Most of us know that our relationship with a hairstylist is important: it has to be cultivated over a period of time. Many with natural hair trust their hair stylist because they’ve been together for years. If you’ve recently gone natural, moved to a new city, or just need a change, you may have started searching for a new natural hairstylist and you might be overwhelmed. At the risk of sounding dramatic, choosing a natural hair stylist can be stressful. If you’re not sure where to start, or if you’re feeling stuck, here are a few tips on choosing your natural hair  stylist.

Search Social Media

One of the best things about social media is that it is essentially a database of available goods and services. If you’re just starting your search for a stylist, simply hop on Instagram and search #yourcitynaturalhairstylist. Similarly, you can find stylists on Youtube or Facebook. Social media is also great because you can see examples of the stylist’s work before you book an appointment. You can see what their specialty is and decide if they may be a good fit for you. For example, if a stylist specializes in silk presses but you mostly wear your hair curly, they may not be for you. Social media is a great first stop when looking for a stylist.

Read the Reviews, But Be Cautious

Reviews can be helpful but also tricky: they can be skewed by people with personal issues who make negative views as well as friends and family who post false positive reviews. This is where you’ll need to use your judgment. Take a look at what people are saying about a particular stylist’s professionalism, styling capability, and hair care knowledge as a whole. Try to see what you would be getting as a full package. Also, if all the reviews are negative, take that as a sign.

Schedule a Consultation

Before setting an appointment, you may want to set up a consultation. Some stylists may offer this service for free while others may charge a small fee. Either way, a consultation can be valuable when you’re looking to select a natural hair stylist. This is a great opportunity for you to communicate your hair’s needs, hair goals (if you have any), and receive any feedback from the stylist regarding your natural hair. This conversation will help you decide if a stylist fits your needs, budget, and overall vibe.

Talk About Products

If you find yourself a little stuck in your search, figure out what salons and stylists use the same product lines as you. Figure out they have the styling tools to serve you best. If a particular salon doesn’t have the tools or products that you prefer to use to care for your hair, then they may not be the right fit for you.

Try a Few Stylists Before Committing

So you did all the research, booked a consultation, set an appointment and got your hair styled. Everything went okay but you’re just not SURE. That’s okay! You don’t have to commit to one stylist after one appointment. Try a few other people in your area to see who you work with best and go from there. At the same time, if you get your hair done once and love it, don’t feel like you need to shop around. Book with that stylist again and start building a relationship with them.

If you’re having trouble finding a natural hair stylist, check our online directory with over 400 hairstylists listed and search for a hairstylist in your area.