What hair stylists need to know, but were never told

$$$ DISCOUNTED COUPONS FOR $$$
HAIR SERVICES | HAIR PRODUCTS | BEAUTY SUPPLIES | HAIR WEAVES | NAIL SERVICES




		spid1.com

What hair stylists need to know, but were never told...
(Customers please post your comments below. They will remain anonymous, if you prefer.)
e-mail us: spid@verizon.net

I agree with every thing Fed up in Alexandria/Northern VA said. I too wear my hair naturally. My hair is not hard to manage. All I need from a hair stylist is a good trim, coloring and every now and then a set or press and curl. Also true is that all black hair is not the same, just like we don't all have the same skin color. Examine my hair then proceed. Some stylist treat all hair the same. I have found that going to Ethiopian or Eritrean hairstylist that have the same type hair texture I do, works best for me. Some of them are used to working with clients that do not relax their hair and they also do not try to push you to relax it. But then you have to deal with the language barrier. But at least you don't have to wait for hours to get your hair done.

I am a registered apprentice in the NOVA area, and I would like to tell a few things I have observed from working in white and black salons. I started out assisting a girl in DC- who by the way has a strong clientele and is very professional, she just happens to work in an environment that would be considered "ghetto". In spite of all that she continues to remain successful and obtain new clients. Funny thing is, when she moved to what was considered an upscale salon-she lost not only the usual maybe 40%- but close to 60% of her client base. According to her, not only was the staff snobbish-but they were telling her clients she wasn't available-only to try and book them with other stylist.

In my opinion, in a perfect world everytime a consumer (regardless of the type of business) chooses to spend their money they should be able to recieve excellent service in a clean and gossip free environment. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The only reason that I left was to diversify my skills as a blooming stylist.

Now,as an apprentice in a white salon that's really well respected and established, I have noticed that although it's clean the stylists all have that I'm better than you attitude- and they treat the other employees like crap. I have seen these so-called "upscale" stylist do work that looks terrible- often times they can only do blowouts and a few turns with a flatiron. And please don't think for one second that they don't gossip or keep clients waiting- whenever they get a chance that's alot of what the do...if for no other reason than to pass the time by. Also, I've noticed that there is so much competition between commission workers(who tend to take home only 35% to 50% of their income) that you never know if the stylist has your best interest at heart (trying to sell expensive products, or recommending over priced services/treatments) or if they are trying to make a quick buck. White salons are a good place to add balance to your skills, but from what I've seen unprofessionalism is rampant throughout the industry -whether you are in the "hood", strip mall, or galleria.

My advice to clients- tell your stylist what you want- or better yet tell them what you don't want. Be specific if you can (or bring a picture). Also, be firm and don't allow yourself to be "talked into" something that you know you don't want. The worst thing I hear (as someone who's not quite a stylist yet I hear venting from both ends) is a client or sylist say "she did what she wanted" or " I gave her what she asked for". As a client you need to be really clear as to what you want from your stylist. As a stylist you should also be 100% sure as what you clients wants. Consultations (complimentary or paid ) before the service can usually clear take careof all of that. Bottom line, unless you and your stylist are on the same page......what you get is what you get.

The sad thing is, it's not how cute you are dressed, how many years you been a stylist, or what school you graduated from. I believe it's your talent, how well you treat your clients, and your willingness to continue learning (classes,seminars) that dictate how succesful you really will be. If there is anything I've learned (from booth renters to commission workers) you can be just as successful either way if the love of the craft stays true, your attitude stays humble, and your tolerance of bad behavior ( from co-workers to clients) stays at zero.

I recently move to Seattle from the east coast exactly 10 months ago. I have yet to find what I consider a good stylist. I cannot find that balance of skills and professionalism. I knew it would be difficult to find an equal match to my old stylist who has been in the business for over 30 years (yes she is in her 50's and still sharp as a razor) and has been doing my hair for the past 15 years, every wash, every relaxer. I won't lie to you, I had to wait for hours sometime but it was always and I do mean always worth the wait. She knew how to handle all types of hair. Every race, every mix of race you could think of. I digress. however I had no idea how hard it would be to find a fraction of that here. I've been to 4 stylists already and nothing but disappointment after disappointment. I moved here with healthy beautiful hair. Now I'm down to limping strands!! Quick summary of my experience. One stylist who came highly recommended had her own concoction( mixture of a whole bunch of stuff) for deep conditioner. My hair would be all over the bathroom floor. It took me a while to realize what was going on. had to take my hair into my own hands at that point. Boy did I have to learn quickly. After buying a boatload of products that my old stylist recommended and having to learn fast how to wash my own hair, my hair finally achieved some sense of normalcy. This after loosing a lot of it. At the same time the owner of the shop would complain about how long I was under the dryer (concerned about electricity). Trust me I would prefer not to be there that long, but I have long hair, (as if I'm begging for their service. And not paying). Another stylist proceeded to put her hands from eating French fries right in my just conditioned hair. Grrrrr!!!. This after me telling her when I just walked in that she could go ahead and eat, I didn't mind waiting, when I realized she just had her KFC dinner delivered. Meanwhile her 3 kids were running around the salon. Nothing against kids but I wouldn't do that at work especially in the service industry where you have paying customers!!!. When later tried to give her tips on dealing with my hair since I get tangled soo easily she told me she had been doing this for ten yrs. I told her yes but she has not been doing my hair for 10 years. I am on to a new stylist now. I'm already put off. If I told you the details, you would be too. I can see where my hair is heading. I'm at the point where I wish I could fly home each time I needed a perm. I went once already and I am going again soon. Of course this is expensive and if I could really afford that I would just do it and not be here B**tching. Everyone out here try to recommend salons, meanwhile you look at their hair they have braids, are natural or the hair looks like crap. I'm almost to the point where I want to pack permanently but I really like my job.

