It’s sad whenever I see any black woman in business fail or start to wane because sometimes it is through no fault of her own. It happens daily, I’m sure all around the world or just in this country but it stings. I want us all to succeed whether you are at the top of a corporate Fortune 500 company, a small business owner or a stay-at-home mom with a side hustle. Whatever you are doing to put food on the table and keep a roof over your head is honorable and needs to be supported.
One foundation that has been around and is a symbolic presence within the black community would have to be the black hair salon. It’s been a gateway to entrepreneurship for thousands if not millions of women whether they are renting a chair or own the shop. Similarly it’s also been a haven for the black woman to transform into her beautiful self with a wash and style, a touch-up or a special occasion hair do. The salon is never boring and always full of laughter and even some pain as we connect with each other. The black hair salon has surely marked itself in our hair history.
Despite the richness of it’s legacy, the popularity of the traditional black hair salon is on the decline. It’s dying, or at least what it meant or started out to be is all but non existent. Just a few days ago at an event I was listening to the tear-filled cries of a salon owner who was in desperate need of reviving her once thriving business.
You see, she was the traditional salon, the one where you could get a perm, a touch-up, a roller set or a banging style. The major ingredient that held the salon together was Lye. Of course not all women who go to black hair salons were getting their hair relaxed but a big portion were and then there was the usage of the hot comb, curling irons* and dryers.
The allure of the shop was the fact that you came out looking and feeling like a beauty queen and if you had the right stylist you knew before hand just what to expect. These trained professionals were making money while adding to their community through jobs and money going back into the community.
It was a good thing! A solid fixture that has grown bigger and better throughout the years but probably for the first time we notice a dying industry and it all has to do with the natural hair movement.
Oh, I’m not claiming the natural hair movement is bad, killing the black community or is the devil. I’m merely stating the obvious, more black women are moving away from the creamy crack and traditional salons. Relaxers have always had the possibility of doing harm to our tresses, they can be bad for our hair, our skin and our bodies but we have resigned ourselves to believing that they were a necessary evil to tame our tresses.
It was taught to us at a young age to get our tresses relaxed but as a wave of information, admiration and understanding came about, the desire to relax was, well ‘relaxed’, no pun intended.
The teary-eyed salon owner I mentioned above was at her wits end. She wanted to win back her business, her thriving business that was once flourishing but as the love for bone-straight tresses began to decline, so did the need to patronize her shop. I don’t know if she saw the writing on wall early on but ignored it or saw natural hair as a trend or fad that was bound to be short-lived.
One would expect that among the regular reasons for business decline or recessions would be bad business practices or even bad customer service, and these might be easy fixes, but this time round things are different. So it perfectly fair that the warnings may have been overlooked, ignored or even laughed at by many salon owners.
The natural hair movement should put these beauty supply stores out of business! They treat us like crap but they need our money!
Yes it has. My business has suffered tremendously and I am changing career. I have applied for nursing school at the university.
Nursing school is a wonderful idea good luck to you but you can also open a naturalist salon or have a naturalist section. You don’t have to give up if that’s what you really wanna do.
You are absolutely right. Incorporate natural hair styling in your business.
I agree with the need for more Natural hair salons. I would LOVE to get someone to do my hair once a month, or so. I don’t want to cut/trim my own hair. So, re-market yourself. Naturals would like to get pampered too.
What about changing the product and not abandoning the business? It is a good business, just the products have changed.
This happened, (in many ways) to IBM. They did not see the “Apple” on the wall, people with small personal computers. This over 50 year old company nearly went under financially! Business must be able to see years and sometimes even decades in the future or they will be as extinct as the dinosaur. Just saying.
Stylists need to continue their education in order to cater to the needs of naturals. If I knew someone could take care of my locs as well as or better than I do, do you think I would spend the tiresome hours I do in my head? Or stress over the fact that I have no time in my work week to maintain my hair? I would let my stylist wash and set my hair every other week if her rod set curled my locs better than my own. But hers didnt. So I stay home. And do my own hair.
I wish that I can get someone to twist my hair, I’ve called all over Chicago but only some barber shops do twists for men and I don’t want to go to a barber shop. I even called braid shops and they won’t do my twists unless there adding hair to the twists, I just want to use my own hair.
Makes sense to me.
naturalists would be happy to visit a salon that could cater to their hair needs, so salons shouldn’t be experiencing loss of custom just a change in hair needs
Its jus going to become an extension of their craft n being open to alternate styles n processes will benefit the salon in the long run
I would love to go to a salon that would help me with my natural hair.. It is just as much work to keep it healthy and tangle free.. Salons should update and change with the times .. There is a market out there
The salons are charging to much to style natural hair
Ours only charge 35 for a wash & style…. They have their own products and everyone have a set price but can move from beginner to expert pricing.
Wow, where are you because I pay $80 every two weeks. It’s really crazy!
I know I went one time it was 45 and that was half off
Price gouging! I’m going to go to class for myself!
If I could find a salon that really understood how to care for natural hair, I’d be there. My last salon experience ended with me getting another BC. They need to update their skills.
We have a natural salon here that I usually go to
Why they can’t learn to do natural hair? It’s hair too just a different texture.
Right @ Kim. Ppl should have learned all of that in school
And if you do add it to your craft, please try not to price gouge and really know what you’re doing. Pulling peoples hard to grow hair out is not the way to go!
