are stylists unqualified to do our hair these days?

DivaD04 · May 4, 2008

I have been harp'n on this subject for a couple of days now and after reading bellezanegra826 thread I thought I'd go ahead and post my thread. (I'm sorry you went threw that bellezanegra826) I know that salon trips are suppose to be a girl's day out buuuut, sometimes maybe alot for other's it's not so pleasant.

There seems to be an ever growing number of unqualified stylists out in the field we pride ourselves in...our hair. So for that being said, I tought it would be a good idea to make a thread on this topic. What are your opinions about it? Do you think there should be a change in the way people get their liscense? I know that state board's concerns are primarily health and sanitations, and textbook proceedures. All opinions are welcome.

I think there should be a revision mos def! I'm not taking the fact that you do learn alot of other stuff, cut, color, etc. with techniques....ya'll don't get to bent out of shape...lol but I'm talking about thoroughly taking care of natural hair properly seeing that there is a growing number of women (and men, non bias) have or deciding that they want to be or are natural, texlaxed(ing), and/or transitioned(ing). But you have stylists who can't tell a relaxed head from a natural! Umm, that is a problem and if a money hungry stylists wants to dust, chomp off, color, use heat, flip it, coil it, curl it, he or she ought to be qaulified to do so while holding their liscense in a shop.

memee1978 · May 4, 2008

DivaD04 said:
I have been harp'n on this subject for a couple of days now and after reading bellezanegra826 thread I thought I'd go ahead and post my thread. (I'm sorry you went threw that bellezanegra826) I know that salon trips are suppose to be a girl's day out buuuut, sometimes maybe alot for other's it's not so pleasant.

There seems to be an ever growing number of unqualified stylists out in the field we pride ourselves in...our hair. So for that being said, I tought it would be a good idea to make a thread on this topic. What are your opinions about it? Do you think there should be a change in the way people get their liscense? I know that state board's concerns are primarily health and sanitations, and textbook proceedures. All opinions are welcome.

I think there should be a revision mos def! I'm not taking the fact that you do learn alot of other stuff, cut, color, etc. with techniques....ya'll don't get to bent out of shape...lol but I'm talking about thoroughly taking care of natural hair properly seeing that there is a growing number of women (and men, non bias) have or deciding that they want to be or are natural, texlaxed(ing), and/or transitioned(ing). But you have stylists who can't tell a relaxed head from a natural! Umm, that is a problem and if a money hungry stylists wants to dust, chomp off, color, use heat, flip it, coil it, curl it, he or she ought to be qaulified to do so while holding their liscense in a shop.

i dont go to stylist.there scissor happy.on top of that we ladies have learned how to get that professional look at home with more healthier hair.of course if you dont have the time to do your hair then thats different.i havnt went to a stylist in almost 5 years and my hair is doing good with out one....stylist.......no put intenedeed.........i know how to take care of my hair now!!!!!!!!!!!!! :violin:

:creatures :phone:

clapping:

DivaD04 · May 4, 2008

memee i know that's right...i think because of so many bad stylists women say forget that...i tink this promps us to read...educate ourselves, and dio(do it ourselves)

Supergirl · May 4, 2008

I know there are some good ones out there, but it seems that they may be the exception and not the rule. You have to search for the good ones really hard or get lucky. :up:

Pheonixx · May 4, 2008

Depends on the stylist really.
To a certain degree it also depends on the person gettin their hair done who is now complaining.

Every time I've gone to a stylist it's been because I SAW their work beforehand. And I've always had good stylists on my head.
But---
A lotta sistas will just pop up in anyone's salon,i.e. walk-in...
A lotta sistas will see a stylist without knowing the stylists specialty...
A lotta sistas will deal with bull-headed stylists who don't listen to them because they've been seeing them forever...
A lotta sistas will continue to go to a substandard beauty shop...and then be SHOCKED when someone f's their hair up!

What kinda sense does that make?

This is not directed at anyone in particular; I'm just talking in general.

