Why Don't Stylists Care About Your Hair?

[SelahOco]

This may have been discussed before, but it always bugs me when I hear stories of how women cannot get their stylists to listen to them when it comes to their own hair.

The last time I went to a salon to have my hair straightened, the stylist burned my natural hair so badly that it looked like I had blonde streaks. And he didn't bat an eyelash about it. I was very clear that I didn't want it "perm" straight and that he needn't use excessive heat. To no avail.

We report stylists raking combs thru our hair, cutting it like there's no tomorrow, improperly neutralizing relaxers, frying strands with excessive heat. And I just wonder, why don't stylists care about your hair?

I understand a lack of education...but there seems to be a god complex or a disrespect in some stylists when it comes to people's hair. If you come in with a head full of long healthy hair...it's like they resent that fact that you have opinions or standards for how you should be treated.

WHY? Is this taught in school? Are they so frustrated with "know it all" clients that they can respect no one? Are they in a rush? Are they just accustomed to people not truly caring and only wanting to "look" pretty? Are they jealous?

I just don't get it. It seems like they would "love" caring for hair. Why don't they care like we do about our own frocks? What do you think?

 

[locabouthair]

Oco, I asked myself this question and I really dont know.

Maybe in my case, they saw my 4b hair and said hey her hair aint gonna grow anyway, no need to treat it with care

I honestly dont know. But my search for a good stylist is over.

I dont know whats harder finding a good man or a good stylist.

 

[Evolving78]

i believe they are rushed, and not professional. school teaches you the basics. you have to learn and take time for what will work with each client. a lot are more concerned with the style of your hair verses the health of it.
i have been to stylists that were concerned about the health of my hair and i became a regular with them. i would only stop going when money was tight. a lot of stylists don't go back for further education and training. a lot of them still use outdated products that just doesn't cut it anymore. you do have some clients that don't care about the health of their hair either. you have clients that have a lot of bad hair care practices at home, and then expect miracles when they go to the salon. a lot of clients have scalp issues like dandruff, and will only get their hair washed when the got to the salon.
it takes time to educate a client to practice good hair care habits at home. a lot of them don't get into the business for the care of someone's hair. they do it to make money. just like a lot of the African braid shops. they don't care about the health of your hair, they just braid it and take your money.

 

[Junebug D]

I think they're just used to people simply wanting to look pretty & not caring about the methods used to achieve the look, combined with improper education/ignorance about our hair.

 

[lonelysky]

After I moved out and went to college, I happened to find a great stylist very close to my apartment. She's a white girl, but she does a good job and she really listens to me and treats my hair nice. The only thing bat that ever happened was that she burned some hair off of my nape, but some of that was my fault because I felt it burning while she was rinsing, but I didn't say anything.

I still go to her, evern though she is about a 20-30 min drive through the city to get there.

Now before I went to her my current stylist, I went to another chick right before my wedding. My hair was NL but ready to be touching my shoulders or even CBL with all of the NG.

The DAY before I went I trimmed about 1/8" off of dead ends...so why did that WENCH cut off like an inch of my hair...and then had the AUDACITY to say that I had "dead ends". I took some of the dead ends off of the length, and I was going to leave it to her to fix the layers. So why did she take an inch off of length. My hair was not THAT unhealthy.

On top of that, I told her that I did not want my hair trimmed, but she said that I HAD TO HAVE MY HAIR TRIMMED BECAUSE I JUST HAD A RELAXER....ain't that a BLIP?

I was so glad that was a one time deal, I don't think that my hair would be nearly as thick and healthy as it is now (and I still have a considerable amount of progress to be made) if I had continued to go to her.

I don't really know why people are like that...

 

[SelahOco]

Good points all of you! I think there's something to the idea of school just teaching basics. I always assumed that stylists learn the kinds of stuff you all share here. I'm always surprised that stylists don't know about this website. It baffles me.

But your posts help me to see. I think I imagine the average stylist to have a level of passion or exposure that they don't have.

I've never understood why some stylists don't automatically deep condition the hair. One stylist refused to deep condition my hair after a relaxer, saying it didn't matter either way. She REFUSED saying that there was no scientific bases for doing it.

I liked her as person, but I stopped going to her. I was paying too much money to have her talk that way. Especially when I see the progress here.

