Went and got a salon consultation...need advice

DoDo

Big Hair, Don't Care
Today I went to PURE salon in Portland Oregon in order to have a salon consultation. More specifically I walked into a salon lined with Aveda products because I wanted to window shop then decided on the spur of the moment I might as well have a consultation. While waiting for the stylist I eyeballed their products. This decision though was based on an issue I have had a long time coming.

My hair is taking up too much of my life. I have whittled my routine down to a one day process, and that is only with the assistance of heat use. I hear about people who take an hour to untangle their hair. It takes me three. Others take a half an hour to wash their hair. It takes me an hour. Others still who take a half an hour to blow dry. It takes me one to two hours because of how small the sections have to be to actually dry to the root. If you include my 30 minute to 1 hour pre-poo process that is 5 hours I spend on wash day doing my hair. This does not include styling because since I don't blow dry my hair straight, I normally put it in twists. My high buns no longer fit in any hoods or hats that I own, so I must turn to twisting. I have grown tired of the section by section untangling that is a drain on my time whenever I care to do it.

In any case I am not sure that seeking a stylist is really the answer. I get a lot of retention and that is because of gentle care. Frankly most people are probably not going to be that careful for the aforementioned reason, it would be too much of a time drain.

Cut to today's consultation. The stylist was very kind, sweet and willing to listen. She also assured me that she only performs trims if they are needed and that she is a conservative trimmer. She has one other client with curly hair who from what I can gather probably has looser curls, so my head will be the first head of hair she has had to deal with that has my texture. I asked if she could do a basic wash, deep condition, blow dry and french braid. She replied that she could do that and was very pleasant and attentive. However, while I liked that she actually wanted to "play" in my hair I didn't know how I felt about me being her volunteer (paying) guinea pig.

Her price point was 75 dollars per visit, while using a generous amount of AVEDA products and allotting 1 to 2 hours to do my hair.

I took her card and both her and the receptionist seemed a little disappointed that I didn't make an appointment right away. However, I really felt I needed to sleep on it. My hair is the longest it has ever been, and incidentally this is the longest in my life it has ever gone without someone else putting their hands in it.

Ladies, please weigh in.

ETA: I did not leave without getting the AVEDA dry remedy deep treatment. :look: :grin:
 
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It's great to take a break when you tired so you don't make rash decisions or have setbacks. Maybe consider kinky twists or a weave.... Some type of protective style to give you a break from having to do your hair for 6-8 weeks.
 
Try her one time. Hopefully, if she doesn't have a pair of scissors anywhere around, she can not do much damage in one visit. If nothing else, you will get one week off from tour hair.
 
Try her one time. Hopefully, if she doesn't have a pair of scissors anywhere around, she can not do much damage in one visit. If nothing else, you will get one week off from tour hair.

Ogoma

Also, I will probably finally get a decent blow dry. I like my hair "kinky straight" when I blow dry. I like the "poofy" look. The issue is my hair reverts from that back to an afro so quick it's not even funny. It could be because I am skittish with the heat. I stay on medium low using the tension method. Basically I start on medium and once my hair is half damp I switch to low, then to finish drying I go to cool shot. But my hair is VERY kinky.
It is like my hair says :yep: then in 20 minutes its like ":lachen: Oh wow! You really thought you were doing something didn't you! How are you going to forget who you dealing with? The dominicans couldn't even get me straight AFTER the heat damage! Oh you funny:nono:" .
 
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I think if she's good, patient, willing to use a decent amount of conditioner (some of Aveda's lines are pretty good), I don't see the harm in it. If you do go, please update us! I'm in PDX and can use someone to go to. :D
 
I think if she's good, patient, willing to use a decent amount of conditioner (some of Aveda's lines are pretty good), I don't see the harm in it. If you do go, please update us! I'm in PDX and can use someone to go to. :D

greenandchic

Awww! Yay! Another natural in Portland!:yay:
 
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Now that you decided you want a break from styling your hair, maybe you should shop around for a stylist that has experience with dealing with natural hair.
 
