I can do better than most
Two weeks ago, I decided to go to a salon to get my hair done. I argued with
myself about this decision but arrived at the conclusion that not every stylists
is as bad as I think they are. Maybe I would be lucky to find a stylist with a great personality this time; someone ready to learn new things. I would tell her what to do, she'll learn very quickly and I would introduce her to other Naturals. Fat chance!
So I got my soft kinky attachment (extensions) and went out to look for a young stylist hoping that she would be understanding and patient with
my kinks.
As I stepped into my salon of choice, the apprentice was really nice and ran out to call her Madam. Her 'Madam' was a pretty young lady with very good manners. Hmmm....*fingers crossed*
We hassled the price, I bought a coke and got comfortable. The moment I took down my scarf and undid the bun underneath, the
complaints began; “Aunty your hair plenty o” . I said “Thank you. Na why I want
big twists”.
 |
| Twists after I was through |
“Yay!! Sister wetin
na?” I screamed. And she said something along the lines of ”You know we can't plait it well if it is not straight”
“Oya give me comb.” I collected the comb, detangled my hair
and focused on them instead of Africa Magic.
After all the pleading and complaints, my hair was finally
done. She told me to add more money because my hair wasn’t what she expected 0_0. Without much talk, I paid her, with the knowledge that she won’t be seeing my break light again.
When I got home, I looked critically at what she had wasted
my time doing and saw that some twists were much bigger than the others while some
were already unraveling. Annoyed that I had wasted my time and money, I proceeded to redo
most of the crown area. The hair at my edges was another concern so I had to
patiently redo that as well. I then trimmed some of the fly away
extensions and dipped the ends into hot water. Comfortable with my hand work, I put
my hair in a bun and went on to do other things. Little did I know that more
was to come.
Already looking rough :(
By day 3 the twists at the back of my head - which I refused
to undo because of the pain- became a major concern. I felt sores at the back of
my head and at the hair line there were bumps!!! Chei wetin I don
do so o? All because I did not want to
seat before a mirror and section my hair myself. All this wahala for what?
I
applied Shea butter daily and by Friday last week my hair line was clear. The
moment I got home from work (10:00pm that Friday) I made sure I took the whole
thing down. Oh, the relief I felt...
After take down
On Saturday I checked for anymore sores and found nothing. As I
detangled, I thought about my poor diet during the month of February and the
evil stylist; I feared that my hair would be coming out in chunks when I was
done. But glory hallelujah the mane was still intact.
 |
| Detangling in fear |
Lesson Learnt: I would not allow anybody I don’t have a
relationship with to touch my hair again!! Nigerian stylists have taken me to
the hospital before and I don’t think I can have a repeat of that. The annoying
thing is that you can not report them to anybody and they won’t pay for your
bills. The best you can get from them is “Aunty abeg na…no vex. No worry, e go
finish. Sorry abeg.” Mcheewwww…if only sorry could cure alopecia.
Na so the story end. Now, I’m in five chunky braids and in two weeks
I would be putting in kinky twists for the rainy season by MYSELF. Even though it takes me a whole week to finish, I'll keep at it. I think that is a
better option than visiting a salon and going bald. Abi?
The styles in the first two pictures were done by yours truly so I see no reason why I have to pay to look like gollum.
Anyone with a similar experience? Please share and tell us
how you handled it.
Omgoodness! I'm sorry about your experience! But, I'm glad you took the twists out. I had a similar experience when I first went natural. I went to a Nigerian braid shop to get my hair mico-braided. The stylist did not have any patients and attempted to rip the comb through my hair. Like you said... I will be doing my hair myself.
ReplyDeleteGood for you 1BlessedNatural! Thank God we know what to do with our hair. I feel sorry for ladies who find it difficult styling their hair because they have no choice but to be subjected to this type of treatment.
DeleteI feel the same way when I do my hair when I come home...its such a big ordeal. I really prep my hair before going to the salon there and braid in sections, so they work section by section. you have very pretty hair by the way!
ReplyDeleteThank you Chika. Prepping sometimes, isn't enough o. Our stylists just think they know too much....at least most of the ones I have met:(
DeleteWow, wow, wow. It makes no sense that you can't go to a stylist to have your hair done. But, I confess that I have been done with stylists for 4 years now. I refuse to go for fear of extreme tightness or requests to place searing hot hair appliances on my hair.
ReplyDeleteI so don't blame you. You've worked too hard to get your hair where it is. No sense in allowing someone to pull it out of your head!
You know it JazzWife, I have worked too hard to allow anyone turn me bald. It really is sad that here in Africa, finding good Natural Hair stylists is such a big deal. Hopefully,things will change...soon. Amen!
