The Struggles of Finding a Good Natural Hairstylist

I knew it was a bad idea the moment she picked up the tiny comb. But I was desperate. I had an event in two days, and my regular stylist had moved. So, I sat there, praying this new hairstylist knew what she was doing.

A few minutes in, I realized she didn’t. She tugged, she yanked, and at some point, she said, “This hair is too strong.” Too strong? Still, I smiled through the pain, because what else could I do? When I finally got home, my scalp was screaming, my bank account was lighter, and I still had to lose the hair before I could even get some sleep.

If you’ve ever had an experience like this, then you know what it means to live in fear of the wrong hands touching your coils. For women with natural hair, finding a good hairstylist feels like an Olympic sport.

Walk into a random salon with a crown of coils and curls, and watch how the room changes. The stares come first, then you hear comments like “Your hair is too full” or “This will take forever”. And sometimes, it ends with the ultimate heartbreak: “I can’t make your hair.” 

Imagine walking out of a salon feeling like an unsolvable puzzle, just because you’re wearing your natural hair texture.

The truth is, most salons simply don’t have a natural hairstylist who truly understands what this hair needs. Some will try, but you can tell they’re just experimenting on your head in real time. 

Let’s not even talk about those who braid like they compete for the tightest grip. You sit there with tears in your eyes, and they tell you, “Beauty is pain.” Then there are the ones who leave your hair looking like a rushed school assignment after charging very high rates, oh, and for some reason, being natural automatically means extra charges.

Suddenly, the search for a good natural hairstylist feels like a never-ending cycle of disappointment.

Some hairstylists would even merge relaxed-hair techniques, slapping on blow dryers and straightening irons like they’re fixing a broken chair. But a good natural hairstylist knows better. They understand that natural hair needs patience, moisture, and the right techniques.

The best natural hairstylists create tension without ripping your edges, suggest protective styles that suit your curl pattern, and share tips for growth. Those hairstylists are rare gems, and once you find them, you stick with them like your life depends on it, because, in a way, it does.

Until then, every natural hair girl knows the silent prayer whispered before a new appointment: “Please, don’t let this person ruin my hair.“

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