How to Find the Perfect Natural Hair Stylist

After being natural for 9 years, I just recently starting getting my hair done in the salon every few weeks. Now I am spoiled and I can’t imagine having to wash my own hair again. Even if you’re an avid DIYer when it comes to your hair, there comes a time in every naturalista’s life when you should see a professional hair stylist. It is beneficial to see a professional even if only a few times a year to get a trim and ensure your hair and scalp are in good health. But for a lot of naturals, going to see a stylist is concerning. Can I really trust the same hair stylist that has relaxed my hair all these years? How do I find new stylist who can handle my textured hair?

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Like any other relationship, a good client-stylist relationship can be hard to find. You want a stylist who is educated about caring for natural hair. And if you aren’t wanting to straighten your hair, you want a stylist that can do great textured styles as well. If you’re not sure how to find the perfect stylist for your natural hair, here are some tips that helped me find my favorite stylists.

Attend local natural hair events. If you’re a stylist who caters to clientele with natural hair, then you’ll likely attend natural hair events in your area. You might even participate as a speaker or a vendor. So if you’re looking for a natural hair stylist, attending natural hair events in your area are a great place to find one. This also give you an opportunity to talk with them before making an appointment, which takes some of the pressure off of you.

Preview their work on social media. Not only can you see pictures of their work, but they may also share behind the scenes as they work on clients. Some stylists use their platforms to education their audience on natural hair care. They may also share training classes they are taking to continue to up their skill level. These are all indications that they are a great natural hair stylist.

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Ask for references. See that woman in Target with the cute twist out? Know a friend or co-worker who’s natural hair always looks healthy and vibrant? Ask them if they see a professional stylist or know of on in your area. Most people will be more than willing to shout-out their stylist and refer you to them. I know I’m constantly referring people to my favorite stylists that I know and trust with my hair.

If you don’t feel comfortable asking a stranger, or don’t have any friends or co-workers who see a natural hair stylist, there’s always Google. Do a little online research, as well as websites like StyleSeat or even Facebook were people can leave reviews. Read the reviews – the good ones and the bad – and that will help you make your choice.

Schedule a consultation. Scheduling a consultation is the best way to help ensure a stylist is the right one for you. A consultation is an opportunity for your to get to know the stylist, and the stylist to get to know you and your hair before actually providing a styling service. While some stylists offer free consultations, some do charge a fee so keep that in mind. If a fee is charged, be sure to get a clear understanding of what all in involved in the consultation – it likely is worth the cost.

You can discuss your hair texture, hair goals, hair concerns, allergies, and any other pertinent information about your hair. A great stylist will also ask about your own hair care routine, what products you use at home, and any issues you’re experiencing with your hair that you want to address. You also get to know about their personality, and if it gels well with yours.

Another benefit to a consultation is actually getting to preview the salon environment. Is it a stress free, friendly environment, or one where you don’t feel comfortable or enjoy being in? If you don’t enjoy the salon experience during the consultation, then you know that may not be the stylist for you.

Finding the perfect natural hair stylist for you might seem like a daunting task. It is true – it might take some time and effort. But it is totally worth it, and your hair will thank you.

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5 Comments

  1. Vivian Black says:

    I do like how you mentioned that seeking a stylist’s social media can be a great way for you to know about their works as images and behind the scenes could be there. That is perfect since I am planning to treat my daughters in a grand makeover. Being able to have a pretty good stylist that could do their looks should be great for my plan to boost their confidence. I’ll be sure to seek some more advertisements too if possible just to make sure. Thanks!

  2. Ridley Fitzgerald says:

    It’s good to know how to find a hair stylist. I like how you said that you should preview their work on social media. Today, any good stylist would probably show off their work online, so that makes sense!

  3. Anonymous says:

    I had no idea that you can schedule a consultation with a hair stylist before deciding if you want them to cut your hair. This is very important for me because I want to discuss different styling ideas and make sure the stylist has great communication skills and understands my needs. Also, I will definitely ask for references from friends and family who have great hair styles.

  4. Anonymous says:

    You made a good point about looking at the artist’s social media account to see his craft as seen with the pictures of his clients, as well as videos while he is in the process of styling their hair to see if they have the skill and the eye for beauty. It makes sense because the only way you will know if a stylist works for you is if you’ve seen a good end result with his past clients and reviews. I was looking to get a haircut and color this weekend and I haven’t figure out which salon I would go to. I’ll make sure to look online at the nearby salons and see which of the stylists will work best for me.

  5. I never would’ve thought about the questions that a hair stylist should be asking their customer, especially the type of product that they are using at home. My wife and I recently moved into a new neighborhood, and we have been trying to find a new hair stylist for my wife to visit. I will be sure to pay attention to the kinds of questions that potential hair stylists are asking my wife, to judge how much they care for their customers.

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