Training, stylist's ‘do must scream natural

Professional natural hair care options have grown across the country. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

By Sherrell Dorsey, My Salon Scoop writer

Stylist credibility
A natural stylist should be a licensed cosmetologist, well versed in several hair techniques, and trained in natural hair care.

Erica Alexander looks glamorous with her twist out style. (Photo credit: PRPhotos.com)

Waajid, an industry veteran, teaches regular seminars on natural hair, braiding and weaving to provide stylists with the latest techniques to develop and improve their skills. She is often found at several hair shows like Bronner Bros. in Atlanta.

Larissa McKenzie, stylist and owner of My Hair Rocks in Fayetteville, Ga., was able to get most of her training by working under a stylist who mentored her about natural hair care including the proper way to shampoo.

"My mentor would come over and say ‘How is she doing?' to the client. The client would say, ‘She's nervous.' It took me a while to learn how to do a good shampoo on natural hair," McKenzie says.

When she began working at a natural salon, McKenzie was required to grow out her relaxer and work with the salon's stylists to find styles and products to maintain her hair. McKenzie's natural hair journey has been a story she's shared with her many repeat clients also on their own hair journey.

Natural hair choice
Rosario Scheuler, stylist and co-owner of Oh My Nappy Hair Salon in Los Angeles, believes the first indication about whether you are at the right natural hair salon is if the stylist you're to see has natural hair.

"Natural salons take an interest in our God-given hair," she says. "If the stylist isn't natural, how can they tell me about something they've not done before?"

Debbie Morgan's amber curls show versatility. (Photo credit: PRPhotos.com)

With more than 20 years in the natural hair industry, Scheuler has witnessed disastrous cases of too tightly pulled dreadlocks, product misuse and the mishandling of natural hair as if it has been chemically processed.

"I've had people come into my salon and cry, ‘I don't know what happened to my hair,'" she says.

To ensure that this type of cry doesn't happen, Scheuler strongly suggests interviewing your stylist just as you would if you were going to have surgery. You wouldn't hand over your money to an inexperienced surgeon. So, why part with your dollars without first making sure your stylist knows what she is doing and has your best interest in mind?

Another way to sniff out a credible natural hair salon is to look at the salon services offered.

"If they are doing a lot of chemical processing and offer small things like lock maintenance and braids they probably aren't doing as much natural hair as they lead on," Waajid says.

Reputable salons with owners who are passionate about natural hair typically offer their stylists natural hair-care training. Khamit Kinks in Brooklyn, N.Y. has a tuition-based program for stylists and clients. True Roots in Jacksonville, Fla. has a program for stylists and salon owners to not only learn hair techniques, but beauty and wellness information, too.

Product knowledge
A credible natural hair salon or natural hair stylist uses and retails quality products made specifically for natural hair. During your consultation, your stylist should ask you about the products you are currently using and what you are looking to achieve with your hair.

"Expect your natural hair salon to have a wide range of different products to cater to different curl patterns," McKenzie advises. "Look for them to have one or more lines. Not everyone has the same hair texture. They should be helping you find the best solution for your hair type. Key brands include Ms. Jessie's, Mizani, Design Essentials and other professional products that your stylist should be well educated about."

Questions to ask
There are several questions the experts recommend you should ask before booking an appointment with a natural hair salon:

• Are the stylists licensed?
• Do the stylists have natural hair?
• What type of products do they use?
• Are there repeating clients who visit this salon and/or the stylist?
• Do the stylists have a portfolio of their work?

Sherrell Dorsey is a beauty writer and natural beauty expert in New York City. In addition to writing for MySalonScoop, Sherrell is currently a freelance writer on beauty, fashion and wellness for Tyra Banks' Beauty and Fashion Site TypeF.com, Posh Beauty and her blog www.OrganicBeautyVixen.com. Follow her on twitter www.twitter.com/organicvixen to stay up on the latest trends in natural beauty, health and wellness.

Copyright 2011 © My Salon Scoop, LLC

Comments (2)

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written by Lydia Elisa, March 10, 2011

I don't have problems with my hair. My hair ia a CURTOPIA HAIR.

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Boston Salons
written by Jamilah, March 13, 2011

I feel that I do pretty well taking care of my hair on my own, but I need a really good trim and don't want to straighten it to do it. Are their any good natural hair salons in Boston, MA?

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