Before I came to Spain I had extensions put in my hair to buy myself a little time until I was able to find someone to care for my hair during my two years abroad. So I knew I was going to have to take take out the extensions eventually. My hair is natural, which means, NO chemicals / NO relaxer. When I was in the states I would wash and flat iron my hair myself most of the time, but previous travelers told me that my CHI flat iron would break even if I used a converter, so I didn’t bring it.
After a couple of weeks in Spain, finding a CHI or its so-called European equivalent, the GHD, was nearly impossible to find or cost at least 200 euros (280.00 USD). I made it up in mind to just find someone to do “two-strand twists” so that I wouldn’t have to worry about buying a flat iron, and it would also be healthier for my hair in general. I was able to find two hair salons (Peluquerías) that I’d hoped would suit my hair care needs.
This past Saturday I decided to go through with it, and take out the extensions. I had visited both salons nearly 3 and 4 times each just to get a feel for the place, and to look at products, prices and techniques. At the last visit with the shop I chose to try first, I brought pictures to clear up any last minute confusion on what I wanted. That obviously didn’t help.
Her first mistake was tugging on my hair to get the kinks out during the detangle/condition phase… big NO, NO. Then, she pulls out the blow dryer to “semi-dry” my hair before beginning the two-strand twists, second RED flag. Then, she proceeds to put small twists randomly throughout my “dry” hair. No moisturizer, no oil, no water! Just dry twisted hair. When she gets done, she takes “butterfly clips” to pin up all of the 6 or 7 (Yes, six or seven) twists, toward the center to give the illusion of a mini ponytail. I’m staring at this disaster the whole time trying to keep my eyes from swelling up with tears.
I ended up paying for the hair-do from hell anyway…thirty-seven euros (51.00 USD). I couldn’t hold back the tears when I left the shop. I didn’t even want to go home to my host family because I was so embarrassed. I called my ex-boyfriend at the time to calm me down and lift my spirits. I was just so hurt, because I was so excited to get my hair done. I decided to go to the second salon to tell the lady what happened. I had made friends with her and should have chosen her salon from the beginning. She was able to wash and “blow out” (straighten without using a flat iron) my hair into a perfect wrap look. I had spent my last 37 euros at the previous salon, but she was kind enough to do it and allow me to pay her back later. I will NOT be returning to the first hair salon. It was truly a “learning experience”.
