Natural Hair Salons- Do you go?

[MCMLXXII]

Interestingly, I went to a natural\traditional salon 2 weeks ago for a steam treatment. I'm not likely to return because I didn't like the way they cared for my hair. Like ToyToy mentioned, they washed my hair 4 times and didn't use enough condish to properly detangle. Additionally, I thought they were super pricey.

I enjoy caring for my own hair, so I'll continue to be a good steward. If I need something special done, I'll go to the salon. Otherwise, I'll manage things on my own.

 

[JustKiya]

I feel you on this! Paying a whole lot of money for something you can do yourself seems to be counter productive for the wallet. I have walked out of a hair salon ( in my relaxed days) plenty of times. I would set an appt and get there before time & still have to wait an hour or two before getting into the chair??? I absolutely hated that!! So much so, I'd leave and find something else to do with my hair. In fact, the salon experience is what kinda pushed me into going natural. Good stylists are so hard to find.... I just wonder if there was a natural salon that
1)knew what they were doing
2) cared about maintaining & growing natural hair
3) provided all natural products
4) had low to minimal waiting time
&
5) affordable prices

would it even be lucrative? B/c from the responses i'm getting it seems a lot of those who are natural would rather do their hair themselves. Maybe this is why there aren't many"natural" salons???

I dunno...

Indeed, think about it. As far as the costs go, maybe it's supply and demand?? I've really been thinking about it, which is why I started this thread. I don't understand it. It seems it would be somewhat cheaper to do natural hair because it doesn't have to be manipulated as much. Maybe because it takes longer? Or maybe because hair dressers don't want to be bother with natural hair??

$25.00 per hour???? you have got to be kidding! I would have politely went elsewhere. that's just outrageous

I think right there, that is the problem. To do my hair - and to do it RIGHT - takes at least 3-4 hours - including DC, washing, detangling, styling, and you CAN'T just stick me under a dryer for 30 minutes while you are taking care of another customer, or leave me sitting there with damp hair after you comb it, because it'll retangle like a flash. You have to focus most of your time on me.

I suspect, in order to actually make a profit, considering the time and effort that goes into doing a head of natural hair kindly, gently, and patiently, using high-quality products - it's going to cost a grip. There's really no way to get around it - maybe if you made most of your products in house/fresh - and even still - are you really going to recoup the cost of your time, or just the cost of the raw supplies? So, since it costs them so much, they pass the costs on down to us.

I suspect natural hair salons have a razor thin profit margin, and the general reluctance of naturals to even try a new salon doesn't help.

Doesn't the ORS olive cream have petrolatum and/or mineral oil in it? If I'm going to a natural salon, I only want natural and high-quality ingredients to be used on my hair. If a hairdresser is going to put that on my hair, I can take $5 from her fee & buy it from Duane Reade myself (Shoot, if I bought if from Duane Reade, I'd eventually be getting the money back anyway b/c of the $5 reward that club card members receive when the earn 100 points.)

Exactly!

 

[Ladybelle]

I think right there, that is the problem. To do my hair - and to do it RIGHT - takes at least 3-4 hours - including DC, washing, detangling, styling, and you CAN'T just stick me under a dryer for 30 minutes while you are taking care of another customer, or leave me sitting there with damp hair after you comb it, because it'll retangle like a flash. You have to focus most of your time on me.

I suspect, in order to actually make a profit, considering the time and effort that goes into doing a head of natural hair kindly, gently, and patiently, using high-quality products - it's going to cost a grip. There's really no way to get around it - maybe if you made most of your products in house/fresh - and even still - are you really going to recoup the cost of your time, or just the cost of the raw supplies? So, since it costs them so much, they pass the costs on down to us.

I suspect natural hair salons have a razor thin profit margin, and the general reluctance of naturals to even try a new salon doesn't help.



Exactly!

I guess you answered my main question. The time involved to really care for natural hair is what cost so much, then taking the time to know what products work on what natural hair types because what works for a 3a may not work for a 4b... it's almost a science. So, it may not be possible to find a quality natural hair salon without being willing to pay extra bucks for the quality service.

 

[heyfranz]

they are very expensive - at least the ones i know about. My sister goes to one in ATL and they are doing a fantastic job with her hair even though she's relaxed. She's stretching and they do a wonderful job with her new growth. It doesn't even revert.

