My Hair Story: I’m Going To Miss My Dominicanos

May 24th, 2012 - By madamenoire

Tim Hussin for The Wall Street Journal

by Selam Aster

As I plan to make the move from New York City to my hometown in California, there’s one thing I can’t stop agonizing about: no, it’s not the great friends or the subways (that have spared me from anxieties related to car insurance or gas prices) that I’ll miss most. It’s really all about the Dominicans.

You see, they are important to my life. Ever since I moved to New York, the money and time I spend on my hair has been cut in half. By my own definition, that has greatly improved my quality of life. Less stress, less mess.

As many a Black female knows, going to the hair salon is a time-consuming affair that can drain 25 percent of your weekend.  Growing up, I thought trips to the salon would be glamorous and stress-relieving endeavors. I soon found out that unless you have a personal stylist, going to the salon would be experienced as a laborious yet necessary ritual.

For me, Dominican hair salons have alleviated the laboriousness of it all. It’s not a perfect experience but it is a better one for me. There are no appointments and not much waiting around (a signifier of many Black salons). This is how it works: I walk in anytime (including Sundays and Mondays), stand in line for the wash bowl, move to the hair rolling station, sit under the dryer and then get my hair blown out. I’m in and out in less than 2 hours, which is far less than the 4-5 hours I spent at hair salons when I lived in Los Angeles. Don’t get me wrong, it is a trade off. Dominican salons use cheaper products and don’t really prioritize customer service (read: rude and abrupt), but for someone who values getting the job done over customer service, I have been more than satisfied.

What I do miss is the camaraderie between stylists and clients in Black salons. Since I don’t speak Spanish, there’s not much “conversating” going on, and that takes some of the fun out of the whole thing. But since I am still not trusting of the Dominican hair salons when it comes to getting hair cuts and color, I’ll occasionally make a visit to my go-to Black salon and shell out $100+ for my quarterly services.

A friend asked me if I felt guilty for patronizing Dominican hair salons, rather than the Black salons I grew up with. My answer was no. I don’t see many Black salons completely suffering from the competition. If anything, this competition, which really only exists on the East Coast, may only help Black salons improve their way of doing things and becoming more efficient. I can’t discount the fact that some people just really love hanging out at the salon all day, and so, for them, the old way of doing things is no big deal. As for me, I’ve seen what my life could be like with less time spent on hair but am preparing myself for the rude re-awakening when I arrive in Cali. At least, I have an iPad to keep me company on my 5-hour trips now…*sigh*.

 

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  • k_wesley

    I love going to my Dominican stylist.. I have been going to her for 3 years and as long and she is the only one I trust doing anything to my hair.. You can’t beat $25 for blow-out and your done in 2hr or less..

  • Milleon308

    I go to Dominicans and they are darker than me so I consider them to be my black latin sisters. They are always open so I go after to work,and I’m in and out in two hours. I bring my own shampoo and conditioner, I like my products better. I am natural and they get my hair blowing in the wind, I  hate pressing combs. And most Dominicans salon in Philly carry African American products though. I guess it depends on the salon. I still see my black hair dresser for cuts, color, and sew in weaves, she is very professional too. But she is not open on Sundays or Mondays.

  • Msgonzo10

    Unless you are one of those women who are (truly) blessed to be able to do her own hair well (and god bless ya if that’s you!), then the  bottom line is finding a salon, be it black or not, that is professional and where you feel your money is well spent. If your hair is thriving under the care of that particular salon and you feel you’re getting value for your money (whatever the cost), then that’s great. The problem is refusing to invest in your hair and then wondering why your hair isn’t growing, isn’t healthy, etc. I can do my own hair but there’s a reason why I go to a professional rather than do it myself and it’s money well spent because my stylist is worth her weight in gold. I’ve learned that all stylists are not equal (regardless of race) and the last thing any of us wants is someone ignorant playing in our hair. You also don’t have to sacrifice your entire day to be seen by a great stylist. You find the right salon, they will take care of you (respecting your time) and your hair!

  • Annaze

    I’ve never lived in New York but several of my girlfriends do and they all go to the dominican salons!
    When you relocate to Cali, if you happen to find a dominican salon in LA, please pass alone the contact info!  If I find one, I will do the same.  :)

  • Rosama719

    Dominicans are Afro-descendants and that is why they can do all types of hair. I prefer the efficiency and because I do know Spanish, I can figure out who really knows about hair. I live in Toronto, Canada where Dominicans are just starting to arrive and my current hairdresser is reasonable, not cheap but reasonable. She is also fluent in English and licensed so I really locked out. She can cut and color.

