Wash Day (3): The Salon Experience

Hello Loves, I know I haven't posted any washday post in a while. This is because during my past two washes, I stuck to my normal routine and I didn't want to bore you with that. Anyways, this week was a bit different. I recently came back to Nigeria for a little vacation and my normal washday was supposed to be on Sundays, however, laziness got the best of me. Until my very good friend, who is also natural introduced me to the lady that washes her hair. Due to the fact that I have been lazy, I decided to take the back seat for a while and let someone do my hair for me. Anyone that knows me would know this is like a "nono" for me as I am very particular with the way people handle my hair, and sometimes, I can get a bit too much (or do I? hehehe). 

Anyways, so this is how it went:

(1) I got to the salon and explained to the lady that I would like to get my hair washed and conditioned. She agreed and told me to seat at the washing hair station, and as she prepped me with a towel around my neck and all that, she brought out her comb and was about to comb through my dry hair. At this point my, what some would call, fussy behaviour, came out as I knew that combing my hair dry would cause a lot of problems, I simply told her that she should please wet my hair first. There was no four-part division, as I would normally do. But I think this is okay when someone else is doing your hair, as they have a better view of what’s going on unlike when you work on your own hair. 

She processed to wet my hair and shampoo using my slufate free Crème of Nature Argan oil Moisture and Shine Shampoo. She lathered three times which I feel was okay/needed. The shampoo process went smoothly, apart from her using her nails instead of the pad of her fingers. Anyways I corrected her and she listened.

(2) Next came the condition part. This was pretty simple and straightforward. Didn’t involve a three hour long under a plastic bag or steamer situation, but she did leave it on for about 15mins, during which she proceeded to comb my hair. Yep, no shed hair was removed prior to the shampoo, or even during the shampoo. It was only now that the comb touched my hair, which to be honest, was okay. My hair felt soft after the shampoo and even softer when she applied the mixture of ORS replenishing conditioner and Crème of Nature intensive conditioning treatment. I used both products because they are both moisturising but with a little boost of protein. The combing process was not bad, however, my friend intervened when she wanted the comb from root to end as opposed to end to root.

She combed carefully through any tangles and loosened them with no fuzz. I truly would say that I didn’t experience any breakage, only shed hair, however, I didn’t inspect the comb so I am not 100% sure. But I do feel you know when your hair breaks/is breaking and otherwise, hence my statement. After all was done, we washed and then came the moisture, sealing and styling part.

(3) I brought out my kinky coily knot today leave in conditioner, my grape seed oil and my raw Shea butter. I explained that on each braid section, she should simple apply the leave in conditioner, then the oil and lastly a little Shea butter, comb through and then braid. And she did exactly that, to my dripping wet hair. She even sprinkled water on parts that were already drying up.

I decided to opt for the single braids rather than cornrows, and I was pleasantly surprised that she could braid it that way, as I have been skeptical about the ends being able to hold and what not. The length also surprised me, I think my hair has grown a lot; of cause I’ll do a length check soon to show my progress. I plan to do this at the two-month mark, so be on the look out.

All in all, I enjoyed my salon experience, it was quick, straight to the point and relatively cheap (1000 naira), and my hair turned out great. It’s been four days now and my hair still feels soft and moisturised.

I have heard that she can do all the homemade product treatments as long as you bring your products (avocado, egg and the likes). I plan on going back in couple of days for my next wash, which would involve some of these as I plan on doing braids soon. I will definitely keep you guys posted and if the experience is good, and she and my friend agree, I will share her info for those of you natural hair ladies in Abuja, Nigeria that would like to take a break once in a while from doing their own hair.

For now, go check out more healthy hair wash day posts at Wash Day Experience

I went from twist out, to single braids to back under the wig!!

Love,

Dumsy