seeing stylist regularly doesn't seem to help me

[Glamorous_chic]

well, after reading this forum, i've learned alot about how to properly take care of my hair. i love my stylist, and my hair always looks nice. i've been regularly seeing a beautician every 2 weeks regularly for the last 3 years. after looking at some old photos, i realized that when i rarely went, and did my hair myself, that my hair was healthier. 3 years of regular salon visits, and my hair is only 2-4 inches longer. i was really perplexed, considering my hair grows at a decent rate, but i also know that she trims my ends regularly ( i don't know how much she cuts though, since i'm always facing away from the mirror, and she cuts away from my face). i never questioned this, b/c i was taught that your hair won't grow if you have split ends and that your hair should be trimmed after each relaxer, so i figured if i have split ends, then they obviouslly need to be cut. she does deep condition my hair at every wash and style, and i don't add any additional heat in between stylings, and always wrap my hair at night in a satin scarf. so, with all of this, i still don't understand why i don't have more length than i have. anyways, i've decided to start taking care of my hair myself, and try to stretch my relaxers to 8-12 weeks. i called my beautician for assistance with flat irons, types of shampoos and conditioners for my hair, and what size rollers. it was like pulling teeth for info, and it wasn't b/c she was busy. and i suspect she gave me wrong info. i'm a little offended, b/c i've been a regular customer for a long time, have referred plenty of customers, always tip $10-$15, and even when i moved 30+ miles away, still continued seeing her. anyone else experience this? i thought she'd be the best person to ask what products i should use since, she's been washing and styling my hair for so long.

 

[TexturedTresses]

Welcome to the forum. My stylist was pretty helpful when I started doing my hair myself; she even recommended some products. My hair has been growing a lot more and has been healthier since I took control of it. I think a big part of that though was trimming less.

 

[angelp]

I had a stylist that I went to for years and my hair always stayed the same...and it seemed like it would never grow. I moved further away and stopped going as much and started taking care of it myself and the health of my hair improved and it was actually growing. Everytime I got a relaxer he would CUT it...not trim, but CUT it and told me he had to. The last straw with him was when he was late on my wedding day!

I found a new stylist who answers all my questions, reasonable prices, gets me in and out and trims my hair and understands that I don't want inches cut off. If your stylist is not doing what YOU want, then it's time to find someone new or do it yourself. There's no sense in paying someone to do something that you can do better.

 

[malachi74]

It was like pulling teeth because if she tells you everything she uses then she's given you all the info you need to never have to go to her again. She's going to miss those $15tips, especially when your referrals start getting how-to info from you and they stop going to her as well.

What I've learned from this board is that you have to stop putting so much trust in the stylists and start figuring out for yourself what's best for you and your hair as far as its health and growth so that you can Do It Yourself or build enough confidence to instruct you r stylist on what your hair needs.

 

[PinkPebbles]

Welcome!

Unfortunatley, a lot of stylists are reluctant to share what products they use....Don't sweat it because you are in the right place to obtain healthy hair care practices and perhaps reach your hair goals!

I only visit my stylist for relaxer touch-ups/trims. I have complete control over my hair. Before my stylist does anything she always ask first. I've trained her never to assume anything b/c I will take my money and hair some place else.

I choose not to go to any salon regularly. For one, I do not like to use direct heat regularly and there are special treatments I like to give my hair weekly to maintain healthy hair!

 

[tiffers]

Girl, Stylists are triflin! She doesn't want you to know anything so you can be dependant on her! If you stop coming in every 2 weeks, That's less money in HER pockets. I'm not surprised that she held out on the information. Don't trip, just stick around here and you'll forget more than she ever KNEW!

 

[Glamorous_chic]

thanks everyone!! i wasn't even asking what products she used, just some advice on what i should use. i think she must've been cutting and not trimming my hair too, b/c i just don't understand how my hair is the same length. i felt like i was in the twilight zone. lol

 

[Noir]

Time to find a new stylist.

It doesn't matter how cool she is and how nice she styles your hair. How she cares for your hair should be the no. 1 priority. The problem with many stylists out there is that they are just that - STYLISTS - they don't know fig all about caring for ones head.

You can either learn to do your own hair or try to find a new stylist that is trained in healthy hair care.

Also to be totally honest with you. (Most) Stylist are the last people I would seek advice from when it come to product and tool recommendations . You are better off doing your own research.

Don't worry, you have come to the right place. LHCF contains a plethora of information! Utilize the search function, ask questions and you will become an expert of your own hair care in no time

 

[PinkPebbles]

thanks everyone!! i wasn't even asking what products she used, just some advice on what i should use. i think she must've been cutting and not trimming my hair too, b/c i just don't understand how my hair is the same length. i felt like i was in the twilight zone. lol

Once you start growing out your hair, I wouldn't go back to her. She will surely cut off your progress.

 

[Noir]

Also whenever you go to a stylist to get a trim, either TELL THEM how much you want trimmed off (ie. no more than 1/4") or let them show you how much they are taking off.

When I go to the salon, before those scissors touch my head my stylist will pull my hair up and show my how much he plans on snipping off, so that he can get my approval first.

 

[Isis77]

ITA: It's really best to learn and research yourself how to take care of your hair, b/c no one will take better care of YOUR hair than YOU. And LHCF is the best place to come for info.

I knew a stylist who would perm her edges once a week b/c she hated the new growth that much! I also saw another stylist who swore by weaves and braids but obviously used them improperly b/c when I saw her without either, her hair was short, thin and balding in spots.

Just because they are stylists, it doesn't make them experts. And the messed up stylists feel that as long as you don't have your hair EXACTLY how you'd like it (ie. growing long, full, shiny, bouncy) then you feel as if you HAVE to keep going back to them to one day reach that goal. However, I know there are a lot of GOOD STYLISTS here on LHCF who actually KNOW what they are doing, so maybe see if a member lives close by you who can help you beg. your journey in person

 

[BostonMaria]

I went to a salon for years and my hair was always shoulder length. I've noticed that my hair doesn't retain length unless I do it myself.

 

[DarkHair]

ITA with all of this. I've been going to my current stylist since last July. Please tell me why my hair is still SL. Soo, I go to her in a couple of weeks and I plan to take the advice given. I will let her know, just a relaxer and no trim. I only want to get my hair trimmed a couple/few times a year so that I can meet my goal. If she trims anyway, that's my last time going to her.