She has no experience with kinky hair? Kinky and curly are two different things. It's the reason you take 7 hours (not 5 as you indicated) to do your hair on wash day. This doesn't sound good.
 
Now that you decided you want a break from styling your hair, maybe you should shop around for a stylist that has experience with dealing with natural hair.

z3000zee

From what I've gathered that is hard to find in Portland. I would probably have to travel to Oakland or San Fran or L.A. for that. It is not tenable to have a stylist that far from me.
 
z3000zee

From what I've gathered that is hard to find in Portland. I would probably have to travel to Oakland or San Fran or L.A. for that. It is not tenable to have a stylist that far from me.

Exactly. The closest I found was Seattle. None of the black stylists here know a thing about natural hair.
 
She has no experience with kinky hair? Kinky and curly are two different things. It's the reason you take 7 hours (not 5 as you indicated) to do your hair on wash day. This doesn't sound good.

virtuenow

I am sooo glad you responded! I have wanted to know, how do you handle heat
use? Do you use heat protection? If so, what kind? What setting do you use on your blow dryer and how long does it take to blow dry? Oh, and finally have you experienced length retention while using this method?

I saw your siggy and I noted that you have such beautiful thick hair! :assimilat:

ETA: I hope I didn't creep you out...:look: :lol:
 
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Exactly. The closest I found was Seattle. None of the black stylists here know a thing about natural hair.

greenchic
:yep: :yep:

I walked by a black salon on the corner of Martin Luther King and I saw Organix and Creme of Nature featured in the window. Now both those brands do work for some people. However, as a salon, with all the stellar hair care options out there right now; you owe more to your consumers.

ETA: I am not even going to comment on the heads of hair in there. You already know the drill.
 
greenchic
:yep: :yep:

I walked by a black salon on the corner of Martin Luther King and I saw Organix and Creme of Nature featured in the window. Now both those brands do work for some people. However, as a salon, with all the stellar hair care options out there right now; you owe more to your consumers.

Hmmm, what's the cross street?
 
Hmmm, what's the cross street?

greenandchic

I forgot the cross street. But I remember I was walking back from New Seasons. I don't think that salon is too far from the Beauty Supply on MLK. I like the Beauty Supply but their selection does not include all of the boutique natural hair brands I used to find in NYC. I have had to do a lot more online shopping since I moved here.

ETA: By the way your hair is absolutely gorgeous. :spinning:
 
greenandchic

I forgot the cross street. But I remember I was walking back from New Seasons. I don't think that salon is too far from the Beauty Supply on MLK. I like the Beauty Supply but their selection does not include all of the boutique natural hair brands I used to find in NYC. I have had to do a lot more online shopping since I moved here.

ETA: By the way your hair is absolutely gorgeous. :spinning:

Thanks!

I know there are three BSS on MLK: One is on NE Killingsworth, one is not far away, but closer to NE Alberta and the other is near NE Fremont. I like the one near Fremont the most but you're not going to find a lot of natural brands outside what's at Target, Sally's and Walgreens.
 
Thanks!

I know there are three BSS on MLK: One is on NE Killingsworth, one is not far away, but closer to NE Alberta and the other is near NE Fremont. I like the one near Fremont the most but you're not going to find a lot of natural brands outside what's at Target, Sally's and Walgreens.

greenandchic

The one I went to is MidK on NE Killingsworth. So, I really need to visit the one on NE Fremont. That is even closer to me than MidK. Do you like the one on NE Fremont because it has a larger selection? Oh, and also is there a Sally's here? I never really found a Sally's in NYC (I lived in Manhattan and did most of my hair shopping in the Harlem beauty supply stores).
 
greenandchic

The one I went to is MidK on NE Killingsworth. So, I really need to visit the one on NE Fremont. That is even closer to me than MidK. Do you like the one on NE Fremont because it has a larger selection? Oh, and also is there a Sally's here? I never really found a Sally's in NYC (I lived in Manhattan and did most of my hair shopping in the Harlem beauty supply stores).