I think they just need to get wuth the times and do more natural styles. I tried a hair salon recently and she pressured me to straighten my hair and discouraged my natural ways. I never visited her again.
Most all stylists are versatile in the services they perform. We knew how to style natural hair before relaxers and etc. You have to be in the business to realize that not that many clients come in for natural hair services. The money has always been in the chemical side of the business. Natural sistahs either style and care for their own hair without the help of a stylist. Also it depends on what city and state you live in and the income level of the clients. Most natural clients do no want to spend the amount of money that is required to take care of their hair. Natural hair is harder to care for than chemically treated hair and therefore cost more. A number of natural hair clients just walk out of the salon when we quote them the price.
Very well said!
Natural hair is not expensive to take care of…The boom of new products and what not has made it seem that way.
And it’s also not hard to take care of..stylist just aren’t willing to learn…anything’s hard when you’re just starting off
Most stylist have experience on how to flat iron natrual hair but are not educated on how to do other styles on curly/kinky hair.
Salons charge too much nowadays anyway, most want 45-50$ for wash, blowdry and curl regardless if you are natural or not. Lot of times its not worth it because they half do your hair and it doesn’t stay, most claim they are about healthy hair but are they really?
I’d like to do hair but black hair are there schools that teach that, I know hair is hair but I had my hair done at a hair school an they only worked with black hair if it was permed
@Amber Nicole my stylist of 10 years tried to convince me to go back to perms and I almost did but my inner self told me to get out of the chair and continue my natural journey alone. We need salons who specializes in natural hair. They would make a lot of money because most naturals I know would love for someone else to deal with the madness!!!!
@Terry – that is why I really like my stylist. She is relaxed and so am I. She also cares for natural hair, encourages each to care for their own hair at home. When I visit her, she asks what I am doing to my own hair. When I let her know she either gives me a little more information on what I’m doing; if she is not familiar with something she makes note of it and researches it for herself. One time she did not remember what I said and sent me a text asking about the product. I read this morning that she may be moving to another state and now I am a little upset. It’s hard finding a stylist who really cares about their client.
Just so you know, the majority of what a stylist learns is not in school. So learning “all that in school” is not possible. It’s through trial and error, just like any professional job, with continuing education as reinforcement. It’s easier said than done to change the way you work.
A lot of these salons were focused on fryin’, dyin’ and layin’ it to the side instead of healthy hair retention. It’s all about constant education to survive in that market. Especially since hair trends (though natural isn’t one) are always changing.
I have no informed response to provide, as it would only be my opinion regarding a need for one to always be up on their skills. My friends salon is doing beautifully because she works with natural hair, perms, karatin, weaves, cuts, etc. So I will say this, please stop calling it a movement. That suggests a trend. This is not a trend for many, including myself, but a way of life.
I don’t understand this. Why didn’t they learn this at school? Were they all taught just to handle relaxed or permed hair as well as caucasian hair? This is a failure from the top of the beauty schools all the way to the bottom. If you go to the barber shop, they surely know how to cut all types of hair. Something is definitely wrong here and the beauty salons will be the ones to suffer.
I agree with Precious. Having done social media at a nationally sponsored Beauty show, one of the things that working in a pavilion that exhibited many kinds of hair care products and techniques that cater to the highly textured and multi-textured among us was that all of them encouraged hair stylists to learn the RIGHT way to care for the special needs of naturally curly hair. There is even a way to cut it, so that we don’t come out looking horrific. There is information out there, but because natural hair has been so “dogged out” as unmanageable, many stylists tend to shy away from taking on the challenge. Which is a shame, because honestly, it’s not as hard as it seems to care for natural hair. Other races do it, (not EVERYONE has straight hair and not EVERYONE who has curly, coily or kinky hair is Black) so if they can service their own, why can’t (or more like why won’t) we? Those who choose to hold on the antiquated mindset of the 50’s – 70’s regarding our hair care needs and choices, do so at their own financial detriment and quite frankly, I don’t feel sorry for them one bit. #freeyourmind
I just want to say if I could find a hair salon where I live that specializes in natural hair I would support it 100%. Sometimes I like doing my hair and most times I don’t. When I tried to patronize a local salon I was laughed at….”Girl you don’t need to be walking around with that nappy hair” “Why you walking around here looking like a slave” It was humiliating and I continue to do my own hair. Until the mentality change I won’t go back.
Sound like they need to learn how to do real hair and not just slap on relaxer and sew in weave.
Hair salons cost too damn much. Both natural and traditional. I can get my hair cut by a barber for $15. Same cut at the salon, $40. Then it’s almost an all day experience. Bye!
If they want to stay in business, they’re gonna have to adapt.
It’s not ‘rocket science.’ All the salons have to do is incorporate stylists for natural hair. They can still keep doing relaxers, perms, etc., but they need to dedicate just as much (if not even more) space and time to naturals. And most importantly, Don’t Charge So Much!! Their businesses would be booming in no time. I would definitely support them and get others to do the same. Changing careers is ignorant. Instead of being greedy, act needy. Do your job well and you’ll get the patrons. For sure!!!
