The Cost Of Looking Good

[shelli4018]

Why do we put up with salons?

A couple of weeks ago I went to the salon for a touch up. I haven't been in a LONG time and thought I'd treat myself to a little pampering. Though I was pleased with the outcome, I couldn't help but be a little pissed at the fact that it took FIVE hours to get a touch up and rollerset. I went during the work week in the middle of the day but didn't make it home for dinner.

Also, I paid my beautician MORE than I paid for a doctors visit the day before. That doesn't make any sense. Why do Black Women pay such outrageous prices to get our friggin' hair done AND receive such horrible service?

What does that say about the state of black hair care??

 

[deejoy]

That's why I only go to upscale salons now. In my experience, they seem to care more about time management and customer service. Of course there are a few bad apples, but my experiences have been a lot better than when I was going to "lower end" salons. I think I read a review on here about someone that was pleased with their salon experience because it only took a half hour for their stylist to start working on them. I'm like dang, they generally start on me right away, y'all settling.

 

[vaqtea]

I was wondering about this just yesterday.

Why are black women the only ones that have to get their hair done? Or maybe I shouldnt say "HAVE TO" maybe pressured is better.
In my opinion I feel like our hair has to be dyed,fryed, and laid to the side to be considered presentable to others (mainly other blacks)
Many of my non black friends can simply pile their hair in a ponytail or a clamp and call it a day and the only time I really hear them mention salon is when they go for trims and colorings. Anyone with any reasoning behind this please explain. Thanks!

 

[whitneysimone]

I think I read a review on here about someone that was pleased with their salon experience because it only took a half hour for their stylist to start working on them. I'm like dang, they generally start on me right away, y'all settling.

uhh...this used to be me.. I would make an APPOINTMENT and it would still take about a half hour to even be seen, not to mention the whole time she's doin my hair she would start/work on/finish about 3 other heads and hookin her friends up that would come in the salon talkin about can she re-do their curls real quick because they're going to the club tonight getting my hair done would be an all day (usually about 4-6 hours) experience for a wash and flat-iron. ridiculous i know...that is one of the many reasons why i no longer get my hair done ...and if i did, I would pay a little more to have quality service!

 

[diamondlady]

I've had three or four stylists in the last four years.

A jealous witch spelled with a "B" who really messed my hair up.

Scissor happy Stylist who wanted to cut 5" in 6months.

One who used so much heat my ends were a raggy mess.

I had a very good one but it took her forever and a day. The last straw was when she called me and told me she was running a little late, mine you, I was in the car on the way to my appointment. She said give her two hours, I said okay and turned my car around. Two hours later I show up at the shop, she's still not ready. After sitting there for 45 minutes, I told her that she didn't have time for me and I would just come back some other time. She said "no, I'm going to give you exactly what you want" After another 15 minutes, I finally get in the chair and leave two and a half hours later.
Yes, my hair was beautiful but I don't have all day to achieve that look.

I just do my own hair now. Far less drama.

 

[Tee]

It's important to find the right the beautician. I will not bother with a beautician with bad time management skills.

 

[Poohbear]

That's why I only go to upscale salons now. In my experience, they seem to care more about time management and customer service. Of course there are a few bad apples, but my experiences have been a lot better than when I was going to "lower end" salons. I think I read a review on here about someone that was pleased with their salon experience because it only took a half hour for their stylist to start working on them. I'm like dang, they generally start on me right away, y'all settling.

I was about to mention this...

Even though I've never been a regular salon goer and never got to experience these long waits for hair services at a typical "Black" salon, I decided to get my natural hair done at an Aveda salon and spa last week. I got there at 5:00pm and was out of there by 6:30pm. They washed, blowdried, flat-ironed, and trimmed my hair. And they got done with my natural nappy hair in 1.5 hours. Almost a week later, I washed my hair and there was no damaged at all. My hair shrunk back normally. My hair actually feels stronger and softer for some reason and the breakage has stopped. I think the trim made a difference.

 

[Poohbear]

It's important to find the right the beautician. I will not bother with a beautician with bad time management skills.

I agree.

The stylist that did my hair was at the artistic designer level. She had over 20 years experience with all hair types. Before doing anything with my hair, she did a consultation. And she wouldn't just go by her judgement on how to deal with my natural hair, she consulted with several other stylists there about what products to use and how to proper blowdry and flat-iron my hair within a given amount of time. It was a really great experience.

 

[newflowers]

I don't mind paying, but, like many of you, I hate the lack of consideration for my time. I too have found that when I go to upscale salons, that is not a problem. I rarely go, but when I have, it has been a muchbetter experience. I get my best styles and cuts at "white" salons with greater respect for my time and money.

 

[shelli4018]

It still ticks me off that I have to find someone with a PhD to give me simple healthy hair in a reasonable amount of time. I think we're being mistreated and taken advantage of. Heck, even our Korean beauty suppliers realize this. No wonder we're making them rich. It isn't unreasonable to expect the neighborhood salon to provide basic services without alot of drama. That ain't too much to ask....is it?

Dominican stylists have figured some of this out. At this rate, black stylists and salons are becoming obsolete.

 

[Indigo's Hair]

I was wondering about this just yesterday.

Why are black women the only ones that have to get their hair done? Or maybe I shouldnt say "HAVE TO" maybe pressured is better.
In my opinion I feel like our hair has to be dyed,fryed, and laid to the side to be considered presentable to others (mainly other blacks)
Many of my non black friends can simply pile their hair in a ponytail or a clamp and call it a day and the only time I really hear them mention salon is when they go for trims and colorings. Anyone with any reasoning behind this please explain. Thanks!

