Here’s an Ask Afrobella question that I’m gonna need you all to help me answer. Ready? Here goes…
Hello Afrobella,
First, let me start off by letting you know how much I really respect you as a Woman, Journalist, & Fellow Afrobella! I really appreciate your point of view. Please know that you have filled a missing void in the natural community. Which brings me to my request. I don’t know if this idea has crossed your mind or maybe it’s a work in progress. Nevertheless ,I would really a be grateful if you could write about one or all of the following topics:
1. A list of Natural Hair Salons located in Major Cities and/ or States.
2. A review of Natural Hair Salons located in Major Cities and/ or States.
3. Create a forum for Afrobellas to list and make referrals to natural hair care salons that satisfied them.
Please, note that when I say natural hair care salon. I’m not talking about a salon that thinks a press and curl is the only way to style natural hair! I’m talking about a place that can cut, treat, shingle, coil, finger style etc.
Granted you have supplied us with awesome product recommendations to take care of our own hair. But, sometimes we would like a little TLC from and trained professional who knows how to care for and style natural hair.
I would be grateful if you could write about natural hair salons. I feel that info on this topic would fill another missing void within the natural community. I currently live in New York City of all places and I don’t know where to go!
I Thank you in advance for allowing me to make this request.
God Bless, Cece
I actually wrote back to CeCe and thanked her for her brilliant suggestion, but I must say, this is an especially daunting Ask Afrobella for me. Those of you who have been reading for a while might remember my Hairdresser Horrors post. I’ve dealt with many a bad salon, and as a result, I hardly EVER go to the hairdresser. Last time I went was to the fabulous Larramy for my curl cut back in May! I loved my experience with Larramy, but I also agree with CeCe — there is something special about meeting a professional hairdresser who actually has your hair texture. There’s a feeling of security from knowing that the person you’re paying to style your ‘do knows exactly how to treat your tresses from personal experience, and there is also a significant satisfaction that comes from supporting businesses within the black community.
After I said to myself, fire burn that fancy Aveda place where they sate you with tea then load you up with overpriced, don’t-work-for-your-texture products you’re expected to buy (pardon me for venting Aveda fans, I obvs had a very lame experience there) — I spent quite a while searching for a natural hair salon within 30 miles of my residence. And as far as I knew (longtime Miami natives, please correct me if I am wrong) — I was fresh outta luck. The best natural hair salon in the area was all the way up in Fort Lauderdale….until September 30, when Natural Trend Setters opened a Miami branch!
Their locations in Tamarac and Delray Beach were already the must-visit locations for a variety of well-known local afrobellas, including hostess with the mostess Ingrid B, gorgeous 99 Jamz DJs Supa Cindy and K/ Foxx — early Afrobella readers might remember my interview with her. K. Foxx told me about NTS back then, and I finally got around to visiting a whole year later. And finally, I’m writing about it two months after visiting the place. Jeez, I am such a slacker.
Natural Trend Setters has a big reputation in south Florida. Stunning sister stylists Simone and Trudy Hylton are like walking advertisements for their craft — their hair is ON POINT. Their opening event was such a warm, welcoming, family affair. The salon merged with the Yellow Moon Day Spa in Liberty City, a pretty gritty part of Miami. Owner Rick Spence explained that the location was key — “We wanted to set an example. We’re trying to erase that negative vibe and create a social vibe.” Part of the social vibe will be a cafe and lounge area at the front, where they will host spoken word poetry and live music in the evenings. The salon is attached to the large front space, and it’s seriously gorgeous. Bright and plush and very welcoming. At the back is the spa, and they’ve got pretty, private rooms where they offer massages and waxing as well. The event was covered by the Broward Times, so you can read more about their services there, or click here.
At the opening reception I met some really cool local bellas, including Brigitte, owner of Brown Olive Natural Skin Care — I got to smell and sample some of her products and they rock!
And the beautiful bella you see pictured here is JoAnn Sampson, a gorgeous grandmother who participates in the Senior Olympics! Click here to read her story, and be as inspired as I was. I chatted with JoAnn for a while and she told me all about staying fit past 60, and being a senior Olympian. Amazing. JoAnn is a regular client at NTS and frequently models in their natural hair shows, as well.
I haven’t yet had the opportunity to come to Natural Trend Setters, but I plan to go get my hair done and write a review soon. Twists, anyone?
This is my first step to answering CeCe’s question. I don’t know thing 1 about creating a forum for discussion, first of all…. I’d love to start something like that next year when I do a big site redesign. For now, all I can do is write about the places I know of and ask you to tell me about your favorite hairdresser so we can spread the love. Seems like a good place to start, right?
Do you have a natural salon you absolutely love in your neck of the woods? Tell me – where do you get your hair done, bellas?
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