DeleteI've had the exact same experience! I went to get a sew-in done and in less than 24 hours had to gradually take it out. I felt like my scalp was going to bleed. The stylist who did my hair was a guy who had dreads so i figured he would know how to handle natural hair to some extent. But he was clueless. He kept trying to comb my hair or blow dry it straight. Braided my hair so tight that I nearly came to tears. I hardly go to salons. Rather do my own hair.
ReplyDeleteDreads means nothing o. I have listened to a few locked ladies and some of the things they have to go through at the hands of these locked specialists with locked hair...smh. We would get it right someday...hopefully. If they don't learn to treat our curls right then they would have to say bye-bye to our cash.
DeleteI went to a salon one time because I wanted to try a sew-in style. I hardly ever do them. The stylist was a man with dreads so I figured he had an idea of how to handle natural hair. And when I asked him he said it would be no problem. Horrible mistake! He had no clue how to handle my hair with care. He kept trying to rack through my hair with a comb or blow dryer. kept re-braiding my hair because he was braiding too tight. I had to pay him extra. And in less than 24 hours had to take the hair out because i felt like my scalp was going to bleed. Big disappointment!
ReplyDeleteI fear them too but they are a necessary evil when I want a weave or multiple braids /twists. I deep condition, detangle and blowdry lightly before facing them. I have trained one at a salon so I can go there without blowdrying my hair.
ReplyDeleteIt also sucks that just because your hair is natural and you don't want to rip through your hair with a fine toothed comb, the stylist feels she can do your hair anyhow, charge you anyhow and place the blame on your nappy hair...smh!
I just tire o. Natural equals more money. Well, she won't see me again. Glory to God, I've got fingers and eyes!! She/they can keep their bad practices:)
DeleteYou say you have trained a lady? Please can you send her info to my mail. A very desperate natural lady needs someone like her in her life.
Thanks!
I fear them too but they are a necessary evil when I want a weave or multiple braids /twists. I deep condition, detangle and blowdry lightly before facing them. I have trained one at a salon so I can go there without blowdrying my hair.
ReplyDeleteIt also sucks that just because your hair is natural and you don't want to rip through your hair with a fine toothed comb, the stylist feels she can do your hair anyhow, charge you anyhow and place the blame on your nappy hair...smh!
I had a similar experience with braids,well kinky long twists...esp. my hairline, this is a very sensitive spot for many naturals...first and last time...I will never again go to a salon that specializes in natural hair unless a referral
ReplyDeletecb
Good for you. Maybe you should stay in touch with Spesh. I'm so looking forward to her Natural hair salon:)
DeleteHi Natmane,
ReplyDeleteI have great news for you. We are opening a natural hair salon here in Abuja VERY soon! I'll be sure email you the details when we are ready.
PS: Sorry about your hair. I trust no naija stylist with my hair too. Only the girls I'm training now.
Wow!! This is great news o. Not just for we natural Naija ladies but for the relaxed ladies with abused manes as well. Please keep us posted and let me know what I can do to help:)
Delete"so I see no reason why I have to pay to look like gollum." earned you a cackle! Lmao! Chai!! And I want to get my hair done in Naija this year. I'm afraid sha.
ReplyDeleteLol...good luck finding a stylist that hears word:)
DeleteAh Abeg come and open natural hair salon in Benin City o!!! Been natural for a year now. And its only God that's helping me keep it together here. I have thick 4c coils, a very sensitive hairline & stylists who HATE dealing with natural hair. But thank God I can rock twist outs (done by moi) and an arsenal of oils & creams at my disposal.
ReplyDeleteEiya...that one go hard o. Keep on with the good job you are doing and try finding a stylist that you can train to help you with protective styling. Doh my sister:)
DeleteGreat story. I remember in the 9th grade (Liberia) a friend braided my hair and I could not even laugh. That was how tight my hair was. Glad your hair did not fall out.
ReplyDeleteHi,I just started my natural hair journey; I did the big chop december last year. Been meaning to get some products but ermmm financial constraints,lol. So I want to braid(kinky twists really) my hair to keep it protected; nuffin long, and I'm looking for a natural looking braid extensions, the X-pression brand is too shiny. Pls any recommended brand names? N the price? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteP.S I hope my hair grows bck lol.
Hi Amen! Go to the market and ask for Noble kinky attachment or Noble dreadlock (my favorite). The Noble kinky (as the traders call it) cost N800 while the noble dreadlock cost N1500. Click on the link below to see what the noble dreadlock looks like http://deepbrownkinks.blogspot.com/2014/01/harmattan-hair-care-ii.html
DeleteThe twists in the first picture above was done with first lady kinky extensions and they look and feel very much like one of the Noble kinky extensions. http://deepbrownkinks.blogspot.com/2012/08/taking-care-of-my-kinky-twists.html