The one near Fremont has a slightly better selection and the people are nicer. I'm not sure if there are any other BSS besides those stores, Sally and Ulta (more salon brand products). I live near Hollywood/Laurelhurst so I go to the Sally in the Hollywood district.
 
@virtuenow

I am sooo glad you responded! I have wanted to know, how do you handle heat
use? Do you use heat protection? If so, what kind? What setting do you use on your blow dryer and how long does it take to blow dry? Oh, and finally have you experienced length retention while using this method?

I saw your siggy and I noted that you have such beautiful thick hair! :assimilat:

ETA: I hope I didn't creep you out...:look: :lol:

Hi, thanks :wave:. I don't use heat regularly anymore. I was a heat natural but my hair couldn't take it and my retention went down the drain. The last I blowdried, it took about an hour. I use the tension technique, and med/low setting (I think) and cool shot on my ends. I use bigger sections b/c I find there is safety in numbers. If I flat iron or blowdry these days, its always big bite sized - to hand sized chunks.
 
The one near Fremont has a slightly better selection and the people are nicer. I'm not sure if there are any other BSS besides those stores, Sally and Ulta (more salon brand products). I live near Hollywood/Laurelhurst so I go to the Sally in the Hollywood district.

greenandchic

Ooooh! I am heading to the Hollywood district! ( I'm corny, I'm excited because it sounds nice and this will be the first time I have ever stepped into a legit Sally's)


I am too excited! :dance7:
 
Hi, thanks :wave:. I don't use heat regularly anymore. I was a heat natural but my hair couldn't take it and my retention went down the drain. The last I blowdried, it took about an hour. I use the tension technique, and med/low setting (I think) and cool shot on my ends. I use bigger sections b/c I find there is safety in numbers. If I flat iron or blowdry these days, its always big bite sized - to hand sized chunks.

greenandchic and virtuenow

I totally understand :yep:. The heat is a frenemy :nono:. The method you are using right now sounds very reasonable. I will stick to using a blow dryer only 1-2x (no flat ironing) a month if that, on a low setting with heat protection because I just can't do the 2-3 day air drying time.

The way I have been using heat my hair hasn't even been getting dry. With that said, straight or "kinky straight" hair is just going to have to leave my mind and vocabulary. A slightly damp afro is just fine by me then :lachen:.

Honestly though, I don't have 75 dollars to blow on regular stylist appointments. I have a lot of stuff going on as far as establishing myself. I just got my degree and I'm getting married and I am in a new city. With all of these new beginnings, starting a new perhaps healthier stylist relationship seemed like it would make sense.

My hair however, reflects my life in that I have made it past a lot of hurdles and have made a lot of progress but I'm not done yet. I have a long way to go before I am fully financially solvent and established and as far as my hair maintenance I just need to find a better way. I need to make the effort and look for ways to save time and make things easier. If I am trying to grow my hair out longer than this what am I going to do in the long run, spend half my week on my hair? I just need to learn new techniques rather than try to bring my difficulties to other people paid or otherwise. I shouldn't have to go to a stylist for maintenance because "my hair takes too long".

The stylist was nice I may see her to straighten my hair for a length check someday, but right now I just don't think I'm ready.

(I'm sorry greenandchic I still hope we can shop for hooded dryers someday :bighug:)
 
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Haha! :lachen: The Whole Foods here is pretty nice too...

greenandchic

Yeah, like there is actual fresh fruit in there too...

Everything I have been eating since I got here has been like "Oh that is how food tastes like?"

Produce is garbage in NYC. If you ever go there...see the sights, don't eat the food.

Unless it's at a boogie place I would have never been able to afford where they fly that mess in from upstate or long island or whatever small pitiful tract of land still grows things in that general area :lol:.
 
2-3 days to airdry, huh?? I've never heard of such. How long is your hair? It must be really healthy. I associate long drying times w/healthy cuticles. If that's the case, and you're not going for a straight look-- why not just point the warm/cool blowdryer at your hair and just blow dry w/o combing through or aggitating it (i.e., roughing up your apparently healthy cuticle). Or sit under a hair dryer w/low heat.
 