Ps. you should also hear some of the exorbitant prices, which I tell all of them up front, I don't mind paying for good job!!! . Now I don't tip anymore. I give them exactly their overpriced charges!! . I think tip is calculated in there somewhere because it's definitely not what they are worth.

LISTEN TO THEIR CLIENT!! So many of them don't! They nod in understanding and then do whatever the hell they want! My hair grows extremely slow so any botched hair cut can take literally YEARS to return to normal. (at the moment I figure in 3 years I'll be happy with my hair again!) To the hairstylist, the mistake made on the client just before lunch is forgotten by closing time, but to the client it can be devastating for months or years!

So, Hairstylist, when I come in as a new client please don't be annoyed that I question everything, explain everything, ask for reassurance and make you repeat back to me EXACTLY what I want. Please, PLEASE, understand it is not YOU that I don't trust or find incompetent, it is the many that have come before you. The baggage from those tramatic experiences causes me to be such a B*TCH. (I can't HANDLE another 3 years of bad hair) So forgive me that and please give me the GREAT haircut I asked for!!

I've lived in the Seattle area for about five years now and have been to so many hairstylists I've actually lost track. Why so many you may ask? I've yet to find a hairstylist that is a complete professional. I've had stylists both male and female just act like they are the "queens" of the haircutting world. One guy would cut my hair and leave hair all over my face and not brush it off. I have black hair so I would look in the mirror and I would look like a monkey. I would wait to see what he would do and I didn't get the response I wanted so I had to tell him to brush my face, my face is itching. Not telling him what I really thought. The same guy different day left buzz cuts in my hair and he cut my ear. Never went back! The next story is my experience at my current hair salon. I won't mention any names but if she happens to read this it must sound familier. Well I've been a client of this women for over a year now. Tried other stylist with no luck in reaching the professionalism that is expected. So I've been with this particular hairstylist ( women) for some time now and gave her the benefit of the doubt for all this time. At the salon the owner has his little dog there that jumps on you and licks you when you arrive and jumps in your lap when you get your hair washed. Uggh! How annoying! Let alone I'm allergic to dogs! This women is so unprofessional. She is always negative, she makes fun of other clients in the salon, she acts like a diva using me as her joke. She will do weird gestures with my hair in a mocking kind of way, not what I want. The salon owner is not really friendly at all either, I might add. Sometimes she will rinse my hair after a cut and other times she won't so I have to ask her I pay good money to have my hair rinsed out so I don't itch or get hair all over my clothes. One time I had back to back appointments for hair color and cut after. To me back to back appointments means when one is finished it is your job to coordinate through schedualing the next appointment so there is minimum wait time in between. This particular instance I had a back to back appointment schedualed for color and cut. I got the color but when it was time for me to get my haircut she said that I would have to wait about an hour because she had another appointment schedualed. She didn't even bother to ask if it was o.k.since I might have other plans for the day. But no! At this solon they never seem to have the right change when it's time to pay than you feel obligated to either short on the tip or over compensate for what really isn't deserved for this particular stylist. May I add that I'm a very generous tipper too! I want to get to my experience yesterday, December 7th ,2004. I thought it would be nice to take a gift along for my hairstylist as a nice gesture, remember I want to give people the benefit of the doubt. O.k. I got to the salon gift bag in hand and was practically mauled by the pooch in a red christmas season sweater. I wanted to kick it across the room but this is't kickball and I do love animals. I hand my hairstylist the gift bag and she never even say's "Thank you" Wow I was floored. Hmm I thought she really thinks she's miss diva! That day she was making fun of a lady (a client) who was talking on her cell phone, just mocking her big time. It really is embarrasing because I don't want any part in this womens vandetta. She cut my hair , Not the right change so in respect to the time of giving, I over compensated for what was't deserved for this particular stylist. A few moments earlier she did say something positive about an older gentleman who delivered lunch for them. I went to the dressing room ,got dressed , paid and she was no where in sight She usually gives me a hug so that was weird! Not one single "Thank you" for the Christmas bag or would you like to scheduale another appointment. Nada, zilch, nuttin honey! I was stunned. So that was it, at that moment I decided she just lost a loyale customer and I have yet to call the owner and give them a piece of my mind. The tip of the iceburg/the straw that broke the camels back. That's what it is. Oh, before I end yesterday she told me that a client was demanding and asked the salon employees to please feed the meter right out in front, a few feet away from the front door. Guess what she told me she said to him ?NO!! -Disgusted in Seattle-