Sometimes I'm sympathetic to hair salon horror stories; most of the time I'm not.
...because half the time the issue coulda been solved with some research and common sense.
Research is asking questions, for a portfolio,etc.... It means going to stylists whose work you have SEEN (on coworkers, friends, etc...)

Common sense dictates that: Hair styling is just like any other profession. You have ppl who excel and ppl who don't. (SOMEONE had to graduate at the 'bottom' of the class, right?)
It's up to you to figure out who you're dealing with.

AfroKink · May 4, 2008

It would be nice to see more stylists that can do natural afro-type hair. That way the few natural hair salons that do exist wouldn't be charging such high prices

Lys

memee1978 · May 4, 2008

MissAlyssa said:
It would be nice to see more stylists that can do natural afro-type hair. That way the few natural hair salons that do exist wouldn't be charging such high prices

Lys

i believe in the futre,stylist wont be making as much money because weve learned how to do our own hair. :grin:

BotanyGrl · May 4, 2008

I don't know if there is a customer service portion on the cosmetology exam, but many states may want to look into adding one. One of the top reasons I left my stylist was due to her being late majority of the time. I'm not talking 15 or 20 minutes, I'm talking about an 1.5 to 2 hours late. She was wasting my time, and obviously didn't care too much about it... so I had to roll! I agree with Phoenixx too, they do what we allow them to. If we didn't allow our stylists to get away with the bs, they would have to change their tune. She kept coming in late, because we kept waiting for her silly ***! I read the other thread, but wondered how vocal the poster was when the stylist was doing and saying all of the bs too. I was very upset about her experience, but I think we need to be more vocal in telling these stylists that are not up to par! I would never put up with any of that foolishness again now knowing what I know. Hell, we pay them, not the other way around.

Covergirl5906 · May 4, 2008

I do believe that there are some good ones out there, but they are far and few in between...I believe that most of them are unqualified...I think many of us on this board know way more about healthy hair care than some of these so called professionals...

DivaD04 · May 4, 2008

BotanyGrl said:
I don't know if there is a customer service portion on the cosmetology exam, but many states may want to look into adding one. One of the top reasons I left my stylist was due to her being late majority of the time. I'm not talking 15 or 20 minutes, I'm talking about an 1.5 to 2 hours late. She was wasting my time, and obviously didn't care too much about it... so I had to roll! I agree with Phoenixx too, they do what we allow them to. If we didn't allow our stylists to get away with the bs, they would have to change their tune. She kept coming in late, because we kept waiting for her silly ***! I read the other thread, but wondered how vocal the poster was when the stylist was doing and saying all of the bs too. I was very upset about her experience, but I think we need to be more vocal in telling these stylists that are not up to par! I would never put up with any of that foolishness again now knowing what I know. Hell, we pay them, not the other way around.

No it's just a portion you get from your textbooks in cali. i don't know when it comes to everybody else tho

RegaLady · May 4, 2008

As many as good stylists out there, I really wonder what the H*** do they learn in these schools and who is teaching them. Don't get me wrong, I loved my stylist work, but hair care, I am not sure about that! Her daughter has walked in the shop with some beautiful, natural, healthy looking hair, though. :giggle:

shocol · May 4, 2008

PhoEnixX said:
Depends on the stylist really.
To a certain degree it also depends on the person gettin their hair done who is now complaining.

Every time I've gone to a stylist it's been because I SAW their work beforehand. And I've always had good stylists on my head.
But---
A lotta sistas will just pop up in anyone's salon,i.e. walk-in...
A lotta sistas will see a stylist without knowing the stylists specialty...
A lotta sistas will deal with bull-headed stylists who don't listen to them because they've been seeing them forever...
A lotta sistas will continue to go to a substandard beauty shop...and then be SHOCKED when someone f's their hair up!

What kinda sense does that make?

This is not directed at anyone in particular; I'm just talking in general.

Sometimes I'm sympathetic to hair salon horror stories; most of the time I'm not.
...because half the time the issue coulda been solved with some research and common sense.
Research is asking questions, for a portfolio,etc.... It means going to stylists whose work you have SEEN (on coworkers, friends, etc...)

