Here are a few excerpts, but go to BlackNews.com for the full story.
In times past, only women living New York City could boast about the wonders of Dominican hair salons. Now Dominican salons are popping up in Houston, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit and everywhere in between! RoundBrushHair.com, a website created by then 25 year-old Jennifer Drew helps Dominican stylist/salons reach and communicate with African American women and provide Dominican hair products to women and salons…
…Dominican salons are taking the black hair industry by storm because they specialize in afro-textured hair and offer fast, affordable service.
I just surfed RoundBrushHair.com and it’s worth a look. There are products as well as a search service for Dominican salons.
Written from the perspective of a thirty-something African American woman, Affrodite's Adventures In Nappy Hair will make you think, laugh, cry, and take action. Check it out! Blog topics include natural hair care, African American perspectives in culture/pop culture/politics, women's empowerment, stories from Corporate America, current events, and more!
They specialize in applying wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much heat ones head. I went to a highly recommanded one and I came out with beautiful flowing hair. A few days later my hair started to come out by the strand. you ask why? the lady had applied too much heat to my head! I had to cut off 2 inchs of hair because she burned it to a crisp. I have heard other horror stories from women who made the mistake of going to them. I stick to my african american owned natural hair salons. Many of those salons don’t even use professional products.
I totally agree with Aokisun
Wash, set, hair dryer for excessive amounts of time
then a blow out.
Then a bump
thats too much heat in my hair
I have resorted to textlaxing with Hawaiian silky mild relaxer and rollersetting (hair dry over night) in a rush…then i sit under the dryer
i have Dominican hair products
but i dont go to the salon.
UGH!!! They style African-American hair, but they don’t know how to take CARE of it. Too much heat, inferior products all lead to extremely dry hair that winds up on the floor. Our hair needs moisture! When you walk in, take a look at the Dominican sisters who share our hair textures…it’s a hot mess…Splitting and raggedy ends. My roommate thought she was getting a deal with her $10 roller sets. Her short hair was nearly split up to the root. She had to get it cut off and started all over. No thanks! Only if I need a quick style to get me through the weekend will I go to them. I’ll stick with my old school stylist. She has old-fashioned styles, but my tex-laxed hair is thick, healthy and growing beautifully.
I just cut off all my hair for the first time in 30 years. I have never had to cut my hair before as a result to it being damaged thanks to the Dominican hair salon. Well let me say this, I have been using them for years since college. I don’t think they are all bad. Some actually know better than to use so much heat when blow drying, but the last stylist I used didn’t care. She specialized in using the hottest blow dryer around. She literally burned my scalp. After a while, I noticed that my naturally curly hair would not curl. It was limp and stripped down to the last strand on the shaft. I couldn’t believe it. It was no way to repair it at that point so I had to cut it off into a pageboy cut. OMG!!! My hair was past my shoulders and now I have to wait at least 6 months to grow a ponytail. My suggestion is to chose a stylist who speaks english, so that you can communicate very detailed instructions on how you want them to care for your hair. Also, the Ethiopian hair salons are becoming popular as well. Their process is much like African American hair stylist. Try them.
I’ve used Dominican stylists all my life. I live in Florida and whenever I go to an American stylist I end up leaving the salon either crying or in a really bad mood. I have wavy blond lightened hair that frizzes easily due to the chemical process I put it through. American stylists leave my ends humid and don’t know how to work the blow drier and the roller brush. They want to finger dry your hair and then flat iron it. They are plain lazy. I had to go over a dozen American salons (JC Penney’s, Super Cuts, and several others)to find that out the bad way. Dominicans blow your hair out evenly and well. You hair is not left humid and therefore will not frizz up. They really put arm and wrist action into the roller brush and leave your hair silky and smooth, without having to use greasy leave ins that make your hair sticky or flat irons that really burn your hair.
I agree with AnaV. I also like that they actually section your hair well before they start drying. On other salons they just brush your top hair forward and dry all messy and disorganized, creating a worse frizz situation.
Hey Ana V
I had the same exact issues with frizz that you had until I tried the awesome Brazilian Keratin treatment. You hair will NEVER be frizzy again. Use the spray treatment not the cream treatment. Also for after care DO NOT use any shampoos with sodium sulfates. This allows the treatment to last longer. It rinses out gradually as you wash your hair. This is not a chemical process like a relaxer it is a treatment. All you will have to do is flat iron your hair once a week adn if it gets wet you just slightly blow it out or use the flat iron.