I live in the Nashville area and go to one of the best stylists in the area. The problem is that my stylist knows that she is exceptional and the customer service that I receive is terrible. The salon is expensive but for the money that clients spend they should receive more prompt and courteous service. The stylist is always late for morning appointments. She overbooks and may schedule two or three clients at the same time. She does have a shampoo tech but it often does not help much. She stops to eat but does not block out time on her schedule but instead just keeps overbooking. She leaves the salon to run errands while clients are there waiting. I am pleased with the condition of my hair but not with the customer service that I receive. I understand that you must pay for hair care and the stylists time but five or six hours for a shampoo and set is ridiculous. I understand that patience is a virtue and that you go to a salon to relax but this has become too much. Do you know of any healthy hair stylists in my area (salon quality products, no waterfalls (banana strips), freeze curls, finger waves, hard hair, etc) who are also professional and timely? Thanks

An anonymous customer

I am looking to establish a relationship with a stylist in the Bowie, MD area who specializes in helping clients maintain and grow a healthy head of hair. I must admit, I have not been to a stylist or a salon regularly since 1992 when I experienced the most unprofessional service I've ever seen on the day of my wedding! Unfortunately, that experience and others since then, have
soured my opinion toward hair stylists. The rotten apples that I have encountered typically leave you waiting for hours after your appointment, chat incessantly on their cellular phones or with friends in the salon instead of doing your hair, or take breaks in the middle of doing your hair to get lunch or eat food! In my last hair appointment 4 months ago at one of the more popular salons in my area, the stylist didn't actually start doing my hair until 5:00 p.m. (the appointment was for 2:00 p.m and I arrived at1:50) I didn't leave the salon until close to 8:00 that evening!!
OUTRAGEOUS!

But even with my bad track record, I don't believe that ALL hair stylists are like this. They can't be! So I am in search of a GOOD stylist with whom I can develop a loyal client-stylist relationship after years of trying to do it myself. She (or he) should be professional in demeanor, very knowledgeable about treatment of damaged hair and natural hair care styles, and reasonable in price. She/he should be concerned with helping clients learn about their hair and become knowledgeable themselves. She (or he) should be a MD licensed cosmetologist (preferably a Senior cosmetologist). However, I'm even open to working with a registered apprentice on a case-by-case basis if they have all the attributes I listed above. I'm looking to find a good stylist with whom I can become a regular client and work with for years to come. If you know of anyone, please hit me up at

I have lived in the Northern Virginia Area most of my life and can count the number of times I have been to a salon. Yes, I waited three hours several times at a salon in Alexandria, VA on my last visit I just walked out. After riding some time to get their then to have to wait 3 hours and get my hair washed then wait another hour before I see the chair is excessive. But I do have a fabulous hair braider in DC. I have tried other places and no one I have dealt with matches this woman's professionalism. The shop is not that pretty but she doesn't make me wait and treats me in a professional manner.

One tip a friend gave me is to be the last or second to last appointment, because the hair professional is trying to go home and although will not rush your hair will get to you and finish you in a timely manner. (Remember this is my friends advice not mine)

Right now I am trying to find someone to do my hair in a style other than braids and I am at a loss. I have just started dating again and I have a lot of holiday events and want something different. I saw an ad for cap weave this summer in my Summer 2003 BlacTress Braids Magazine and was interested as I have natural hair and have no plans for a perm/or heat to touch my hair any time soon. Then I saw this amazing sister on "Extreme Makeovers" last week who got one and her hair was fabulous. Eventhough they put a perm in her hair they braided her hair spirally from the top and sewed the cap weave to her scalp. I am looking for someone to do this w/o the perm as my natural hair is manageable and braids will not stay in my hair with a perm. Is there anyone out there that knows where I can get this style. Thank you if you can help me out in DC, VA or MD.

I don't come to this website regularly, but I'm back again because I'm still trying to find a good, professional hair stylist in the Northern VA/DC area. I just read a couple of messages from the page "What hair stylists need to know, but were never told..." left from "Fed Up in Alexandria, VA" posted 10-21-02 and "Salon Owner" posted 03-01-03. I have to say that I agree with both of them. Here's my story and I hope that someone can help me out.

