"Black" Hair @ "White" Hair Salons
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050529/...d_s_salon_bias



Questions:

1. Have you ever had your hair styled at a salon not "black owned" (Dillard's, JC Penney's, Fantastic Sams, etc)?
2. Did you notice a difference in price among Af Am and non-Af Am patrons?

I've had my hair done by a non-black at a non-black salon before. Now granted, it wasn't at a "chain non-black salon" (ie JC Penney, Super Cuts, etc.) but it was the salon of a nationally known stylist who had done black hair before.

From conversations with other non-blacks that went there, I know that he didn't overcharge me - he's just expensive all around.

Now I have heard of JC Penney salon charging blacks more. This happened to my sister when she went there for a wash/style (her hair was relaxed) and they charged her $65 but the sign said that the same service was on sale for $40.

Re: "Black" Hair @ "White" Hair Salons
 

Many years ago, I got my hair cut at a "white" hair salon. It came out ok; however, my hair was done by an AA so I'm not sure if that made the difference. I'm a little leery about letting someone put a relaxer on my hair if that person has not ever known what's it's like to have that experience on his/her own head (assuming that my hairdressers have relaxers and not presses).

Re: "Black" Hair @ "White" Hair Salons
 

When I was in college I went to JC Penney. Yes, it was more expensive, but well worth it. Towards the end of my time there, JC Penney went up in price and they eliminated the free cut with the relaxer. Now I don't mind going because I can tell you horror stories about the hair styling problems. They have great products and will do my hair the way I like it.

Re: Re: "Black" Hair @ "White" Hair Salons
 

What she said! When I was back in VA I used to have a white dude who did my hair and honey, the man used to hook me up! (He came highly regarded, because otherwise he would NOT have touched my hair). I have had some hair horror stories. I am NOT going to be someone's guinea pig...been there and done that! Glad I am not getting my hair relaxed anymore.

Funny thing. When Mr. 1228 and I were starting to date, I went to visit him in Vancouver. He was like, "I hope you can find someone to do your hair." (He has had a crash course in sistah hair 101). Sistermadly also gave me some names of hair folx!

When I moved, I tried a few other braiders. North of Seattle they charge a fortune...because they can. Mr. 1228 finally broke down and said, "Go back to your girl in Seattle."

Worth the 2 hour drive each way :)

In high school I went to a white salon called "Bubbles" that my mothers friend referred me to. It was a black lady who did my hair however the relaxer she put in my hair did not even take to my hair. She kept wondering why the relaxer couldn't take to my hair....I'm like " these products aint meant for black hair"...:rolleyes: yet I was charged 80 bucks.

I have been to a couple of white salons and I have noticed some disparity. However, I attributed this to the way these salons bundle their services. A hair cut at a white salon is just that a hair cut.

Here's an example:
A white person could walk into a salon with a head of dirty hair and get a 10 minute cut and go on about their business. Or, they could get their hair washed and cut and go on their way. However, I would HAVE to get a wash, cut, and style which is typically charged as 3 seperate services. Therefore, while it is true that a cut cost $8.99, I would pay $8.99 for the cut, $15.99 for the wash, and anywhere from $20-40 for the style depending on the experience level of the stylist doing my hair. Many afam stylists have abandoned the wet cut for black hair, in favor of the dry cut after hair has been wrapped and dried. This is espeically true when dealing with a precision cut short style. While many white stylists only offer wet cuts, because caucasian hair cuts better when wet.

Because of this system of pricing, I refuse to go to the Chain Salons even if the stylist is Afam. The indiviual charges and the various policies for how services are to be offered makes it more difficult to get out without paying a grip for so-so work.

I guess since white folks don't go to the salon faithfully, they try to fleece them when they do :-)

I had my hair cut @ Super Cuts once. It was only $13 which was a lot cheaper than the $45-$50 at Black owned salons.

I've gone to Aveda Institute to get my hair cut. The student stylist did a great job on my hair, and even put me in her "book". But other than that one experience, I've never gone to a non-black stylist or salon. I've become pretty savvy with my own hair( relaxers, dyeing, etc.), and if I mess it up, I can just blame myself instead of a stylist who messed up. And its cheaper.:D

I have had my hair done at the Walmart's salon. They charge for everything, like a wash and wrap is $15 and a roller set is $10, so if you what a roller wrap they charge $25, which is still a little less then the local "Black" salons. Walmart only charges $25 for a relaxer, but they also charge for the wrap after or for it to be curled.

Hayle, my sister works at a "white" salon (actually owned by a Latino, but most of the clientele, including her hair color folks, are Caucasian). Since I get my stuff free, I can't talk about price differences.

When not in San Diego, I have decided to go back to the beauty school in Long Beach. For $20, I get a wash, conditioner, pressing comb and flatiron. I was paying between $35 and $45 for this at a couple of salons in SoCal before I started wearing Quick Weaves/ponytails.

Walmart??!!

Ok, see, Walmart is trying to sell EVERYTHING ... including haircare now!!! But really, are these super Walmarts that have the salons? I don't think that I have ever seen this before. I'm not going to lie. Although I would be as embarrased as all get out if someone saw me going in Walmart to get my hair done, I might have to try it for a $25 wrap and a $25 + wrap cost relaxer. That relaxer is *still* going to be less than the 65 plus I pay!

SC

Sorors, that is my answer!
Walmart and beauty schools. LOL... but I'm serious. :)

SC

Beauty schools are useful but you have to be an informed consumer. ;) I will ALWAYS watch what a student does with me, and I'm pretty specific. Fortunately, the school I go to knows me and they won't put me with a student who isn't skilled with the hot comb and flatiron -- they still use the heater ones rather than the Chi and the like.