Well girls, I don’t know who did a hot mess to your hairs, I have always gone to Dominican salons because they are the best. I have very curly hair and yes they put curlers on and blow dry straiht after, and it’s worked perfect. How ever I went to an american salon ones, and they aplied a hot iron with some greasy stuff on it and then my hair was burned off. I think that if your hair is way too kinky, you have no busines puttin too much heat in it because Dominican salon or not it’s going to burn. So maybe you should just love your hair the way it is, but if it’s way too kinki and you want it straght just get a relaxer.
Hi,
Did u already hear about a new treatment sucessful in Dominican Republic that call SPAZZOLA PROGRESSIVA from Italy?
This Treatment is fantastic and different of all the other one it protect and give health back to your hair.
This is the unique product at the market that has EUROPEAN HEALTH CERTIFICATE.
Spazzola progressiva is an innovative process that transforms the hair in its entirety. The treatment is keratin based, that is the primary protein of the skin, hair and nails. This natural substance gives hair the ability to return to its original healthy, shiny, smooth state.
After product is applied, it hydrates the hair and creates a glossy finish.You will be able to wash the hair as soon u finish the process. Your client do not need to wait longs day to see the result. Results are visible immediately after treatment is completed, clients are amazed to say the least. Hair looks healthy and youthful.
Taking care of the hair after the SPAZZOLA PROGRESSIVA is applied is effortless. The amount of time required to style hair will decrease dramatically, in some cases is wash and go. Others require some blow drying and minimum styling time. This treatment restores hair resiliency: humidity, rain or sweat will no longer affect the hairstyle. No more frizzy hair!
The results last two to four months, the treatment fades progressively as hair is washed. As clients repeat the treatment every few months or so, you will be able to observe the improved quality of hair grown after the Spazzola Progressiva was applied.
This revolutionary process was developed in Italy and successful guarantee in Europe and Dominican Republic is now available in United States.
Take a look and see how fantastic it is www. spazzolaprogressiva.com
Unfortunately I live in California where there are no Dominican salons. AA salons out here are HORRIBLE. If you come in with long hair within a year your hair is totally whacked off plus they know nothing about hair care. I am sick of paying my VERy hard-earned dollars just to come out looking like a homeless man. I have ordered some Dominician haircare products and will have to learn how to do my own hair because I dont have the money to waste on this no-good salons.
I envy all of the testimonials from AA women who are patronizing Dominican salons and now have very long silky hair. I know some haters who are saying how the salons destroy your hair but even if some do, at least the client has not spent a fortune for that “privilege”. The AA salons I patronize charge you between $70-100 for a perm and completely destroy your hair in the process. There is no such thing as the clientele of AA salons with long hair including the proprietor. Most have ugly short hair and must resort to lacefronts and weaves.
I look forward to the day when the Dominicans finally arrive on the shores of California.
the haters will always abound when it comes to the sucess of the dominican immigrant. the black haters on here feel like being the voice of difference that gets them nowhere. their may be experiences that are legit concerning some mishaps but their was one comment on here that sums things up and that is leave your hair the way it is.
Kiko – I agree 100% with your post. I will not mention the names of the internet forums except to say that they are supposedly dedicated to helping all black American women “grow hair down to their butts.” HOWEVER, all of the info and “testimonials” are phony with members claiming that they used such and such product and/or technique and a month later their hair was down to their ankles lol.
So I called them out on their bull and said that if so many AA women had found the secret to long healthy hair why didn’t we develop an industry around that knowledge like the Dominicans and the Koreans? All of the members gave various excuses for why this knowledge is not widely disseminated among AA salons.
I am not trying to sound divisive but I admire the Dominicans for bringing their knowledge of hair culture to the world instead of keeping it all to themselves. AA salons need to look at WHY their clientele is running over to the Dominicans in the first place especially if the AA salons are the ones who supposedly have the same knowledge.
Whether the Dominicans identify as “black” or not, they have obviously shared their knowledge and skills with the AA community and I appreciate them for that. Don’t hate AA women congratulate our Dominican sisters for bringing their knowledge and skills of Afro-textured hair to the masses in the States.