I live outside of Dumfries VA and like to keep my hair relaxer-free. For the most part, I need someone who can work with natural hair: press it, cut it, style it and color it. I want a stylist that I can trust with my hair and that I can keep coming back to. I've tried 2 stylists in the past year and a half: one in MD and one local to my area. This is what I found with both of them. The one in MD styled my hair beautifully. I went to the person only 3 times and this is why. Whenever I called the stylist to make an appointment, they would not call me back. The third and last time I went there, I had to wait hours before the stylist had even begun to work on my hair. I came there for a press and curl, which takes all of an hour. I was there for almost 3 hours before the stylist even looked at me, plus I drove an hour to the salon. If I can drive that long and still show up on time, should I have to wait so long to get my hair done? I know things happen, but come on!

Now on to the local stylist. I was referred to this stylist from a message board, not this one though. I've been to this stylist only 3 times so far and I'll tell you why. Because, I am also looking for a stylist that when I get up early on a Saturday morning to show up on time for a 7am appointment, that I'm not kept in there until almost 1pm, each and every time! I'm not getting a weave or anything that takes that long to do. Plus, while I'm there, all the other clientele are coming in and out to fetch the stylist breakfast, a soda, whatever. Um, are we customers or servants? Who's working for who here? I wasn't asked to fetch anything, but I wondered when my turn was coming. :-) I will say that the one time I had to leave a message for the stylist, the person was professional enough to call me back. The last time I went in, the person was so backed up that by the time I got in the chair, I didn't even get my hair pressed. I was short changed to make up for lost time! The only good things I can say about the 3 times I went to this stylist was they colored my hair and did a very good job, plus they gave me a break on the price to make up for the inconvenience of the long wait. I would have rather paid the full price, had my hair done right, and could have left a lot sooner.

For "Fed Up in Alexandria, VA" and "Salon Owner," I understand where both of you are coming from. I feel that I would be a decent client. I'm shy, but I show up on time, I don't make outrageous requests, and I tip like I'm supposed to. I don't ask for much. I am looking for a professional stylist that when I show up for my appointment, there are not 5 other people in there already and stylist is trying to take care of all of them at the same time. I have a long commute and sometimes have to work late, so weekends are better for me to go to the salon. I don't have the time or money to go to a salon every week; I come when I can and when I need something done. Does that mean that because I'm not one of the "regulars" that it's ok to give me lousy service? I understand a stylist has to keep their loyal clientele happy, but if you don't take care of your new clients, how will your list of "regulars" ever grow? I may not show up every week, but if you take good care of my hair, I'll keep coming back. In fact, that's what I want. I'm not a hair stylist and I've had to do my own hair because I don't have a stylist to go to regularly. And believe me, there's a reason why I'm not a hair stylist on the side; I'll keep my day job. Stylists should remember that all new clientele are potential "regulars." If I can find a stylist that can take care of me, I'll come back. And, I don't have the time or patience to go to more than one stylist and try to have one of stylists clean up the others mess. If I find someone that's skilled and professional, I'm not going to take my business elsewhere. The problem is finding someone that's both skilled and professional. Oh and one more thing. If I call to make or change an appointment, please take the time to call me back. If you expect me to give you $40, $50, $60, $70, $80 or more to do my hair plus a tip, I think you can afford the 1 minute and whatever your phone company charges to return my call.

So if anyone can help me find a stylist that can meet my needs, I'd surely appreciate it. I don't mind driving to DC or even MD, as long as it's not too far away. I don't even mind waiting, a little while. I understand things don't always go to plan. However, if a stylist is truly professional and has been in business long enough, they ought to know how to schedule appointments so that no one customer has to wait hours before they even get to sit in the chair.

***********

I just stumbled onto your website while surfing around the internet. Thank you. I am a Stylist in the Cincinnati Ohio area. I have read your postings of clients complaints, and do sympathize with them. I am a Salon owner, one that totally gives all to my clients, and I feel that I do my job correctly. Maintaining a healthy head of hair is very important to me and I will go to great lengths to give my clients all of my time and effort in accomplishing that. I have had great success in growing and maintaining the health of their hair and keep clientele by giving each and everyone of them my sole attention to their needs. I have found over the years though that there are many that do not appreciate this. If the hair is really damaged, I will tell them that it will take at least a year to grow their hair out to a healthy length in order to wear their hair in the many versatile styles that they want. I find that some of them will after their hair is healthy and grown out, will stop coming in, and eventually go to someone else, have their hair ruined again and come back for me to fix it . So with all the complaints about stylist. I say if you find a good one, that will work with you and give you what your seeking, and give you great customer service. Show them the respect and loyalty that you expect as well. It's not fair to have someone labor to that point, and when you obtain that head of hair you have always dreamed of, you take it out into the world, and have others destroy it, only to return to have it fixed all over again. For those on this site that are having trouble finding sufficient stylist to meet their needs, I know how you feel, it's just the opposite with me. Don't get me wrong I have many clients that have a great head of healthy hair that can have it cut and styled, colored and permed in any style they ask for and still maintain a healthy crowning glory, but then there are those others that want you to work hard and then abuse it. I wish I could do the same for you,but hang in there and don't stop your search for perfection, it's difficult and hit or miss, but there is someone out there for you. Good Luck and keep hope alive. Healthy hair rules. Less weave is the key!

