One day I was walking down a popular shopping avenue, and found myself in a strange position. I had just taken down a protective style, and was proudly rocking my fluffy fro, while I ran a few errands.
As I walked past a beauty salon, I was approached by a hair stylist.
“You want a PERM?!” she asked, loudly. I turned to looked at her, but did not respond. I kept walking, my ‘fro waving in the breeze….
For a split second, I found myself asking, ‘Why is it so difficult to find a hairdresser who understands natural hair?’
I noticed her salon chair was empty, perhaps she was low on referrals? I will never know for sure. From her initial statement, I knew she did not share my curly vision, and because of that, she could not be my hairdresser.
In cosmetology, it would seem that the best lessons about natural hair are learned outside the classroom. I find that each time I have had an epic fail at a hair salon, one of these issues played a role.
I sum it up to three main reasons why finding a natural hairdressers can be so difficult; the hairdresser is not experienced with kinky* textured hair, the hairdresser wasn’t a referral, or there was a breakdown in communication.
1. Inexperienced Hairdressers – The average cosmetology school does not train hairdressers to deal with naturally curly and kinky hair. With over 1000 hours spent learning about hair in school, very little of that time is spent on curly hair.
There is some instruction on blowing out hair, and relaxing curly, textured hair but by and large cosmetology school teaches just the general theory behind hair, and how to care for it.
After cosmetology, it is up to the individual to apply those lessons to their client. It is only through experience that hairdressers can really learn about what works for different hair types and textures. Only go to experienced hairdressers who have worked with and who understand the needs of naturally curly and kinky* hair.
I’m a Cosmetologist in Arkansas and I service all hair types. Most hair dressers wont service natural clients, simply because its easier to work with straight hair. Please like my page http://www.Facebook.com/designedbyrin
My aunt lives near there….
I do it allll at home 🙂
I do my own hair…..only go for special occasions….
I’d LOVE to go to a salon and be pampered BUT the last time WAS my last time! cost me big time – extreme heat damage. It do my own hair now. Anyone know an awesome natural hair dresser in Detroit because now I wanna go to the salon!!??
Sooooooo pretty xxx
Shame……because there are some awesome hairdressers here in England for natural hair!!
Love England lived there in the mid 90s…
must be a new thing, cuz when I was there – the native black people all seemed to have jacked up hair. frfr. i was like- nah, i’ll pass. natural hair wasn’t right. and the weave wasn’t tight. but if they’ve upgraded since then – good on ya. I love it, too, though. Can’t wait to go back and see my friends.
I have never had a problem with a Euro-trained hair dresser
No salon whatsoever… Would be nice tho. I have to do mine & my 2 girls. Love 2 do theirs but mine can be a challenge.
I went the the hair salon once, its very expensive, so I do my on hair now, salon only for special occasions.
right now I do my hair myself
I do my own hair because the hairdresser act like they don’t know how to do my natural hair. So I’m saving my money and they losing money.
I was JUST thinking about this..every time (and I do mean EVERY time) I let someone do my hair, they do what they want to do, not what I ask them to do and/or they just mess up my hair completely.
I go for flat ironing maybe once or twice a year, and braids and sew-ins occasionally. I usually care for my curls (moisturizing and deep conditioning) at home. However I would love to go more for natural protective styling.
I usually do my own hair but I started going to a friend in NJ who owns her own salon for trims and a little TLC 🙂 Meko New York Natural Hair Care Spa & Boutique.
Hi! I like what u write all.Before i make my hair to the hairdresser, it’s so cheap in my country (senegal) but i cut it because i didnt have time to do. And making short hair is so difficult and expensive, i have to go 4 times in the month to make it at the hair salon.
And now i need to get it longer what can i do. It’s hot here i can’t make braid all times. Thank to give me solutions
Do my own hair and organic hair products. Live 70 miles outside Atlanta in rural area. Unheard of to do natural locks here. Would love advice though from someone on how to keep moisture in hair overnight. And would like organic hair color product. Any suggestions anyone?
Can’t promise organic but shea moisture have a hair color line now so you could look into those. Try the baggy method to keep moisture in overnight.
Thanks!!
Phillip Kingsley “extreme moisture” overnight treatment, look it up on the net it’s awesome!!!
Hello I am a cosmetologist I went to bcc I am in Mississippi in I learned how to do it all.
I go to my same beautician that did my hair when I had a relaxer. I got lucky when I picked her and that particular shop because they do it all.
Years of bad experiences with salons and hair dressers…do my own now. It’s easier that way.
I do my own hair. I refuse to pay somebody to do my own natural hair. I do alot of reading on effects of certain products. Other than that i use youtube and other sites to learn how to do certain styles.
south african hairdressers will kill your hair. i do it myself
All at home.
all at home. I’d love to find a good one in my area.
Natural hair is FREEDOM for me ,from “stylist” who would smile in my face , while I paid them to damage my hair and use bad products. I am so happy that I can finally save time and money, like other races and take care of my own beautiful hair. No more being a slave to the salon!!! Priceless. 🙂
I do my own hair…. if I get weave I go to the salon
I do my own
Always did all my stuff at home
I do my own. And actually love doing it. Nobody knows my hair like I do.
That’s exactly how I feel
do it myself. hairdresser’s cost too much. it’s not practical for the length or thickness of my hair. and you have to give them a tip after, too – hell naw. i’d go to one for a very special occasion, but barring that – noooope.
I have trust issues a hair dresser took all my hair out. that was my first attempt at being natural. I did not enjoy that. Now I am having a fantastic time armed with knowledge
I dnt go to the salon anymore b/c when I went my hair stylist wud just cut my hair without my permission. Nd last time I went she cut my hair to my ears nd I have been trying to get it back to my bra. So I do it all at home. They use the same products we do they just gt a better angle of my head.
Home care
I do it at home myself now. I’ve been to a hair dresser once and she didn’t even reach for a wide tooth comb. My mom ended up doing my hair at the salon because the hair dresser couldn’t manage. -_-
Time is money. No care for hair. I do mine at home for TLC!!
Many don’t practice hair care and only know how to make it look good
i am so glad I have an awesome stylist who specializes in natural hair care and maintenance
My stylist is part of the reason I went natural…..he’s awesome!!!!!
I only got to a hair dresser if I’m getting braids.
Home
Now, that I am natural. I just wash and go! I never have to pay someone again!!! So happy . 🙂
I do both. Straight styles I go to a salon. So thats maybe three or four times a month the most. I love my curls but when I get lazy or my hair becomes too much I let someone else handle it 🙂
It’s been five years since a hair dresser touched my hair and it was for braids. I don’t let anyone do my hair. It’s been a blessing because my hair has thrived.
Home, only time I go to the salon for trim n length
I do mine at home, i know these hair dressers will not have the patience with my coily thick hair