The prices some salons charge to do natural hair is ridiculous! First of all, you are not putting in any harsh chemicals so why is the cost so much? It seems like it’s more money to be natural. For instance,a teacher will forever be a student because they have to stay current with changes that may happen in the education field. If you do hair I think you should stay current and learn to adapt.
Nope…. we don’t do as many relaxers like we do natural hair.
Which is why I don’t go to Salons!! They take one look at my fro and don’t know what to do! YouTube tutorials are waaaaaay more helpful then them women
It’s not just the rise of natural hair that are contributing to a loss of business for these salons. So many black women are turning to sew in extensions and wigs which last for months when cared for properly. They don’t need touch ups for several months therefor they don’t need to make regular visits to a stylist.
There is a Salon in Aurora CO that specializes in natural hair. Business is booming for them. They can do the other stuff like relaxers, but they pride themselves on natural hair and natural products. I think if more salons shifted or added natural services then they won’t feel the pinch. My hairstylist is a skinny tattooed white guy. Lol, he has pretty much looked at every natural site that he could to make sure that he can do my hair. Lol So He’ll have my business for a while.
I know the salon you are talking about. The only problem is salons here in Colorado charge an arm and a leg! Even if I wanted to frequent a curly or natural hair salon I coudn’t go that often because of the price.
It’s really a no-brainer. Cater to Naturals while catering to other hair types. Most importantly, don’t charge so much! You should do quite well if not better than before. Sure you would be charging less, but you’d have much more clientele due to the prices! Think!
Not only are they hurting but chinese hair stores are too
This adaptability is why I love my hairstylist. She can do anything from relaxers, weaves, sets, flat iron, pressing, braids/cornrows (which I have), anything. I go monthly to get my natural protective style done. She is from Liberia and does African and Caucasian hair. Love her! You must be competitive and adaptable with the changing times.
I didn’t think most shops were hurting because they made most of their money doing weaves and braids.
Some of the natural salons cost too much. There’s no need to charge $65 to wash and put my hair on perm rods. I’ll do it myself.
The truth of the matter is, we need our own beauty schools that specialize in caring and styling natural hair. And definitely yes, we need more natural hair salons to go along with it. Natural in CA means press and curls, braids, or locs. No baby, that is not what I am talking about when I say “Natural Hair Style”. I had the darnest time trying to explain what I wanted to a stylist who does chemical treatment, until the point where I just said, “forget it”. If you can’t catch the vision I do not want you in my head, let alone pay for questionable services. There are a few sprinkles of persons who do natural hair in CA, but most are in Los Angeles, an hour drive in good traffic; a trip that I am willing to make every now and again for good services.
Natural Hair is about Loving Yourself to the core, better health, and confidence; I don’t think this can be a fad. It would be great if someone started a business traveling around to salons or cities offering Natural Hair Schools or conferences the way they do for Sisterlocks. Here is free business consulting; somebody better jump on it.
What about the impact of using flat iron. I have started relaxing my hair every six month. In between I flat iron once or twice a month.
My hair is longer and thicker so I am happy. I got this idea from some Youttube bloggers. Quite a few seems to be stretching their relaxers for longer and longer periods. After all if they want their hair really straight, they can always flat iron.
Also a lot of naturals, when they get bored can flat iron their hair and leave it for a couple weeks or so. Thereby haveing the best of both worlds.
I haven’t been in a salon in almost a year and a half and before that it had been about 14 months.
If salons feel the pinch and may have to close, I wish they would instead re-imagine themselves into beauty supply stores. I’m always on the lookout to find black-owned beauty supply stores and would prefer to patronize them.
The cost are to high and they don’t have many low cost services for natural hair maintenance.
Honestly, I feel as if black salons were never flourishing to begin with as sad as it sounds. Compared to Dominican salons who can do a wash and set for 10-20$ black salons tend to charge soooo much more. I would love to be an “all black” supporter but when other races are doing it so much cheaper and just as good, on a broke college student’s budget, the decision is an easy one. We have to find a way to do it ourselves, for ourselves. (FUBU had the right idea)
natural or not ..with the crisis people spend less for services …they buy less too and try to do more themselves at home …not only for hair but also beauty (skincare) ..i also work in beauty .i went natural but i go to my loctitian every 6 weeks /8 weeks max .. i wasn’t even going that often when i my hair was permed ..:) yes they have to offer more services and cater for natural hair that’s it !!
In my opinion yes. However in my opinion, the couple times i went to a salon catering for naturals, my bill was more than when i was relaxed. All i did was wash, deep conditioned and got my hair in twists. My hair is super thick and takes a while to dry. Now don’t get me wrong, not knocking any one who wants to go at a natural salon but there is not for me. I spend way too much money there. I am taking care of my hair myself and my sisters can give me excellent hair comb.
I doubt it. Women will forever get relaxers and/or weaves. I take care of my hair myself so there’s no need for salons for me.
Let’s get real here…when Black women first started going Natural, early on a lot of traditional black hair salons dug in their heels & didn’t want to provide natural hair care services. Stylists put all their eggs in one basket relying on the “weave” money to sustain them until the natural hair “trend” was over and their clients returned to them to get their hair relaxed again; unfortunately, for them that never happened. When you’re running a business & you see that the landscape of your business is changing, you have to be able to adapt & change with it…if not, your business is going to suffer. I’m not calling Natural hair a trend, because it’s “NOT”, but to give an example: Stylists/beauticians don’t have a problem adapting to other hair trends like when feathered “pixie” cut was popular they all learned how to do the pixie cut, then when the “weave” craze came on the scene all of them learned how to do weaves; whatever hair trend is popular at the moment stylists have no problem learning, so, why the resistance to learning to do natural hair?…and then have the nerve to complain when their business starts dropping off!!