I agree with you. I am AA mom and Cuban dad. I hate hate hate AA salons they have ruined my hair. I had very nice hair now it is ruined thanks to them. When they rinse the hair they use a very minute amount of water so most of the perm or shampoo is left in the hair then they proceed to set the hair or use the hot comb with the product in the hair which contributes to the hair falling out. I went to Georgia last year and experienced the wonderful Domonican Hair Stylists. My hair was treated very well. They put you under a special dryer that deep conditions the hair. I had never seen that before. My hair looked good and felt very healthy. Where I live there are no Dom Salons and this saddens me because I am at the mercy of the AA salons who are destroying my hair. My nerves are bad and I do not like doing my hair and I don’t do it very well but I had better learn fast before I do not have any hair. Oh yes the AA salons charge a fortune between 65-80 dollars. YIKES! The lady at the Dom salon in Georgia charged me onoly $25.00. I do not want to go the weave route. The Dominicans would earn mucho dinero here in New Orleans. Hope you do better with your hair. Adios amiga
I am reading some of these horror stories. Ladies, first and foremost, whether you are dealing with african american hair or dominican salons you must do your research. Check out their reputation. I have been going to a Dominican salon now for a year and my experience has been nothing but good. my hair is now addiction free (from the white hair crack known as perm/relaxer). Dominican salons to me actually apply less stress and heat to your hair. When I was going to normal hair salons I was getting relaxers and waiting enormous amounts of time, paying obscene prices and still by the end of the week looked like a damn fool. My hair was breaking off and my scalp was full of dandruff. That salon would relax my hair, sit me under the dryer for a damn hour, blow dry my hair, then flat iron along with apply a bunch of “conditioning” products. Ladies, this was at every salon I tried. Now the Dominican salon I go to asks if you want blow drying or to sit under the dryer. I always get blow drying. Along with the round brush, the dryer usually does the trick and I don’t need the flat iron. If you have a stylist who knows what they are doing your scalp and hair won’t be burned. Depending on your grade of hair, you may need more time and more heat but it’s to be expected. I never spend more than 45 mins in the salon and I no longer have dandruff or hair breakage in fact my hair hasn’t been this long in years. So I think there are a lot of people out there who are still “addicted to the hair crack” LOL. I recommend research and going on your own personal experience. Good luck Ladies !!!
Well I started out going to black salons, and I only left satisfied, not really happy about my hair either the braids were too tight or the pins stuck my scalp. I am 20 and began to go to Dominican salons in the Bronx at 13, within a few months my hair became healthy and longer, I was proud to wear my real thick bouncy hair after walking out the salon. So I decided to go to this high end black salon in the Bronx(Dave Ray) He warned me about the Dominicans and said my hair would come out and from his popularity I listened, and after that my hair began to fall out in the back and, so know I have to start over. So Yes I will go Back to get my hair done by Dominicans… I miss it!
I am a new fan of the Dominican Salons.My first visit was different than my traditional salon, however; I enjoyed my treatment. I went to a Dominican Salon in Atlanta. My first impression was this heat has to be a problem for your hair and just as I have read from some of you this has been true. What some of you are missing is that the Dominican process for styling your hair may not be for you. They do not publish a sign that says “guaranteed” money back if not happy and/or hair come out~! Your hair will come out, fall out, and/or be burned out with the traditional American salons! Everyone’s hair,scalp,and texture is different and takes different treatments and styling processes. If the dominican way is too much for your type hair, don’t knock it and critize their process. It just isn’t for your hair but those of us who hair can take this process; it’s Wonderful!!
I’ve been going to a Dominican Salon for over a year, and my hair has grown out beautifully, with the use of the blow dryer and all; I am black, Afro-American, African American, whatever you wanna call it, I’m a black girl from Texas. Anyway, black salons and lots of people are always speaking of how harsh the process (round brush) that Dominican’s use on your hair, hello, so is that flat iron that black salons use. I just would like to say, I grew-up going to black salons, was introduced to a Dominican salon by my cousin, and let me just say, I WILL NEVER TURN BACK. Black salons are way over priced, the wait is way to long, and alot of stylist are about building their ticket (the more they can get out of you the better). Forgot to mention, they’ve always overprocessed my hair with the relaxers. The my Dominican stylist KNOWS how to apply a relaxer (she only applies it to the roots). My hair is beautiful, grown very long, and I LOVE MY DOMINICAN stylist.
What is the name of the salon you went to?
Last week I went to a local Dominican salon (Top Dominican in Pikesville, MD) and it changed my life!
I’ve never had a perm/relaxer because I’ve seen what it does to a lot of girl’s hair. I use to get my hair ‘pressed’ with a hot comb, and it was never straight (even after going over it with a Flat Iron), prone to moisture and breakage.
But when I looked in the mirror after my stylist was done, and touching it- I honestly cried! I’ve never felt my long (half way down back) all natural, Afro hair feel so clean and silky and… amazing!
My fiance came home for the 1st time in 4 months (he’s an Army soldier!) and he couldn’t stop touching (and smelling) it.
It. Was. Amazing!
