My First Visit to A Natural Hair Salon: 30 Day Hair Detox Wash Day #5

Written by Mimi D in Natural Hair Care

I came with nappy hair…I left with nappy hair and everyone was Ok with that!

How I Found My Natural Hair Salon

Hair cut on Natural Hair

Initially I wanted a silk press, but the stylist was constantly booked. Like her books would open and close within 15 minutes and I always missed it, To be honest, I was nervous to see my hair in it’s straightened state, post partum shedding and over 3 years of neglect, I was expecting a major cut.

After a while I just went to google and typed natural hair stylist + my town. The first result that came up and in her Salon description there was a reference to “Youtube University”. A condescending reference stylists use to address influencers who pretend to be ” natural hair gurus” without any professional training. I was turned off by that, so I stopped looking into natural hair salons…again.

Eventually I stumbled on Black Girl Curls and I joined their visual library, See Some Curls. I enjoyed their information got a better understanding of their philosophy and wanted to visit a stylist they trained. The stylist I counted out some months ago was on their directory, I started following her on instagram…I like her work. I took my son in for a cut, and I booked a new curlfriend appointment for myself.

Preparing for My Salon Visit

After I booked an appointment, I received instructions from my stylist. She asked that I show up with an “out” style that was about 2 days old. I chose to do a twist out.

Natural Hair Consultation

There was a natural hair consultation as part of my new client service. We discussed my current routine and being on the 30-day hair detox I was proud to say I was cleansing, conditioning, and styling on a routine basis without using heavy oils and butters…but my hair was not in the amazing shape I hoped it would be…because Henna! We discussed the essential elements of my

Essential Elements:

  • Density: High
  • Porosity: High Porosity mid to ends low porosity upper to roots
  • Texture: Fine
  • Elasticity: Good
  • Surface Texture: Mostly Coarse some smoother strands in the crown and in the nape
  • Curl Diameter: Tight
  • Lifestyle: Mom/Office Job/
  • Desired Style: Long Term Goal Chin length bob
  • Hydration Level: Dehydrated
  • Climate: Summer TIme in NJ = Humid AF!

Detox/Shampoo /Condition Process

My service started with two rounds of detox shampoo. An Olaplex bond rebuilding treatment was applied, she detangled my hair with the Felicia Leatherwood brush. I was provided a handheld mirror to observe the shampoo and detangling process. To be honest, I was in heaven because it was the first time someone else shampooed my hair in 10 years and I was on relaxation level 10.

Under the Steamer at a Natural Hair Salon

I sat under a steamer/aquamister with the Olaplex treatment in my hair. I’m not sure which one she used,in the Salon. At home, I have used Olaplex 0 and Olaplex 3.

She recommended an add-on conditioner to help hydrate my hair, after she applied that, I sat under the steamer for a few more minutes. Personally steamers scare me and I only allow professional stylist to use them and not a tool I would use at home.

Wash and Go Styling

Uncle Funky’s Daughter was the base, and two gels from Trepodora were used as toppers. Trepadora Papaya Slip and Trepadora Bamboo Ginseng GLaze The gels were applied at the shampoo bowl, and she demonstrated the application process, and I was able to use a handheld mirror to see how my hair behaved in water with product.

My First Kinky Cut

After applying the gel at the bowl she proceeded to smooth the gel through my hair using the Felicia leatherwood brush. I sat under the dryer for about an hour and then it was time for the cut.

Results and Feelings

I got my hair styled on Wednesday, it was standing on top of my head by Friday…it wasn’t the 7-day wash and go I was hoping for. However, to be honest my stylist never promised that, that is a tagline that the stylists over at black girl curls use. As my water leaves my hair, it defies gravity.

My First Post Salon Wash and Go

So I was hoping for a black girl curls wash and go, but it is more like an Anthony Dickey where I will have to restyle every few days to maintain the look. This is because my hair is dehydrated due to Henna use (more on my feelings about that in a different post). If I truly need a break from styling every few days I will go to two strand twists or flat twists.

The ladies over at Black Girl Curls make it clear that stylists on their directory learn from them, but the stylists will each have their own spin on how they implement. Black Girl Curls are brand agnostic, but it is no secret they are fans of Innersense products. I started using my natural hair detox using mostly Innersense products, from the recommended product list in See Some Curls.

The stylist had Innersense products on hand, but they were not the ones she reached for for my hair. When I mentioned I had some Innersense at home, she suggested I shelve those for now and focus on some more moisture intense products. My next few posts and Youtube videos will be quite boring.,. it will be I did exactly what my stylists said and these are my results lol.

She suggested I stop using Henna. I have a ton of grays so I will visit her for a semi-permanent (deposit only) color when they get to be a bit too much.

At the end of the day I left my 5 star google review and will be back in 3 months for maintenance. So I am happy.

What’s Next?

I spent the first 10 years of my natural hair journey using heavy styling products, Henna, and without a stylist. Truth is, my hair has just been in an OK condition. I’m willing to give up heavy butters, oils, and henna and follow the advice of a stylist for a year and see if that gets me closer to my hair goals

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