You make a valid point. Many thought this was a fad but not one they wanted to embrace. Now they are feeling the pinch.
That’s sad because your typical black salon doesn’t know how to care for black hair in its natural state. The big money makers are relaxer and extension services. Why arent black stylist continuing their education by taking classes? Its a great way to keep and gain new clients 🙂
Cost too much, im a stay at home mom and in ny, dominicans do u hair wash and set $20, they use natural stuff loved it!!! but husband in the army and there aint no little spots here where i can get my hair done for $20, i cant afford to spend hundreds on my hair, so i buy my natural products and do it myself!! Besides that i hate having to explain to some stylist why she cant put grease in my hair and dont cut my ends, they get mad at me lol
Nope not from what I have seen. Where I live at least I see clients with perm, natural hair, coming for weave, braids, or custom wigs
If salon’s would just add natural hair care to their services offered, business would be booming. Washington, DC and they are beating us over the head with prices out here for natural hair…BUT WE’RE PAYING!! Right now, if I go anywhere at all, it’s to the Dominicans. Just like I preferred to go to the salon when I was on that creamy crack, I would prefer to go to a salon that can take care of my natural hair. With all the trial and error money most of us spend on products, could be going to a salon who already knows what my hair needs. We have opened up a WHOLE new market for black salon’s to be successful. We’re just waiting on the salons to catch up! Don’t be afraid or discouraged. We miss the salons just like you miss us! 🙂
I don’t know about the natural hair movement, but the wig movement sure have.
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
ahahahahaha i been wiggin since 2006
I believe more ladies are doing their own hair(relaxed or natural). Especially, since YouTube is available to teach those techniques.
True. Only time I go to a salon is when I need a trim.
Same! I go for a trim and treatment, or if I want to press my hair. Somethings need to be done professionally! 🙂
Yes, its so hard to find an stylist working with all natural. I have to watch YouTube to do my hair…..
Youtube for life! I have learned soooo much about doing my own natural hair. I get so many compliments on my finger coils. Chemicals/relaxers damaged my hair even though I was going by the “rules”. Chemicals are just bad period. I dont want anything on my scalp that can eat through a coke can. My hair is sooo much thicker and healthier, I dont have to trim nearly as often, and I just love feeling my real hair. #teamnatural #forever #4bctype #IcanwetandrestylemyhaireverydayifIwant #twirl!
Exactly! I’m glad I went natural too. I ❤ being natural
I love my natural hair. My boyfriend encouraged me to go natural and I have so much to be thankful for.
I’d Recommend finding a DoMinican salon 🙂
That’s where I go.
Not if health is a priority. Only if saving money is UR priority bc the amount of heat they use to hurry up and get u out (bc there’s always long lines) is horrible for UR hair. They always go overboard.
I think (as someone stated) YouTube and education period has made a great impact on salons bc we do our hair ourselves more…..we haven’t had much knowledge of natural,weaves or relaxed hair as we did in the last 5 years.. Im so grateful for ppl teaching, researching,and experiencing with our coils,strands,and kinks.. From 1_4ab lol… Im #teamHealthyhair period.. All hair is good hair…also my mom said if she knew more she wouldn’t have put a relaxer in my hair at 10
I feel that salons need to flow with the changes because so many people received chemical relaxers at such a young age. Some of them are clueless on how to work with their natural hair. If their was a Solon around here who specialized in natural hair style I would love it. I am not talking about a braiding shop.
So true! Back in the day hair dressers could get away with saying: “we charge more hit natural hair, because it takes more energy to do.” Plus, “it’s more time consuming.”
I agree, they should be trained professionals in all types of hair. For a long time perm was a cash cow, now women see that you don’t have to perm your hair for it to look a certain way. They need to get with the program
I agree! The majority of black salons don’t know how to care for natural hair. A good salon/stylist will be versatile and be able to meet the needs of its clients
That’s exactly how I feel. Salons should change with the times.
I am so sick of natural hair vs relaxed her do what works for you
Just dividing everyone more!
Agree!
I don’t think so. You have a lot of ladies who trying going natural and switch back to relaxers because they can’t deal. Natural hair isn’t for everyone. I’ve been natural for about 6 or 7 years and it wasn’t easy in the beginning. Plus some just like the feel of being pampered so no I don’t think so.
I hate when black ppl say “natural hair isn’t for everyone” the only race of people that say such idiotic things smh. The hair that grew out of UR head IS for you. What nonsense!
It’s not nonsense. I hate when people go natural and then preach about everyone who isn’t. Not everyone can rock the natural styles and for some people they don’t have the time to devote to natural hair care. Relaxed hair can be healthy too.
It’s not for everyone. Being natural takes a lot of work, and some like myself don’t have time for it. My hair is very thick it takes some time to do. Relaxers just help out some than others. To each his/her own. What works for you might not work for others. Everyone’s texture is different!
