Finding a GOOD Natural Hairstylist

Let’s face it…

Everyone can’t do natural hair. There are few stylists that have extensive experience styling, cutting, and maintaining type 4 hair.

I’ve been natural for over 10 years throughout this time I’ve shared my run-ins with “natural hair experts”. Yea, that’s a little bit of shade.

Don’t get me wrong… I am a DIY gal. I like to style my hair and make my own products at home. But everyone needs to see a licensed hair professional occasionally.

Here’s a list of 5 DIY Deep Conditioners You Can Make At Home.

A hair professional can provide services and treatments that help your hair and scalp thrive. Combing through each section of your hair, detangling any stubborn knots, assessing the hair for any damage or scalp for issues. A stylist can give you an even trim and really see all split ends in those hard to reach places. In winter, I like to get a deep hydration treatment for my dry scalp at a local salon.

I know with the natural hair movement many of us steered clear of beauty shops. I was one of them. But my hair paid for it. I have since learned my lesson. You can read my story here.

I make sure to schedule an appointment at least 2-3 months for trims and self-care. I really credit my salon visits with helping grow my hair past mid-back length. If you what to know where your hair is here’s a length check.

In the last few years, I’ve moved from Houston, Texas to Las Vegas, NV and then to Atlanta, GA. Each time I move finding a hairstylist a priority.

I want to share some of the tips I use to find a GOOD Natural Hairstylist in your area.

Ask Your Network

Everyone knows a stylist or knows someone who knows a stylist. I usually start by asking my Facebook friends, do you know anyone that does natural hair in my area. The recommendation is even better when the referer and I have similar hair types. This is how I found Salon Balis.

If I don’t get any good leads, I use my other social media channels for a recommendation.

Read Yelp Reviews

Yelp is a review site for local businesses. You can find a salon or stylist by searching the site or app.

I like to check the customer views. That’s where you get the real tea. They’ll let you know if the stylist has a professional manner. If he or she, knows how to style natural hair or just straighten it. We all know that beautician that only wants to blow dry and flat iron natural hair. There’s nothing wrong with doing those things, but maybe you’re looking for someone can give you a twisted updo, instead.

My stylist, Ebony Bomani is no longer in Georgia but she did cute twisted updo that you can see here.

Check Instagram

Instagram is a great way to see a salon or stylist’s portfolio. These pictures will give you are a representation of what hair type and hairstyles they have experience doing. Voice of Hair‘s Instagram’s page highlights hair stylists in various cities.

In addition to following individual stylists, salons, or Instagram pages, you can search specific hashtags. For example, you can search or follow the #AtlantaStylist hashtag. Or your city and ‘stylist’ to find someone in your area.

Search Google

Everyone’s familiar with Google. Google Business pages now display reviews in addition contact information. It also brings up other reviews, blog posts, and special certifications. When it comes to getting my hair cut, I look for Ouidad certified salons. Google is one of the best places to find this information.

Read The Blogs

There were two salons I was interested in visiting, Loop Salon and Too Groovy. After friends recommended Loop Salon. I looked at the salon’s Instagram, searched Yelp and Google for more reviews, and then checked natural hair blogs to see if anyone I follow had an experience with Loop Salon. Jameelah cut and styled Lexi with the Curls hair into a cute taper cut last year. Check her pictures and review.