I live in the Northern Virginia area and I am still searching for a good stylist. To the stylist who value their customers and develop their skills to care for hair, I commend you. You are a talented and dedicated group of people and I have total respect for you. For those who could care less, you give all stylist a bad name. I would first like to thank the creator of this website for allowing a forum like this one. As one can see by reading the commentary page, there is a HUGE problem when it comes to service in the black salons.

First and foremost, the owners/stylists need to understand the concept of "customer service" meaning that you value your customer, accommodate the customer in any way possible and allow them to feel as though their business is appreciated. THIS IS NOT HAPPENING IN MANY OF THE SALONS OWNED AND OPERATED BY BLACKS. So many patrons and stylists are sick and tired of the rampant unprofessional ism that exists in these environments and going to work in the white-owned salons where the attitude is more business like. Serious stylists are taking their clientele to these establishments to avoid this type of problem.

How many times have you been to a "salon" that is filthy and unorganized, stylists who are unskilled, rude, over-booked, under the influence of last night's party (alcohol, lack of sleep, etc.) and totally -appreciative of their clientele? How many times have we sat waiting after making an appointment weeks in advance only to have a stylist show up late and take forever to style our hair? How many times have you seen people walk in off the street selling everything from bootleg videos and food to knock-off designer handbags? PLEASE! We may as well go back to doing hair in Miss Mazie's kitchen and Blue Magic hair grease!

I love the look of healthy, styled hair so much so that I too have sacrificed many a day to achieve it. IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS PAINFUL AND TIME CONSUMING TO HAVE YOUR HAIR LOOK ITS BEST! I work too hard to spend my hard-earned money with people who could care less. I am sick of stylists who think that I need them more than they need me. I am tired of stylist who don't listen to my needs and ultimately resort to "doing their own thing" leaving me totally dissatisfied. There is way too much competition out there for this type of attitude. I expect to be treated with respect and for my hair to be treated with the attention and care that I came to the salon for. If you cannot provide it, GET OUT OF THE HAIR CARE INDUSTRY!

Subject: Problems with Black Hair Salons Date: Monday, July 01, 2002 2:25 PM I would also like to thank you for making this site. However, I don't know how helpful it will be if the hairstylists in the Washington Metropolitan area don't read it. I have had several problems with the hairsalons in the Washington Metropolitan area. Problem #1 Most beauticians seem to have a problem styling long hair, I don't really think I have long hair but that is what they tell me. My hair is a little past my shoulder, I recently wanted a hair cut and was unsure what type of cut I wanted to get. I was thinking of getting a bob, but wanted to get some insight from my stylist. That's the first problem it seems as though the stylist do not have any type of imagination, they want u to tell them exactly what you want.

I would like to find a stylist, where I can just tell him or her I would like an upstyle no french rolls,with some tresses hanging and let them take it from there. They should be able to give me a few options, but that is never the case. Anyway, back to my haircut, the stylist cut my hair in what was suppose to be layers, but I really didn't see any layers in the back. I believe she called it a tapered layer, much different than the cut she showed me in the book. The style she gave me was no different than what I was previously wearing. Problem #2 The stylist who cut my hair in layers, has so many clients, she does not know her clients' names. I find that very disturbing especially since her fees are more than what I am used to paying. I have come to the conclusion that if I have to pay more money for better customer service and better looking hair I will but she is no different than the rest. There have been times, where she will not even greet you when you come in and she does not take time to make your hair look as good as possible because she is trying to get the next customer in. I have found that the only time I have gotten good service is on my next visit, because I have complained or acting out of anger in the previous visit. One of the stylist, I had in the past left me sitting under the dryer for hours, while completing 3 other clients hair. I was there for six hours and I still wasn't finished, I became angry and took the rollers out, paid for the shampoo and color and walked out. On my next visit, I was in and out in an hour. She should have paid me, I don't have 6 or 8 hours to spend with you and paid you and the same time. Please provide better customer service and get to know your clientele. Problem #3 I have often found, that hairstylists do not like you to know what products they are using on your hair. When I have asked what can I use or what are you using on my hair, I never seem to get an answer. How am I suppose to keep my hair healthy if I am not using the proper hair products. Don't be afraid that I will not return, if you are doing your job correctly, I will not only come back but will refer you to others. Problem #4 Occasionally I go through a phase where I am tired of my natural color and would like to dye my hair. In the past, I have gotten my hair bleached and it has destroyed my hair making it dry,brittle and giving me split-ends. Everytime I go to a stylist and inform them I would like color and not bleach they always tell me, that bleach is the only way I can get my hair the color I want it. Even after I tell them, that the bleach dries my hair out. They never tell what products to use to prevent this problem. I told the last stylist I did not want bleach, but wanted something similar to the color I had. I inquired about what color she put in my hair and she replied that the color would not look the same in the bowl as in my hair. By this time the color or bleaching had already begun so I had to follow through with it. If there is anyone out there than can advise me where I can go and get good customer service, reasonable prices to match the service, stylists that don't over book, and want you to look good (which is rare), and can help me achieve a healthy, glossy, bouncy look w/o getting a weave. Please advise me.

