Happy Sunday lovelies!
I’ve decided to add a new feature to The Awkward Stage. I have random thoughts about hair that I never really post on here. That’s about to change. Starting today (and every Sunday until I run out of things to talk about lol), I will post a topic for discussion, my thoughts about it, and then open the floor up for you to share your opinions. Ok?
Molto bene.
Something that I have noticed, from folks who are transitioning to those who are relaxed is that some people feel that their success in handling their hair can be best met by stylist. These people are depending on stylists for not only hair styles but product recommendations and the like. There is a part of me that wants to say that this isn’t the way to go. Don’t get me wrong. Some people out there have excellent stylists who use healthy hair practices and all that jazz. The vast majority, however, do not. For that reason, I find it problematic to put your hair journey in the hands of someone else.
I have 2 reasons for that:
1). Stylists are taught how to style. Most stylists can get your hair into a fierce ‘do. But then what? How do you take care of your hair after that? What products are good for your hair? How many stylists have relaxed your hair into oblivion ( I speak from experience on this one. Once upon a time, I was told to relax my hair every 4 weeks b/c of the ‘grade’ of hair I have :serious side eye: ) ? I know most of yall have had an experience where your hair came out looking so good but you have no idea what products they used because the stylist put them in a nondescript bottle. Others may tell you that in order to keep your hair looking good, you need to come to them every 2 weeks. Whatever they may tell you, it doesn’t help you and it makes you dependent on them. Which brings me to my next point……
2) It fosters dependency. As someone who has moved all of her life, I know what it’s like to have a stylist, move, and then feel lost because you have no idea what to do with your hair. You don’t know how to style it and you feel a hot mess until you find a stylist that meets your expectations. It’s rough, I know. However, ever since I have been on this hair journey, I feel confident in my own ability to take care of my hair. I know what products work for it, I know how to style it for any occasion (whether or not I feel like it is another story entirely lol), I can relax it, etc. Anything I need to do to my hair, I can do and I take great pride in that. I just think that every woman should have some base idea as to what to do with their hair. That’s my personal opinion though.
What do you think about using stylists on your healthy hair journey? Are they necessary?
Amen to #1! I always point out that stylists style hair, they don't necessarily care for it. And I had a hairdresser give me that same 4 weeks speech my senior year of college. On graduation day, I ended up with hair about the length of your profile pic and it was almost carrot red.
ReplyDeleteMy dear cousin can style the mess out of your hair, but then she'll leave you with a mess of breakage the day after. *smh* You just have to make sure that YOU remain in control of any hairstyling you get. Be vocal about what you want and how you want it - it took many a bad incident for me to learn that being too polite can cost you.
Life in a Shoe
Same here! At the end of the day, only YOU know what is best for your hair!
DeleteLove this post, looking so forward to more Sunday chats! I agree with all you said, plus not all stylists don't do continuing education. So sometimes their practices and information is completely outdated!
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely true! You really don't want to put your hair health in the hands of someone operating on info from the 1990s (or earlier!) lol.
DeleteI know that stylists aren't necessary for a successful HHJ. I see ladies who can do it all and do it well. I hate to say this because I like my stylist, but I don't even take her hair care advice or product suggestions. I am not trimming every six weeks and I am not relaxing every 4-6 wks as she suggests. I tell her what I do. I don't argue and I'll see her again in 8-12 weeks and every 6 mos-1 year for color. She specializes in chemicals and styling and I have 27 yrs of experience with this hair on my head. I could never afford to become dependent on stylist but I feel for all the ladies that are.
ReplyDeleteSee, you can sift through what your stylist tells you because you have the knowledge base to determine what is or what isn't right for your hair. A lot of ladies don't have that. Shoot, I used to be one of them! So I definitely feel for the ladies who are dependent on a stylist b/c they simply just don't know any better. Even though there is a wealth of information out there, some folks just don't get it.
DeleteBeing totally dependent on a stylist for everything can be extremely costly financially. As we say here in Trinbago, "cheap thing ain't good and good thing ain't cheap!!" lol.........I never believed it necessary to have a stylist even more so now that I see so many ladies like yourself with healthy hair, both relaxed and natural, doing a darm great job of styling your hair yourselves. You guys are proof that we don't NEED a stylist.
ReplyDeleteThanks Candice!
DeleteI agree. We don't need a stylist to have fierce hair lol. Like most things, it takes time to learn how to style your own hair. As you guys can see on this blog, I certainly didn't pop out of the womb knowing how to do hair. I had to practice it a bit and get into my own groove.
I agree completely, no one NEEDS a stylist once she has educated herself a bit and gotten to know her own crown (a woman's hair is after all her crown)I must say though that I had an awesome stylist, who brought my hair back from the brink of death a few years back. She truly focused on the health of my hair and then she also made me look AMAZING. She used quality products, allowed me to stretch my relaxers, never over lapped my relaxer and did the most amazing blow outs. Two unfortunate things - she was a little scissor happy (the styles were fierce though) and she disappeared. I mean truly disappeared. To this day I can't reach her in any way sense or form. And that's when I realized that I need to take care of myself because I simply did not trust another stylist. Stylists are not all the devil incarnate. Some are gems and can be an asset in one's hair journey. As the client one must also remember one's own part and remember to use one's voice.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I'm not completely knocking stylists. Shoot there are times when I go to a salon b/c I'm too lazy to do my own hair lol. However, there are some stylists who are amazing at what they do and are on top of their game in promoting the health of your hair. However, there is a significant amount of stylists who are not. And if you don't know your hair and its needs, it can result in a setback. I'm not a fan of being dependent on a stylist. I just think it is so important to be able to take care of your own hair.
DeleteGreat post!!! I depended on my stylist for relaxers because I would always under process....and I depended on her to clip my ends because I had no idea how to....
ReplyDeleteI have no decided to remain "Texlaxed" & earlier this year I purchased the "Split Ender" lol now I have absolutely no need for my stylist unless I need a certain style (cut) or weave.
I kinda feel bad because I like her as a person....but as a stylist I just have no need for her any longer.
I feel for those who are dependant and I am not sure how good that is for a sucessful HHJ. I have known girls who had certain stylist who's gone out of business or gotten sick and they are lefy high and dry searching for a knowledgable and caring stylist...there aren't many of those left!