and i end up either with splits or heat damage from practicing flat ironing. i really didnt want to have to rely on salons, but when i do my hair, it usually ends up looking like crap or sometimes just presentable. anyways, just wanted to say i understand.

 

[Imani]

I totally understand. I have been trying to master the blow dry and flat iron for the past year and I always end up damaging my hair and/or looking a hot mess (i have all the quality the tools/products, I even have a stand up steamer at home; read all the threads about techniques, watched the stylists like a hawk trying to mimic the technique, etc) . I have 4b/a hair that is dry and my strands are kinda thin, so its really fragile and very easy to mess up. So I just gave up. Lol. I decided to just not do heat. I think it will be better for my hair (and my wallet) in the long run and I was kinda tired of straight hair all the time anyway. I will go to the salon for a flat iron maybe 2-4 times/yr. Right now I am wearing kinky curly textured half wigs and will maybe get some kinky twist extensions at some point.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

Never have and never will master a sleek flat iron...and I dont have the patience to keep trying That being said, Ive never gotten charged more than 50 for a wash blow dry and flat iron. My current stylist charges 35. She is super gentle with my hair and from October 09 to August I retained all of my length by going to her biweekly.

 

[theoneandonly]

I don't understand why hairdresser's are charging more to do natural hair than relaxed hair. Seems like it would be cheaper to do hair without chemicals involved. Where I go a shampoo/flatiron is $65, but a shampoo on relaxed hair is $45. Go figure. I only go every 2 weeks and i miss going every week like I used to go when I had a relaxer.

 

[Glamorous_chic]

Never have and never will master a sleek flat iron...and I dont have the patience to keep trying That being said, Ive never gotten charged more than 50 for a wash blow dry and flat iron. My current stylist charges 35. She is super gentle with my hair and from October 09 to August I retained all of my length by going to her biweekly.

if i could go to a stylist biweekly and still retain all of my length at a reasonable price, i'd be ecstatic. i found a stylist that i trust and she seems very knowlageable, but wash/steam/blowdry/flat iron is 75. my hair turns out very nice, but i'm cheap and thats alot of $$. i might skip the steam, and only do that once monthly.

 

[WyrdWay]

If you are wanting to hone you DIY skills don't forget you can buy a practice head to practice on. Or practice on younger siblings or cousins or neighbors.

 

[bludaydreamr]

@ theoneandonly when I was relaxed I paid between $25-35 for wash&set or blowout/flat iron, with a trim for $10 here now it can be any where from $45-65 (for natural hair) depending on the Hydration/steam treatment, but the reason is because natural hair can take longer. The best stylist I had was also the quickest I was never there for more then an 1hr and 1 1/2 the most, although that was during my transition.

 

[diadall]

Truer words have never been spoken.

Even if the salon's were cheap, I'd suggest you learn and try your best to DIY because nobody will baby your hair like you will. Nobody will monitor your hair's progress and health like you will and nobody cares more about your hair than you.

Good luck!!

 

[keelioness]

A couple of the ladies had good ideas.. y dont u just steam once a month? I get my hair pressed ONCE a month.. see how every 4 weeks works for u..the 4th week put ur hair in a cute french braid or a bun. A good press will last this long.. If ur not comfy doing ur own press just yet dont force it. I for one agree with Billsbacker..it may be impossible for u to acheive a SILK press at home.. we don't all have those skills..I for one can watch youtube all day and nite i will NEVER be able to hook up some cornrows like MOOK and Black MAsterPiece..they were born with those skills..lmao

 

[GJIna]

OMG 200/month . I'm natural and the lady that I go to charges me $30 for wash and set and blow out.

Yeah, this is the same for me and that's in NYC. That's a lot of money OP and I can see how that would discourage a natural especially who isn't too handy at DIY. Is it a Dominican salon you go to because they usually don't charge so much for what you have done.....

 

[Vashti]

I'm not very good at doing my hair either but I think that continual practice will eventually remedy that. You just have to keep at it. Some salons make you think you have to take out a loan just to get your hair done. It's just too much sometimes.

 

[Mrs. Verde]

bludaydreamr
What about investing in a steamer? $100 @ salons r us. You recoup your $$$ in a few treatments. Check out the steamer challenge.

@ theoneandonly when I was relaxed I paid between $25-35 for wash&set or blowout/flat iron, with a trim for $10 here now it can be any where from $45-65 (for natural hair) depending on the Hydration/steam treatment, but the reason is because natural hair can take longer. The best stylist I had was also the quickest I was never there for more then an 1hr and 1 1/2 the most, although that was during my transition.

 

[Fine 4s]

Even if the salon's were cheap, I'd suggest you learn and try your best to DIY because nobody will baby your hair like you will. Nobody will monitor your hair's progress and health like you will and nobody cares more about your hair than you.

Good luck!!

Ain't that the truth!
My teachers complain all the time that I take too long. While I agree, I refuse to speed up my process when I'm doing natural hair. I need to detangle, gently, slowly and not pull or run the comb through all crazy. Folks who understand it, appreciate it.

 

[bluediamond0829]

I have a steamer also.

I have thin/fine hair so like someone else mentioned that I can't take too many chances with it. And I do want to cut back on doing heat and learn how to do rollersets.

I had one stylist that asked me if my hair was long or short. And im like my hair is fine and medium and it doesnt take much to straighten. So I dont know if that was her other way of backin out on doing natural hair but she cancelled the appointment on me.

Everyone is right about it being expensive because I just feel that it doesnt take much but yet they charge a arm and leg and at the natural salon that I usually go to most people are out of their with in 1 hour unless they are going for something extra.(and thats with all lengths and textures).

I dont want to go back to getting a weave. I love my hair. And I think I may try the once a month idea, but Ive have to give it a try or stick with the ones that are charging at least $55 to $60.(Thats alot better than 85 to 100).

 

[cocoaluv]

I was pissed at paying $45 for a wash and press ( that wasnt even that good) I'd lose my mind paying 200 a month. I am becoming a DIY'er. Practice makes perfect. Like can you try to DIY once a month and then go to the salon once a month....that would make it cheaper for you and at least then you are practicing and can improve. This is what I am doing and I have noticed a huge improvement. Once I start getting even better I will be 100% DIY'er and will probably only go to a salon 1-2 times a year just for a trim.

I miss the days of paying 10-15 at the dominican's. However now that I am natural they aren't even TRYING to touch my hair out here where I live. But better for me I dont want anyone who doesnt like natural hair touching mine.

 

[Britt]

A couple of the ladies had good ideas.. y dont u just steam once a month? I get my hair pressed ONCE a month.. see how every 4 weeks works for u..the 4th week put ur hair in a cute french braid or a bun. A good press will last this long.. If ur not comfy doing ur own press just yet dont force it. I for one agree with Billsbacker..it may be impossible for u to acheive a SILK press at home.. we don't all have those skills..I for one can watch youtube all day and nite i will NEVER be able to hook up some cornrows like MOOK and Black MAsterPiece..they were born with those skills..lmao

It's true... I understand the OP... I know we are all big on DIY, but there are somethings we just can't mimic the way the hairdresser would. I feel for OP b/c honestly, that is just too much damn $$$$$. I think it's a blessing to find a good stylist that doesn't charge an arm and leg. Billsbacker is lucky. If I were natural and found a good stylist to wash and flat iron my hair for $40-50, I'd def treat myself at least once a month. I'd imagine it would be hard to come across that type of price in ATL tho. Even as much as I watch youtube tuts on makeup, I still cannot get the technique down to a tee like most of them. I think certain things are practice and also just natural skill... some have it, some dont. It is what it is *shrugs*.