I did these zigzag-ish cornrows a few weeks back….i promised I was going to write about it and I never got to doing it.
Well I went to a salon near my place to do this style. This is the first time in my adult life that I have done cornrows. The last time I did them must have been 12 years ago.
The hairstylist was not pleased with my hair, in other words she hated it. She kept on complaining of how its super hard and that i should texturize and relax it for easier management. She also told me that my hair would be perfect for “shaggy” hairstyles. Yes she said shaggy. I asked her what are shaggy hairstyles…she told me dreadlocks! I got offended since I had dreadlocks and they were not shaggy.
I was just laughing at her suggestions. I did get mad for a while but I realised she just doesn’t know much about natural hair.
I had gone with the intention of doing thinner cornrows but the stylist made it clear that its not possible since my hair is kinky…she said they will not come out as smooth if I had relaxed hair. I actually didn’t mind the outcome but before I left I told her to research about natural hair and we all cant have relaxed hair to make work easy at the salon.
*P.S: My website will be down today from 6pm till Monday 9am for maintenance and a bit of a surprise 
15 Comments
I love your corn rows….and i hate it when hair dressers complain about natural hair…yet its their job to work on the hair regardless of whether its natural or relaxed.But atleast she did a good job i like the cornrows.
I’m so sick of hairstylists here..they know NOTHING about natural hair! From trying to convince us to relax our hair, to trying to fry out hair with blow driers, it’s sad!
u did good to tell to research bt i dnt think she will head ur advice.so sad ur website will b down cz thats its my breakfast in the morning.read u monday
You should have slapped that saloonist…funny how people embrace relaxed hair so fast n they forget their own kinky, fluffy, bushy natural hair…well here is to u and to me and to many others rocking natural hair…power to us!
Looking forward to the surprise!
I’m not really surprised by her reaction, I have been told the same thing before. I think the beauty schools only teach the use of chemicals. I have worn cornrows countless times, and I don’t use relaxers.
You can cornrow hair even if it’s kinky, whether small ones or large ones. As a child, one of my hairdressers even preferred hair that was not blow-dryed to maximum straightness.
My suggestion is to maybe blow-dry your hair a little at home. I discovered most salons in Nairobi have dryers that are way too hot! It will help reduce tangling when she is working on your hair.Also, make sure it’s well combed through and moisturized,
You may also want to find a new braider. Someone who even though they are not familiar with natural hair, listens to you and accomodates your likes and dislikes. Ask friends for recommendations for example. If you see someone with nice looking cornrows or braids ask them where they got it done. Good luck!
That saloonist has made it clear that she can not handle natural hair. Myself, i would never step a foot in that salon again. I would suggest you find a nice saloonist who knows much about natural hair and does not complain.
I used to make my hair in Kenyatta market stall 172 ( have worked there myself too ) and they are nice people unless there’s a new owner. You may want to try them.
On a different note, i like the cornrows and i think they look good on you. Oh, and thank you for inspiring me to big chop my hair. I’ve never been so happy with my natural hair before. Keep posting more post on natural hair. I look forward to read them.
Michelle
nice head band, where did you get that..been looking for them all over
You can get at 4U2 in Sarit Centre for only KES 150
First things first, I love your cornrows! Secondly, your hairstylist is full of BS!! I have natural hair too, and I still rock smaller cornrows. I guess its self-hate and there’s nothing you can do about such people really.
I think you’d better get a new hair stylist though. I can’t abide by rudeness and have been known to change salons with the quickness!!
loviiiing ur cornrows..i like them so much but wouldn’t have the heart of dealing with a stylist again after my last session.i tried to explain how my hair should be handled, she kept on complaining even asked her colleague if they could switch because she could handle my natural hair…n all i wanted were mini twists,.which i cud have easily done myself but didn’t have the time.i have since decided to stick to bantu knots,.till i can find an understanding stylist..one who’s open to learning and handling natural hair with a smile.
you told the hair dresser the right thing,..your hair is beautfl
thanks Nancie for this.at-least you keep promises.i love the new website,i open it,and i know you own it.the way you have personalized it,is really nice.
Thank you
and you’re welcome
I really like the hairlook and your blog looks amazing!
xx
N.