Barber Shop

Hi everyone,
I wanted to take the time out to discuss an experience I had about two weeks ago. As you know I had my second hair cut after the big chop. I did this primarily because my sister was the one who cut my hair for the big chop and she basically jacked it up (lolz). My hair was uneven every where and I really hated the way it looked. Unfortunately for a while I was confused about where to go to get it cut because by now most of my perm had been cut out and my hair was very natural and nappy! I live in Brooklyn and there's only three types of salons over here. First there's the Dominican salons which cater only to perms, wash and sets, and trims. I couldn't go there because that would mess up my hair, they don't understand what natural hair is and I bet they would try to convince me to get a perm. Next there's the African Braiding salons. uhhh!! don't get me started. They only do braids. Very tight, won't have a strand of baby hair left braids, not cuts. Let alone natural cuts. Third there's the barbershop. and although some of them are unisex I never see any women go in there. I was to embarrassed to venture in because every time I looked inside one there were tons of men and boys just laughing it up. Oh and I forgot, well maybe I didn',t I just wanted to forget. Yes there are a few natural hair salons in Brooklyn like miss jessies. Well if you didn't here's the dirt. They charge a fortune. I called miss Jessies and asked how much a cut would be. I explained to them my entire situation and I was told that the cut comes with a wash and style for $375.00. I nearly died. I thought well o.k I don't need a wash and style just a cut., and was told it would still be 375.00. I'm a teenager. That kind of money doesn't just flow out of my hands. I was so disappointed untill one day while I was passing by a Jamaican restaurant I noticed there was a business card advertising a natural hair salon. I immediately called and set up an appointment, and the price would only be 15.00. I think I went to heaven. When I got there the lady was so kind and sweet and I being naive believed she new what she was doing. She began yanking my hair out with a comb. I was told she was combing it out. I endured it because I thought she's so nice she wouldn't be doing this if she didn't know what she was doing. Wrong!!! Frustration. Frustration. Frustration!!!! is all I felt. In the end she told me another lady would be cutting my hair. But fortunately the lady didn't have the appropriate equipment to cut my hair. So the "kind lady" did me a favor. She took me to the barber shop across the street. She talked to the barber and explained the situation and I was left in his hands. He did a decent job and was real nice. Although I got a few looks everyone was really nice. One guy even gave me a compliment. Although I felt a bit embraced my sister was waiting for me outside and for 2 minutes I walked around the street with no hoodie or scarve on my head. This was the first time since being natural I did that. Although I still feel that this experience was a horrible one it did give me a lot of confidence and helped me to except my natural hair. Since then I've gone out with my little afro everywhere. Well except for school, but that's a whole other story. Also I've learned that there needs to be a salon at least one for natural hair with decent prices and great service. I mean 375.00 for a cut come on. I hope that maybe one day I can open up my own natural hair salon and the cuts will 15.00 (lolz). I just feel that we as natural women don't have much options when it comes to salons. I guess now I understand why most natural women do there own hair. Wow what a journey. Thanks for reading, and please leave your comments. I want to know your experiences.!!!

--thanks,
Bencia