I am a new member, although I discovered Cathy Howse book back in 1996. After three years my hair was well on it's way to my waist. Then my hairdresser (she used Bantu relaxer) was unfortunately incarcerated.
I switched to another hairdresser who insisted that Affirm was better than Bantu. So I gave in. Within two months not only was my hair stick straight, but it was breaking off if I just ran my fingers through my hair, not to mention there was no body left to it and I my hairline looked like it was receding.
I went to another hairdresser who wasn't too familiar with relaxers and she under relaxed it. Then I got a recommendation from Tim Reid's daughter (who has beautiful hair) and went to her. She insisted on Affirm also after I told her it took out my hair. She said the last guy didn't know what he was doing. I gave in and the same result. (One day she looked at it and asked my why it was breaking so much--gee I don't know).
I went to another hairdresser and she insisted that Affirm wasn't that good but neither was Bantu, she suggested Affluence. Six months later same result just not as extreme. I bought a jar of Bantu and insisted she use it. I left her when she laughed when I told her my hair grows at least 6 inches a year.
I went to another hairdresser last year with Bantu in hand. The girl he had doing the relaxers insisted on leaving it on for 20 minutes. After a few months I showed her my receding hairline and told her no more than 15 minutes. She left the salon and the owner has been doing my relaxer. Last touch up we got into an argument when I reminded him no more than 15 minutes. He started ranting and threw in that I have coarse hair. (I have fine hair mind you) So after 15 minutes I told him it was burning. I told him I wanted an itty-bitty, teeny-tiny trim. The first section he grabbed he wacked off at least an inch and a half if not more. I asked him what was he doing. He replied "I thought you wanted me to cut it. It actually needs twice as much cut off." I told him no, I want an itsy-bitsy, teeny tiny trim, just to neaten the ends. Since it's breaking off two inches from my scalp as a result of the twenty minute or more fiasco, wacking it off that much isn't going to stop the breakage, plus I'll probably breakdown and cry and then kill myself. Yes, I got dramatic. ( had no choice) He huffed and complied. After, going to him for over a year he still doesn't get what I'm talking about.
So I am scheduling consultations with hairdressers in the Los Angeles area. I have one with Neeko, in Pasadena (Halle Barry's) on Saturday, who uses Affirm and is also listed on Avlon's website as an authorized and qualified user of Affirm. I am also scheduling an appointment with a Dominican hairdresser, Nuris in Los Angeles. I'm even trying to get in touch with Sybill Brand Women's Correctional Facility to see if they'll let my favorite hair dresser do my hair as sort of a rehab.
Any suggestions on what I should look for and/or what questions I should ask? Should I insist on the use of Bantu (obviously some people don't know how to use it).
Sorry for such a long winded email but I felt the whole story needed to be told.
Thanks in advance.
I switched to another hairdresser who insisted that Affirm was better than Bantu. So I gave in. Within two months not only was my hair stick straight, but it was breaking off if I just ran my fingers through my hair, not to mention there was no body left to it and I my hairline looked like it was receding.
I went to another hairdresser who wasn't too familiar with relaxers and she under relaxed it. Then I got a recommendation from Tim Reid's daughter (who has beautiful hair) and went to her. She insisted on Affirm also after I told her it took out my hair. She said the last guy didn't know what he was doing. I gave in and the same result. (One day she looked at it and asked my why it was breaking so much--gee I don't know).
I went to another hairdresser and she insisted that Affirm wasn't that good but neither was Bantu, she suggested Affluence. Six months later same result just not as extreme. I bought a jar of Bantu and insisted she use it. I left her when she laughed when I told her my hair grows at least 6 inches a year.
I went to another hairdresser last year with Bantu in hand. The girl he had doing the relaxers insisted on leaving it on for 20 minutes. After a few months I showed her my receding hairline and told her no more than 15 minutes. She left the salon and the owner has been doing my relaxer. Last touch up we got into an argument when I reminded him no more than 15 minutes. He started ranting and threw in that I have coarse hair. (I have fine hair mind you) So after 15 minutes I told him it was burning. I told him I wanted an itty-bitty, teeny-tiny trim. The first section he grabbed he wacked off at least an inch and a half if not more. I asked him what was he doing. He replied "I thought you wanted me to cut it. It actually needs twice as much cut off." I told him no, I want an itsy-bitsy, teeny tiny trim, just to neaten the ends. Since it's breaking off two inches from my scalp as a result of the twenty minute or more fiasco, wacking it off that much isn't going to stop the breakage, plus I'll probably breakdown and cry and then kill myself. Yes, I got dramatic. ( had no choice) He huffed and complied. After, going to him for over a year he still doesn't get what I'm talking about.
So I am scheduling consultations with hairdressers in the Los Angeles area. I have one with Neeko, in Pasadena (Halle Barry's) on Saturday, who uses Affirm and is also listed on Avlon's website as an authorized and qualified user of Affirm. I am also scheduling an appointment with a Dominican hairdresser, Nuris in Los Angeles. I'm even trying to get in touch with Sybill Brand Women's Correctional Facility to see if they'll let my favorite hair dresser do my hair as sort of a rehab.
Any suggestions on what I should look for and/or what questions I should ask? Should I insist on the use of Bantu (obviously some people don't know how to use it).
Sorry for such a long winded email but I felt the whole story needed to be told.
Thanks in advance.
My hairdresser, as much as I tipped her, turned out to be a B- Didn't give a damn, when she first said that my hair was longer then hairs I should have run. Dummy me-