Common sense dictates that: Hair styling is just like any other profession. You have ppl who excel and ppl who don't. (SOMEONE had to graduate at the 'bottom' of the class, right?)
It's up to you to figure out who you're dealing with.

So true... it's rare that I will go to a stylist that hasn't been recommended by family/friends. And when I say recommended, I mean I have seen that stylist's work on friend/family's hair. I guess we all need to understand there are different skill/knowledge levels among stylists.

sydwrites · May 4, 2008

I chose other because, there are good stylists but its usually one maybe two per salon if that. Also, I think its important to have a good cosmetologist, someone who can style and keep your hair healthy. I usually find many people that can make it look good, at least on that day, but whose practices will not keep much hair on your head. The first time a girl looked at my hair and was like your scalp isnt dirty we can just do a conditioner wash I thought I had hit the lottery :grin:

. As opposed to a stylist that was happy to hear the grease frying when flat-ironing my hair because it was going to be soooo smooth and straight because of this :wallbash:

.

balisi · May 4, 2008

memee1978 said:
i believe in the futre,stylist wont be making as much money because weve learned how to do our own hair.

Since you stated that with such glee, do you really think this is a good thing? What about the good stylists out there? We DO exist, you know, and just like any other working person, we have children to raise and bills to pay. Can we not earn a nice life for ourselves just like the rest of you?

erplexed I mean, damn.

To answer the OP's question, the state board exam that I took was more concerned with sanitation than anything else, and no, there was not a segment on natural hair and its care. Natural hair was barely covered in our curriculum. Stylists who do natural hair typically seek out such knowledge on their own and/or have natural hair themselves and learn through trial and error, typically on their own heads. People also shouldn't be so quick to judge the schools because some stylists are going to do what they want to do once they have that license, despite the school's best teachings.

Real change is not going to be brought about by so many women doing their own hair and therefore not needing stylists. Real change is going to take place when SALON PATRONS stop taking the BS that the bad stylists dish out.

d-rock · May 4, 2008

I don't trust stylists. I definitely think they are unqualified to deal with black hair because they are not taught to deal with the natural textures associated with non-white women/men. I think they're learning to just relax black hair so they can deal with it, but don't know how to take care of it. When I walk into a salon with friends the stylists are always trying to convince me to get a cut or relaxer. "Girl if you relaxed that hair it would hit the middle of your back" or "You should let me get those ends for you." I usually get asked what I'm doing that got my hair close to BSL and that's a sign to me that they don't know how to care for hair so that it'll grow.

gymfreak336 · May 4, 2008

PhoEnixX said:
Depends on the stylist really.
To a certain degree it also depends on the person gettin their hair done who is now complaining.

Every time I've gone to a stylist it's been because I SAW their work beforehand. And I've always had good stylists on my head.
But---
A lotta sistas will just pop up in anyone's salon,i.e. walk-in...
A lotta sistas will see a stylist without knowing the stylists specialty...
A lotta sistas will deal with bull-headed stylists who don't listen to them because they've been seeing them forever...
A lotta sistas will continue to go to a substandard beauty shop...and then be SHOCKED when someone f's their hair up!

What kinda sense does that make?

This is not directed at anyone in particular; I'm just talking in general.

Sometimes I'm sympathetic to hair salon horror stories; most of the time I'm not.
...because half the time the issue coulda been solved with some research and common sense.
Research is asking questions, for a portfolio,etc.... It means going to stylists whose work you have SEEN (on coworkers, friends, etc...)

Common sense dictates that: Hair styling is just like any other profession. You have ppl who excel and ppl who don't. (SOMEONE had to graduate at the 'bottom' of the class, right?)
It's up to you to figure out who you're dealing with.

^^^ There it is people, there it is!

gymfreak336 · May 4, 2008

balisi said:
Since you stated that with such glee, do you really think this is a good thing? What about the good stylists out there? We DO exist, you know, and just like any other working person, we have children to raise and bills to pay. Can we not earn a nice life for ourselves just like the rest of you? erplexed I mean, damn.

