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I love a good Dominican hair salon. I was first ‘put-on’ to them when I was an undergrad in DC. Girls on campus would wave their bouncy curls every witch way having us doobie-wrapped girls look like country bumpkins.

Walking in can be a little overwhelming: hot smoke blowing from each station, Reggaeton blasting, women yelling in Spanish. Literally, you’re in and you’re out. There’s little wait time and even less salon gossip. While all this is appealing to many, Dominican salons are not for everyone.

Known for the technique of “blowouts”, stylist take a ceramic round brush to straighten and contour the hair into curls. As oppose to a curved flatiron, the hot air from a blow dryer is pushed close to the hair follicles and wrapped around the brush.

For many black women, the intense heat  technique is not good. Moisture needs to be kept in to stimulate growth and nourishment. Blowouts, which dry out hair, make cause breakage. Check out our quick tips to going to Dominican salons:

Do:

– Look for a flat iron or ask if they have one before you get started with the stylist. Different hair textures require alternative measures of straightening beyond blowouts.

– Be VERY clear about the amount you want trimmed, if getting one. That trim, may end up being a cut, if you don’t clarify.

– Tip the hair washer and stylist. A lot of times it is two different people working on one head.

– Get a deep conditioner before it’s styled. The overhead dryer along with the blow dryer, really does a number on your moisture. Also keep hair well moisturized between visits.

Don’t:

– Feel the need to book an appointment, most salons gladly accept walk-ins and can accommodate you the moment you step in.

– Let the stylist put oil on your hair before the blowout! The oil can burn your scalp when heat is applied.

– Assume you need long hair to visit. They should have different size rollers and brushes to accommodate all hair lengths. If your  hair is super short they can still wash, dry and style your hair like any other salon.

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