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Home • Haircuts

Naturals Need To Know: 6 Questions to Ask During a Consultation

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Naturals Need To Know: 6 Questions to Ask During a Consultation
By Sabrina Perkins · Updated April 21, 2016
Photo Courtesy of Createherstock
It’s been a straight-haired world for so long. Within the past ten years, our curls have been the center of attention. As more stylists participate in continuing education seminars and certification courses to gain more experience with textured hair, how can you find the right natural hair stylist for you? Domonique Mo, from Curly Q&A, wants to know more about what curly customers expect at the salon.

Question

What questions [should I] ask during a consultation? My last perm was two years ago. I’ve done everything dealing [with] my hair, between my big chop to trims all [on] my own. I want a haircut… to give it a shape and maybe some color (without damaging my fine hair”>, but I don’t know where to even start.

Answer

While many stylists may want to jump on the curly girl bandwagon to expand their clientele, experience is essential. Textured hair is too fragile to leave to the novice. Too often we’ve allowed our stylists to do what they pleased, expecting them to not only be professional but educate us as well. I cringe at how misinformed I was about the chemicals and treatments used on my curls, and I refuse to ever be that naïve again.

6 Questions to Ask During a Consultation

1. What type of training have you received?

Make sure he or she is a licensed professional with experience in styling, coloring, and cutting your texture.

2. Do you have a preferred cutting technique?

There are quite a few out there like the Deva Cut, RI CI technique, or Ouidad Carve and Slice. Knowing what technique the stylist uses will allow you to determine what type of styles they may be able to achieve and their approach.

3. Do you have pictures of hairstyles or cuts you have performed?

Bring photos of someone with your texture and the style you want to achieve. Texture is important because everyone’s hair doesn’t behave the same way and the maintenance may be different.

4. What products do you use?

Article continues after video.

It’s a good idea to know what products the stylist uses. This way, you can express whether or not you have a preference. Curly haired clients rarely asked in the past. Now that we’re savvier natural hair care product consumers, we know what we do and don’t like.

5. Is the style I want a true possibility with the current state of my hair’s color, texture, and overall health?

Let’s not fool ourselves. Sometimes we want something that is not good for our curls. It’s okay to want the world. However, you need a stylist who will be honest and guide you to the best options that complement your face, skin tone, and lifestyle. Be open to the the stylist’s suggestions, as well.

Remember to consider the current state of your hair. If your curls are damaged, then permanent color may not be the best option; getting a haircut may be the only way to save your curls. This is why consultations and open, honest communication with a potential stylist is so important.

6. Do you prices vary based on length and texture?

Never skip this question. Stylists should not charge more for longer hair or tighter textures.

Be Upfront and Clear About What You Want

There’s nothing wrong with being assertive. If you absolutely want your hair cut on dry hair and your stylist is uncomfortable or inexperienced doing that, then you need to find another stylist. I am not saying you or I know more than the professionals, but you should never feel like you don’t have a say in your service. Be upfront with what you want. Feel free to ask as many questions as needed in order to to determine if this styling session and salon is a good fit for you.

If You Get a Bad Vibe, Leave!

Go with your gut, or first mind. If you feel uncomfortable or that the stylist is not for you, keep it moving.

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Home • Curly

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

Learn how get the spring and bounce back into your curl pattern.
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Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It
Image Source: @wintershairdaze
By Jessica DeFino · Updated December 25, 2024

In most cases, “loosening up” is a positive thing; it’s associated with relaxing, letting go, and having a good time. But when my curls decide to loosen up, it’s a whole different story.

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A post shared by Loc N Loose LLC (@loc_n_loose)

Image Source: @keilanihair

No matter what kind of wavy, coily, or curly you are, you can probably relate: curls that start out bouncy and fresh in the morning sometimes deflate, like a tire losing air, until they’re stretched, flat, and frizzy. But why?

“Curls have a mind of their own,” says Tara Love, the founder of Tara Love Hair, a salon that caters to African-American and multicultural women. “They are very unpredictable because you never know what they will do from one day to the next.”

Gravity

“Maybe the reason why curls fall or get looser is because of gravity,” she speculates. “The hair can also be heavy, as in high-density hair with thick strands. Fine, short hairs tend to curl tighter and experience no real gravity pull.”

If your hair is thick and dense, gravity is likely to blame for your stretched curls—and it’s not easy to fight a force of nature. That being said, you can make your hair less susceptible to the effects of gravity by using lightweight products that won’t weigh you down further. “For curly styles that you want to stay in place, leave-ins and oils are needed,” Love shares.

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

“I love an old staple called Infusium 23,” she adds. “It’s light and controls frizz. If you need a little oil, I love Jane Carter Nourish and Shine. It’s great for hair and body. Rub a bit in the palm and apply.”

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

It’s also a good idea to switch out your hard-hold gel for a light cream to keep curls buoyant. CurlTalk member @oh.hi.its.steph recommends SheaMoisture Curl Milk: “I find it to be perfectly moisturizing and curl-enhancing, but not terribly heavy either!”

Porosity

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Image Source: @briaelly.curly

High-porosity curls and waves are more likely to loosen throughout the day than low-porosity curls. That’s because high-porosity hair has large gaps and holes in the cuticle, making it very easy for the hair to lose moisture; and when moisture evaporates from high-porosity hair, it renders products less effective—which results in loose, frizzy curls.

“If you’re highly porous you might be in need of protein,” says this CurlTalk commenter. A silk protein treatment can help repair the gaps in your hair cuticles to keep your curls intact.

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It

Since highly porous hair loses moisture easily, it’s essential to stock up on ultra-hydrating products, like leave-in conditioners and sealers. You can also add anti-humectants to your hair care routine, like Ouidad Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel, to seal the cuticle and keep moisture in. At night, try a heavy hair butter treatment—Mizani Strength Fusion Intense Night-Time Treatment is a great option—to lock in hydration and prep your curls for a new day.

The Amount of Hair You Have

Why Your Curls Lose Definition and How to Fix It
Image Source: @loc_n_loose

In one recent study, physicists studying the curvature of steel rods stumbled upon some interesting findings, namely, what makes curly hair go limp. Their conclusion? “The actual number of hairs per square inch on any individual’s scalp…that greater or lesser crowding may play a role,” according to Time Magazine. In other words, if you’ve got a lot of hair, your individual strands may just be too crowded to stay curly all day.

If this is the case for you, there are two things you can do:

One, incorporate a hard-hold gel into your routine to give you the all-day definition. After smoothing Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Curl Shaping Cream Gel through your hair, twirl individual pieces around your finger to create a defined curl pattern and diffuse dry.

And two, accept that you’ve been blessed with thick, luscious curls—and at the end of the day, no matter how loose they are, your curls are beautiful. (At least, this is what I like to tell myself!”>

It’s important to note that even with a full morning routine of leave-ins, creams, and gels, curls sometimes need a little midday refresh. What can you do? It’s just their nature.

Ever find your curls falling flat throughout the day? What do you do to keep them springy? Get some extra help with the Best of The Best Texture Tools in 2024.

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