Her experience seems like its symptomatic of what many LHCFers have said about the current natural "movement" being insincere in some respects - basically that it's a trend/fad and that it has a very specific texture in mind. Any popular trend that creates a demand will attract people looking to capitalize on that trend. Just because the thing at the focus of the trend is "positive" doesn't mean that businesses looking to make money off it are particularly positive or high-quality themselves. In fact, a trend that is perceived as particularly "popular" and "good" will often attract particularly "bad" characters. I would liken it to how scam charity organizations pop up when there's a disaster that a lot of people want to donate money to. Combine that tendency with the fact that a lot people (consumers and stylists) aren't so much set on the idea of "being natural - full stop" but rather enamored with the fantasy "being natural - with delicious curls, etc" - and you have a recipe for the type of situation in the video.
I'm not going to criticize the lady who made the video because I know that hindsight is 20/20 and some people are non-confrontational - she even admitted herself that she was "too nice" and she did take the time to file a complaint after the fact. Here are my takeaways:
1) Get a referral. Noting that a salon has "natural" in its name or claims to cater to naturals isn't performing your due diligence as a consumer.
2) As hairmaster said, get a consultation.
3) Set expectations for yourself and the stylist and let those expectations be known. Expectations for yourself (how much time and service errors are you willing to put up with; how and when will you leave the situation if it goes wrong), expectations for the stylist (style and service they're expected to provide, method of payment they accept and what will be the consequences if they don't so properly, ie they will not get paid if they don't provide the requested service)
4) Listen to your gut. Listen and observe the stylists words, behavior and reactions (are they wincing and making a stank face at your naps?). When the hairstylist makes it obvious that they're not on the same page with you and DON'T WANT to be on the same page with you it's time to leave. I mean the stylist straight up refused to do what she asked because her hair was too "thick" and would be an afro if she BCd (perish the thought!
) and then told her that her options were sister locking, transitioning further, or RELAXING. That was the cue right there.
5)Do not pay [full price] for services that weren't rendered. It shouldn't even get to the point that you feel like you have to pay because they stylist has spent hours performing a service that you didn't want.
And the debit card crap is so over the top. Lawd. . . Her rant is lost on me. Where was that attitude in the salon?
