JR Review

Website: None (contact me if you need his info)
About: Barber Stylist who does locs and has them.

Why I went: A lot of the people I know personally go to him to get their locs done.  He did his wife's and they were great.  He seemed like a good person to start with.

Location: Laurel, MD

JR did my big chop.

Making the Appointment: Via text message or phone call.  I can't really plan ahead with JR.  I make contact the week I want my appointment.  Too far in advance, and I'm worried he'll forget.  When I do it that week, I'm worried I won't get in.
 
My Experience With the Venue: JR works out of shops that have one side for barbers and the other side are typical salons.  He can be found on the barber side.  The atmosphere is laid back.

My Experience With the Stylist: JR is concerned with your life.

Before I started going to JR.

My first set of twists.

The Process: JR washes and twists.  He uses a variety of products.  Twisting is done using Barry Fletcher Hair Serum.  The effect is glossy hair that's a bit sticky, but clear.

Time to Pay: Cash only.  After your first service, JR doesn't usually tell you how much the is due.

Overall Take: The only draw back is the ease of making an appointment.  Since my schedule gets so busy, like knowing that I can get in when I need to been seen.  His products aren't all natural, but they get a nice look.

Would I go back? Before finding Urban Nature? Yes.  Now, I'm not sure.

Would I recommend to others?  Yes especially men looking to a masculine atmosphere.

Urban Nature Silver Spring Review

Website: http://www.urbannaturestyles.com
About: Natural hair care salon with three locations in the DC metro area.

Why I went: Doing my hair myself is a lot of work.  I like the freedom it gives me, but there somethings that I need someone else to help with.  Since I started maintaining my hair, I noticed that the sizing of my locs was uneven.  There were some that were way too small and one at the front that was too big. I could go back to JR, who started them, but I wanted someone who was using natural products.  Why put all the effort in on my own to have it reversed by someone I was paying? And I didn't want to have to bring my products with me especially since I haven't figured out what mixtures I like best.

I started doing searches for salons that had stylists who did locs.  I eliminated places which did not show a product listing.  Then I read through the products listed for the remaining salons.  There was only one left standing: Urban Nature Styles. They listed the buttes used for maintenance.  In addition to that, I was able to make appointments online.  I was sold.

Location Selected: Silver Spring, MD

Making the Appointment: After selecting the location, I was able to read reviews left by other customers for each of the stylist.  I read through them and picked the stylist who had a review on loc service with a time that worked for me.  After I submitted my request, I waited for confirmation.  Confirmation was sent via email and text message after a few days.

My Experience With the Venue: I arrived for my appointment a few minutes early.  I was greeted by Angela.  While I waited for my stylist to arrive I was able to look at the products which would be used in my hair.  I smelled the butters available and selected the one to be used in my hair - TAMU, mango scented.  I started reading one of the books they had on natural hair while I waited.  There was only one seat up front so that led me to believe that they don't overbook and I wouldn't have to wait a long time.  The reception area isn't as professional looking (no desk, just a card table and two bookshelves one of which housed the credit card machine), but it serves its purpose.  And since there didn't seem to be a receptionist, no real point in doing too much.

Before

Before

My Experience With the Stylist: Kim started on time.  I first wanted a consultation.  I wanted a chance to go over my needs and get a feel for her.  She listened to my concerns about the sizing and asked me to point out the locs in question.  She then walked me to the back where she washed my hair.  That was followed by a herbal rinse.

Once back in the chair, Kim started to comb out the over sized loc up front.  She commented that it reminded her of when she combed out her locs.  That provided the opening I needed to find out about her loc experience.  Turns out she only had them for 8 months.  She didn't like being limited. Hmm.

The Process: Kim used the comb to twist the unlocked roots.  The rest was palm rolled.  In addition to the butter, a gel was added.  I failed to ask what it was, but based on feel, the lack of description on the jar, and the feel of my hair afterwards, I think it was aloe vera gel.  Drying took place under a hooded dryer.

After

After

Time to Pay: When it was time to pay, I expected about a $65 total.  If you book a consultation, you receive a $15 credit on any service greater than $65.  I assumed that would net out and just leave you with the price of the service.  My actual total before tip and the $1 charge for a credit card transaction was $75.  When I asked about it, she let me know that she didn't charge for the consultation, but since my locs had to be clipped all the way down, she charged by for beginner locs.  Really wish there was a description of what the differences in services were on the website.

Overall Take: The venue was nice.  The staff was professional, but not friendly.  Aside from Angela and Kim, no one said hello although I said so to each of them.  Kim was good, but not great.  I'm not really pleased by the fact that she didn't have the patience to keep her locs for longer.  How is she going to be able to help me when I get frustrated?  Also, there were two locs I asked her to join that now look less than perfect.  She didn't comb them out to combine them. Instead, the unlocked portion is twisted together and the two separate locs have been palm rolled as one.  The effect is a puffy loc.  I liked the process though.  I felt that she cared about my hair and the things that should be put in it.

Would I go back? Yes

Would I request the same stylist? Maybe.  I'd like to have Angela do my hair.  She was more personable, but she has an afro.  I may need to send an email to inquire of her personal loc experience.  If that doesn't work out, I may have to try a different location.

Would I recommend them to others? Definitely

Twist Like This Review

Twist Like This Herbal Putty

Per the website if its creator (www.barryfletcherproducts.com), "Twist Like This Herbal Putty [is a] multi-purpose styling [product which gives] firm hold [and a] glossy finish. For natural hair styling, twist, locs, braids texturizers. Contains african butter, soybean oil, bees wax, Aloe Vera, wheat germ, selenium, vitamin B&E."

I used it for maintenance on the recommendation of the stylist that started my locs. He let me know ahead of time to only use a small amount.  What he should have said was stuff will leave your hair ashy and sticky if you don't use just dabs.  If it was giving my hair the hold I was looking for, I wouldn't feel the need to put on more than just a dab.  I didn't try this product just once though.  On several occasions, I used the putty to retwist after washing and even without washing.  After washing, this product doesn't give the hold I need. Without washing, it worked pretty good to refresh my look.  Unfortunately, like regular putty this product is sticky. Overall, I'm sad I spent $10 on a 4 ounce bottle I probably won't touch again.

Pat Downs Not For Afros Only

Yesterday, I sat at my gate at Dayton International Airport replaying my security screening - my hair got pat down! For many naturalistas this is not an uncommon occurrence.  Although not an excuse, who knows what they may be concealing in that carefully sculpted coiffure? But for me, a person still forming her dreads, I was quite confused. To make matters more interesting I went through the body scanning machine. It decided that there was a square on my head that specifically needed to be examined.

The scanner fully highlighted in yellow what needed to be pat down.

So tell me, which of you put a metal plate in my head when i was asleep? And, have these machines been programmed for racial profiling?
 

A Natural Hair Affair: Shea Butter

This is a post by MzDezy of A Natural Hair Affair. I found it useful and hope you do too.

A Natural Hair Affair: Shea Butter: Shea butter is one of my favorite products to use for my hair and skin. It's definitely something that can always be found in my house. Ther...