 

[Ladybelle]

I would if I knew they were REALLY natural folks or at least knew how to cater to a natural's needs and respect her way of life. I didn't know natural hair stylists exist lol lol...j/k. Its just that there are so many pretend folks and so many terrible stylists that good ones with true hair care values that I don't doubt they are hard to come across...I wish I knew somebody that was good cause I'd be in his/ her chair right now...lord send somebody or some conditioner to help my hair!

We share the same dilemma, if i could click my red diamond encrusted heels together to find a natural hair salon that felt like home, I certainly would go there at least once a month. Even some natural haired people don't really know how to care for natural hair. I've seen some people with dreads that looked like they had been attacked with moths balls or something, it was terribly matted and not really attractive. Even dreads require some form of maintenace. I hope that with more and more women going natural and/or steering more towards natural products there will inevitably be shops/salons that cater to this growing market. Maybe??

 

[Mwenye_Heri]

I went to a natural salon and I wasn't happy. At the time I was a natural by hair type but I love my straight hair. When I expressed that to the person that was doing my hair they shrugged it off as if what I wanted didn't matter. I even asked about the technique that they use to get the natural hair straight and they were concerned that the chemicals used with the certain type of flat iron would harm them. I just shrugged my shoulders and put it as they didn't want to give me the service that I wanted they weren't good enough for my money.

 

[Pooks]

I've been to two 'natural' hair salons. The first experience was not pleasant, my hair was combed and blowdried roughly, products were substandard and then this chick cornrowed my hair so tightly it hurt for days! I got loads of compliments but was so not worth it

The second salon I visited, I got an obviously less experienced stylist who shampooed me twice, DC'd but with products that did my hair no favours whatsoever, and then blowdried with terrible technique. Again

The only time going to the hairdressers has been positive for me recently was when I took my own products from home. If I knew of a place locally that would treat my hair as well as I do, I would be there in a flash for whatever I couldn't do or have my sis do, or when I wanted to self pamper. We live in hope...

 

[melodies815]

I used to go to a natural salon in Greensboro called Escofhari's. It was the MOST WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE in the universe!!! They knew how to take care of natural hair and honestly took care of me as a human being as well. I can't adequately describe how pleasurable it was...

...but from the time I hit the door, I was steeped in a truly holistic experience - without them ramming the whole natural thing down others' throats, seeming judgmental of chemically-treated sisters/brothers, or just otherwise being inconsiderate of the whole hair plight for people with some kind of curl/coil to their hair. If I can find them when I return, I will definitely go back again. They took their time and used good products too...2-4 hours depending on length with slippery conditioners, great butters, etc.

I would do it again! (Didn't I just say that?)

cj

 

[darlingdiva]

I've been to two 'natural' hair salons. The first experience was not pleasant, my hair was combed and blowdried roughly, products were substandard and then this chick cornrowed my hair so tightly it hurt for days! I got loads of compliments but was so not worth it

The second salon I visited, I got an obviously less experienced stylist who shampooed me twice, DC'd but with products that did my hair no favours whatsoever, and then blowdried with terrible technique. Again

The only time going to the hairdressers has been positive for me recently was when I took my own products from home. If I knew of a place locally that would treat my hair as well as I do, I would be there in a flash for whatever I couldn't do or have my sis do, or when I wanted to self pamper. We live in hope...

See? Why do customers have to bring their products from home? Customers already pay for you to do their hair (this is more of a notation as opposed to a complaint. I believe that people should be fairly compensated for their labor). However, I think that having to bring your own products from home to get quality results is ridiculous.

I think the greater issue is that we have far more hairdressers and hairstylists than we do HAIR CARE SPECIALISTS. Before a customer is placed in front of the shampoo bowl, her hair should be assessed: is it dry? Is it oily? Does she need more cleansing, conditioning, or strengthening products? Or a combination of all three?

I don't expect anyone to care more about my hair than I do but for the price of natural salons, I expect top-notch treatment in terms of customer service and products used.

 

[Ladybelle]

I used to go to a natural salon in Greensboro called Escofhari's. It was the MOST WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE in the universe!!! They knew how to take care of natural hair and honestly took care of me as a human being as well. I can't adequately describe how pleasurable it was...

