4 Things to Look for in a Curly Hair Salon

Gone are the days where I found myself tucked away under a dryer for what felt like eternity! The strong scents of chemical relaxers, burnt hair, and Blue Magic hair grease strong in my nose as I fell asleep with my head leaning against the inside of the dryer oblivious to the cramp in my neck. That was my life as a very young girl, every other Saturday from 7am until late afternoons nomatter what time my hair appointment was. I was typically the youngest client in the salon and without my moms presence I found myself being pushed back, overlooked, or set under the dryer for far too long as other older/elder clients were taken care of while they spilled the latest community gossip and hooted and hollered at one anothers caddy jokes about their so called friends. I absolutely dreaded my bi-weekly salon visits. Back then, with a head full of thick waist length natural hair there were no other choices for me. My mom had 2 other kids and 2 other jobs, therefore she couldn’t afford to take up her entire day tending to my head. Getting a relaxer was OUT.OF.THE.QUESTION, so instead she booked me a bi-weekly standing appointment at the local hair salon and let my stylist add layers of heat (and thus damage) until my natural curls and pattern slayed into a straight submission. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to have a voice and express my disdain for salon visits! Now that I’m older, and I’m equally faced with a tight schedule that once took over my mother’s life, I find myself wanting to partake in those salon visits but this time as not only a willing participant, but also as an adult looking for a few hours of pampering and relaxation. Set off in my own little world where I can let my stylist wash and deep condition all of my cares away, as well as aid in protecting my natural crown.

I’ve had to kiss a lot of salon frogs until I was able to finally figure out exactly what I was looking for in a salon that not only took care of my crown but also spoke to the mental peace that I’m looking for in the overall salon experience. So, I want to share with you 4 things that you should look for when selecting your curly hair salon.

1. Skilled in Curly Hair, not just YouTube University
   • Although chemicals aren’t used in the process of styling my hair, I still expect my stylist to not only be a licensed cosmetologist, but also highly credentialed in this curly girl world. Ever heard of ‘Deva Certified’? According to DevaCurl.com, a level 3 Deva Certified stylist is able to demonstrate their knowledge of advanced cutting of the signature Devacut. A Devacut is a curly hair specific cutting technique in which each curl is cut individually in it’s natural state. Totally opposite of the straight hair ‘trims’ I received growing up. A Deva stylist ranges from level 1 (Deva Inspired and knowledgeable in products), level 2 (Advanced with the ability to cut and highlight), and level 3 (passed a written and technical assessment). So as you can see, there’s levels to being a stylist that can truly care for curly hair! Check out one of my very own DevaCut videos!
   • It’s also important to me for my stylist to be able to do more than just a wash and go! I need to know that when I’m ready to switch it up, although not often, my stylist is along for that ride and can show me new fun curly styles that are either wedding ready or protective and professional. A great curly girl salon is going to recommend techniques to me that aren’t intimidating or something that will take up half of my Saturday to accomplish. As far as products go, a great curly girl salon will recommend products that will actually aid in the health and growth of my natural hair and not just smell good. There are so many products being pushed these days, and it’s important that the person styling my hair doesn’t fall into the hype and keeps my curls CG Method approved!
   • It’s not just myself that I’m thinking of when I’m looking for a salon. Many of you know I also have two little cuties with heads FULL of curlific wonder that I manage as well. My twins and I need a salon that can handle ALL hair types! From my 4A, to Ayva’s 3C, all the way to Ayson’s 3A waves. I don’t have time, patience, or the money to waste on a 1 trick pony!
   • While I’m on the topic of kids, it’s also important to me that my salon can (and is willing to) handle well behaved kids that are ready to sit in a salon chair. I don’t want my kids to have the same salon experiences that I did growing up. I want them to have an enjoyable, peaceful experience where they are catered to and never overlooked. I’m trying to build a positive experience for them when it comes to taking care of their hair and I need my stylist to share in that mission with us. Check out this video of my kids enjoying a day in the salon.
2. Positive atmosphere, positive vibes
   • Ever heard the saying ‘Trust the vibes that you get, energy doesn’t lie’?! It’s indeed FACTS! If your stylist or the salon just doesn’t sit right with you, if something just doesn’t add up in your spirit, you should trust that. You don’t want trash energy around you nor in your hair. I’ve left a salon chair where the stylist inability to focus, or bad day showed all through my strands. It’s not worth it! Keep your space and your hair free of negative energy. Find a salon space that is welcoming, inviting, peaceful, and has a positive vibe to it. You’ll feel much better spending money in a place where your high energy is kept intact.
3. Clean space also equates to clean energy
   • While we are on the topic of energy, let’s not forget to keep that energy CLEAN! I know some of you can share a million kitchen stylist stories. You know the ones, where you sit in your mom’s friends kitchen getting your hair pressed out with the aroma of fried chicken all around you mixing in with the aroma of hair care products. Or in the old salon where the products near the wash station are unrecognizable with the words smeared off the bottles, all types of dusty product bottles from multiple lines everywhere (where’s the consistency?!), styling tools and detangling brushes still filled with hair from the last wash. Ewwwww! I’m getting creeped out just thinking about it! Word of advice, NEVER get your hair done in a salon you wouldn’t even eat in! Sounds crazy but think about it. How comfortable do you feel in any space if it’s not clean enough to sit comfortably with a plate of food? Although we aren’t typically chowing down while getting a rod set, it’s still a good practice to live by!
4. Respectful of your time
   • I don’t know about you, but my time is limited! It’s important that my appointment slot isn’t shared with two or three other clients. I don’t mind a few moments wait when I first arrive, but I want to know that when my appointment does get started that it is a continues flow from washing to styling until I’m under the dryer. Find a salon that doesn’t stack appointments for the sake of making money. Your time is valuable and so is the time you spend with your stylist getting to know one another.

I can’t end this blog without acknowledging that the time I did spend in salons as a little girl certainly played a part in the woman that I am now. It wasn’t all bad blowouts and nonsense. I learned the importance of ‘me time’, something I still hold onto as a wife and mother. I saw a black woman thrive as a small business owner for many years in her community. I learned that men can indeed style women’s hair, as well as so much more. Although there were many memories that I will cherish, there were also lessons that I took away from all of those Saturday’s. With that being said, these are just 4 of many ideas that I have on what to look for in a curly hair salon. What are some things that you look for in a salon and your stylist? Let me know in the comments!

-Xo