I would like to first thank you for making this website available for me and other sisters in this area to locate hair salons that specialize in black hair care. I am not originally from this area, however, after moving to this area I soon realized that hair care is big business and sisters take
their hair care very seriously. Initially I began my search for a hair stylist by speaking with friends and associates and getting recommendations from them. That worked out ok but when the time came for me to begin searching for a new stylist I ran across this website and was pleased with the results. I am glad to see that stylists who specialize in black hair
care are moving into the 21st century and realize that their clientele will be comprised of young women who don't have the time to bounce around from salon to salon figuring out which stylist will suit them best. This website gives the client the opportunity to read up on the stylists credentials and see what his or her area of expertise is (be it weaves, braids, dreads, etc)
before wasting time visiting his or her shop. I have tried one stylist from this website and was pleased with the results. The stylist was a bit pricey so I''ve since decided to try another stylist (whom I also found at this website). I appreciate how simple this process has become. The one thing that disappoints me is the number of salons listed on this website in comparison to the number of salons that are in this area. Sisters have got to invest in their business through marketing techniques such as this one. I wish the creators of this website all the best and continued success.

Posted 8-26-01

Subject: California Black Hair Salons

I have always run into a problem as far as getting my hair done. I must say, I am NOT a difficult customer. I do not make unrealistic demands, or have unrealistic expectations of my hair. I am polite, and appreciative. I have always had several problems when trying to find a decent salon anywhere in the Bay Area.

Problem # 1
Rude stylists. I am bi-racial. This seems to be a problem for many stylists I have seen. As soon as they see me, or when I was younger they would see my mom, and from then on I would get nothing but attitude. On two occasions, I actually had two stylists say to my mother while giving us a dirty look, "Oh, I thought you were black on the phone." Excuse me, but how is that relevant to ANYTHING?

Problem # 2
Unproffesional behavior. As many people have mentioned, gossiping, eating, not working, not being able to distinguish the stylists, from family members, cousins, friends etc, people just walking around and talking, have all been problems anytime I have gone to a black salon. It once took me 8 hours to get a simple dry curl. To me, that is ridiculous, and unnacceptable.

Problem # 3
Dirty Salons. I walked out of four different salons because of the conditions. We're talking roaches on the floor, hair everywhere, smelly, and just plain dirty. Not all were like this, but every one I have ever been to has not been very clean.

It really does seem like in a lot of areas, you cannot find a decent African American Salon. I don't know why this is. I have started going to a women who has a private practice (she is white) and she can work with my hair. However, I would love to be able to go to a salon with people who have hair like mine, and really and truly know what they are doing. Even though this woman does a decent job, I always feel like an experiment to her. This was not meant to offend anyone, I am telling my true experience with no
exageration. I wish it wasn't like this, but unfortunatly, it is.

I am in the DC area and what I have noticed is that customers are no longer given a choice as to whether they prefer 'Lye' (pre-mixed) or 'No-Lye' (non-pre mixed) relaxers. I am old enough to know (age 29), which relaxers yield the best results for my personal liking. I dont like 'Lye' relaxers, first of all, because they make my hair too straight and thin feeling. I have thick hair and I like for it to feel full and look full after a relaxer, not thin and straight. What is going on? I have tried hairdress after hairdresser, to no avail. I've even made an appt for today and they use 'Exclusives' brand relaxer. It is a 'Lye' brand, although I've never heard of it. I will probably cancel the appt. because I want a choice. Hair dressers a losing BIG money!!!

Hello, I am a hairstylist. I've been reading some of these complaints from some of these customers. It appears that these customers can not find anything good to say about any black hair salon or stylist. It's people like this that I prefer not to do and will refuse service to. These type of
people are chronic complainers and will not be satisfied regardless of what you do to them. They come in complaining, complain all while they are there, and complain about their love life (as if I really care). First, I am not a psychiatrist, I am a hairstylist. I don't care about all your woes. I have my own woes. If you want to keep it professional talk about your hair, not your sex life.
If you need advice go see a professional counselor, because I am not the one. Do you think I want to take all that home with me?
Let's not be the Pot Calling The Kettle Black!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a cosmetologist and I am totally fed up with the unprofessional ism I get when I enter a salon. What ever happen to the cosmetologist knowing his/her code of ethics, that was not just for school or to pass the written exam. A lot of us need to realize that this is a customer service business and if we need extra customer service training then we need to invest in it. I get very fustrated when 1. I call a week in advanced and the stylist is late and 2. I am shampooed and my hair is wet for more than 5 minutes because the stylist is eating, gossiping and breaking every other rule you can name. Then the stylist wonders where their tip is..... Well for any of you deadbeat stylist who are reading this (only if the shoe fits should you wear it) good, because this is your tip. Have respect for the craft, yourself and for others. We are in a business to make others feel good about themselves and whatever else is going on in their lives. Only when we can accomplish that, is when we will
be looked upon as professionals and succeed in life as well as the business. If I stepped on toes, dust them off and keep on going my sisters and brothers.