To answer the OP's question, the state board exam that I took was more concerned with sanitation than anything else, and no, there was not a segment on natural hair and its care. Natural hair was barely covered in our curriculum. Stylists who do natural hair typically seek out such knowledge on their own and/or have natural hair themselves and learn through trial and error, typically on their own heads. People also shouldn't be so quick to judge the schools because some stylists are going to do what they want to do once they have that license, despite the school's best teachings.

Real change is not going to be brought about by so many women doing their own hair and therefore not needing stylists. Real change is going to take place when SALON PATRONS stop taking the BS that the bad stylists dish out.

I will agree with this. Also, to be honest, alot of people don't need to try to do everything themselves. I mean, I know we all care for our hair and want to do right by it and sometimes doing right by it means refraining from doing somethings yourself. I am not trying to call anyone out but some people here would have an easier time if they stopped trying to do everything themselves.

Economics rules the world. If you stop giving the bad stylist your money, they will either shape up or ship out.

barbiesocialite · May 4, 2008

I agree that it is very difficult to find a hair stylist knowledgeable in actual hair care..... the women I know with the longest and healthiest hair have all achieved beautiful hair through their own hair education initiatives

justsimply · May 4, 2008

I think stylists are as stylists have always been. Because we are "into" our hair we are more aware of bad practices and even customer service (as we tend to ask more questions, give more input about how we want our hair handled and done).

But I really think that it's not the test that is given that makes a stylists good. It's if that stylist has a passion for hair; if they are in it simply for the money or because they love hair. Those who seem to love doing hair, educate themselves accordingly. No matter what the courses may teach, there will still be stylist trying to make the big dollars..and they will NOT tell their clients come by in 4-6 months for a touch up.

Lucky's Mom · May 4, 2008

Sadly - I must say

NO NO and NO

Mortons · May 4, 2008

memee1978 said:
i believe in the futre,stylist wont be making as much money because weve learned how to do our own hair.

I disagree off the strength of there will always be some women too lazy to learn how to treat their own hair and will blindly trust a stylist. As long is they walk out with silky tracks and hair all flowing they good. :ohwell:

DivaD04 · May 4, 2008

out of curiousity

oke: sj...what cha mean?

DivaD04 · May 5, 2008

HeatSeeker said:
I disagree off the strength of there will always be some women too lazy to learn how to treat their own hair and will blindly trust a stylist. As long is they walk out with silky tracks and hair all flowing they good.

ita b/c there are always going to be folks who will sacrifice long hair for a do. it's like a war that'll never end.

cutenappygrl · May 5, 2008

(I am not referring to natural hair salons) And I don't know what stylists learn in schools but they act like they don't learn hair care and are only concerned w/styling. And they keep you coming back by screwing your hair up so that they can fix it the next time. I guess they think the Black women's ultimate goal is to have long flowing straight hair so once she has that she may never come back - so let's make sure she doesn't get it to keep her coming into the salon. Why else would they insist on trimming your hair every time you come in - to keep it short. And when I used to relax my hair - I am quite sure they slapped the same relaxer on every single head that walked through the door - and didn't care if one women's texture needed a mild and another women needs a super. They don't care. They don't care if your hair turns to straw - as long as it looks OK when you leave - that's all that matters to them. And other posters are right about how we should not accept bs from stylists - b/c I know a lot of people who will keep going back to the same stylist after she takes their hair out.

Now in reference to natural hair care salons - I've been quite pleased w/ all of my experiences when I go to a natural salon - and I mean a salon where the owner has natural hair and they only do natural styles. It's when I went to a "relaxed hair salon" (can't think of what else to call it) I had a stylist rip through my hair w/ a small tooth comb. All of the natural hair salons I've went to have been very knowledgeable about hair care and maintenance and I've always maintained my growth by going to them.

chellero · May 5, 2008

balisi said:
Real change is not going to be brought about by so many women doing their own hair and therefore not needing stylists. Real change is going to take place when SALON PATRONS stop taking the BS that the bad stylists dish out.