When I say being natural isn’t for everyone. I meant not everyone can handle caring for their natural hair. I know a lot of black women who tried to go natural and then they say it’s too much work and can’t deal. Then they go back to relaxers, wigs, weaves, what have you. Not that I have to explain myself, but I felt I needed to hit you with some knowledge. So what I said wasn’t nonsense. You believing that everyone can deal with natral hair is nonsense. Good for you if you have the time but, it doesn’t work for everyone like the other lady’s said. What works for you, doesn’t work for others due to the different textures and thickness of the hair.
🙁
Black salons have to grow with the way women are doing their hair. the stylists have to learn how to work with all textures of natural hair and offer natural hair services. If not the salons that are more versitile will get the business.
Very true.
Black salons are not gone forever, they just need to adapt. YouTube is cool, but these ladies aren’t licensed. I may not go as often but I still visit my stylist (she and her daughter have always had natural hair). I got too much hair on my head for that homemade nonsense.
Ignorance at it’s peak. Smfh
^^Why is everybody ignorant because they don’t agree with your opinion? I don’t get it. Do what works for u and let other people do what works for them. Live and let live! We’re all supposed to be on the same team! Smh
Malakah please go the HELL AWAY!!!! You sound real silly & pathetic!!!
Malakah please go the HELL AWAY!!!! You sound real silly & pathetic!!!
I’m a licensed hair stylist and yes we have to go with the flow of our clients needs, but natural hair isn’t for everyone. Some can rock a natural style and it looks fierce. Just like certain cloths aren’t for everyone this goes for hairstyles too!!!
You sound like a complete idiot. “Natural hair is not for everyone”?? EVERYONE was born with natural hair so how is it not for everyone? WOW
Are you a licensed hair stylist? If you were you would know what I’m talking about!!! I’m talking about maintenance and styling on a daily basis not what you are born with!!! Now go have several seats idiot!!!
Don’t come for me if you don’t know what you are talking about!!!! No need for insults, everyone has an opinion!!! If you don’t like it then so be it, move on!!! NEXT!!!
I agree. Natural hair isn’t for everyone! I do relax my hair, but sparingly..and I have super thick, healthy hair.
You can have a relaxer and color and still have healthy hair. You just need to find the right stylist.
Agree. I’ve had the same hairdresser for a long time. She takes good care of my hair. Like I said, I relax my hair sparingly and only color it a few times of year…based on her advice. My hair is thick and pretty
Love your statements Ms. Lois!!! I’m 6 months perm free, and NO I wasn’t gonna do the “big chop” and wear my hair short bcz I know that I wouldn’t look right!! You’re also correct on finding a stylist that can help their clients maintain both NATURAL & relaxed hair styles….not very many can do that!!
Thanks Katrina Barber I never knew the texture of my hair in order to go natural until I wore a deep wave weave with the front of my hair left out. I went without a relaxer for awhile and saw that I had a curly texture to my hair. I then knew that yes I can handle my natural hair. It was manageable for me in my daily life…..
As a 2 state licensed professional hairstylist Lois is right. Everyone cannot take care of and manage their natural hair just as women with relaxed hair. Hair care is not everyone’s cup of tea. That’s why we have gone to school obtained the education and received the licensure in order for us to give our educated opinions.
Thanks Kali Mahogany Price people think when you go to cosmetology school all you do is play in hair all day!!! We hit the books also learning about many medical terms that can be a hazard to our clients health….
I permed my hair for decades and when I couldnt afford it any longer; I noticed the waves at the root comparing to damaged ends of my hair. I realized I didnt know my hair had texture like that and I slowly BC, but it grew back so fast before I could rock the TWA. I love being natural; my hair is in good shape no burned damaged hair.
I’m almost one year natural and loving. I felt it didn’t fit me at first but now I love my blowout and press minus all the grease my Gma used to put in my hair. My hair looks healthy and bouncy in a way a perm never gave me. I even got my mum to go natural and she loves it too. But if it ain’t for u it ain’t . I agree with Malakah Angellia Glagston without the idiot statement. Before we had perms we made it work.
You Tube shouldn’t be your answer to professional advice to your hair care needs. That’s what a licensed stylist is for.
Yes, the movement is affecting the stylist’s bottom line because there are so many people out there making videos and telling women that stylists are bad, that we can’t do natural hair or they blame an experience with one stylist on ALL stylists. I think is slanderous and a shame because there are very knowledgeable stylists out there who are passionate about their craft.
Black stylists need to learn how to care for black people’s NATURAL HAIR
Since I’m such an idiot, I hope you read my replies on my post. Just so you can get a clarification on what I said and what I meant. In the world of a hairstylist they would know exactly what I meant. Just because you have natural hair that’s doesn’t make it healthy hair.
I feel that it’s the stylists’ job to evolve with the demand within their sector of the hair industry. In spite of YouTube and my own capability to do my own hair, I generally don’t want to simply because doing my own hair has been a pain since my relaxed days. I’ve felt I had no other choice though because my favorite stylist told me she doesn’t do natural hair (even though she’s been maintaining and styling her own gorgeous locs for over a decade); another told me she doesn’t know what to do with that “stuff,” was clearly unwilling to learn, and acted like I was terminally ill as she dyed my hair and put a few braids in it for my braid-out; and then there are the extreme prices salon owners charge on both ends of the spectrum.
