ESSENCE.com Straight Talk: Why I Don't Frequent Salons

Monday, September 01, 2014


Years ago, I would find myself at the salon every other Saturday morning getting a wash and set or every 8 weeks getting a fresh relaxer. Back then; the salon was my refuge. My stylist was my hair doctor and I gave her full control.

Once I became more knowledgeable about relaxed hair and how to properly care for it, I started to care for my hair in the convenience of my own home. First, I had to reprogram my thinking and understand that it’s okay to wash and deep condition my hair at home. For years, I left my hair in the hands of someone else because, in my mind, it was a taboo to wash my own hair. It was so foreign to me when my friends told me that they washed and conditioned their hair at home, I looked at them like they had 5 heads! Sad to say, prior to my hair journey, my mind was filled with the typical hair care myths regarding black hair.

In hindsight, I had no knowledge or control over my hair. I never took the time to understand my hair’s needs and wants, I never knew I could wash it and condition it at home. But once I took matters into my own hands I was able to grow healthy hair. In fact, it’s quite liberating! Now that I have a greater understanding of my hair, I perform 90% of all my hair care needs right in the comfort of my home i.e. wash, deep condition, relaxer, etc. Not only have I saved a lot of money going this route, I now have a certain level of confidence when handling my hair because of the hair care knowledge I’ve gained throughout the years. I actually find it harder and harder to find stylists that understand and encourage my healthy hair care practices. I’ve learned to carefully detangle my hair from the ends up, use wide tooth-combs at all times, relax only the new growth, pass the flat iron through my hair once, instead of 4-5 times to get it straight.

Don’t get me wrong; salons will forever have my support. Sometimes it’s fun to pamper yourself and have someone else do your hair. However, implementing these simple yet crucial practices have helped to improve the health of my hair dramatically.

How often do you visit the salon? Has your salon attendance decreased since you’ve been on your hair journey?



 

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8 comments

  1. I visit the salon for touch ups only! I am a DIYer otherwise.

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    1. I used to be like that too, but I took matters into my own hands. I've been doing my hair at home since!

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  2. Unless I have a special occasion I only go to the salon for my relaxer touch up, it's very liberating to have eliminated my dependance on my stylist.

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    1. It is liberating!! I'm no longer confined to certain days or specific times, long wait hours etc. I can do my hair in the comfort of my own home and use all the products my hair loves.

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  3. Thank you for writing this article! Because of hairbloggers like you ( yours was the first I ever found and followed), I have now saved a lot of money, and finally learnt how to care for my hair over the last 4 years.
    It is now two times thicker, stronger, able to hold moisture, able to hold styles, shiny and split end free! But most of all, I have a better relationship with my hair now I understand it. I totally support salons with healthy hair care practices for a treat but I love the freedom of being my own hairdresser!

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    1. You couldn't have said it better! It's a treat to get it done at the salon; however, doing your hair at home allows you to have a closer relationship with your hair. You learn to understand it better than anyone else :)

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  4. My thing is that it seems like most hair beauticians are haters. I have heard horror stories and experienced service from jealous beauticians that try to burn out or just damage my long thick hair in some type of way. And if I'm a paying customer, I expect her to do my hair how IIIII want it, not her. And they get mad when u tell them to not trim(WHEN IT ALWAYS TURNs OUT TO BE A CUT) your hair or something. It's MYYY money so I expect her to do my hair how I want it to be done without getting an attitude. I don't trust women at the hair salon and their business will not thrive as much because so many black women r learning to do their own hair.

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    1. That is very true. I, too, feel the same way. Since you (we) are the customers, we should have our hair down the way we expect/envision. I've been there and I can't stand it. You're right, if stylists don't become more "customer service oriented" there's going to be a serious drought in the salon business.

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