  • Kisses

    I highly suggest every woman learns how to do her own hair properly. I’ve been doing it since I started college and I started to get disappointed going to salons because I started noticing poor hair care practices–and I was doing a better job at home!

  • wveronica7

    I love my black salon, I go to a male hair stylist and he has me in and out under 2 hours. He keeps my hair laid. However I have stopped going to women hair stylist because they are scissor happy and extremely slow (hence the 4+ hour waits). When I am in miami, I do go to the dominicans because its quick and its hard to find good hair stylists 

  • NaturalLady

    Thanks for your opinion on salons.  I agree with much of what you’ve written.  I live in the St. Louis area and have found a Black owned salon where an appointment lasts about an hour to an hour and a half depending on services. 

    Just wondering…  Aren’t there Black people in the DR?  I went to a Dominican salon in NYC once and the ladies looked a lot like me – just spoke Spanish.  

    • Raya405

      Haiti and Dominican Republic are an island split in half basically! Some of them are darker than us.

      • NaturalLady

         :-) Yea – I knew the answer to my question.  BTW..  One of my favorite authors is Edwidge Danticat (sp).  She’s written and eluded to the tension between Black Dominicans and Haitians as well as between darker/lighter Dominicans.  Edwidge is Haitian – GREAT writer.  Check her out!

    • Dih

      if u as some dominicans say they are black

    • eyeEEsha

      I live in St. Louis too. Where do you go to get your hair done?

  • Shakesha

    I moved from NYC to Cali 3 years ago. Found one Dominican Salon ehhh it was okay, so I went looking for another/
    But this is the Dominican Salon that agrees with my hair best:

    Dominican Elegance Salon
    (323) 857-1500
    5825 West Pico BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90019 Neighborhood: West Los Angeles

    • MJ

       There is also Dominican Hairstyling at 201 N. Westmoreland #123. L.A., CA 90004. Phone is (213) 389-7896. Owner is Clara.

  • L-Boogie

    Great salons.  Affordable as well.

  • http://twitter.com/prfectisshe myprfectimprfections

    i went to the dominicans once , that first time i wasn’t impressed . but after reading these responses i will give them a whirl again . 

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/L6SG6SWCRNHZB24DTHR6EFQIFE Erica

    I went natural almost four years ago.  Then I moved to Virginia.  I tried at least 5 black hair salons, and they each had their own problems….I lady couldn’t do my hair after 5pm (ever), the other lady complained when I walked through the door about how much hair I have evrytime I walked through the door (my hair is long, but not that thick), another lady’s cell phone was cut off and I lost track of her.

    I could go on.  But however, my experience with the dominican blowout has been great.  You can walk in any time, they are effecient, they are consistent.

    And my stylist is the owner of the shop, so she also has expertise and is very knowledgable.

    So, I also dont miss “black” salons. My time is valuable.

  • Kaay

    Well written article. While I completely see the point of the author, I cannot condone regular Dominican blowouts/silkening process. It tends to require the use of way too much heat. If you have highly porous/naturally dry hair like me, getting a blow out even once a month can leave you breaking… Just saying. Also, because the Dominican salons have an assembly line process and/or stylists that don’t speak English and/or stylist with low level hair expertise, you tend to loose out on the hair health chat that many black salon stylists tend to give you while working on your hair from start to finish.

    • Mls2698

      Was the “conversating” part a Dominican joke? Did they not converse in Spanish? I’m not the best writter, so let me know.

  • Eyeconic1

    I stopped going to to the black salons for the same reaon. And sorry I did not come in to have other people come and sell me stuff (socks, purses, cd’s, dvd’s, etc).  I came in for a service and a relaxing experience.  I don’t have time for you to argue, talk about who sleeping with who, order food and then sit and eat your food, talk on the phone or talk to your gf or bf that comes and visits you. Nor do I have time to watch talk shows.  I should not have a 10am appt and be walking out at 5pm.  The last time I went I had an after work appt and didn’t get out until after midnight.  Who has the time for this? Also, I agree with the person with the comment to check other cultures like Haitians and Egyptians because they do the same process and are inexpensive.  I love getting my hair done in less than 2 hours and if you don’t like the products they use take your own.  Less than 2 hours and $25.  I’ll take that anyday and you can get your hair done more often.  I’ve been natural for over a year and when I want a straight style I will go to them I now skip the flat irons and just have my roller set curls to avoid the extra heat. And the overbooking is soooooo true.

