The Study of Racialism

Liana · Guru Joined: 30 Nov 2004 {Posts: 352 }

Hi all

What are your experiences going to salons? Have you ever gone to a salon that sees more clients who have stereotypically "black" hair? If so what was it like?

Years ago when the multiracial movement had not fully formed, it was hard to find someone who knew what to do with my hard. Even as a child - when my mom would take me.

They would usually try to use that straightening comb which is not right for my hair. Just blow drying it will straighten it out - or sometimes just pulling it back and letting it dry. And leaving a little curl is nice - but the black salons were not used to that. A Mexican friend of mine who happens to have wavyish curly hairsaid the same thing. She has gone to black salons and they always want to use that straightening comb.

Then there was the staring atmosphere. And the 'good hair' comments. I really felt like a spectacle - like a freak - esp. as a child.

Later I started going salons where there were more ethnicities seen. races. Invariably when "white" stylists would do my hair it was always "What are you?"

Sheesh!

And then they'd use those alcohol-based products which dry my hair out - those do better on caucasian hair.

Now there are more mixed-based stylists - esp. in the major U.S. cities.

It really was/is hard!

Now I have a German woman who does my hair and she is excellent. I think it is because she does not have the black/white dichotomy in her head since she is European. She does my hair based on how it is - not based on her own prejudices.

B

girlfromthenc · Mentor Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 214 }

Saying things like "Black Salons", "White Salons" and "Mexican Salons" are very generalizing to say the very least!

I've been to "BLACK SALONS" my entire life and have rarely been satifised. Not that they weren't good, but just for the simple fact I'm picky!!! My mother has very curly hair (unlike my kinky hair) and she's always pleased when she goes to "BLACK SALONS".

I would advise anyone who's had a hard time with hair dressers to just keep shopping around to you find one you like! There's no magic "race" for hair dressers. Everybody's hair in every "race" has different needs depending on the person's daily routine.

I have to remind people of this all the time when they start talking about "Biracial" hair!?

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I seriously doubt Rashida' Jones' hair products would do someone as kinky haired as Rae Dawn Chong any good "biracial" or not! She simply doesn't have her hair texture!!!

Collage · New User Joined: 13 Jun 2005 {Posts: 19 }

BlendedBeauty · New User Joined: 23 May 2005 {Posts: 22 }

Liana · Guru Joined: 30 Nov 2004 {Posts: 352 }

Hi all

Stacey - Yes, curly and wavy hair does break more - so you have to be more gentle with it.

I must say - wearing it straight right now - it IS MUCH easier to care for. I brushed my hair in the car this morning. Straight hair is easier - there is no doubt about it

With curly hair you need products to moisturize it and also to make the curls clump together. And you can't brush it too much or it will poof.
The products that make the curls clump are usually either too greasy or too much like stiff setting lotion where they make it hard. I have yet to find the happy medium.

B

BlendedBeauty · New User Joined: 23 May 2005 {Posts: 22 }

Liana · Guru Joined: 30 Nov 2004 {Posts: 352 }

Hi Stacey

It behaves better in S Cal where there is little humidity - It is wavyish =- but curly enough

If I flat iron it or blow dry it and then flat iron the ends it straightens out and usually stays - till I either work out (the sweath waves up the roots) or wash it

Thanks for the PM - I appreciate it!!!

B

Powell · Guru Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2143 }

Interracial Voice had a good discussion on this topic:

http://www.webcom.com/intvoice/point34.html

sweetsister · Guest { }

Thank you, thank you, thank you for touching on this topic. You're all so RIGHT--hair is HAIR, regardless of the "ethnicity" of the person in the stylist's chair!!! I wear my hair natural now but relaxed it MYSELF at home with no problem for years and have stopped going to salons(Black or "White" salons)because I am so fed-up with the crap I hear. From "White" salons it's comments like: "We can't/won't/don't do Black /ethnic hair". From "Black" salons it's "You have 'good' hair, you don't need a relaxer/perm/style. Your hair is too 'delicate' for us to work with." I'll never forget when I went to a "White" salon and I was told they didn't "do ethnic hair"---at the same time, there was a White woman with kinkier hair than mine getting her hair styled!!!!! It's such idiocy. If any of you know of a salon in the Los Angeles area that does not play this silly "hair race"game, I'd appreciate knowing about it(I might want to get it professionally-styled for an upcoming wedding). Thanks again. Cool

cherri2 · New User Joined: 09 May 2007 {Posts: 29 }

I won`t go to white or black hair salons because they might not know the proper hair products to use....i rather go to a natural hair salon ,there`s none where i`m from but there`s lot of them in USA.

pianoplayer111 · Mentor Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 379 }

In my experience, Dominican salons are often ideal. They know how to work with all types of hair and rarely will you hear somebody comment in a way that is not helpful. I've never had an issue with white hair stylists except for the occasional dumb comment about "ethnic" hair (although mine is naturally pin-straight), but I prefer Dominican beauticians. Dominican women are often mixies too and they're phenomenal when it comes to working with hair. I feel at home in their salons...the environment is so non-judgemental, open, and inviting. The salon I frequent is pretty expensive but worth it. I have all these divine Dominican treatments and conditioners that my hair looooves! LOL!

