GirlywithCurlies
New Member
Hi, newbie here! Well, not really, I've been lurking for what feels like forever! OK, onto the review. I recently arrived home in Philly after graduation and immediately started my search for a salon that could help me with my hair goals. I am a 4A texturized head and I'm considering going fully natural. So I'm looking for a stylist who is comfortable in both the chemical and natural worlds. On a tip I called Diadem, which is fairly new and located in Manayunk. The woman I spoke to on the phone was very nice, (when I asked if the salon dealt with natural hair she exclaimed, " Honey, we deal with hair!" and laughed) so I had a good feeling about the consultation.
Upon arrival I immediately noticed the salon was clean and pleasant. I initially received the "third eye stare" from some of the stylists/shampoo girls, which struck me as slightly odd because I knew they worked with natural hair, but I shook it off , maybe it was just the reaction of seeing a new face. Anyway, the workspaces were spotless and there were professional products at the washbowls (Nexxus, Matrix)
The stylist introduced himself and asked me to describe my hair goals and routine. I explained that I was texturized as a student for easy maintenance, but that I was now considering going back to natural. I described my regimen (weekly wash and DC, leave-in, fingerstyling/shake n go with KCCC, 2x weekly CW) and products (Botanoil, ORS Replenishing Pak, Jane Carter Leave-In, KCCC, Jane Carter Condition and Scupt for 2nd Day hair). He immediately told me that mixing from different lines was an absolute No-no. I had to bite my tongue (which I'm getting better at.) He then told me that by CWing I was in fact STRIPPING moisture from my hair; using shampoo and a weekly DC is all that my hair needs and at that point the cuticle is fully saturated. I allowed him to continue, but in my head I was thinking, "you've seen my hair for 2 minutes and yet you automatically know how much moisture it needs....oookkk". I have the driest hair known to mankind and the only thing that has made it not pop off are CWs, but hey, what do I know?
He told me to stop using so much product or else my hair won't shine. (My natural hair is 4A. It won't ever shine, it will only have sheen) When I asked him what products I should use for definition he said "twist-outs". Now, the shocker. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming that maybe he just didn't have a lot of experience with natural hair and the next three words outta his mouth were, "90% of my clients are natural".
So here's my dilemna ladies. I really like the salon because it is close to my house and "claims" to be well-versed in natural tresses. But some of the things he said seem to be completely against so much of what I've learned here. I need your help ASAP! Let me know if he's on target...or if I should continue my hunt for another salon. Also, other suggestions for natural salons in the Philly area are more than welcome. Thanks!
Upon arrival I immediately noticed the salon was clean and pleasant. I initially received the "third eye stare" from some of the stylists/shampoo girls, which struck me as slightly odd because I knew they worked with natural hair, but I shook it off , maybe it was just the reaction of seeing a new face. Anyway, the workspaces were spotless and there were professional products at the washbowls (Nexxus, Matrix)
The stylist introduced himself and asked me to describe my hair goals and routine. I explained that I was texturized as a student for easy maintenance, but that I was now considering going back to natural. I described my regimen (weekly wash and DC, leave-in, fingerstyling/shake n go with KCCC, 2x weekly CW) and products (Botanoil, ORS Replenishing Pak, Jane Carter Leave-In, KCCC, Jane Carter Condition and Scupt for 2nd Day hair). He immediately told me that mixing from different lines was an absolute No-no. I had to bite my tongue (which I'm getting better at.) He then told me that by CWing I was in fact STRIPPING moisture from my hair; using shampoo and a weekly DC is all that my hair needs and at that point the cuticle is fully saturated. I allowed him to continue, but in my head I was thinking, "you've seen my hair for 2 minutes and yet you automatically know how much moisture it needs....oookkk". I have the driest hair known to mankind and the only thing that has made it not pop off are CWs, but hey, what do I know?
He told me to stop using so much product or else my hair won't shine. (My natural hair is 4A. It won't ever shine, it will only have sheen) When I asked him what products I should use for definition he said "twist-outs". Now, the shocker. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming that maybe he just didn't have a lot of experience with natural hair and the next three words outta his mouth were, "90% of my clients are natural".
So here's my dilemna ladies. I really like the salon because it is close to my house and "claims" to be well-versed in natural tresses. But some of the things he said seem to be completely against so much of what I've learned here. I need your help ASAP! Let me know if he's on target...or if I should continue my hunt for another salon. Also, other suggestions for natural salons in the Philly area are more than welcome. Thanks!
He sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I would trust him just based on the fact that he's not trying to push a lot of expensive products on you. I think when your hair is really healthy, you don't have to rely on products as much.
And since when is a twist out a product 