Why don't more hair stylists from DC, Md area put their photos and where they work on this website or other websites like this one? Don't they know customers like seeing what kind of work they can perform before coming to them. I have been in the DC area for about 6 weeks and I'm finding it very frustrating calling a salon and scheduling an appointment not knowing what kind of work a stylists can do. This website make things easy. Many stylists tell me what they can do, but it sure would be nice to see their work before coming to them. To me this website is very effective in showing stylists work history.
A Frustrated Hair Customer

Posted 9-23-00

Hi! This is fabulous. I was sitting here in the salon between clients waiting on some towels to dry and listening to the sounds of jazz on the radio when I said to myself "I wonder what is under 'Black Salon' on the web?" This is actually entertaining reading the comments on both sides of the fence. Especially, since the West thinks they are better than the East. (I am in Northern California.) Of course that is not true in the truest sense of the belief, there are some good and some bad everywhere. What is common in what is said about a typical black salon? I agree with everyone in what they said about being professional and what professionalism is. What I have noticed on
the topic of cleanliness is that most salons that are commission only are cleaner. When a salon is not professional enough to run a business, they are not professional enough to have it cleaned by professional cleaners. They also hire hairdressers that are not interested in an owner who is looking to run an establishment in a business like manner. The hairdresser is looking for a way to run their unprofessional business in an unprofessional environment because they [the hairdresser] make more money for themselves.So customers everywhere if you are looking for a clean, professional salon,
you have to look for a black hairdresser in a salon that is ran like a real business. Usually these black hairdressers are in white salons. These black hairdressers are in an environment where haircuts and color are more prevalent. So they learn to design rather than style. The language (jargon)
is different in a salon that is ran like a business than a beauty shop. It has been my experience that booth renters don't the sophistication of a well ran business because they have to use their brains for calculations or spend some money on a professionals to do payroll, janitorial, marketing, advertising and etc. We blacks can spend money on everything we want but if we can avoid it, we will at all costs. All of us need to look at the big picture. Listen to what our clients are saying and clients listen to us as well. If all hairdresser would educate themselves to warrant top dollar, clients would not mind. Surely, there are enough dysfunctional salons that a top hairdresser would stand out. Word of mouth is golden and the best form of advertisement. I know that I could go to anywhere in the world and if I have just one client that client would send me two more and so on and so on. Being
nice to someone is not a weakness in business. We need to be nice to each other.I would love to see more comments from the West coast. How can we reach more people, especially hairdressers, to visit this website? I will email my colleagues to participate.
A Hair Owner's comments

I for one know that there are some fabulous hairstylist in the DC and Maryland area. It would be helpful to get some of these stylists on your web page. It would give the customer or potential customer an idea of what kind of style is appropriate for them. But other wise your web page is good, keep up the good work.
Sincerely Yours, Ms. Linda Myles

Black hair stylists need to learn the hair type of their customer and discuss this with them before doing their hair. It seems like all black hair stylists think, if your hair does not look like Halley Berry's then you need the strongest perm and it needs to stay on your head for two days in order to
straighten your hair. I have been to 4 different beauticians in the past year and half, I explain my hair type and they still insist on leaving the perm in, to the extent of serious burning and hair stuck to my scalp the next day. My hair is very fine and it does not take a whole lot to straighten my it, however when it is time for a perm and these people see my hair they automatically think I have sprung up out of the grounds of Africa. Appearances are deceiving. Just because a lot of black people have kinky
hair, it does not mean that the texture of it is the same. Black hair stylist need to learn to communicate with their customers and listen to their customers. I have been with my hair for 30 years, believe me I know what I can and cannot do to my hair.

The first thing that I expect at a hair salon is a good and thorough hair washing. If you have waited all week(some of us do not wash our hair every day) for your hair to be washed, you want a good and vigorous hair wash.
I have found that shampooers will wash the top, back and sides, but do not really get in the middle of the scalp where the hair is the thickest. this is important especially if you have been sporting a ponytail for a week. you just cannot get to that part of the scalp. and do you really expect a tip?