 

[lashannasmall]

I think that it has to do with the assumption that Black people's hair doesn't grow anyway and they don't need to worry about the health, they just have to make it look good.

I think that they have no idea how to grow afro hair long so they just rely on making it look good instead.

I think they are afraid to tell the truth. They are afraid to tell you to lay off the perms, or curling irons because they don't know any style alternatives and they are afraid that they will not be able to pay their rent if you get up and leave because they will not do what you want

 

[lonelysky]

I think they're just used to people simply wanting to look pretty & not caring about the methods used to achieve the look, combined with improper education/ignorance about our hair.

ITA. There have been MANY times that I've been at the salon and seen people with thin, balding hair getting styled with the nasty brown gel and really hot curling irons...

Who's idea was the nasty btown gel anyway?

 

[that_1_grrrl]

1) They're stylists. Their job is to style hair. Taking care of the hair is not top priority.
2) Many of them carry bad hair practices with them. Old habits die hard.
3) They feel they learned all there is to know about hair care. They trusted their instructors knew everything about hair care. So, it is probably hard for them to take tips from someone who had never stepped foot in beauty school.

 

[lonelysky]

I think that it has to do with the assumption that Black people's hair doesn't grow anyway and they don't need to worry about the health, they just have to make it look good.

I think that they have no idea how to grow afro hair long so they just rely on making it look good instead.

I think they are afraid to tell the truth. They are afraid to tell you to lay off the perms, or curling irons because they don't know any style alternatives and they are afraid that they will not be able to pay their rent if you get up and leave because they will not do what you want

I really hate that stereotype. I encounter that all the time. I'm around a lot of (not black) people that have very long hair, and they just assume that my hair can't/won't/doesn't grow as long as theirs.

I also agree with the point that they are afraid to tell the truth, they want you in the salon every 6-8 weeks getting your hair relaxed, b/c they want to have that consistant bank.

My stylist don't make hardly any bank off of me. I go in only three or four times a year. And my hair has gotten a lot thicker as a result.

 

[MizzCoco]

I wish i knew the answer to this. I guess it all comes down to the money. They can charge $200 or more for a full sew in weave, but $5-10 extra for a DC treatment, so theres no money in actual haircare. Thats why im so thankful for this site. I can do my own hair, save money, and actually retain my growth

 

[lonelysky]

1) They're stylists. Their job is to style hair. Taking care of the hair is not top priority.
2) Many of them carry bad hair practices with them. Old habits die hard.
3) They feel they learned all there is to know about hair care. They trusted their instructors knew everything about hair care. So, it is probably hard for them to take tips from someone who had never stepped foot in beauty school.

I don't understand why they don't teach hair care in beauty schools. Is this just a black thing? Because the lady that does my hair seems like she knows her way around hair and more than just in terms of styling it. She also goes to a lot of workshops and stuff.

 

[curlcomplexity]

GREAT stylists do care about your hair....it's just hard to find a GREAT stylist in this time.

 

[that_1_grrrl]

I don't understand why they don't teach hair care in beauty schools. Is this just a black thing? Because the lady that does my hair seems like she knows her way around hair and more than just in terms of styling it. She also goes to a lot of workshops and stuff.

I don't think it's just a Black thing. My friend (Mexican) went to a multi-racial but mostly White beauty school, and she will tell you how much it sucks.

 

[lonelysky]

I don't think it's just a Black thing. My friend (Mexican) went to a multi-racial but mostly White beauty school, and she will tell you how much it sucks.

I guess that it is good that we're not the only ones under educating stylists, but still not good for the hair community as a whole...

 

[*fabulosity*]

I don't think that they don't care about your hair per se.. it's just that they have a different idea/perception of what they want it to look like.. You need to get a stylist that weighs what you want it to look like overall above her own opinion. Also just like in any profession; some folks just do it to make it money and some folks do it because they actually like doing it.. (on top of making money)..

 

[that_1_grrrl]

I guess that it is good that we're not the only ones under educating stylists, but still not good for the hair community as a whole...

Seriously! Just think about all the posts in here complaining about the White stylists on TV and their "cut and color" answer to everything.

 

[lonelysky]

Seriously! Just think about all the posts in here complaining about the White stylists on TV and their "cut and color" answer to everything.

Yeah, what's with that.

Here's another gripe: Why do people feel like they have to go to the salon EVERY WEEK or every other week to feel like they can get results?

