My No nonsense Approach To Salon Appointments

It’s that time again to head to the salon! Personally, I don’t go to often because 1. I can do my own hair and 2. I don’t like being on other people’s time.

But hey! I wanted to do something different to my natural hair. I love rocking the Afro puffs, flat twists, and perm rod sets. However, I wanted to do something to get my hair flat ironed.

I mean, if I knew how to flat iron* my hair without wanting to stop half way through because I have too much hair or I fear I will burn my hair, I would…but I just can’t. So I’m heading the hairdresser (who I see ‘maybe’ twice a year) to get my flat iron* done.

Now, this is not an article on how to enjoy your time at the salon or different types of conversations to have with your hairdresser about the health of your hair. This article is specifically about things a hairdresser would do that tells you to “leave now!” I’m so serious right now when I say this: you should NEVER sacrifice the health of your hair for a style.

Never! It is totally not worth it. And just for the record: when you go to the salon, your hair dresser is YOUR employee. That’s right! You are paying her for her services. And if you are not comfortable with the service…let her know or get up and leave.

So here I am taking notes from the beginning of my hair appointment until I got home. Please take my experience as a warning and caution to all, not everyone knows how to do natural hair. And I got sucker punched because I did not even take my own advice. So here we go with things a hairdresser would do that says “leave now!”

Your appointment does not start on time

I can understand that life happens and you may start 5 or 10 minutes late. But having another person in the chair during my time is an absolute NO-NO and highly unprofessional.

I mean, if you had another person in the chair, just text me and tell me so. I’m on time, but I don’t get in the chair until 45 minutes after. Just tacky!

There is no communication about your hair

I don’t think my hairdresser asked me one question about my wants and needs for my hair, so I literally had to walk her through what I preferred for my hair.

However, it seemed like she was still taking everything as an open interpretation for being ‘creative.’ It is best to have a hair consultation before your appointment if you are unsure in the hairdresser’s abilities to do your hair.

Know what products she is planning on using from the shampoo to the leave-in conditioner*. You don’t want her to ‘miscommunicate’ that you wanted a deep conditioning* treatment and she puts relaxer in your hair.

Extra-socializing on the phone and with other hairdressers

All hairdressers have news to share and people to talk about as it seems everyday. That’s inevitable at a salon. However, if your hairdresser continues to walk over to the other hairdresser to tell her ‘exciting’ date night story or she’s working with one hand on your hair for an entire hour because her phone is glued to her other hand, you need to open your mouth and give her the business.

No wonder it seems like you are at the salon forever and a day. This lady is steady talking every minute about something to somebody during your appointment!

“That’s not looking how I want it to.”

Whoa! So you really gonna tell me that my hair is not coming out right the way you envisioned it? Well, that’s a bummer for me because I’m entrusting you with the health and the style of my hair.

This goes back to the open lines of communication. Make sure you and the hairdresser have a clear understanding of the style you want for your hair. No one wants to hear, “that’s not looking how I want it to…” No ma’am. Bring pictures if you need to, but your stylist has to know exactly what you desire.

The entire appointment is a nightmare

So your hairdresser scratches your scalp with her 5 inch nails during the washing session, breaks your neck while detangling with a ‘non’ wide tooth comb*, and burns your scalp more than zero times when flat ironing your hair…why are you still sitting in the chair?!

Don’t sacrifice your health and safety of your own well-being for a style. If the hairdresser is handling your hair roughly at any time with the hair tools or her own hands, speak up and let her know to calm all that foolishness down. Don’t believe the “beauty is pain” mess.

Her knowledge of natural hair comes to the light

Well, well, well so you told me that you know how to care for natural hair and that you have lots of experience in caring for it as well. Then why don’t you you not know what a twist out or TWA is? Or when I spoke about my transition journey, you had no idea what a demarcation meant? I even talked to you about pre-pooing with olive oil*…I feel so betrayed. This goes back to the consultation.

You don’t have to look for a hairdresser who went to school for her beautician license, but you do need to see her portfolio and get a feel of what and how she does hair. You don’t want to be surprised in the middle of your appointment. Just saying.

So this may seem like a rant, but it is so important to know that you don’t have to stay seated in the hairdresser’s chair if you don’t feel comfortable with what she is doing or saying during your appointment. Remember she is your employee for the hour…or few hours. But let her know that you mean business about your hair and the health and style better come out on point!