...but from the time I hit the door, I was steeped in a truly holistic experience - without them ramming the whole natural thing down others' throats, seeming judgmental of chemically-treated sisters/brothers, or just otherwise being inconsiderate of the whole hair plight for people with some kind of curl/coil to their hair. If I can find them when I return, I will definitely go back again. They took their time and used good products too...2-4 hours depending on length with slippery conditioners, great butters, etc.

I would do it again! (Didn't I just say that?)

cj

Thanks for the shout out to this salon... see, there are some good salons out there that cater to natural hair!! Yaaay!!!

 

[Ladybelle]

See? Why do customers have to bring their products from home? Customers already pay for you to do their hair (this is more of a notation as opposed to a complaint. I believe that people should be fairly compensated for their labor). However, I think that having to bring your own products from home to get quality results is ridiculous.

I think the greater issue is that we have far more hairdressers and hairstylists than we do HAIR CARE SPECIALISTS. Before a customer is placed in front of the shampoo bowl, her hair should be assessed: is it dry? Is it oily? Does she need more cleansing, conditioning, or strengthening products? Or a combination of all three?

I don't expect anyone to care more about my hair than I do but for the price of natural salons, I expect top-notch treatment in terms of customer service and products used.

Do you think that since naturals are so knowledgeable about our hair (we have to be in order to learn to effectively deal with it) that we are toooo demanding when it comes to hair care?? :scratchch The word "hair care specialists" denotes an expertise - a pediatrician vs a regular physician - being a specialist requires more wherewhithal and maybe a hair care specialist is what's so hard to find. hair dressers are on every corner....

 

[Ladybelle]

I went to a natural salon and I wasn't happy. At the time I was a natural by hair type but I love my straight hair. When I expressed that to the person that was doing my hair they shrugged it off as if what I wanted didn't matter. I even asked about the technique that they use to get the natural hair straight and they were concerned that the chemicals used with the certain type of flat iron would harm them. I just shrugged my shoulders and put it as they didn't want to give me the service that I wanted they weren't good enough for my money.

In situations like these, is it rude to (make your concerns loud and clear or hit the road without letting the stylist mess over your hair b/c they obviously don't care about it??? I'm prone to not even sign the book when I see the hair stylist's hair is all jacked up. I mean, how can she possibly know about hair maintenance when she has split ends, broken edges and etc??

 

[LiberianGirl]

Ever since I have learned to take care of my own hair, I have had 0 interest in going to a salon. I do not like the idea of anyone else having control over my hair. I went a natural salon once to have my TWA shaped up (my grandmother told me to do so). The man (apparently, the women only knew how to do twists, locs, and braids) ripped through my hair and then told me I would have to come back every week to get it shaped up. I never went back.

I plan to keep doing my own hair at home.

Yes to the bolded. Never say never, but I just don't see myself going to a salon anytime soon.

 

[Ladybelle]

Yes to the bolded. Never say never, but I just don't see myself going to a salon anytime soon.

Even if it was a salon like the one listed above? A complete holistic experience with hair "specialists" who knew exactly what they were doing & had such wonderful products??? Hair Haven!

 

[RedVelvet310]

I've never been to a salon since I BC (my hair is protected 95% of the time). I don't want to go before I reach apl because I don't want them to cut it and I'm not up for the argument btw me and the stylist that will most sure happen. But once I hit APL I'll probably go annually or bi-annually to trim.

 

[lollyoo]

I love salon, the whole experience and all. I use to visit salon weekly since age 8.
Did I say I love salons (obvious good ones, but they all catered for relaxed hair)
If I can find a natural hair salon where I live (may be in a million years), with excellent service.
I dont mind paying for it, as long as it's good

 

[MissFallon]

The salon I go to is not a "natural salon" per say but every AA woman I have seen while in there has been natural. It is in Dallas (North Dallas) off Larmanda and Abrams. They are Ethiopean and do a fabulous job.

 

[darlingdiva]

Do you think that since naturals are so knowledgeable about our hair (we have to be in order to learn to effectively deal with it) that we are toooo demanding when it comes to hair care?? :scratchch The word "hair care specialists" denotes an expertise - a pediatrician vs a regular physician - being a specialist requires more wherewhithal and maybe a hair care specialist is what's so hard to find. hair dressers are on every corner....

