Born to be mild
Hi girls,
Really quickly, I just discovered an amazing option for girls with fine-to-medium curls who'd love to relax their hair a bit, but don't want the heaviness and pin-straightness of a major relaxer. Last week, I was at my local Dominican salon, Adelina's (love ya, Addie!). I'd had this weird kink in the front of my hair, towards the bottom--and no matter how much I flatironed or curling iron-ed it, that piece never stayed straight. It drove me NUTS. So, I asked Adelina if there was anything I could do for that section, short of a relaxer. Fabulous Addie was like, "Sure mami! Let's do a relaxing conditioner!" She proceeded to whip together equal parts deep conditioner and relaxer (she used Paul Mitchell Super-Charged Moisturizer, $10.99; with SoftSheen-Carson Optimum Care Mild Relaxer, $6.99), and then massaged it into my weird, frizzy section of hair. After letting it marinate for ten minutes, it was business as usual--she washed it out once, followed with conditioner, and that was that! Brilliant. I mean, what a fabulous option if you just need super-mild relaxing (ideal for little girls, too).
Here's the cautionary tale, though. My sister Devon (aka Brownie) had been growing out her perm for years, and was finally, FINALLY, done! A couple months ago, she went to her local D.C. Dominican spot and, without asking, her stylist slapped in a thickish pre-shampoo treatment. When Brownie saw her wet hair, she was baffled and devastated--her hard-won natural curls were looser, yet she knew her stylist hadn't given her a real relaxer or texturizer (she only washed it out once, and Brownie didn't smell chemicals). What happened?! It wasn't until I had my existential Adelina experience that we realized what the stylist had done. The NERVE, right? Good thing Brownie graduated summa cum laude from Howard Law School, because she's taking her ass to court. Moral of the story is, always watch your stylist...she might make an executive decision about your hair texture without asking.
xoxo,
Tia
Really quickly, I just discovered an amazing option for girls with fine-to-medium curls who'd love to relax their hair a bit, but don't want the heaviness and pin-straightness of a major relaxer. Last week, I was at my local Dominican salon, Adelina's (love ya, Addie!). I'd had this weird kink in the front of my hair, towards the bottom--and no matter how much I flatironed or curling iron-ed it, that piece never stayed straight. It drove me NUTS. So, I asked Adelina if there was anything I could do for that section, short of a relaxer. Fabulous Addie was like, "Sure mami! Let's do a relaxing conditioner!" She proceeded to whip together equal parts deep conditioner and relaxer (she used Paul Mitchell Super-Charged Moisturizer, $10.99; with SoftSheen-Carson Optimum Care Mild Relaxer, $6.99), and then massaged it into my weird, frizzy section of hair. After letting it marinate for ten minutes, it was business as usual--she washed it out once, followed with conditioner, and that was that! Brilliant. I mean, what a fabulous option if you just need super-mild relaxing (ideal for little girls, too).
Here's the cautionary tale, though. My sister Devon (aka Brownie) had been growing out her perm for years, and was finally, FINALLY, done! A couple months ago, she went to her local D.C. Dominican spot and, without asking, her stylist slapped in a thickish pre-shampoo treatment. When Brownie saw her wet hair, she was baffled and devastated--her hard-won natural curls were looser, yet she knew her stylist hadn't given her a real relaxer or texturizer (she only washed it out once, and Brownie didn't smell chemicals). What happened?! It wasn't until I had my existential Adelina experience that we realized what the stylist had done. The NERVE, right? Good thing Brownie graduated summa cum laude from Howard Law School, because she's taking her ass to court. Moral of the story is, always watch your stylist...she might make an executive decision about your hair texture without asking.
xoxo,
Tia
posted by Tia Williams at 7:09 AM
20 Comments:
Omigoodness!! She did NOT put a perm on Devon's hair without even asking?!? That is crazy! Good for Devon for sueing, I would of done the same thing and probably would of had a few choice words to say as well!
Wow, that must suck royally for your sister...this is why I don't go to the salon.
I actually have a hair question for all you lovely SYB babes: My hair grows super duper fast--I mean my BFF cut my hair in December and she had to cut my bangs again just recently because they were back to their original length (which was NOT bang length, lol). However, once my hair gets to a certain point, it just stops growing. What's up? Is my hair just destined to be this length? It's been longer before, so I'm not so sure what's going on. Thanks!
The case of a too relaxed stylist...I've seen Judge Milian make a stylist pay big time for a botched hair job.....if she decides to take the tv route..give us a heads up on the air date.