And mixedmom, I'm with you about not putting all those heavy oils in your daughter's hair. My hair sounds like hers and I know that if I do that, my hair would be limp. *shudders* Sometimes if it does get dry I'll put a drop of very light clear shiner or gloss in there after my shower, but that is all my hair needs to look and feel good. Most monoracial or mostly unmixed black people have a hair type that requires plenty of heavy oils and infrequent washings.

sagascend · Moderator Joined: 17 Jun 2006 {Posts: 2087 }

sagascend · Moderator Joined: 17 Jun 2006 {Posts: 2087 }

Oh I forgot - Natural hair care salons are usually very good. I cosign on the skills of Dominican stylists but they tend to urge clients to "go straight." For the longest I only let my cousin do my hair because I felt like a zoo exhibit in some salons (my hair is curly and jet black, which some people find fascinating I guess) but now I have a stylist who keeps it in tip top shape. We have the same type of hair. Hmm, maybe that the key. Laughing

pianoplayer111 · Mentor Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 379 }

I'm with you about all that, Sag! When I wrote that I was referring to the fact that African hair tends to be dry. This does indeed have a lot to do with the shape of the hair follicles. It is a well-known fact that those with African-textured hair often have scalps that produce very little oil or sebum, resulting in dryness which makes the hair more prone to breakage. The structure of the hair follicles doesn't allow natural oils to travel down the hair shaft. Hair is only hair after all...but there are different methods of hair care for different types of hair. Daily washing isn't good for anyone's hair but if I don't, my hair looks/feels very oily.

I know a little bit about natural hair care when it comes to certain styles. I've never relaxed my hair but one of my coworkers relaxed hers and wore weaves, braids, etc. for years. Her hair was very unhealthy then. She went natural a few years ago and it looks gorgeous. She has what I call "cinnamon twists" at the moment...her natural hair enhances her beauty! She puts shea butter on both her hair and skin. Supposedly it is a very good moisturizing product. About the Dominican salons, they often do prefer straighter styles but they're willing to work with natural hair too if you communicate with them. I don't like lots of heat or styling tools because I feel that it is too harsh on my hair. My hair is extremely long too, and spending the whole afternoon in a salon isn't my idea of fun. I know some women who wash their hair with conditioner only. I knew somebody who went ONE YEAR without washing her hair! Surprised

pianoplayer111 · Mentor Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 379 }

Sorry, I missed out on one of your posts! DUH! *hits self* Laughing

Trust me...we can all relate to feeling like a "zoo freak" at some time in our lives.

cherri2 · New User Joined: 09 May 2007 {Posts: 29 }

pianoplayer111-do you know if the shea butter can give me a tan when i`m outside in the sun? i heard that vasiline can give people a tan but i don`t know about butters.

Flutterby · New User Joined: 05 Jun 2007 {Posts: 33 } Location: Texas

pianoplayer111 · Mentor Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 379 }

Hi there, Cherri. Hmm...I wouldn't know because I don't tan. I have very pale white skin that burns severely and I'm somewhat photosensitive in sunlight. If anything, I like being fair-skinned and avoid tanning/burning at all costs.

Shea butter is very beneficial to both the hair and skin, tho. It has soothing, nourishing properties. It helps you if your hair tends to dryness and it works wonders on dry, rough skin. It wouldn't hurt you to try some. As I said before, I don't know of it being used for tanning. Perhaps you should look that up online or ask a dermatologist. This thread was about beauty salons/hair, but I appreciate your question very much. Smile

Beauty · Experienced User Joined: 02 Jun 2007 {Posts: 100 }

I am not a fan of going to the hairdressers. I only usually go to the hairdressers to get it trimmed or cut. The most I get done to my hair is get in straightened which I get done so it can be trimmed. Recently my friend has been doing my hair.

I have only gone to black hairdressers. I would never go to a white hairdresser. My own experience suggest to me they are not particulary used to doing my hair but they do it quite well. Interestingly, they have all encouraged me to keep my hair natural. When I want hair advice I always ask people who have similar hair texture to mine.

cherri2 · New User Joined: 09 May 2007 {Posts: 29 }