Amen!!!

 

[delecie]

I was about to mention this...I decided to get my natural hair done at an Aveda salon and spa last week. I got there at 5:00pm and was out of there by 6:30pm. They washed, blowdried, flat-ironed, and trimmed my hair. And they got done with my natural nappy hair in 1.5 hours. Almost a week later, I washed my hair and there was no damaged at all. My hair shrunk back normally. My hair actually feels stronger and softer for some reason and the breakage has stopped. I think the trim made a difference.

Poohbear:
How was the detangling experience? I have natural hair (4a/b) and my former stylist would tear through tangles with a comb and brush. I would leave the salon with my hair beautifully styled (flat ironed, twisted, cornrowed) but unhappy!

 

[SkinnyMocah]

I don't return to salons where they overbook, or where I don't mind waiting for who I want to do my hair. Depending on the day I could wait up to an hour for Lizz but she does such a good job I dont mind waiting for her. If the wait to see a stylist I had an appointment with is longer than about 15 or 20 minutes, I'm gone. And I let them and the owner know why. MY time is money, too.

I guess I don't think stylists are evil hairmongerers and salons are bottomless money pits. It pays to be discriminating and more expensive is not always better. I avoid salons that seem greedy and will keep taking clients even though they're booked out the booty.

If I had time, patience, and knowlege to do my own hair and didn't trust anyone else, I would DIY. Personally, I enjoy a weekly trip and am discriminating. I think we should not take hair abuse and bad hair care laying down and start telling salon owners what they're stylists are doing that cause you to never return. Simply never going back does nothing if her chair is always full and she never realizes what you don't like.

And a stylist who thinks s/he knows MY hair better than I do is too cocky for me anyway. I can't stand 'I'm gonna do...' without asking me. ' NO! You gonna do zip, squat, NOTHING I haven't asked you to do, got it?'

Also (personal opinion) don't get your hair did by your cousin and don't make friends with your stylist if you can help it. It makes it harder to tell him/her what you really want and when s/he has screwed up.

 

[Poohbear]

Poohbear:
How was the detangling experience? I have natural hair (4a/b) and my former stylist would tear through tangles with a comb and brush. I would leave the salon with my hair beautifully styled (flat ironed, twisted, cornrowed) but unhappy!

Now that I think of it, they really didn't detangle my hair. Sometimes, detangling can be too much manipulation, especially if you're taking a long time detangling. They just started blowdrying my wet hair after applying a couple of Aveda products on my wet hair. They just held sections of my hair taut and then blowdried it. They didn't blowdry it straight through. After my hair was completely blowdried, they would take small sections of my hair, gently comb through and flat-iron it.

 

[northernbelle]

Poohbear,

Did you go to an Aveda Concept Salon?

 

[SayLeesa04]

That's why I only go to upscale salons now. In my experience, they seem to care more about time management and customer service. Of course there are a few bad apples, but my experiences have been a lot better than when I was going to "lower end" salons. I think I read a review on here about someone that was pleased with their salon experience because it only took a half hour for their stylist to start working on them. I'm like dang, they generally start on me right away, y'all settling.

I feel you. Upscale salons are the #1 Best way to go. To me that goes for hair & nails. Come on ladies no more setteling!!!!

 

[northernbelle]

I think that many Black women will put up with poor service because we believe they don't have choices. I believe that this is gradually changing. We do, in fact, have choices. While I get my hair re-touched by a Black woman at the local JC Penney salon, I get my hair cut at the day spa I patronize for my manis, pedis, and waxings, simply because I believe that the stylist who cuts my hair is far more talented in cutting and styling.

I have long maintained that if the mainstream salons learn to fully cater to an African American clientele, it would be a goldmine for them, and would perhaps cause the Black salons to raise an eyebrow.

 

[hair_wit_favor]

I've had great experiences at the beauty school..mind you, I only let them do rollersets/body wraps...and it's cheap $8 here in Arkansas. There's no long wait and the students do a good job...

 

[MizAvalon]

I was wondering about this just yesterday.

Why are black women the only ones that have to get their hair done? Or maybe I shouldnt say "HAVE TO" maybe pressured is better.
In my opinion I feel like our hair has to be dyed,fryed, and laid to the side to be considered presentable to others (mainly other blacks)
Many of my non black friends can simply pile their hair in a ponytail or a clamp and call it a day and the only time I really hear them mention salon is when they go for trims and colorings. Anyone with any reasoning behind this please explain. Thanks!

This is the truth! We are the only ones that will actually pass up going out to have a good time because we couldn't get our "hair done".

It's crazy to think about how many black women don't even wash their own hair. Don't even have shampoo in the house to do it if they wanted to. My Mom is one of them.erplexed

 

[PinkSkates]

Originally posted by Poohbear
Now that I think of it, they really didn't detangle my hair. Sometimes, detangling can be too much manipulation, especially if you're taking a long time detangling. They just started blowdrying my wet hair after applying a couple of Aveda products on my wet hair. They just held sections of my hair taut and then blowdried it. They didn't blowdry it straight through. After my hair was completely blowdried, they would take small sections of my hair, gently comb through and flat-iron it.

That's exactly how I do my natural hair at home with my Aveda products. I am so glad I no longer depend on hair stylist.