I don't think that we as naturals are too demanding when it comes to our hair--especially since this conversation is in the context of natural salons. When I go to a "natural" salon, I go in assuming that dealing with and understanding the needs of natural hair care is a part of their specialty. I agree with the bolded above. Just like you made the distinction between a pediatrician and a regular physician, I think there is a major difference between a hair care specialist and a hair dresser. A hair care specialist is concerned with your hair's health whereas a hair dresser is concerned with how your hair is styled (I'm not saying that there aren't hair dressers who are concerned with your hair's health; I'm just breaking down my definition of the meaning in its literal sense.)

 

[Tami2shoes]

i have been natural for almost 10 years and i've been to Natural Salons about 3 times and Dominican Salons about 3 times... the Dominicans did a better job honestly.

my visits to natural salons have been disastrous!!! and they were all at popular, reputable salons in Brooklyn and Chicago... i had only gone in for a test run at each (ie. a deep condition, blowout) but each time they took to my head with scissors without permission and i left with substantial hair missing. and no my hair was not damaged...i will probably never go back to one again.

 

[BklynHeart]

There's one stylist I go to maybe once or twice a year. she's great, but it's too costly for me. For a wash, instant and leave-in conditioner (i didn't have time for a deep, she called and said she was running late), trim, blow-dry and flat iron. was $94. And that was a discount because she was late.

 

[blazingthru]

I went to a stylist that specializes in natural hair. She was very very gentle to me. very and she did an excellent job. I really honestly did not pay attention to what she was saying to me it sounded so what every other stylist said and I was afraid it would confuse me. I hate the word training your hair I really don't get that. Anyway. I have to admit she was correct in how my hair would behave. I am natural with now straighten hair and i can see and feel the difference in the parts that desparately need a trim and the parts that don't. This is the reason why I will go back to her. her prices are high for me. 55 dollars every two weeks. I can't afford it. I will tailor my appointmts back to once a month once I get my hair completely healthy. But she is a keeper. Also My hair stayed completely straight for the 14 days. Completely I might be able to go another two weeks with the same press she did last month.

 

[melodies815]

I know I am relaxed, but I'm posting here for a few reasons:

(1) I used to be natural for 6 years and probably will go back to it again at some point after we return to the US. I just don't have enough confidence to do it here without access to all the products I like at a price that is reasonable to me. What's available on Base is not 100% desirable.

(2) I love natural hair. I really enjoy relaxed hair too.

(3) This topic is interesting to me.

I personally was VERY demanding about my hair when I was natural. I wasn't demanding in the sense that I make needless demands on my stylist. It's just that I was...discriminating...

I knew what I wanted and also what I did not want. I knew what my hair "liked." I knew what was making it grow and stay healthy and would not settle for less than that. As a relaxed head, I also know what I want for my hair and for my health, but somehow when I was natural, that knowledge was ratcheted up a notch. I wanted everything that touched my head - including the hands (shame on me, I know!) - to be "right." Sometimes, doing my own hair just took too long and I wanted a treat. Esco's gave me that and they were worth the money I spent.

Well...anyway...thanks for letting me share. I feel like a natural in a relaxed body....not trapped at all, but enjoying the relaxed journey for a little while...

HHG to us all!

cj

 

[Evolving78]

only if i was getting highlights, a press, or maybe something special. but i had a bad experience with going to a salon and getting my hair straighten that i am too scared to do that again. that is why i am growing my hair back now.

 

[Ladybelle]

I know I am relaxed, but I'm posting here for a few reasons:

(1) I used to be natural for 6 years and probably will go back to it again at some point after we return to the US. I just don't have enough confidence to do it here without access to all the products I like at a price that is reasonable to me. What's available on Base is not 100% desirable.

(2) I love natural hair. I really enjoy relaxed hair too.

(3) This topic is interesting to me.

I personally was VERY demanding about my hair when I was natural. I wasn't demanding in the sense that I make needless demands on my stylist. It's just that I was...discriminating...

