A Natural Education: What I learned after going to a professional natural hair stylist.

THE 411 On: Natural Alternatives


The place: Natural Alternatives Hair Salon Louisville Ky
They are on facebook and can be found through Google search.
(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natural-Alternative-Salon-Louisville/163254063711693
What I had done: Moisture Treatment, wash, and Trim
Price: AFFORDABLE
Atmosphere of Salon: Very nice, professional,
Education Level: The stylist do a free consultation and set up an appointment to assist you in your natural hair journey. I felt comfortable asking questions and discovered why my hair wasn't growing.
Best Quote: Co-wash? Where are all y'all hearing about this co-wash thing?

My take:
This was the BEST experience that I have ever had in a hair salon. My appointment was at 11:15 and started on time. When I walked in, I was greeted warmly (felt like family), seated, given bottled water (IN A GLASS BOTTLE..NOT PLASTIC), and was educated through out the process about my hair and how to take care of my hair. I was up and out in about an hour and a half.

Before that, I enjoyed the fact that I received a "happy birthday" text message, an appointment text message,   and an e-mail to remind me of my appointment. Oh, and I even got a business card with my appointment to keep on me. Because they are hair care workers, like doctors, they need to know in advance if you are unable to make an appointment.

The salon environment:
Was very warm and inviting. Tabitha, from salon take over, would not have to come near or set eyes on this place. It is in tip top shape and in order.

Natural Alternatives Salon

What I learned

Lets just say that I learned that everything that I was doing was WRONG. I learned from the stylist that in order for natural hair to grow, I had to let it do so naturally. She said (2012), "In order for natural hair to grow you have to allow it to grow the way it wants to grow and not the way you want it to grow." I would would co-wash, wash, apply my leave in and a little gel to define my curls and found that even THAT was wrong.

I learned from the stylist, "who has a picture of herself with Paul Mitchell by her station" that steamers, co-washing, and a lot of other things that people are doing to there hair isn't healthy. For example

The steamer-
The steamer (not using the brand name)-Think of when you use a steamer over and over again on a shirt. It stretches the fibers in the shirt until it thins and a hole forms. Well, this is what happens to your hair. Instead, natural hair wears should use a "micro mist". The salon actually has one and let me tell you, that bad boy put me to sleep.

Micro Mist.

Basically, the micro mist machine simulates how your hair would react on a humid day. After washing my hair, I was sat in the chair, has a foam band wrapped around my forehead to trap any product and moisture, and was told to relax. At first, I just sat there waiting for the machine to start. I was like, "Did she forget to turn it on?". And then, BAM!..this warm shot of air hits the top and back of my head and this sweet smelling euphoric steam surrounds me. Not only did my scalp feel good, but the sweet odor relaxed me and put me at ease. It was like going to a spa. At the end of the treatment, a pleasant cool gush of air cooled my scalp. I sat there for about twenty minutes and taken back to my seat.

Co-washing-

Many natural hair wearers are doing this wrong. Many are "slapping" conditioner in their hair, leaving it in and not thinking anything about it. It's important to know the difference between leave in conditioner and a conditioner. Leave in conditioner is formulated so that it can stay in your hair and not clog up your pours or impeded growth. Leave in conditioners are awesome for extra conditioning after your rinse out conditioner. Conditioner is "MEANT to be washed out". It's ingredients were created to condition and then be rinsed out. If you leave "normal" conditioner on your hair, you can leave a layer of product on your scalp that can cause damage as well as clog the pours. The key to natural hair growth is CLEAR CLEAN POURS!

Natural Hair Care Products

Save your money and gas and  just ask your natural hair care stylist to offer any suggestions on natural hair care products. Lets just say, I look back and shake my head at the money I could have saved if I went here ages ago.

I was given three products,

Alaffia Shea & Honey Nourishing Shampoo,

                                  Nourishing Conditioner 

                                  Enriching Hair Lotion

Alaffia is a handmade product with traditional African Black Soap. The product is concentrated, so you only need a little bit to do a lot.

I was asked if I was going to throw out my other products. Hehehe, don't think so. I'm just going to donate it to my relaxer wearing sisters:-).

I wash my hair twice a week and use the enriching hair lotion once a day on damp hair. I'm allowed to dry my hair with blow dryer with a diffuser attached on cold days, but its best to let it naturally dry.

How does my scalp feel?

It feels GREAT. I love it. Oh, and its itching and tingling again. I haven't felt an itch or a tingle in several weeks which concerned me for awhile. But today, I can feel it. Also, my hair will thicken up with my new trim. It has been rounded out and fixed.  I return in three weeks and I can't wait.

As for the product, I will do a thirty day test and will get back to you on it. Pictures to come:-)

Culture vs Common Sense

I would like to add that our culture has a history of experimenting with, changing, and defining our hair. Our hair makes up a large part of who we are as well as our personality. Whether it is blonde, black, honey brown, or blue....we, as black people, wear our hair in ways that other cultures could only dream of. But not all of us our hair stylist. Not all of use are knowledgeable of the mathematics or science of hair. Beauticians, Natural Hair Care Stylist, and technicians receive several years of training, tried different methods, and have met the qualifications and licence to do hair. So, why not use them? Why make it hard when they were put on this Earth to help us with our "tore up from the floor up" hair?

STOP THE MADNESS AND GO TO A PROFFESSIONAL

So, although our culture is a accustomed to and has a long history of maintaining our own hair, its time to evolve and get help. By getting help, you can see what you have or are done wrong and change the situation.

I received help, education, and my hair "in less than a day" is already tingling. I see a new beginning:-)

Peace of Christ to all

The Lost Girl