Natural Hair Salon Conversations

Hey everyone,

Last week Friday, I decided that it was time to get my talked about trim that I mentioned in my Hairsolutions post. In order to trim, I booked an appointment at KL's Natural Beauty Bar in Ikoyi, Lagos. I was going to get my hair blowdried to aid in getting the trim done well. Of course, I needed to prep my hair before the blowdry and I decided to detangle and DC my hair the night before. I wanted my hair to be very well conditioned, so I left the DC in my hair overnight, and washed my hair in the morning. I proceeded to head over to the salon, and she was already waiting for me. Kemi (who also blogs at KL's Natural Blog) sectioned my hair, applied heat protectant and proceeded to tension-blowdry my hair, after which she trimmed off split ends and put it up in a beautiful updo.

Blowdried!

We tricked everyone with this photo and pretended I cut my hair :D

Pretty updo.

While at the salon, I met 2 other ladies - one who has natural hair, and another who's transitioning. We all got to talk a little bit and here are the highlights of my conversations with them...
  • Natural Hair in the Workplace. One of the ladies is a banker and has been for a long time. She moved back to Nigeria a few years ago, and was told by her friend to relax her hair before coming back, as natural hair was frowned upon in the corporate world in Nigeria. She relaxed it, but since natural hair has been gaining ground, has gone back to being natural. However, she still gets comments about her hair at work. We've all heard those comments like, "How come your hair isn't done? Are you going to work like that?" She's now settled on twists, cornrows (aka didi or weaving) and the like, and has gotten good feedback from even her boss!

    It turns out that there's a bank in Nigeria which not only frowns on its employees having natural hair, but states in their policies that natural hair must be covered up in braids, weaves, wigs, etc. NOT COOL!!!
  • The transitioning lady came to right a wrong that was done to her at another salon. She had seen someone with locs and wanted to try it temporarily. She approached a "locist" who said he could do it for her. She said when she went for the appointment, she mentioned that she didn't want it to be permanent and he said that was fine. When she asked him what products he was using, he refused to divulge anything and was being evasive. At the end of the day, he had indeed loc'd her hair, but permanently! She was so distraught and did what she could to try and unravel/untangle the hair. She used a lot of conditioner the night before coming to KL's, and luckily one of the stylists was able to gently untangle her hair.

    Getting your hair loc'd is a process that's done in more than one salon visit, if I'm correct. But imagine if the stylist was unable to detangle the woman's hair?!?! Why would the lockist completely ignore her request and do what he felt like doing anyways? This woman was ready to chop off her whole hair due to this lockist. The takeaway from here is that before you get your hair done in a salon, PLEASE PLEASE make sure that you know what you want, make sure you've done your research, and get recommendations for salons/stylists! 
Okay, this was a random post but there's something to learn, right? What do you think about the conversation points? The first to comment about the post with their email address and network if choice wins N500 airtime (Nigeria only).

Have a pretty weekend

24 comments

  1. One has to be very vocal @ the salon, ask plenty questions and watch closely cos those stylists ehhh. I can't believe a bank will frown upon natural hair, its just totally wrong. What should be paramount is neat and presentable hair which can be achieved with natural hair. tkuje86@gmail.com

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    1. I agree with being vocal at salons. You need to know what's being done to your hair, and if the stylist won't answer to your satisfaction, feel free to take your business elsewhere.

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  2. Awwh! 2 bad I guess we shdnt let anyone do anything on us without proper research nd also there shdnt be discrimination ogechigodwin@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. You're right - research should be done. There's a lot to find out via Youtube videos, instagram, facebook, blogs, and more.

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  3. Also I want 2 add another thing..... Be enlightened nd make sure u r properly educated b4 trying anything. Etisalat network ogechigodwin@gmail.com

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  4. the updo looks so beautiful and ur hair is soooooo healthy,wish i could get a salon also to get a trim done but im based in kaduna.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Hopefully, with time, natural hair salons will spread across Nigeria. Or you can always trim yourself.

      I think I'll do a post on DIY Natural Hair trims

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  5. My twa is still too small to trim anything off. I'll be starting nysc in June and I really hope after that the corporate world accepts me oh. Cos I'm not going back to that torture called relaxers. Nice updo Berry. Wish my hair would grow faster.bugovidase@gmail.com

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    1. Don't worry. I believe natural hair is becoming more popular, so businesses and organizations will be forced to accept and embrace it.

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  6. the policy of compulsorily covering natural hair is so annoying.....what if a person is allergic to weave #justsaying ope4rillz@yahoo.com mtn

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    Replies
    1. Very true. Nobody should have to cover up their natural hair.

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    2. Very true. Nobody should have to cover up their natural hair.

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  7. Like seriously! Some ppl ehn! I am so mad. Some ppl r just block headed. Thank God she was able to recover the situation. And for real? A bank that bans natural hair? They need to be sued. Mtcheew! Bookworm1790@yahoo.com

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I was happy she was able to get her hair untangled. She was really upset about it.

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  8. Nice piece! Truth is where no written rules exist against wearing your natural hair in some banks, there are the unspoken ones that just make you fit into the extensions weaves' mold! serenataphy@gmail.com

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    1. Written or unwritten, women should be allowed to have their natural hair at work. I wonder if it's a fear that the hair styles will not be neat and tidy, but there are so many nice styles to be worn.

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  9. Nice updo. Please I do I get my hair to be shiny, it kinda has a dull look.

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    1. Hey, I think that regular DCs and incorporating oils in your moisturizing routine will help the shine in your hair come out.

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  10. Mehn those peeps in Nigeria just don't like to listen
    No messing around, I will so pack my bags and take a walk

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    Replies
    1. Exactly. If a stylist won't listen, grab your bags and keep it moving.

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  11. There's something extremely wrong with a policy that makes it compulsory for you cover up or change the structure of your original, extremely wrong! I'll be sure to do more digging. Rubbish and nonsense!

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  12. hi berry
    howdy? hope this meets you well, finally decided to loc my hair permanently...any salon you could recommend? am based in Lagos

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    Replies
    1. You can call my former loctician on 07069619062. His name is blessing, and he is really good. Tell him you are from Lola, his former customer, and I said he should give you a discount. Lol. It is important you mention my name as the person that referred you.

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