So not a bad idea to go to a salon when you are on vacation in NY.
More and more often I get emails from people who come to New York asking if I know a salon where they can go. Dolores also sent me the following.
Dear Mireille,
I am subscribed to your newsletter and get useful and fun tips from it. At the moment I am in NY city and want another natural style. Maybe you can give me some good hairdressers. Do you have a good tip for me?
Thank you in advance!
kind regards,
delores wheels
Of course I wanted to help but in New York alone there are about 5,000 black hairdressers. All with different specialties and prices. For a good referral it is therefore important to know what you want and how much you want to spend. Actually the latter is the most important because there are really endless possibilities.
An extensive consultation with a salon can be enlightening and point you in the right direction. A consultation is included with every treatment. If you do not want a treatment or a haircut but just advice, you will pay around $15 to $35.
Dolores has been natural for years but has never really grown her hair out. She likes short and easy. She usually wears her hair in an afro.
During an extensive consultation, questions are asked such as how do you care for your hair, how often do you condition it, how do you normally wear your hair? Of course, you will also be shown hairstyles and you can indicate which ones you like. Here is a link to the questions that you must answer at least for a good consultation”: Khamit Kinks Questionaire.
So Dolores initially wanted something with cornrows or locs. After a personal consultation with Anu Prestonia, the owner of Khamit Kinks she decided to go for this fresh, smooth “Straw Set” and she was more than happy with it. She looks gorgeous, doesn’t she?
The price is almost linked to the service. The most affordable hairdressers are the so-called “sweat shops” in Harlem. There African women braid and twist for a very reasonable price. You should not expect luxury. It is like a braid factory, they ask for braids. You sit in a regular chair, usually in a closed space without sinks to wash your hair and often without ventilation. For simple cornrows or kwikwiba you pay about $30.
Then there are the uber luxurious and expensive salons where famous stars get their hair done. Of course the prices are much higher here. You can have your hair washed, creamed, steamed, the most luxurious treatments are possible and you really feel like a princess. At these salons you have to make an appointment in time, usually a week in advance. They work on a schedule and if you can't make it you have to cancel 24 hours in advance otherwise the full amount will be charged.
For those who aren't coming to NY to get pampered, you can recreate Dolores' hairstyle yourself. See Loc Glove for instructions.