And they should let their stylists know what they are doing wrong and tell them the reason that they are changing stylists or doing their own hair.

chellero · May 5, 2008

Most stylists are unqualified to do my hair. I feel as if I have to show up at the salon with clean, dc'd and detangled hair and a bottle of my own heat protectant and combs to even get a decent flat iron or rollerset. In addition I save so much money and time by doing these things myself I hardly see the point in letting someone else do it.

CurlyMoo · May 5, 2008

barbiesocialite said:
I agree that it is very difficult to find a hair stylist knowledgeable in actual hair care..... the women I know with the longest and healthiest hair have all achieved beautiful hair through their own hair education initiatives

I agree with this. :yep:

If you learn how to take care of your hair no one can do a better job. Because it takes time to learn what is best for YOUR hair. Even if we have a similar hair length and texture we may find that certain products do not give us the same results we are looking for.

I have the same philosophy with food. If you want to stay healthy stay out of those restaurants! If you want long healthy hair stay out of those Salons. Both have sanitary issues. Now that I eat less at restaurants and fast food joints I have less colds and rarely sick. And the same for salons by hair is no longer sick of hairdressers. :lachen:

Lucky's Mom · May 5, 2008

DivaD04 said:
out of curiousityoke: sj...what cha mean?

OOPS! I misread the question... DUH.....

Stylists are (IN MY OPINION) NOT qualified to do my hair!!!!!!

So - YES YES YES!

JustKiya · May 5, 2008

Stylists main purpose is to style hair. Not to keep it healthy, not to help it grow, but to put it in the latest, hair killing, 'glamorous' style of the month. :nono:

I wouldn't go to a stylist expecting them to be able to educate me on how to achieve healthy hair anymore than I would go to a plastic surgeon expecting them to be able to educate me on how to achieve a healthy body.

And since I consider my hair's health to be it's number 1 source of beauty, no, I don't think that most stylists are qualified to do my hair.

jada1111 · May 5, 2008

DivaD04 said:
I have been harp'n on this subject for a couple of days now and after reading bellezanegra826 thread I thought I'd go ahead and post my thread. (I'm sorry you went threw that bellezanegra826) I know that salon trips are suppose to be a girl's day out buuuut, sometimes maybe alot for other's it's not so pleasant.

There seems to be an ever growing number of unqualified stylists out in the field we pride ourselves in...our hair. So for that being said, I tought it would be a good idea to make a thread on this topic. What are your opinions about it? Do you think there should be a change in the way people get their liscense? I know that state board's concerns are primarily health and sanitations, and textbook proceedures. All opinions are welcome.

I think there should be a revision mos def! I'm not taking the fact that you do learn alot of other stuff, cut, color, etc. with techniques....ya'll don't get to bent out of shape...lol but I'm talking about thoroughly taking care of natural hair properly seeing that there is a growing number of women (and men, non bias) have or deciding that they want to be or are natural, texlaxed(ing), and/or transitioned(ing). But you have stylists who can't tell a relaxed head from a natural! Umm, that is a problem and if a money hungry stylists wants to dust, chomp off, color, use heat, flip it, coil it, curl it, he or she ought to be qaulified to do so while holding their liscense in a shop.

I just wanted to chime in here and say that hairstylists DO have the option of learning from the "masters" in the business to improve their craft. You can "intern" or pay extra to learn from a high end stylists on their hair techniques.

I plan on going back to school to be a hairstylist and my goals will be the following:

1) get my license
2) learn various styling techniques
- dominican blowout
- cutting afro hair in its "natural" state without having to use heat
- learning how to cut various curly hair textures, so that it's flattering
3) Specializing in color (high end salons don't let colorists cut hair or cutting stylists color for a reason)

4) Continually learning and updating my craft.

Many hairdressers are "comfortable" with only doing a couple of things and no more. They're lazy and 80% of them are not talented, just like 80% of makeup artists aren't.

I feel the state guidelines should remain the same. It's up to the stylist themselves to want to be the best in their industry.

I will never do cornrows or braids, because it's too time consuming and I don't have the "artistic" eye that many of the great ones have.

are stylists unqualified to do our hair these days?

Should stylists ought to be BOARD qualified to do natural, tex, and trans hair?

yes

no

other...plz explain, opinions wanted!

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