This is not an issue that can be painted with a broad (general) brush. I say the Proof is In the Pudding. The general rule involves careful observation of how the cosmotalogist(s)/barber maintains their own hair. Here in Roanoke too many are unable to use their own hair and its condition as an example of their skill. Face it, I can do no better for you than I am able to do for myself. It often surprises me here to see cosmotalogists/professional braiders here report for work with head rags on their heads and dressed inappropriately. I prefer not to have exposed arm pits, shaved of unshaved, over and around my head—wear a smock. The question is not one goes to school longer but rather the issue is do you walk the walk in you haircare business or just talk the talk in efforts to cheat the customer. The hair care provider is not the issue here, the issue is the customer. I feel too many have loss sight of this REALITY.

I have received excellent services from those who professionally braid hair and those that apply chemicals. Let’s face it we have good and bad on both sides.

I find Braids, Chemicals and Hairstyles are interchangeable. Meaning simply: Most of my acquaintances that get their hair braided have some kind of chemical in their hair and those that prefer wearing their hair in a “relaxed” state sometime flow between braids and straight-hair styles. What can you do??

I live in the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia, city of Roanoke. I find less innovation in the art and science of hair styling. Everyone wants your money. My problem here would be with greedy cosmotalogists that place less importance on learning/improving their craft than trying to hog every dollar in sight. My experiences in disappointment here have involved those professionals that apply chemicals with wreckless abandonment to the detriment of the paying customers and those that braid hair in such manner as to damage and cause hair breakage. The braid shouldn’t be so tight that it appears one has had a face lift.

I myself am not a cosmotalogist but am still a member of your Insiders Club. WHY?? I offer byway of reason the atrocious situation here in this beautiful little city. I must learn to professionally do my own hair. I have never lived anywhere, but Roanoke, where I felt it necessary to join a private, professional group so as to learn to professionally do my own hair.

Therefore, I won’t speak in generalities. I speak specifically of my own area (Roanoke, VA) and the situation here which I find to be just terrible. It’s all about the greed and the money. The best option here is to have your hair done at the local beauty school. The beauty schools maintain the basics, oversight and professionalism. I found these two element in short supply in many of the professional salons that offer both braids and chemicals.

I found myself feeling ripped off after visiting some of the chemical salons here in Roanoke. They’re taking shortcuts and booking more (money) customers than they can possibly handle. It reminds me of WELFARE wherein a pattern emerges: You go for your appointment and find multiple persons with the exact same appointment time as yours. Greed erodes quality and the customer suffers. I find myself feeling ripped off when I visit braiding salons where hair is braided much to tightly and under conditions lacking professionalism…

The feeling seems to be the professional hair styler, whether those that braid or initiate chemicals, seem to view themselves as doing the customer a BIG FAVOR wherein the customer must bend and bow (while receiving substandard services)and pay to boot. Excuse me, did you say you wanted a tip??

I have even attempted to get various cosmotalogists to join your Club, Insiders, so as to learn. I have not found one yet willing to join (but they want to view your Insiders Club website). I alone view and learn from your site. I have never and will never allow anyone to view Insider Club Website through me unless a member.

Can you imagine Marquetta, a cosmotalogists willing to view your web page and steal you ideas but not willing to pay your small fee and benefit from your knowledge while giving you your props? Perhaps now you better understand what I’m dealing with here in beautiful Roanoke: Beautiful people providing hair care services with very limited skills.

I find the majority of professional hair care providers here, that I have encountered, to be slow to initiate steps to learn/keep abreast of innovations in the field but quick to raise their prices. I found just the opposite when I lived in Atlanta, GA. (all over the country and even while stationed in Germany). German cosmotalohists knew how to do my (so-called ethnic) hair, chemicals or braids—and my hair flourished. Everywhere, except Roanoke, I found the prices were competitive, commensurate with skill. I also found a distinct level of pride and professionalism accompanied any hair style executed for the paying customer.

I advise while in the beautiful city of Roanoke and surrounding areas———-Avoid Chemicals—–Leave Your Hair Natural, Wear a wig and join the Insiders Club. Let
your beautiful hair grow naturally. Bottom line, learn to do your own (or travel regularly).

JeneseEvon

Hello Marquetta,you just don't know this hair braiding business has gone beyond,Iam in S.C. braiders do not have any rules thru state board and they sure don't check things out.With me being a salon owner they want to work and they pay the booth rent and that's all good,What is happening they get that braiders license and they are running with it doing everything but braids,and I don't want to have to babysit to make sure.So what should the licensed person should do what should we all do I don't think it's right 6hours to our 1500 plus and contiuing ed.