I knew what I wanted and also what I did not want. I knew what my hair "liked." I knew what was making it grow and stay healthy and would not settle for less than that. As a relaxed head, I also know what I want for my hair and for my health, but somehow when I was natural, that knowledge was ratcheted up a notch. I wanted everything that touched my head - including the hands (shame on me, I know!) - to be "right." Sometimes, doing my own hair just took too long and I wanted a treat. Esco's gave me that and they were worth the money I spent.

Well...anyway...thanks for letting me share. I feel like a natural in a relaxed body....not trapped at all, but enjoying the relaxed journey for a little while...

HHG to us all!

cj

Do you find yourself going to the salon more as a relaxed head than when you were natural?

 

[redecouvert]

I use all natural hair products and NEVER go to a hair salon first of all,t here's no natural hair salon in my area. The nearest one is 1h and a half away and I ain't driving 3 hours for that.
I do everything myself and don't trust anyone with my hair. I'd rather maintain it myself and if i have questions go to hair boards.



If there was a reputable natural salon in your area that really cared about your life and knew how to effectively & gently deal with natural hair/styles and products, would you go??

Nope. I'd rather buy hair products

 

[ToyToy]

Doesn't the ORS olive cream have petrolatum and/or mineral oil in it? If I'm going to a natural salon, I only want natural and high-quality ingredients to be used on my hair. If a hairdresser is going to put that on my hair, I can take $5 from her fee & buy it from Duane Reade myself (Shoot, if I bought if from Duane Reade, I'd eventually be getting the money back anyway b/c of the $5 reward that club card members receive when the earn 100 points.)

Yes, it does!! They only had ORS-Products and (very) few Black Earth Products (Taliah Waajid) - I was really surprised .

ETA: What bothered me the most was that the girl who did my hair really didn't seem to know how to detangle my hair properly or how to deal with it when it was dry. She stopped short of ripping through my hair with the comb attachement on the blowdryer. I think (as someone else already mentioned) most salons are so used to dealing with straight/silky hair (and if you're lucky, locks), but there almost no hair stylists out there that know how to deal with a cottony 'fro . And they don't seem to want to learn, either.

 

[serenity326]

I picked "maybe" on the poll...

I have been to many salons with mixed reviews. The salon where I had my BC used good products and was able to handle my hair well (though it was really short and not that difficult to deal with - wonder how successful they would be now)... The unfortunate part is that they were EXPENSIVE! I am talking the ~200 (100 for the cut, 100 for the style) kind of expensive - which is too rich for my blood!

I have had my hair washed and set by my regular dominican stylist in new york, and it cost ~45 but included a trim, and deep condition, roller set and blowdry with pin curls (to leave the salon in)... That was worth my money...

I have considered doing a miss jessie's type appointment with one of the curl specialists (like an ouidad, miss jessies, or devachon) but can't get my head around the cost of it all...

For now, I will continue doing my own hair. Its time consuming, but at least I don't walk away feeling like i didn't get the true "value" i was looking for.

And besides, if my hair really isn't working for me - I will always have my trusty denman to detangle, and my trusty ponytail/bun for a style!

 

[DDTexlaxed]

I wish I had one close to me. I'd save up my $ to go and get some natural TLC.

 

[natstar]

I would go only if they were masters at creating great cuts and doing trims. Otherwise no. I can do almost anything myself and I need to save some change

 

[CandacyEliz]

I picked "maybe" on the poll...

I have been to many salons with mixed reviews. The salon where I had my BC used good products and was able to handle my hair well (though it was really short and not that difficult to deal with - wonder how successful they would be now)... The unfortunate part is that they were EXPENSIVE! I am talking the ~200 (100 for the cut, 100 for the style) kind of expensive - which is too rich for my blood!

I have had my hair washed and set by my regular dominican stylist in new york, and it cost ~45 but included a trim, and deep condition, roller set and blowdry with pin curls (to leave the salon in)... That was worth my money...

I have considered doing a miss jessie's type appointment with one of the curl specialists (like an ouidad, miss jessies, or devachon) but can't get my head around the cost of it all...

For now, I will continue doing my own hair. Its time consuming, but at least I don't walk away feeling like i didn't get the true "value" i was looking for.

And besides, if my hair really isn't working for me - I will always have my trusty denman to detangle, and my trusty ponytail/bun for a style!

Off topic: Your hair is beautiful