I would give her a chance. My stylist hadn't dealt with my hair texture or my mom's before we decided to stop getting perms. She's been really happy about it though. She does a lot of research on her own as well. So I would give her a chance. My mother and I both have super thick hair but we have different textures, but my hair stylist is committed. Give her a chance to show what she's made of.
 
2-3 days to airdry, huh?? I've never heard of such. How long is your hair? It must be really healthy. I associate long drying times w/healthy cuticles. If that's the case, and you're not going for a straight look-- why not just point the warm/cool blowdryer at your hair and just blow dry w/o combing through or aggitating it (i.e., roughing up your apparently healthy cuticle). Or sit under a hair dryer w/low heat.

virtuenow

Thank you!

My hair is about waist length 4b/c and I hadn't touched heat until 2 months ago. I also have low porosity medium coarse strands. I sprayed a part of my hair in an attempt to show the stylist I was telling you about my natural hair texture and the stylist marveled at how my hair just rejected water. It took several sprays and me working the water into the section just to get it damp. So my hair takes forever to absorb water but when it finally soaks it up it has a death grip on it (That same section of hair stayed damp until late that night).

Aside from that I tend to single plait my hair after I wash because my hair laughs at twists when its wet (the twists start out neck length and then start retracting as my hair dries until they are sticking out every which way). The plaits hold onto water like nothing else though and I have to stretch my hair if I'm going to air dry.

In reference to getting a hair dryer, thank you for the tip! That will probably be my next step since all in all that would be easier, to just sit under a heated dryer until my hair is dry.
 
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She has no experience with kinky hair? Kinky and curly are two different things. It's the reason you take 7 hours (not 5 as you indicated) to do your hair on wash day. This doesn't sound good.

This^^^^


I say PASS.......

I can't be part of an experiment with my hair. I would tell her, "Nope. Nuh uh. No way. No thank you. Girl, bye!"

I appreciate her willingness to work with you and not acting like our hair is a foreign substance, but I wouldn't let her style my hair.

If I was you, I would get some braids, wig weave and take a break from my hair for awhile. When I'm sick of "almighty Isis" over here, I put her away for a bit. Slather her with moisturizer and oils, braid her up and slap on a wig and a headband and say "Bye, Hair. See ya in a week or more......" It's like I send her to camp. Lol. ;)
 
virtuenow

Thank you!

My hair is about waist length 4b/c and I hadn't touched heat until 2 months ago. I also have low porosity medium coarse strands. I sprayed a part of my hair in an attempt to show the stylist I was telling you about my natural hair texture and the stylist marveled at how my hair just rejected water. It took several sprays and me working the water into the section just to get it damp. So my hair takes forever to absorb water but when it finally soaks it up it has a death grip on it (That same section of hair stayed damp until late that night).

Aside from that I tend to single plait my hair after I wash because my hair laughs at twists when its wet (the twists start out neck length and then start retracting as my hair dries until they are sticking out every which way). The plaits hold onto water like nothing else though and I have to stretch my hair if I'm going to air dry.

In reference to getting a hair dryer, thank you for the tip! That will probably be my next step since all in all that would be easier, to just sit under a heated dryer until my hair is dry.

LMBO at "death grip". :p

Go on and get you a hooded dryer. That sounds like a good investment to me.
 
This^^^^


I say PASS.......

I can't be part of an experiment with my hair. I would tell her, "Nope. Nuh uh. No way. No thank you. Girl, bye!"

I appreciate her willingness to work with you and not acting like our hair is a foreign substance, but I wouldn't let her style my hair.

If I was you, I would get some braids, wig weave and take a break from my hair for awhile. When I'm sick of "almighty Isis" over here, I put her away for a bit. Slather her with moisturizer and oils, braid her up and slap on a wig and a headband and say "Bye, Hair. See ya in a week or more......" It's like I send her to camp. Lol. ;)


havilland

I love it. Camp. My hair is camping in some twists right now. I must say life with my hair is looking much rosier:yep:. I don't think I am going to that stylist. I got myself this far and I am going to get myself even further with my hair soon enough :reddancer:.
 
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