I've lurked on LHCF for a while before joining. All of the horror stylist stories really make me sad
Even though my hair wasn't in the greatest condition before going natural, I know it was because of me. When I moved to NYC for school, I had no knowledge of relaxing myself and all that jazz! I know I messed up my hair.
When I did go my only 2 stylists in the "permed" days, I had no problems. Yes, I had waiting issues but that's because they were fantastic. They really took into account the health of your hair and the feather wraps were bouncy, shiny, gorgeous. And of course, had that swang! I've only had 2 stylists, both male that I love even now. And will go to with my newly natural hair.
One actually encouraged me to go natural.
I've gone to the dominicans and other random hair stylists, but I just have such high expectations from what I am used to that I just get upset and it does not compare (hair quality, experience, and all) I truly learned to do my hair myself because I could not find anyone outside MD that could do my hair the way I liked.
Thankfully, one moved to NYC and the other comes up A LOT (and would like to move; I'm constantly pressuring him)
I know being traumatized must be very hard but there are good stylists out there. I'm sorry for everyone's bad experiences but I value my stylists and would pay bc they do good work, my hair thrives (well did when I went w/ relaxer)
Everyone isn't perfect. If someone is doing something to your hair that you don't like, then you should say something. Definitely consult and have your input valued. If you find someone like that, I can guarantee a good experience
So then you have someone to go to every 5 years
lol