This may be a foreign topic depending on where you live, but most of the east coast ladies will find this to be a familiar subject.
I was introduced to Dominican salons approximately two years ago while in Silver Spring, Maryland. I ventured into Mary's Stylists with no appointment and really no expectations. I left with a head full of bouncy hair and self-confidence. I usually play my own stylist but when I do put my hair in the care of professionals I head primarily to Dominican salons.
So what's the difference between African American salons and Dominican salons?
I was raised in black salons and I have my good stories – and my bad. The one defining difference between the two is how your hair is managed and what you pay at the end of the visit. For example, when I visit traditional black salons I usually get a wash, wrap and bumped curl on my ends. The process is quite simple and my hair is usually treated with products such as Dudley's, Mizani or Paul Mitchell. A heavy oil such as Kemi is applied to my hair at the end to soften the curl and I always get a coat of Finisheen to keep my tresses glossy as I walk out the door. Does this sound familiar?
Now onto the Dominican salon. If you're smart you will arrive early because most have a walk-in policy and we all know
that Friday and Saturdays are busy. It's like hitting the mall on Black Friday. When you arrive there's a whole process – much like ordering from the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld. You nod at the person behind the front desk to be sure they've acknowledged you, you take a seat and you wait for someone to come by and get you.
You're usually greeted by a person who takes you to the back and sits you down – very little speaking is done. Your hair is washed with products usually with no labels. I've since discovered that some salons use products by Salerm, Lacio Lacio and Alfaparf. Unfortunately, you won't find these labels at your local beauty supply store. Yet, I've managed to find one online store that carries most of their products (click on 'Beauty and Health' then 'Hair Care').
Once you're washed and conditioned then comes the rollerset. This is where it gets tricky. You're usually spoken to for the first time and asked which color rollers you want. I go with the medium size rollers (gray) so that I have some curl to my hair. Once you're rolled up under the hood dryer you go. Depending on the length of your hair you could be under for one hour or nearly two. The heat is so strong and powerful and yet I've sat under the dryer for ninety minutes.
Once you're dry, it's time for the infamous blowout.
The rollers are removed and out comes the round brush and blow dryer. This is the process I've been unable to duplicate at home. The stylist is literally using the roundbrush and the heat from the dryer to straighten your roots and bend your ends. Each section of the hair is treated until your entire head is done. For me, the latter takes approximately twenty minutes and if you're tender-headed I suggest you grab some aspirin. During my visit, I winced in pain every time the dryer came near my scalp but wouldn't you know it I couldn't get over the results once she was done. My hair is usually coarse and rarely holds a curl but she managed to do in one day what I had been trying to do my whole life and I had the nerve to gasp when she said I had to pay $40. The amazing part is that the curls lasted two weeks (yes, I had the nerve to test this) and dare I say it, I didn't wrap my hair not one night.
So, if my story hasn't scared you I've got a great link to a database with Dominican salons across the U.S. put together by a DS fan. She's adding to the list so you may want to bookmark it in case you don't see a salon in your city just yet.
I'd like to hear your experiences with Dominican salons – both good and bad. Some of you have already posted your thoughts in the Hair Talk board.
About the Author | More Posts from the Hair Blog | Find a Dominican Salon
Comments: (520)
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By: Gail on 8/01/2007 4:30PM
You are so right about the Dominican Salons, they do your hair way better that African Salons..I've been in Florida since 2004 and can hardly find any African Salons to go to to get my hair done..So one day my friend was going to go and get her hair done so I decided to tag along to see what they can do. I was nervous at first, Dominicans don't know what to do with my hair. So the next thing I knew my hair was so bouncy and straight. I haven't look back sinced.
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By: dinetta davis on 8/01/2007 4:07PM
i was very impressed about the info on dominican hair salons. i have wanted to go to one for the past two years, never knew where one was. i know a few women who have gone, without a fresh perm, and they would come back looking like a million dollars. i plan on visiting one in phila., i now have micro braids, they will be coming out this week. since i have the names and address of about five of them. again thank you for sending out this info. i will send in my comments once i visit the shop.
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By: scheril on 8/06/2007 7:47PM
Yes I must agree that dominican hair salons have an amazing ability to blowout hair. My stylist is Maida and she is wonderful. I have very thick curly hair and when she is done it looks wonderful. Best option if you need a good blowout!
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By: Alesandra on 8/01/2007 5:56PM
My first visit to a Dominican Salon was in Miami, Florida. My coarse hair was left bouncing and beautiful! I live in Michigan now and I truly miss my Dominican sistahs.. when I leave the salon here in MI, I am writing a check for at least $85, Dominican Betty would charge $40 and that's with conditioner & not a lot of conversation. You ladies enjoy getting your brushing from the Dom Salons! You look marvelous.
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By: Gemini on 8/02/2007 10:34PM
Anyone that has visited one of the Dominican Salons, are they full service? Do they do any trendy hair cuts or from a picture? Do they treat your hair also? Would you recommend for damaged (over relaxed) hair?
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By: Josie on 8/02/2007 12:14AM
I've been going to a Dominican woman who works out of her home for 8 years. Not only do I get a head full of bouncy hair with lots of body and shine, I get a plate of chicken, rice & beans and salad!!
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By: LINDA on 8/02/2007 3:09AM
I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT A Dominican SHOP TO HAVE MY HAIR DONE.
IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN GIVE THE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT SHOPS IN THE RICHMOND, VA AREA?
DO THEY DO THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BRAIDS?
IF YOU KNOW SOME GOOD, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. MY HAIR IS NOW NICE, SOFT & BOUNCY AND I WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO SAY THAT WAS.
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By: Barbara on 8/02/2007 11:41AM
I love getting my hair done by the dominican sista's. They are quick, efficient and professional. The only other salons I love as much are the ones owned by the Puerto ricans in Jerzy. Since I have moved south I can not find a salon that handles my thick, coarse hair and makes it heal the way they do. Plus the time spent in the salon here is anywhere from 4-6 hours for simple issues like a retouch. I truly miss the in and out of the dominican salon and the gourgeous hair they trnasformed my locks into.
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By: Barbara on 8/03/2007 10:48AM
They are absolutley the best in managing my thick, coarse hair without an extended wait time. I love getting my hair done by them. The only comparison to their style of quick service is the puerto ricans. Both are economical and more than worth the money you spend. I currently live in the south, can anyone explain why it takes 4-6 hours to get your hair done down here? In jerzy i could get in and out the dominican salon 2-2.5 tops if it was really busy.
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By: Melicent on 8/02/2007 1:53PM
Your experience with the Dominican hairstylists is the exact same here on Staten Island, New York EXCEPT... even with my long hair they only charge 15.00 (plus a tip). I noticed they use avocado based products.
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