    • Bnnnn

      Get over yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://twitter.com/prfectisshe myprfectimprfections

    this is a great topic! love the different perspectives and responses.

  • Asfff

    Don’t bash black salons!! Black salons also allow beginning entrepreneurs sell their products in their shops. I rather go to black salon because of the sense of community and history. I make sure I patronize black owned businesses.  

    • Treasured Tresses

      I’m glad to hear that you feel such a connection to black owned salons due to the history that comes with visiting these salons. Many people visit other ethnic salons to get the same service in less time or whatever other reasons they may have. Personally, my hairstylist could be melanin-deprived with blonde hair for all I care so long as they know how to care for my hair while producing the desired lasting results. I prefer to have someone with knowledge of all hair types especially the ones of people who have experienced firsthand how awful breakage can be. I don’t feel that race or ethnicity matters concerning who is doing my hair so long as they care for it well and respect my time and tresses. Also Dominicans are a part of the African diaspora so going to a Dominican salon is to a significant extent going to a Black salon. Have a delightful day.

    • Treasured Tresses

      I’m glad to hear that you feel such a connection to black owned salons due to the history that comes with visiting these salons. Many people visit other ethnic salons to get the same service in less time or whatever other reasons they may have. Personally, my hairstylist could be melanin-deprived with blonde hair for all I care so long as they know how to care for my hair while producing the desired lasting results. I prefer to have someone with knowledge of all hair types especially the ones of people who have experienced firsthand how awful breakage can be. I don’t feel that race or ethnicity matters concerning who is doing my hair so long as they care for it well and respect my time and tresses. Also Dominicans are a part of the African diaspora so going to a Dominican salon is to a significant extent going to a Black salon. Have a delightful day.

    • Treasured Tresses

      I’m glad to hear that you feel such a connection to black owned salons due to the history that comes with visiting these salons. Many people visit other ethnic salons to get the same service in less time or whatever other reasons they may have. Personally, my hairstylist could be melanin-deprived with blonde hair for all I care so long as they know how to care for my hair while producing the desired lasting results. I prefer to have someone with knowledge of all hair types especially the ones of people who have experienced firsthand how awful breakage can be. I don’t feel that race or ethnicity matters concerning who is doing my hair so long as they care for it well and respect my time and tresses. Also Dominicans are a part of the African diaspora so going to a Dominican salon is to a significant extent going to a Black salon. Have a delightful day.

  • Intelligent Blaminican

    There are plenty of Dominican salons in Cali..also please realize that the EXACT SAME PROCESS is done at Egyptian, African and other ethnic salons..so please be willing to try it out.
     There are also plenty of African American salons that also do the silk wrap/blow out process so please take the time to search for these options instead of just thinking one group is the end all and be all….

    • Annaze

      Do you have any recommendations for great ethics salons in LA? 
      Please pass along the info, I would be more than happy to support and try them out! 

  • Fitzgeraldjoy10

    I love Dominican hair salons.  Yes, they are “rude and abrupt,” but they do get the job done, and the time they spend getting you in and out is waaay less.  It is like an assembly line, and they stay on top of products, towels, rollers, etc.  The shop I go to only gives you a relaxer if it only has been eight weeks since the last one. I have gotten into it with them when they tell me I do not need one,  (when I can’t even get a  comb through my hair, yall) and offer me a wash and set.  Which is just as good, because they will make sure your hair blows in the wind, regardless.

  • when doves cry

    I find hair salons a pure waste of valuable time and money.  Due to economic reasons I start styling my own hair years ago and I swear I never ever want to go back.

    • Delitaw

      I too style my own hair and find going to black shops difficult since most have awful attitudes.

  • Lee379

    I agree with the author.  I stopped going to the hair salon and went natural when my bi-weekly services were lasting anywhere between 4-6 hours for just a wash and style.  I blame my beautician for the problem because she consistently overbooks her clients.  Her reasoning is she does it due to no show customers.  I say take care of your customers that are there on a regular basis and value their time, just like they vaue your ability to give quality hair care.

    • Nefijones1

      I went natural for the same reasons.  Not only do the black salons overbook (even though you are a regular customer), they will not fit you in their schedule when you need your hair done in a pinch.  They also tell you that you need a perm when you don’t. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=433408 Shana Gillis

      sounds like poor business planning.  there are a number of things they could do to alleviate or minimize issue of no shows.  for instance, they should take credit card information at consultation or first service, notify of charge for no show/no call, get signature on notice, and charge fee if there is a no call/no show.

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