One of my cousins was going to the salon like every week (to the same chick that cut my hair [see earlier post]) for what basically amounted to getting her hair washed, MAYBE a DC, a bunch of heat and a lot of bank.

 

[that_1_grrrl]

Yeah, what's with that.

Here's another gripe: Why do people feel like they have to go to the salon EVERY WEEK or every other week to feel like they can get results?

One of my cousins was going to the salon like every week (to the same chick that cut my hair [see earlier post]) for what basically amounted to getting her hair washed, MAYBE a DC, a bunch of heat and a lot of bank.

Yeah, that drives me crazy. I remember when I was a child and relaxed, stylists would always talk about how coming in every two weeks would be good for hair growth. Chyeah, right. There is only one stylist I would say that might have been true. He did an awesome job on my hair. I had never seen it look that silky before, lol.

I wish I was more passionate about hair. I would study cosmetology just so I could help women grow long, healthy hair. I could find other reasons to get them in the salon every week or every other week. Just have them come in for washes, deep conditions, and protein treatments (or any processes they want done).

 

[Fine 4s]

A few thoughts...

I don't think the framework for this discussion is fair (stylists not caring about our hair). It's a generalization that can be so wrong that it leads us to misdiagnose the problem.

If this concern cuts across different ethnic groups, perhaps it's a general attitude in the industry? Perhaps a testimony to the people who gravitate towards this profession? Or are stylists concentrated in under-represented/ low-income communities? Quality of education- School A being better than School B? Could be many variables....thoughts?

 

[Momstar]

I've have always wondered that myself. But I can honestly say that they are not all like that. I think some of it may be they have a different standard of they think good treatment is. My biggest peeve is when people would comb my natural hair rough, but that's why you have to stay a way from ghetto salons.

Another thing to consider is that alot of times it seems like doctors and the medical community don't care about your health or your body . You have to literally fight and complain for them to really take the time to care for you. That to me is very scary. If you can't trust your doctor,who can you trust?

 

[soulie]

Stylists don't WANT to know about this forum - when they see us and read this forum all they are seeing is money they will NOT be getting!

Seriously, it isn't fair to tar all stylists with the same brush. I have a wonderful stylist who doesn't cut/trim/pick up scissors without prior consent. She truly cares about the condition of my hair, and treats it like it was her own. I don't go to her often simply because I'm thrilled at the idea of being able to do my own properly after all these years!

For the stylists who don't seem to care, it could be the same as IT professionals, doctors, lawyers, etc -- all specialists in their fields who feel they have been educated and know more about their specialities than lay people. From the time you tell a stylist you didn't go to cosmetology school, she has relegated you to the class of another 'she doesn't know what she's talking about' client. She doesn't have time to argue, debate or discuss with you because she feels she knows more than you do anyway. Doesn't mean it's true, but that's the way it is in HER mind.

For every LHCF member that sits in a stylist's chair remember there are probably another 750 (picking a random number) non-members that sit in that chair and say "just make it look good" and don't care about the damage to their hair as long as it looks fly when they go out that evening. Those are the clients that stylists want - they don't question, and they make frequent appointments.

 

[JJamiah]

i believe they are rushed, and not professional. school teaches you the basics. you have to learn and take time for what will work with each client. a lot are more concerned with the style of your hair verses the health of it.
i have been to stylists that were concerned about the health of my hair and i became a regular with them. i would only stop going when money was tight. a lot of stylists don't go back for further education and training. a lot of them still use outdated products that just doesn't cut it anymore. You HIT it right on the NAIL - AS a STYLIST who has been a member for a minute, I am taking this a little personal, As with any profession you need to up date your skills on a regular basis. Knowledge is power. you do have some clients that don't care about the health of their hair either. you have clients that have a lot of bad hair care practices at home, and then expect miracles when they go to the salon. a lot of clients have scalp issues like dandruff, and will only get their hair washed when the got to the salon.
it takes time to educate a client to practice good hair care habits at home. a lot of them don't get into the business for the care of someone's hair. they do it to make money. just like a lot of the African braid shops. they don't care about the health of your hair, they just braid it and take your money.

Good points all of you! I think there's something to the idea of school just teaching basics. I always assumed that stylists learn the kinds of stuff you all share here. I'm always surprised that stylists don't know about this website. It baffles me. Maybe because we don't have it broadcasting all over the website, come on!!!!