Which DC Dominican Salon was it? Let us know!
Mischo Beauty
http://mischobeauty.blogspot.com/
Lucy's in Alexandria....stay far away!
That is horriffic! Honestly, what is up with people messing with your hair without asking? I am a "micro trim" queen and yet I've had terrible haircuts, the most notable in Scotland when I asked for a micro trim and came out with the left side of my hair cut straight across at jaw length straight back to the ear... I would have liked to sue!
I swear if it's not them hacking off your hair or burning your head with chemicals, it's something else! I swear I am officially done with salons/stylists and the only time I will probably be visiting one in the future is either a pricy upscale salon or an Aveda salon. And it would only be for a special treat because I am a complete do-it-yourself-er when it comes to my hair. I am sooo sorry about what happened to your sisters hair and this is why it is so important to ask questions, bring in your own stuff, and/or watch them like a hawk behind your head! I am currently transitioning and so in love with my curls so I could just imagine how she feels. Transitioning is such a lengthy and frustrating progress and I am angry for her that she is back at square one.
Please keep up posted on this situation! There are so many women who have been wronged by stylists and this will definitely give them insight on what they can do!
To lipgloss whore:
Hair never stops growing, it will always grow an average of 1/2" a month (while you're alive at least!). The problem is length retention; retaining what you are growing enough to see a significant difference in length. Sometimes there are certain factors that cause our hair to break off as fast as it grows which keeps it at a stagnant length. Try to keep your ends protected and moisturized as much as possible. Ends left out all the time dry out and rub up on clothes which cause them to split and break. I am sure once you start to focus more on the health of your ends (being they are the oldest part of your hair) you will start to see an increase in your length in no time.
I hope this helps!
Nooo! I would be beyond livid and probably would have to be physically restrained. That is a HELLUVA nerve! Sue her a** real good! (Pardon my French) My hair is natural,too. Growing out a relaxer is not an easy process and how dare someone take liberties with another person's hair.Good luck with that case.
Shadow,
Do you know a moisturizer that is not so greasy? I got my first official growing-out-my-relaxer press the other day...and the oil the stylist used was way too greasy. I know I have to stay moisturized but I still want my hair to move a bit....any suggestions?
Sorry about Devon's hair that's a shame.
OMG..Devon I am so sorry about that...I had a sort of similar experience once...I asked for a texturizer and my hair was bone straight when he finished...I was in tears..but it was a blessing in disguise, because I got my hair done every week for free for a whole year...my hair was so healthy.
I had to stop doing the blow out. My hair is thin and the excessive heat was breaking it off. It sucks b/c my two best friends have long thick hair and their hair looks great when they get it done. Oh well...
Tia I am in love with this process you described - quick question did she use a neutralizer?
Thanks!
nooooo, Devon. Not Lucy in Arlington, right? I had a terrible experience there. Actually I left with wet hair and I didn't pay.
To schanina:
The moisturizer that I particularly use is Giovanni's Direct Leave in, and I JUST picked up Paul Mitchell's Instant Moisture Daily Treatment (I sampled it in teh store and just decided to pick it up based on how it felt in my hair).
Neither are greasy for me and doesn't weigh my hair down. I think these two (just a little dab) are great for daily moisture. I am not really too experienced with leave in moisturizers/conditioners as I just started using them. I wash my hair with conditioner everyday for my moisture kick :-)
So sorry to hear about Devon's hair that is a really sad situation. I hope everything works out!
to Tisha,
Instead of getting your hair blown straight- always opt for the wash & set and then blow dry. Makes a huge difference and your hair will thank you for it. Also and just my personal opinion on what has worked for me- get some HASK hair placenta and if you go to a "DC" always get a deep conditioning treatment (use the Hair placenta here).
Whoa....on the DL what salon is that in DC so I make sure to steer clear! Sounds like that conditioning relaxer is a great idea for summer when my hair is all up in the air! I will have to try that! Thanks Tia!
The way to prevent stylist mishaps is very simple--find a high quality salon and stay there. Develop a relationship with the owner and stick with them. I've been with the same salon since I was 19 and I'm 40 now. The owner started doing my hair, and now his twenty-something niece, whom he trained while she was in beauty school now does my hair. They've been in two different locations during that time and I've followed them during every move.
If your stylist happens to leave the salon, follow them. This goes for manicurists, brow stylists and masseurs as well.
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