That’s the problem with most they don’t want to deal with the natural, it’s time consuming which cuts into their money. A relaxer would be much easier to them to maintain.
well girlfriend spend ur money elsewhere
This article was a good read. Felt no sympathy for the salon owner because a business woman that wanted to stay in business would adapt and incorporate natural hair care. I am forever grateful for YouTube but it’s too bad that they don’t teach “black hair” in cosmology school. At least that’s what I’ve heard from a few naturals that have gone. Which means the ladies in the salons aren’t educated on the proper ways to care for it which is why naturals tend to DIY everything to preserve our strands. #mytwocents
I went to school for hair in 1998 and they taught NO black hair care. Everything was roller setting boufants and teasing the hair in to a pouf ball on old white women. The only two other major focuses where cutting and setting to pass the state exam. We got a teeny bit about dying and bleaching but it was all taught on caucasian people and mannequins with similar texture hair. I exactly one relaxer on a little girl with virgin hair and they had two of us doing it. That was all the black hair care I got. When I finished I felt very unprepared to work in a black salon so I didnt go into that career path at all. They really do need to re do the class requirements if not already updated.
Exactly. . Same here I did it in high school at our academy from 02-03..
I’m a licensed stylist who specializes in natural hair, I style and care for it through my own trial and error over the years of being natural. If so many women would have not been sucked into the “relaxer stage” or wearing weave and learned to live with their natural hair then you wouldn’t need you tube or blame the stylist for not knowing what to do with it! Nobody cared to wear there own natural hair so schools did not care to teach about it! No that it’s a trend some of you feel the need to put blame on the stylist for not knowing what to do with it when it’s your own fault! I stay in business because I’ve always been natural and it comes easy to me to care for it. But don’t criticize the modern day stylist for not knowing or wanting to do it because it’s simply what they were not programmed to learn because of you!!
I love natural hair but it’s not fit everyone to wear or do, and i repect the ones who can realize it and do what works for them.
Agree! My hairdresser relaxes my hair…but sparingly. And my hair is thick and healthy.
Stylist need to be versatile to survive
They will be fine they just gotta change with the times if more women is natural maybe get training with how to take care of and style natural hair
I hope they are! All black salons should “specialize” in natural black hair. That’s the only thing that makes sense
How is that the only thing that makes sense when there’s still a large amount of ppl that aren’t naturals? They should specialize in what the demand is. Smh
@chanelle first of all — relax. Take a breath…. Calmaté. Secondly — to specialize in does NOT mean : the only thing offered. Since when does one equal the other??? Hair salons should provide EVERY service (duh!) but it MAKES SENSE to SPECIALIZE in being able to do the hair u are born with…. Do white salons not specialize in white-grades of hair? U sound silly.
If you can cut and Perm hair you should learn natural hair first.
Black ppl need to stop saying “natural hair isn’t for everyone” u sound like idiots. Stylist who say this should feel shame. We the only race of ppl who think they way God made us isn’t “for all of us” what stupidity.
Black ppl need to stop saying “natural hair isn’t for everyone” u sound like idiots. Stylists who say this should feel shame. We are the only race of ppl who think the way God made us NATURALLY “isn’t for all of us” what stupidity.
Joycelyn Cannon preach sis! They are brainwashed. Smh
@cindy nah this isn’t about “feelings” or “opinions” it’s about FACT. The fact is the way UR hair was made by GOD is just fine. No one has a right to say otherwise. Secondly I never said anyone WAS stupid. I said what they are saying SOUNDS stupid. Which it DOES. Two different things. Please read well before trying to school me. G’nite! ✌️
Adapt or perish. They should learn how to do both kinds of hair
Lol @natural hair isnt for everyone. .are we the only ones who think like that? Of course we are…..#teamnatural….shout out to the sisters who embrass their hair…i know it isnt easy but its not that hard either
Alot of pple are bald because of “stylist”…styling and taken care of hair is two different things….they should include hair care in beauty schools and if so it should include all textures…so i dont get how stylist cant do natural hair…
Black salons need to focus on natural hair styles now since that’s in demand
It’s not in demand everywhere. My hairdresser has a huge client base…and hardly any are naturals. Almost all of us there perm and have very thick hair.
No because we do wear protective styles. In not quite ready to wear my wear so I do braids, wigs, whatever else until my hair is where I want it to be
It’s not really fair to judge the people who don’t think natural hair is for them. In some cases like my own, we only know relaxed hair. My mother started relaxing my hair at a very young age and that continued my entire teen years. So I never learned to style my natural hair or appreciate it. As an adult I have considered going natural but I just haven’t made the commitment. Doesn’t make me any less black than the next girl
Don’t blame stylist for not adapting to natural hair care. Because I know my hair, I’m pretty much going to be the only one in it. I probably would have patronized a salon during transition idk. With the half wigs, U part wigs , ponies etc. It is just cheaper and less time consuming than sitting in somebody’s chair. Thats why I went natural, and I have no regrets.I love my tresses. And I wouldn’t go back for anything. .
Hmm the last time I went to a salon all the stylist talked about was weaves and relaxer..mind you I went for a short hair cut.. it’s like that’s all they know. .I completed all my cosmetology hours and honestly it’s not enough to be a expert.. they teach stuff for white hair. .