(I just need to know how often I should get my hair down this way. =s it safe to get it done every 2 weeks?)
I completely agree. I have been to a Dominican hair salon once. Very hard core!
I also forgot to mention they used emu oil on my hair. Sounded funny at first but worked exceptionally well.
I am a mixed Dominican but let me just say that my sister owns her own hair salon. it is not considered a dominican hair salon because we have resided in the midwest for over 18 yrs and u don’t meet a lot of us around here, all of her stylists are AA’s, and some are friends she grew up with and who were in hair school along with her over 10 yrs ago. I can say that they are one of the top most highly respected salons here to be a black salon. they promote healthy hair and hair growth she organizes city wide ANNUAL hair shows and goes all over the states to other bigger ones so she may start spreading out beyond this state. I am more in touch w/ dominican culture than she is and have actually been back to the island. im just posting this to say that even tho every1 is acting like ALL black salons, americanized or whatnot, are FAR from trash..there are some out here in the world that still deserve much props and respect so don’t knock them as a whole because of YOUR bad experiences! BIG UPS to my Dominicans and also to Queens’ Beauty Salon! Plataneras hasta la tambora!
Thanks for all of the comments- interesting post!
Went twice and after first visit my hair was flowing, soft and felt great. After a few days I noticed breakage around my edges (front and back). Ok, thinking, no big deal. Went again two weeks later, my scalp was burned from the stylist blow drying my hair; I was under dryer 30 min with conditioner; 1 1/2 hour with rollers, and then in stylist chair who not only “straightened my roots” but “burned my scalp” over and over, telling her she was doing so would stop it but she ended up doing it again. I went home, not at all liking the way my head felt and checked out my hair, noticed MORE breakage around my hairline to the point where it won’t lay down. It is way too much heat for my hair and you would think the stylist would know from your texture when enough is enough. I will not be returning.
It’s so interesting to me that we seperate African Americans and Dominicans….First, Dominicans are Black! Dominicans can care for and treat textured hair just as well as your “favorite” stylist. Let us not forget, all stylist are not gifted to be what they desire to be. Check references and products when looking for a new salon. Ask plenty of questions and seek a free consultation before you let anyone touch your crown and glory!! Most of all let’s help one another before we knock down each other…..Peace & One Love!!
YOU MUST DO RESEARCH whether it is an AA salon or a Dominican Salon.
SERIOUSLY, I’ve tried them all and ETHIOPIAN salons are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have had my hair damaged by both black and dominican stylists. Too much heat and not knowing when to say when. Now I carandorra and style my own hair. So, it seems ignorant to that some comments are speaking in black and white terms. All x salons are good… All x salons are bad. Give me a break. I agree with the posters who said do your research and know your hair. If it’s breaking – stop using heat for a while. Love your hair. And for the couple of judgemental people who said ‘leave your hair like it is’ – while I agree that loving natural self is important – don’t act so self-righteous as if you don’t do things to alter yourself too. cuz I ain’t buying it… Lastly- my next stylist – regardless of race- will absolutely have to care about the health of my hair- not just applying some quick fix style to get my money or get the next person in their chair..
As with all things, knowledge is critical and moderation is key. Too much heat is not good for the hair. If the dryer is too hot or the clips used to secure rollers are burning the scalp, let the stylist know. She can reposition the clips and lower the dryer. Sure, it takes longer to dry and they can’t turn the customers over as quickly but they will lower it for you. If the dryver has the split-type hood that opens out to accommodate different size rollers, ask the stylist to wedge a towel in the opening to divert some of the unbearable heat. Blowdrying the roots is a great holdover when a relaxer is needed badly or you’re going out. An even better option for regular care is to bring your pins and a stylish hat and have the stylist add a little serum, wrap you while you’re still warm and put the pins in place. An hour of that leaves hair bouncy, shiny and beautiful. Don’t forget protein treatments on alternate weeks and deep moisturizing on the other weeks. Don’t skimp on the conditioning. Sleeping on a satin pillow case with hair pulled into a ponytail works well to maintain the health and style of the hair. And speak up in the salon. It’s a hair factory, true but your stylists understand hair and want you to be happy so they can make money. I have a primary stylist who is Dominican and works in an AA salon (the only Dominican) where weaves are not offered and the clients of all of the stylists have healthy, beautiful and long hair. All of the stylists have beautiful hair and a few wear their hair long. I also go to a Dominican salon in emergencies where one stylist (a friend of my main stylist) manages my hair. That would be my final advice… Don’t just go to anyone who is available. Let the person who knows your hair manage your hair.