Guess who went to a salon for the first time since my hair journey!
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On Friday, after sporting a braidout for so long, I decided I wanted a straight do. I gathered my accoutrements: organics hair mayonnaise, pantene shampoo, HEHH conditioner, some Mane 'N Tail detangler and a wide tooth comb and went on my merry way. I went to a very popular stylist who is hailed for her healthy hair care practices.
When I got there I decided to go ahead and detangle my hair myself (better safe than sorry) and braided my hair in my usual fours. There was a point where she passed by and said "This hair is almost natural!", but she didn't say it disdainfully so I just chuckled an told her it's texlaxed. I let her know that I hadn't been to a salon in a long time and that I was more than a little scared lol. After that it was all out of my control *insert nervous shudder*
She started off by shampooing me. She did this twice and I was pleased with how she rubbed and massaged my scalp. We ended up using her shampoo - Supreme, a brand I had never heard of before then, but we used my deep conditioner - Organics Hair Mayonnaise. She applied it to my hair, combed it through with a wide tooth comb and let it sit for about 20 minutes. When I asked her if I wasn't going under a bonnet dryer she said there was no need. *shrugs*
When the time was up, I went back to the wash area and she rinsed thoroughly. She didn't follow up with an instant conditioner though.
The next step was to sit with my hair dripping onto a towel and wait my turn to have my hair roller set. When I got into the chair she sprayed my hair with what looked like hask placenta and then some lottabody and the process got underway. She never used a wide tooth comb here. I asked her to but she responded "your hair isn't worse than anyone else's". In my mind I was thinking it's not that it's worse, it's that it's better lol. I'm kidding! So anyway, as I said, she proceeded with a fine tooth comb with which she was less than gentle. But I didn't notice much hair in the comb (which I was a little surprised by) so I let her be. After this, she put me under the dryer WITHOUT HEAT PROTECTANT! I wasn't too happy about that either.
Finally, when my hair was dry, she brush out my curls and dents and gave me a ponytail. I think she brushed it a bit too much though, because the ends frizzed quickly. You see, my hair looks thick, but it's really medium/ fine, so I think she over estimated what it can do. That coupled with that fact that it's not bone straight is what I think led to frizzy ends.
Overall, it wasn't a totally awful experience. I was in and out in about 3 hours (including waiting time). I think if I brought heat protectant and gave a few more instructions or made a some more requests, I would have been happier with the overall experience. The one thing I really appreciated is that she really got my hair straight, even my edges, without direct heat.
So, I know you're asking "Would you go back?"
I could, but I'm not sure it's totally necessary. If I got myself a hooded dryer, my mom (or even myself) could achieve the same results with a much gentler, HHJ suitable process.
Are you a salon-goer or nah?
:) I like how we ladies on HHJ's notice the small mistakes the stylists in salons do. I sometimes keep quiet because I don't want to sound like a B. Anyway I'm glad the experience went well.
ReplyDeletehttp://scarletgoal.wordpress.com/
Not me Evalyne... I am not willing to keep quiet to appease a stylist. Especially when we are paying out hard earned $$$. To me your Money is your power at that point so let them know in a nice way that you want something different
DeleteI used to, but I think hairdressers that take care of hair and know what they're doing are a little hard to find. You'll be better off doing it yourself I think.. You aren't missing out on anything.
ReplyDeleteIt looks really nice for 7 months stretch. So she only put you under heat once? When she was dryibg the roller set? Not too bad.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a photo with the hair down?
looks good though, but i agree invest in a hood dryer and do it yourself at home it will save you money in the long run. Salon visits don't come cheap
ReplyDeleteThis is scary! not worth it! that fine tooth comb and no heat protectant! Just DIY or keep looking for a stylist! heheh
ReplyDeleteI've only once had my hair washed a hairdressers and I loved it, but they also used a fine tooth comb!
ReplyDeleteI think every so often it probably doesn't do too much damage.
mixed-hair.blogspot.co.uk
I hate to say it, but I've NEVER been to a salon that used heat protectant. Never! I wonder if stylists just don't think that its necessary or if they're not concerned with the health of our hair....
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your #washdayexperience chica!
KLP | SavingOurStrands
Me either. It's like its not even a part of their stash. What i've done in the pass is take mine with me and they will use it.
DeleteI have only been to a salon 3 times... in my entire life! My hair journey has made me a complete snob about my hair so I would rather do everything myself
ReplyDeleteI have the same experience as KLP. It doesn't even cross their mind to grab heat protectant if I'm going under the dryer. The girl I've had do my last relaxers and my old stylist--miss her--would do it before they flat ironed my hair though which I appreciate. I've gotten more vocal about how I want things done in the last few years and that's worked much better.
ReplyDeleteThis month I've been to the salon twice - first to remove my weave and a good wash and blow out, and then the next week for another wash and blow. Both times I was very vocal with the stylist. I told her to not bring a fine tooth comb NEAR me. I also took my own products, including my own heat protectant, which I asked be applied prior to roller setting. Both times my hair came out great with minimal to no breakage and my hair remained in a good state for DAYS after the visit. I'm always nice and courteous. But I refuse to have my hair suffer at the hands of another.
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm believer that those of us on HHJ know more about hair care and healthy practices than most sylist at the Salon. We research and get to know our hair. We are more loving and patient to/with our hair. Most Salons are about bottom lime. Get you in and out. I havent seen the inside of hair salon over 2 years (before my HHJ) and whenever I think about giving them a shot I get Ulcers.
ReplyDeleteI think your hair looks pretty good.
ReplyDeleteDont go back invest in a tall pibbs drier buy the biggest rollers do it yourself! !!
ReplyDeleteMy hair has been a nightmare to deal with since birth. I just keep it shaved short now because the work that has to go into to make it not look like I am insane is just a bit too much. And the weird thing is that when I keep it long, the look constantly changes to something even crazier.
ReplyDeleteRobyn Wagner @ Alternatives Beauty Studio