But your posts help me to see. I think I imagine the average stylist to have a level of passion or exposure that they don't have.

I've never understood why some stylists don't automatically deep condition the hair. I automatically put the price of a Deep Conditioner in with My styles, I don't give the option, I don't like damaged hair. I give consultations with every visit. You might need to find another stylist, Stylist like doctors aren't just picked out of a hat. You need to find one that works for you. That could take a long time!!! One stylist refused to deep condition my hair after a relaxer, saying it didn't matter either way. She REFUSED saying that there was no scientific bases for doing it. She sounds fresh off the crazy box! and I don't have to be a scientist to know that!

I liked her as person, but I stopped going to her. I was paying too much money to have her talk that way. Especially when I see the progress here.

GREAT stylists do care about your hair....it's just hard to find a GREAT stylist in this time.

Agreed - Great stylist care - Poor Stylist DON'T learn the signs and before they touch your hair RUN, Watch a stylist put a chemical in, style and treat hair atleast 2 customers before letting them touch your hair.

I don't think that they don't care about your hair per se.. it's just that they have a different idea/perception of what they want it to look like.. You need to get a stylist that weighs what you want it to look like overall above her own opinion. Also just like in any profession; some folks just do it to make it money and some folks do it because they actually like doing it.. (on top of making money)..

I started working in a salon at 15, for $80 a week. I worked Every day Monday - Friday 3:30pm - 12am (SLAVERY) and Saturday and Sunday 8am - 12am. Let's say I loved it so much I worked for basically FREE!

A few thoughts...

I don't think the framework for this discussion is fair (stylists not caring about our hair). It's a generalization that can be so wrong that it leads us to misdiagnose the problem.

If this concern cuts across different ethnic groups, perhaps it's a general attitude in the industry? Perhaps a testimony to the people who gravitate towards this profession? Or are stylists concentrated in under-represented/ low-income communities? Quality of education- School A being better than School B? Could be many variables....thoughts?

Stylists don't WANT to know about this forum - when they see us and read this forum all they are seeing is money they will NOT be getting!

Seriously, it isn't fair to tar all stylists with the same brush. I have a wonderful stylist who doesn't cut/trim/pick up scissors without prior consent. She truly cares about the condition of my hair, and treats it like it was her own. I don't go to her often simply because I'm thrilled at the idea of being able to do my own properly after all these years!

For the stylists who don't seem to care, it could be the same as IT professionals, doctors, lawyers, etc -- all specialists in their fields who feel they have been educated and know more about their specialities than lay people. From the time you tell a stylist you didn't go to cosmetology school, she has relegated you to the class of another 'she doesn't know what she's talking about' client. She doesn't have time to argue, debate or discuss with you because she feels she knows more than you do anyway. Doesn't mean it's true, but that's the way it is in HER mind. SO DAM TRUE, I still GO TO THE SALON's and they try to tell me what is and what isn't I am like look girl, I have been doing hair longer than you have been going to public school and cosmetology school. So do what I want done, not what you want done! and then I smile

For every LHCF member that sits in a stylist's chair remember there are probably another 750 (picking a random number) non-members that sit in that chair and say "just make it look good" and don't care about the damage to their hair as long as it looks fly when they go out that evening. Those are the clients that stylists want - they don't question, and they make frequent appointments.

Oh Really, WOW, I BEG to differ!

 

[ajacks]

I think they're just used to people simply wanting to look pretty & not caring about the methods used to achieve the look, combined with improper education/ignorance about our hair.

I agree. My old stylist always made my weave look good, but my hair underneath was a thin damaged mess. Now that I've found Reniece I have the best of both worlds: healthy hair and a pretty weave For the first time in years I'm not too embarassed to wear my real hair out.

 

[FluffyRed]

They DON'T care about your hair goals because your hair goals don't make them money.

Period.

They care about their money.

Cutting and weaving and relaxing more often = mo' money.

Sending you to buy conditioner, telling you to stretch relaxers and not cutting = less money.

 

[beans4reezy]

They are money motivated with Holier than thou complexes.

 

[RockCreak]

I don't understand why they don't teach hair care in beauty schools. Is this just a black thing? Because the lady that does my hair seems like she knows her way around hair and more than just in terms of styling it. She also goes to a lot of workshops and stuff.

