In this world of DIYers, we realize that there comes a point when we cannot DIY for everything, especially when you don't really possess the skills to do it yourself. the question is this: How do we know we have gotten to the point where we cannot do something ourselves? Is it after we have tried and failed or is it as soon as we have a problem we go straight to a professional? what's also important is, which professional should I choose and why? while some professionals excel in some areas, others excel in other ways. Ever went to the salon to get a trim and walk out with a cut? Or went in for a cut and walked out with a trim? Next you head, well I asked the stylist to do this and she did that or I wanted this done and she didn't do it for me exactly how I pictured it?
All in all, these are all valid questions! You are on the right path! Consider your skill level. I will break it down into three levels:
1. The beginner - person who knows nothing about hair, has always gone to the salon to get everything done...doesn't know anything about styling, braiding and barely knows how to keep hair done. the beginner may be able to put a pressed or permed hair into a wrap, can pull hair into a ponytail or is great at picking the perfect hat to cover locks that needs to be tamed, lol.
2. The learner - person is willing to attempt hairstyles, can do braids and make a quick simple do without many complicated styles. This person knows the basic skills in Black Hair 101 (like wearing a scarf or bonnet to bed every night! I am calling no names here! lol)
3. Semi-skilled - person who can see a hairstyle and create it in their hair or someone else's hair. They are methodological in the way they go about washing/co-washing/doing treatments and styling in hair around other things in their schedules. This person may even be able to trim their own hair and possibly even cut their own hair into a style if the time is taken.
Where do you fit? Are you the learner, or perhaps you're semi-skilled...or maybe you're the beginner. Keep in mind these skill levels does not include professionals. A professional is a professional and SHOULD have mastered several skills and SHOULD be fully skilled at several styles...emphasis on SHOULD (side bar: someone just came to my office smelling like 'outside', now my office smells like 'outside' Sigh; where's the AC's remote?)
Where was I? Oh yes, the beginner will find it best to seek professional help when a hair issue arises if it arises. Granted if the beginning continually seeks professional care for hair, his/her stylist should catch issues within weeks and work on them immediately with the beginner's permission of course. However, the learner may seek professional help when they realize that they have attempted to create a protein conditioning treatment using eggs and ended up with scrambled eggs in their hair. No bueno! Don't be discouraged though. Every hair experience is a learning experience and that has no terrible repercussions except it takes time to remove the cooked egg from your hair. *shrug* In comparison, a beginner should not even attempt a DIY trim because that person has no skills at all, however, to move to the next level the beginner may start with easier DIY styles like a conditioning treatment, experimenting with oils to see which works best, etc. Meanwhile, a semi-skilled person may choose to do a DIY trim, but can recognize when a cut may be necessary and see a professional for that OR if skilled enough DIY. A semi-skilled person may rarely seek a professional in everyday styling, but may seek a professional for organic hair coloring, a trim (every 6-8 wks or so depending on hair growth and damage to ends) and even for braiding if a style is too intricate or if the semi-skilled person is being lazy.
Whew, that was a mouthful. I have a few minutes before my break is over, but I wanted to add this. You must keep your skill level in mind when determining when it's time to see a professional. Be honest with yourself and make decisions that are in the health of your hair's best interest. Recognize your limits, embrace them and grow from them if you are so interested. I hope this post was helpful! Blog posts are helpful for persons who are interested in moving from a beginner's level to a semi-skilled level or EVEN to becoming a professional yourself.
Love yourself, Love your hair, Love your natural. Our natural is Beautiful! MuAh & CiAo!
ps. Covering your hair at night using the baggy method, a bonnet, scarf or wrap is absolutely necessary in Black Hair 101
All in all, these are all valid questions! You are on the right path! Consider your skill level. I will break it down into three levels:
1. The beginner - person who knows nothing about hair, has always gone to the salon to get everything done...doesn't know anything about styling, braiding and barely knows how to keep hair done. the beginner may be able to put a pressed or permed hair into a wrap, can pull hair into a ponytail or is great at picking the perfect hat to cover locks that needs to be tamed, lol.
2. The learner - person is willing to attempt hairstyles, can do braids and make a quick simple do without many complicated styles. This person knows the basic skills in Black Hair 101 (like wearing a scarf or bonnet to bed every night! I am calling no names here! lol)
3. Semi-skilled - person who can see a hairstyle and create it in their hair or someone else's hair. They are methodological in the way they go about washing/co-washing/doing treatments and styling in hair around other things in their schedules. This person may even be able to trim their own hair and possibly even cut their own hair into a style if the time is taken.
Where do you fit? Are you the learner, or perhaps you're semi-skilled...or maybe you're the beginner. Keep in mind these skill levels does not include professionals. A professional is a professional and SHOULD have mastered several skills and SHOULD be fully skilled at several styles...emphasis on SHOULD (side bar: someone just came to my office smelling like 'outside', now my office smells like 'outside' Sigh; where's the AC's remote?)
Where was I? Oh yes, the beginner will find it best to seek professional help when a hair issue arises if it arises. Granted if the beginning continually seeks professional care for hair, his/her stylist should catch issues within weeks and work on them immediately with the beginner's permission of course. However, the learner may seek professional help when they realize that they have attempted to create a protein conditioning treatment using eggs and ended up with scrambled eggs in their hair. No bueno! Don't be discouraged though. Every hair experience is a learning experience and that has no terrible repercussions except it takes time to remove the cooked egg from your hair. *shrug* In comparison, a beginner should not even attempt a DIY trim because that person has no skills at all, however, to move to the next level the beginner may start with easier DIY styles like a conditioning treatment, experimenting with oils to see which works best, etc. Meanwhile, a semi-skilled person may choose to do a DIY trim, but can recognize when a cut may be necessary and see a professional for that OR if skilled enough DIY. A semi-skilled person may rarely seek a professional in everyday styling, but may seek a professional for organic hair coloring, a trim (every 6-8 wks or so depending on hair growth and damage to ends) and even for braiding if a style is too intricate or if the semi-skilled person is being lazy.
Whew, that was a mouthful. I have a few minutes before my break is over, but I wanted to add this. You must keep your skill level in mind when determining when it's time to see a professional. Be honest with yourself and make decisions that are in the health of your hair's best interest. Recognize your limits, embrace them and grow from them if you are so interested. I hope this post was helpful! Blog posts are helpful for persons who are interested in moving from a beginner's level to a semi-skilled level or EVEN to becoming a professional yourself.
Love yourself, Love your hair, Love your natural. Our natural is Beautiful! MuAh & CiAo!
ps. Covering your hair at night using the baggy method, a bonnet, scarf or wrap is absolutely necessary in Black Hair 101