My hair is natural..I do wear weaves and wigs.. yes natural hair takes more time but I LOVE the feel of my natural coils. My hair is thick.. relaxers had my hair damaged and broken..I don’t think it’s worth it
I find it so funny that most of you have no idea what your talking about when it comes to stylist and styling hair!! Ha
yes, so many stylist now have jobs and hair on the side. i can not see mine until after work. my cousin who does hair has 9 to 5 now and go to the shop after work. i agree with the person who said youtube have something to do with it to.
I go to a black salon that specializes in natural hair and that business is thriving. Occasionally someone comes in for a perm or weave but mostly Its natural. the owner makes her own products and sells them to the customers. I love It there. Black salons are going to have to change the way they do our hair If they want to stay in business.
I can’t speak for everyone, but i can speak for me as a veteran and an educated stylist of 20yrs. I have and will make that statement bc everyone isn’t willing to put in the work to care for natural hair. It’s definitely not easy to maintain. ..depending on what you desire your hair to look like. You must find products that make your natural hair look good and allow you to feel good about it. Its not for me, i totally embrace my relaxed look and i have been natural. It isn’t for everyone. ..UNLESS you desire it and are willing to go the long haul.
ChaRissa Evette those are two different statements! Say everyone isn’t willing to take care of their natural hair. Don’t say natural hair isn’t for everyone that’s not only an erroneous inaccurate statement — it lends to the idea that a Eurocentric grade of hair (for some) is best. That’s simply not true. Some ppl are lazy and some aren’t. That is where the difference lies and that’s it! Natural hair IS for everyone! Point blank period! I don’t care how long u been doing hair that doesn’t mean u can’t be ignorant
Stop Preminger your hair, you burn brain cells. And weaves REALLY!!!!!!
500.00!!!!!!!?
you put 5 on it but a penny on healthcare and your future.
That’s why we stay on the maritgo-round.
Adapt to survive is the name of the game
It should be changed to folks are too lazy to deal with their real hair
Jeaneen Alise exactly love, u understand why it’s ridiculous lol I appreciate you.
No because here there’s just as much naturals as there are relaxed. I do see a lot of relaxed saying I’m gonna go natural but my hair is too nappy. #teamnatural
The majority of black salons don’t know how to care for natural hair. A good salon/stylist should be versatile and able to meet the needs of its clients
I disagree because my natural hair is a lot easier to maintain than when I was relaxed. Once you get a good regimen down and the overall health of your hair is healthy it’s very low maintenance.
Joycelyn Cannon preach sis! They are brainwashed. Smh
I’m a cosmetologist and I truly believe that we have to be versatile.
Took a con ed class in SC and the instructor said that natural hair was a fad! I was offended because she was promoting the mess out of relaxing hair, yet, she had a natural hair model. I was done. In con ed classes, the instructors are supposed to stay on the coursework….obviously she missed the memo. Don’t downplay one type of hair service or hair type and boost another just because it’s something you do more than the other. Please be well rounded in you occupation and you’ll reap the benefits.
I don’t think so because natural hair requires maintenance just as much as relaxed hair does. We as professionals have to establish our salon as the go to place for clients. Provide exceptional hair care services, sell exclusive retail and educate clients on how to properly care for their hair on a daily basis. Clients are constantly seeking advice on there natural hair issues and who better to provide them with the answers than a professional who is already armed with the knowledge. An educated trustworthy professional will maintain a loyal clientele no matter if its relaxed or natural hair
I don’t think so because natural hair requires maintenance just as much as relaxed hair does. We as professionals have to establish our salon as the go to place for clients. Provide exceptional hair care services, sell exclusive retail and educate clients on how to properly care for their hair on a daily basis. Clients are constantly seeking advice on there natural hair issues and who better to provide them with the answers than a professional who is already armed with the knowledge. An educated trustworthy professional will maintain a loyal clientele no matter if its relaxed or natural hair
I had perm then went natural now I kinda want a peek again lol
A real beautician was taught to care for natural hair first. Weave, a specialty. As a customer, I have to go buy whatever hair I need, and then pay for services from the beautician. So how are they losing??
Black hair salons charge an arm and a leg which is one reason I went natural! Takin advantage of women who cannot just go anywhere to get there hair done. So maybe black hair salon owners should also think about pricing as well as GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE
It’s not necessary to call someone an idiot because they don’t feel the way u feel. People like what they like it’s not ur place to say what others should do to their hair, unless ur willing to do their for them
Even if u decide to go natural u still have to maintain your hair properly so u still need to get your hair trimed so it will continue to grow heathly. Youtube can help teach the proper way to condition, oil and moisturizing but to trim i believe u need a professional to do it. I myself wentnatural about a year ago but i still need my girl down at the shop to keep me maintained and heathly.
@cindy nah this isn’t about “feelings” or “opinions” it’s about FACT. The fact is the way UR hair was made by GOD is just fine. No one has a right to say otherwise. Secondly I never said anyone WAS stupid. I said what they are saying SOUNDS stupid. Which it DOES. Two different things. Please read well before trying to school me. G’nite! ✌️
this “natural hair movement” began with the big switch to hair weaves. very few women were wearing their permed hair without weave. tracks and sew-ins, wigs, lace wigs… women got smart and stopped receiving perms since all their hair was braided up beneath wigs and extensions throughout the year anyway. their natural hair grew out and they began to embrace that too. we finally got that bushy head of hair back we hadn’t seen since childhood. no going back now.
salons better learn how to do braids, everything weave, and play in some natural black hair cause that’s where $$$$ at.
