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| Make-up tutorial for Skin tone no.2 Medium Olive (left) and Skin tone no.3 Dark brown (right) |
Black hairdressers don't always get a good wrap in the Natural Community and unfortunately a lot of the criticisms thrown in their direction are not unfounded. Instances of ignorance, unprofessionalism and down right shocking customer treatment are definitely not unique to Black hairdressers, but they're not as uncommon as they should be. Who hasn't heard a cautionary tale or experienced themselves salon treatments gone wrong, or stylist's that don't seem to know or, perhaps worse, care about what they are doing to a client's hair? It's for reasons like this that I and many other curly girls surfing the Natural Hair Movement have stared away from stylists.
When it comes to hair, I'm of the opinion that if it's growing out of my body I should know how to look after it better than anyone else, and if I don't, I'll learn! If I want hair advice I don't look to stylists or magazines or even female relatives, I go to the 'Net. I look to women, many of whom don't have formal hairdressing qualifications but who, through lots of research, trial and error and patience are walking around with awesome healthy heads of hair.
The Black Hairdressing and Beauty Training Manual made me check some of my assumptions about Black hairdressing. Although there isn't much information specifically about natural hair care, there is lots about basic salon hair and beauty from the scientific breakdown of treatments to how to provide proper client consultations and even how to successfully set up and run a hair care business. The Black Hairdressing and Beauty Training Manual has the all information that you would expect to be a standard part of hairdresser training, but from previous visits to salons where some of the stylists seemed to lack basic hair care knowledge and customer services, it makes you wonder.
I think the problem is two-fold. Firstly, most Black hairdressers aren't used to catering to natural hair. Secondly, is the lack of regulation throughout the UK hair industry as a whole. A quick web search revealed that there are many UK Hair associations and organisations that offer qualifications and training, but no nationwide regulation. Membership to bodies like The Hairdressing Council, which was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament and is state registered, is voluntary. It's shocking that people can offer a range of treatments like those available at standard salons without being qualified. Treatments that, if done incorrectly, could seriously damage someone's hair, body or general health!
The most interesting thing about The Black Hairdressing and Beauty Training Manual however, is its author, Hyacinth Jarrett. Hyacinth is a successful Black business woman with 40 years of experience in her field. Originally from Jamaica (brap!), qualified nurse Hyacinth came to England in the 1950s, settling in Birmingham. In 1970 she set up her own hair business because of a lack of salons that were willing or able to cater for Black hair, and in doing so became the first Black person to set up a business in her local area. Her salon, Jarrett's Hairdressers, stood on the same street in West Bromwich until 2011 when she retired from hairdressing. In an interview with Black newspaper, The Voice that year Hyacinth said,
“ I always say the secret of good hairdressing is to know your job, treat customers with respect and be very confidential. Never divulge what is discussed. In the salon here I’ve always wanted to create a home from home where clients can come and feel comfortable, have coffee and chat.”
As well as her business, Hyacinth has made invaluable contributions to the education of Black hairdressing in the UK, helping to establish training programmes and organisations like the Hairdressing Training Board, now called Habia (Hair and Beauty Industry Association), and as a community figure head she has promoted and supported the local Caribbean community, which she continues to do since retiring from hairdressing. For her business and community efforts Hyacinth has received several awards.
Women like Hyacinth Jarrett and Winifred Atwell, who I posted about last year, are pioneers in UK Black hair care. As testament to her achievements, when she retired from hairdressing in 2011 Hyacinth's story was featured on the regional news. We don't hear enough about successful women, let alone Black women, so naturally sharing this was a no brainer, enjoy!
“ I always say the secret of good hairdressing is to know your job, treat customers with respect and be very confidential. Never divulge what is discussed. In the salon here I’ve always wanted to create a home from home where clients can come and feel comfortable, have coffee and chat.”
As well as her business, Hyacinth has made invaluable contributions to the education of Black hairdressing in the UK, helping to establish training programmes and organisations like the Hairdressing Training Board, now called Habia (Hair and Beauty Industry Association), and as a community figure head she has promoted and supported the local Caribbean community, which she continues to do since retiring from hairdressing. For her business and community efforts Hyacinth has received several awards.
Women like Hyacinth Jarrett and Winifred Atwell, who I posted about last year, are pioneers in UK Black hair care. As testament to her achievements, when she retired from hairdressing in 2011 Hyacinth's story was featured on the regional news. We don't hear enough about successful women, let alone Black women, so naturally sharing this was a no brainer, enjoy!
Kanika x
Hi,do you know where I can get a copy of The Black Hairdressing and Beauty Training Manual?
ReplyDeleteHi MH, sorry I don't. I was given my copy by a friend who's college no longer needed it. Its an old book so you're best bet may be a library.
DeleteHi MH, sorry I don't. I was given my copy by a friend who's college no longer needed it. Its an old book so you're best bet may be a library.
Delete