As I read these statements from both stylists and customers I must say Bravo! I am a Licensed stylist whom works in a very clean and homey salon. I am professional to say the least. I have a great bunch of clients normally but there are the occassional people whom think that they can get something for nothing. What ever happened to the phrase, "You get what you pay for?" If you want quality don't expect to pay 9.99 for it. If you want professional and not feel as though you are apart of the "wack em' and stack em' line" you have to pay for it. Now I am not saying that you have spend your total earnings but lets be realistic people. You do get what you pay for. And our time is worth money too. Most of us work on commission. tips: Be on time, be pleasant & courteous, book ahead, call if can't make it, and most of all don't expect the same results from cheap products.
Signed a Very Professional Cosmetologist

While reading some comments concerning hairstylist nightmares, I shook my head and thanked goodness that I have been blessed with a great Washington area based stylist for 3 years. However, there was something that stuck out in my mind about some of the complaints. Yes, I agree
that some stylists should be more professional with their clients,but I have also witnessed clients who arrive late and want to go from looking like Mille Jackson to Janet Jackson in an hour. Some clients have unreasonable expectations and they want the hairstylist to perform a miracle for a little money. Wake up some of you complainers and ask yourself when was the last time you remembered to tip the stylist and not $3 either and do you make an effort to arrive on time as well. Let's take a look at some of our behaviors as clients before we are so quick to blame the stylist for everything.
A Customer's view point

I'm a hairstylist and I have really enjoyed reading the comments. I am going to have some of my clients read these comments from you guys. My clients have gotten a little spoiled. Some of them come for a shampoo and style and are out of the salon within an hour or so .(My salon is
clean and orderly) Sometimes I will skip lunch so that I can service them in a timely manner. I play jazz or soft music, and I"m always on time. It really hurts my feelings for someone to look at their watch after being in the salon for an hour (already shampooed and dry from a wrap) and then get annoyed because they have to wait maybe ten minutes more before they are styled.. My prices are reasonable and I run a professional business. Most of my clients respect me, but their are a
few who have forgotten what it"s like to be in a nasty, loud, hot beauty shop where the stylist could care less.(and can"t do hair)
Yolan Milwaukee WI

Comments: I was thankful for the information provided but was a little disappointed to not find any information on Salons in the Northern Virginia area. I'm looking for a salon in the area that is a little...a LOT... less GHETTO. I've been doing my own hair for over a year now because I cant seem to find a BLACK salon that has the same professional atmosphere,and cleanliness as the Caucasian salons. Do we think that our people do not deserve the same service as white people? I've experienced stylists who are RUDE to their clients, stylists who gossip about the client after they are gone, Stylists who eat between each curl (same head) stylists/owners who have their's and client's kids running rampage thru-out the salon,stylists that take their medicine while doing someone's hair...very unprofessional behavior which seems to be the norm at the salons that cater to black customers and it seems to be one of that quality an every block, and not to mention that every one with a short do come out with the same style regardless of their facial features or personal style. I'm convinced that I dont have to travel all the way to Maryland
or DC to find a quality salon. Will someone please confirm that faith for me. The department store salons here dont seem to cater to black hair- if I am wrong that department please enlighten me. But I know, from experience, of what goes on in the 'one on every block' salons. I've missed the pampering and salon look that can only be achieved at a salon. HELP.
A customer with an attitude

African American Hair Stylist need to wake up and realize that good customer service is a
must if they want to stay in business. It does not make any sense to see, dirty salons, nasty stylist stations and then have to wait 4-5 hours for the stylist to come to work. Many customers
are getting feed up with the service they receive. And I am one!
UNHAPPY CLIENT!!!!

I'd just like to say that I think the idea for a website such as this is great. I would also
like to tell you that N.VA stylists and salons are losing TONS of hair care dollars by not having any advertising and/or information on this site. I would like to be able to find a stylist in my area, and not have to travel to DC or Maryland to find a competent stylist. But not having lived in this area long, I'm left few choices not knowing where to begin my search for a stylist or salon. There ARE black folks in NO. VA that would be willing to patronize black stylists and salons in the area.
I hope they soon start advertising on this site. Its very frustrating to not be able to easily
locate a stylist in my area. I hope that when you promote your website, you use this letter to encourage salons and stylists in VA to make themselves more accessible to new clients.
A unsatisfied customer

hair stylists need to know that customers are looking for good hair stylists, the ones who can get you in and out. No one wants to stay in a salon all day for a two hour hairdo. Also a stylist who is on time, no one wants to wait for a stylist who is suppose to be at work 8:00 AM and doesn't get their until 10:00AM
A customer's opinion

Hair stylists need to know that in order to be considered a "professional" you must first see yourself as a professional, then study successful people, and lastly behave in a professional manner. In response to "a customer's opinion"
I have mixed emotions on the length of time people choose to stay in a salon. Some people enjoy staying in the salon all day long because they don't have anything else to do. Therefore the salon is like a gossiping center where they can get the latest dirt. My suggestion for these type of people is: put them to work! I believe the responsibility of dealing with stylist tardiness falls on the "Salon Owner" or "Salon Manager". It is ultimately "their" Salon. Start complaining to them instead of to the stylist. I guarantee you will get better results!
Denise McNeil, President of Re-Enhancements