Oh they been stalking natural hair at hair shows. . .
Ladies, believe me, they are not ready to do natural hair.
They are to used to lining up 10 clients a day at about 60 70 dollars a whoop
But it takes me 2 days to pre-condition, cleanse, condition & style my hair.
They are not going to do that.
No the salon business is suffering because of these foreign owned beauty supply selling wigs,quick weaves and other do it yourself items…for the low price smh
And ppl still be lookn tore down
Lol
Poor service is what brought down black salons. Im not natural but I wont go to a salon again.
Thank you for telling the truth.
Hair don’t make a woman, character make a woman but remember that foreal….
Lol, so.
No because there are alot of salons that caters to women with natural hair.
They knew chemicals were bad for natural hair or they should have known!
They knew.
I remember them telling customers to brace themselves for how bad the spritz was goning to burn yheir freshly relaxed scalp.
A lot of stylist were lead that route by their high school guidence counselors who had low expectations of them. A lot of disabled adults are lead to service vocations and it shows in the level of greed and lack of passion for actual being a valid valuable service.
No I don’t think so. Because we chose to go natural does not mean we don’t need our salons
I wish I could use a salon to relieve and pamper me. But none of them baby my hair like I do.
there are so many naturals in my area and it is growing , I am one of the first ppl in my area to go natural. a lot of ladies say they like my hair and they are trying to get theirs like mine
After all these years being natural, found the best product for my B4 hair is Blue Magic hair & scalp conditioner. All in one jar. Lotions and Gels dry out my hair. I think those products are made for mix chic’s.
Switch things up. Learn to maintain natural hair and they will be alright. Adapt to the times.
Its pathetic that we can’t take care of our natural hair
I take care of my hair just fine.
We have come a long way without the help of cosmos and L’Oréal. Lol
#1 know the difference between a beautician and a stylist! A beautician is going to help you manage your hair rather you’re natural or not! A stylist is someone that simply styles your hair, they want to make you look good regardless of the damage. #2 natural hair is NOT for everyone! Simply because it requires maintenance! And the maintenance regimen depends on the type of hair you have! Some women truly can’t do natural hair because it is to course for them to manage appropriately! #3 Like I’ve always said it’s not about natural hair or permed hair or weaved hair, it’s about HEALTHY HAIR!!!! Just because you choose a certain method doesn’t mean your hair is at its finest!
I don’t think any stylist or beautician want their book filed with naturals because the maintenance is more time consuming.
And you’re right, I have had to commit to the time and money it takes to care for growing 4b/c hair long and strong.
I have since enough to know and accept no stylist is gonna love on my hair like I do.
Been natural for 4 years but thinking about relaxing my hair.
Get a steam flat iron or use the ‘texture management’ system… many peeps who decide to relax after years of natural end up bc’ing again.
Will look it up but I live in south africa and I don’t think we have that here yet
It’s tempting!
When I hit that wall, I just remember why I left lye behind.
I just keep my hair twisted which is stress free for me and my hair.
No I still need those magic fingers to wash, condition and braid my hair into a halo braid because I need that salon magic.
They are to rough detangling.
I wash my hair with it twisted cleansing and detangling each twist one by one. They wash my whole head with the hair loose and then try to rush through the detangle. My hair is thick long and nappy so I can not enjoy hair salons .
Probably not
Salons should become more natural hair friendly and then business would pick up. My turnoff was whenever I went to a salon they either wanted to perm my hair or add weave and I didn’t want either one. I wanted a natural style like the straw set which I was refused because it took too long to do. Smh
They refused to give me a curly girl cut saying my coils were not suited for it but that’s how I cut my own hair – one coil at a time.
It goes to show as we say beauty salons are just not ready for natural styles. Smh
Well I am all natural and that was their best move I ever made. My hair is so healthy and I won’t never go back. It has been 4 yrs.
Amen!
I’ve tried it 5 times since 2007 and EACH TIME WAS A SETBACK!
I can only wonder how long 7 years of hair growth would look like. I have about 3 years of growth and thank God for that♡
YouTube has always had how to videos! I don’t know if any salons that are suffering because of us natural sisters. I have always done my own hair and only go to the salon when in need of a trim or cut. They are not going to lose any business because of naturals and YouTube!
Good, they are selling destruction time to get with loving us
I would have to say no. For true beauticians who cater to everyone regardless of race they will be able to handle any type of hair and would welcome the challenge
No, they just have to change with the times. Every industry has to change with the times. They are no different.
I went natural about 8 months ago and visited two different salons to get a press and curl during that time. They both discouraged my change to wearing my hair curly versus getting it straightened. One of them was very rude and condescending, even making fun of me in front of other clients. I was very embarrassed but as I walked out, I realized, “I should not be embarrassed at all; just don’t come here again!” I have not visited either salon since. My only regret is not challenging either stylist on their claims that my hair would be less healthy wearing it natural. My hair is growing strong and healthy; bye bye!