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Direct communiqué preferred to avoid hair mishaps

In the age of instant information, constant updates are liable to backfire when one is not discreet. A little tidbit one hair-nista learned the hard way.

Naima did her best to squeeze in her hair appointment during the week that she worked to finalize her planning for her holiday party. She knew she would need to spend a few hours at the salon because she wanted to try out a weave to give her a sultry voluminous style for her party. To pass some of the time, she planned to do some last-minute shopping online for unique favors for her guests.

In between browsing the Web, Naima updated her Facebook status. Naima, a social media butterfly, also used her iPhone to allow her friends to keep an update on her every move like "at favorite restaurant with sorority sisters" or "at the salon."

Her stylist, Kay, did not mind her clients' preoccupation with their mobile devices. In fact, Kay embraced technology herself. She had a Facebook profile and often liked to connect with her clients online. She and Kay were already "Facebook friends."

After Kay worked to transform Naima with a ‘40s inspired red carpet look like Tyra Banks, she turned Naima around to the mirror and asked, "What do you think?"

Naima had hoped for a modern twist on the ‘40s glamour style, but felt her ‘do looked more like a poor man's version of Donna Summer from the ‘70s. She did want to try spicing things up with extensions, but now felt too far out of her comfort zone under a mound of hair.

With having had only three appointments with Kay, Naima wasn't sure how to explain her disappointment. So instead of expressing what was really on her mind, Naima plastered a smile on her face and faintly replied, "It's fine."

Kay did not think that she heard Naima correctly, so she asked her again to confirm her satisfaction with the new look. Again, Naima said, "It's fine."

Pleased that she had pleased her client, Kay said, "Great, enjoy your party next week," and walked Naima to the front desk with her services ticket.

Naima paid her bill then headed for her car. But before starting the ignition, Naima updated her Facebook status: "Just left the hair salon...not sure if I qualify as looking like a hot mess." She felt better after expressing her hair anxiety to her Facebook friends.

As Naima headed home, her friends read her status and left comments like: "Girl, upload a picture. I'll tell you." "It's probably not that bad." And, "Are you still going to that same hairdresser? I thought you were dumping her."

After finishing up her last client, Kay logged into her Facebook profile at the salon. She saw Naima's status update in her live news feed. A little confused, Kay replayed the "It is fine" comment again in her mind. "Why didn't she say something before hopping out of the chair," Kay asked herself.

She decided to join the Facebook conversation about Naima's salon visit. She typed, "Why didn't you tell me you weren't happy with your hair before leaving my chair? I could have reworked your hair if you actually said something."

As soon as Naima walked in the door, she checked her Facebook status again. Kay's comment caught her eye. She instantly felt ashamed. She did want to return for another visit to Kay's salon. So, she called her.

Unsure of exactly what to say, Naima dialed Kay's cell phone. When Kay answered, she went straight into an apology. "I am sorry about that Facebook update. I just reacted on my normal instinct to share my thoughts online. I didn't know how to tell you that I felt you added too much hair."

"Girl, you have to speak up and give me the chance to work my magic," Kay said with slight frustration. "If you are less than thrilled about your hair, I would rather hear it from you directly than read about it in a status update."

"I am always afraid to complain too much," Naima shared. "Some of my former hairstylists began to call me ‘high-maintenance' when I made too many suggestions to adjust my style."

Kay laughed shaking her head. "Girl, a good hairstylist wants your feedback because it's our job to please our clients. Now, I'm not sure whether you plan to return for another appointment considering what I read in your Facebook updates, but if you don't, please give direct feedback to your next stylist. Believe me, they'd rather hear it from your mouth than via e-mail."

Naima let Kay's comments sink in. After a moment, she gathered her courage. "Kay? I would like to come back tomorrow if you can fit me in to readjust my hairstyle. And again, I apologize for not telling you how I felt directly."

"Let me see," Kay replied flipping through her Blackberry. "I can work you in after 3 o'clock. Just be sure to update your Facebook status afterward to tell your friends that you are now a satisfied customer."

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