We had an amazing experience today taking our daughter to a new hair stylist. That sounds crazy, it shouldn’t be a thing that is worthy of a blog post. But for moms who have adopted, have kids with hair types different than you do, or simply are overwhelmed by the sheer number of products available for all hair types, what I learned today is worth sharing!

My daughter had gotten a hair cut a few weeks ago that was quite short. Much more than I had wanted it. Then, even though I bought the products recommend, it was still very dry and then began to break off.

I was rather distraught. I had chosen to take her to get her hair cut the first time. She did need split ends cut off, but in no way did she need most of her hair to be completely gone.

I reached out to a friend of mine from college who has beautiful hair and asked her if she knew anyone. Her hair stylist recommended Constance at Faxon Stylz. When I booked my appointment, Constance text me and asked for pictures and what my goals were for her hair. She was very encouraging and told me that a lot of black women didn’t mow how to take care of this hair, so the fact that I am trying speaks volumes.

She did say the cut had to be redone and she put a treatment in her hair. While that was drying, Constance took me to the hair store, where I bought product for her and my son and also hair that can be crocheted in for her.

Crocheted hair. That sounds daunting to me. But she said can leave that in for four weeks and it protects her hair and allows it to grow with no worries about breaking. Once it strengthens we can go to once every eight weeks.

Constance took the time to even show us what was wrong and why her hair was breaking. She cut a small piece off and placed the hair in water. It sank immediately to the bottom of the glass meaning it soaked up water very easily; it also loses the same moisture very quickly. So if you put product in it a lot it just builds up and doesn’t make it actually into the hair.

I also don’t add anything else to her hair until we wash it almost two weeks later. We get a hand towel warm and wrap it on her head and use a spray bottle of water to freshen up the look. This keeps it from being bogged down by product and reactivates what is already in there.

Constance was a wealth of knowledge. She even helped me pick up product for my son. She spent a long time with us and explained things thoroughly. She reassured me that I had not failed as a parent, the breakage was not permanent and not even unhealthy.

The moral of my story is that I have learned that you need a hair stylist who deals with the hair type that you have. You need someone who wants to work to serve you, not the person who acts like you are inconveniencing them, or the person who is just trying to make money or further their business by using you. You want the stylist who knows their science and their product. And you want the person that can make you walk in and feel comfortable and walk out and feel stunning and beautiful! Constance Faxon is that person at Faxon Stylz. I can’t wait to see the sew in all done!