Being a former cosmetology student (retired licensed stylist for now- lol) and if my memory serves me correct in the cosmetology book I studied (Mylady) "Hair Care" as we know it is not taught in cosmetology school. Basically the cosmetology school purpose is to teach the "Basics." The Cosmetology School is to teach what's needed to pass the board to get licensed. It is then when the stylist has to take it upon themselves for continuing education.The Mylady book that's used only has 1 chapter that teaches salon management/etiquette/professionalism. That's all up to that individual stylist. (Usually that's how you seperate a salon from a shop) Maybe some of the salon's that people are going to visit are really "shops" in disguise. IMHO some licensed professionals think that styling is "Hair Care." I know of alot of stylist in the DMV who can style their yoohoo's off, but when you analyze what was done to achieve the style...was it more harm than good? was it worth having your hair fried? Is it necessary to have those hot*** marcel irons smoking in my hair? All that looks good is not necessary good for you. And we need to take that approach when selecting a stylist.

Just some advice ladies...When visiting a stylist, especially if it's your first visit to a new stylist. You should be getting a consultation prior to any service. Your new hair care technician should listen to what the customer's issues and concerns are and what they are trying to achieve. The stylist job is to then disect the information provided by the customer and use their professional expertise (if you will) to develope a treatment plan and introduce it to their customer. It's also the stylist job to recommend and make suggestions as to what's needed for their specific hair care. Most importantly the stylist need to be true to themselves and the customer. Never sell false hope.

It may take some time, but there are some true stylist out there. Don't give up and don't settle.

HTH

 

[tbaby_8]

Being a former cosmetology student (retired licensed stylist for now- lol) and if my memory serves me correct in the cosmetology book I studied (Mylady) "Hair Care" as we know it is not taught in cosmetology school. Basically the cosmetology school purpose is to teach the "Basics." The Cosmetology School is to teach what's needed to pass the board to get licensed. It is then when the stylist has to take it upon themselves for continuing education.The Mylady book that's used only has 1 chapter that teaches salon management/etiquette/professionalism. That's all up to that individual stylist. (Usually that's how you seperate a salon from a shop) Maybe some of the salon's that people are going to visit are really "shops" in disguise. IMHO some licensed professionals think that styling is "Hair Care." I know of alot of stylist in the DMV who can style their yoohoo's off, but when you analyze what was done to achieve the style...was it more harm than good? was it worth having your hair fried? Is it necessary to have those hot*** marcel irons smoking in my hair? All that looks good is not necessary good for you. And we need to take that approach when selecting a stylist.

Just some advice ladies...When visiting a stylist, especially if it's your first visit to a new stylist. You should be getting a consultation prior to any service. Your new hair care technician should listen to what the customer's issues and concerns are and what they are trying to achieve. The stylist job is to then disect the information provided by the customer and use their professional expertise (if you will) to develope a treatment plan and introduce it to their customer. It's also the stylist job to recommend and make suggestions as to what's needed for their specific hair care. Most importantly the stylist need to be true to themselves and the customer. Never sell false hope.

It may take some time, but there are some true stylist out there. Don't give up and don't settle.

HTH

Thank you. Finally someone speaks up for the good stylist. I am a stylist and I enjoy coming on here because I have learned a great deal. Like you said, it is up to the stylist to seek more education. It is up to the client to observe the potential stylist before letting them work on your head.

All stylist are not bad and some really do care about the clients hair, so please stop lumping us all in the same boat. We are not all the same. If I offended anyone, I apologize, but I just get tired of all the stylist bashing.

 

[lonelysky]

I've had more experiences with good stylists than I have bad ones, and a lot of time white chicks have laid my hair out better than a sista...go figure.

I think that the bad tends to stick out in people's minds more than good, and I also think that there are a lot of bad stylists out there unfortunately.

 

[LoveLiLi]

The stylists don't care about our hair because they don't have to. They get to over-process, cut instead of trim and tear out a client's hair with a small tooth comb because most clients will come back for more.

Some people are scared to speak up and others really think the stylist knows best and haven't been exposed to proper hair care methods.

If more ladies walked out when receiving crappy service, refused to pay after botched jobs and complained, then stylists would take notice. As it is, stylists get to do what they feel like doing to your hair, talk about your nappy head to everyone within earshot and overcharge you while doing so.

I have had a handful of good stylists do my hair, but honestly, the rest were trash.