For many of us, routine trips to the salon are an essential part of maintaining healthy hair and staying fly. If there is one thing black women don’t play about, it’s their hair. Whether you are growing it out, chopping it off, switching up the color or just looking for a great style, every trip is an event. Stylists have the power to make or severely break your day (possibly week) with one right or wrong, snip or flip, here or there. There is no easy fix to a six-inch “trim” when your hair is only 12 inches long.
With every appointment, we must be prepared for the worst. No matter how great you think your stylist is, everyone slips up. So be sure to make your needs, wants and preferences known to avoid these 10 major disasters at the hair salon:
1. Asking for a trim but getting a straight-up haircut
Stylists differ in their interpretation of a “trim.” While some see it as simply clipping split ends, others view it the same as a cut. And, they will cut up to the healthy hair as opposed to ending with just your ends. In that case, the amount of cutting is dependent on the condition of your hair. Typically, people with a bunch of split ends don’t have the longest of hair and tend to be particular about length. If that’s you, find yourself a stylist who takes trim at its literal meaning.
2. Over-relaxing
All sorts of atrocities could occur if your stylist leaves the relaxer in for too long, like baldness. Relaxers break down hair follicles and the longer it is left in, the thinner the follicles. It will also burn your scalp, so be sure your stylist is using some type of barrier for protection.
3. Extreme coloring
First of all, see a colorist if you are planning to get your hair colored. They specialize in dyes and know the proper ways to strip and blend colors to achieve the look you want. Your regular stylist may or may not be a color girl. Also, bring photos of women with similar hair colors. Clear and bright images, like those from a glossy magazine, work best. Let him or her know you would rather they make a “mistake” on the subtle side.
4. Use of products that contain hazardous chemicals
Dominican and Brazilian blowout treatments are all the rage these days. However, it is reported that some mixtures contain formaldehyde, which is hazardous to your health. Be sure you know exactly what is being used on your hair. Beach waves are not worth dying for.
5. Drastic cuts gone wrong
If you have long hair and the big chop is on your bucket list, be sure to cover every angle with your stylist. Make sure you bring photos of exactly what you want and how you would like to be able to style it post-appointment. Let your stylist know NOT to get scissor-happy. You would rather her leave a little more than walk out with a ‘Pauly D.’
6. Visible tracks or glue
Let your stylist know you are in no hurry. Rushed wigs and weaves lead to visible tracks and/or glue. Make it known you would like to her to take as long as needed to ensure it looks natural and attachment areas are discreet.
7. Burns from heat styling
Hot combs are long gone, but chicks are still burning people. Be sure your stylist uses the correct size flat iron for the length of hair she is working with. Also, ask her to start a centimeter away from the root. Blow drying likely straightened it already, so she doesn’t have to get that close to your scalp.
8. Over-processing
Don’t allow your stylist to do a zillion different things to your hair in one sitting. A relaxer and color at the same time are too much. Take it step by step, one appointment at a time. Over-processing is one of the best ways to damage your hair and could leave you bald.
9. Outdated styling
Hair dressers don’t have telekinesis. You have to tell them what style you want and be specific, very specific. Bringing in a few photos is best and maybe even some tips from the celebrity’s stylist. There is the possibility he may be offended. But, guess what? It’s your hair.
10. Cutting hair while curly or kinky
To be on the safe side, make this a no-no. If your hair is natural, ask your stylist to straighten it before cutting. Few people can cut hair well in its natural state when curly or kinky. Don’t risk it.
