This may not be something that you think about when making an appointment at a new hair salon, but we have found that taking a little extra time to properly prepare for your hair appointment can lead to better results.

DIASPORA SALON WORKS WITH HAIR IN ITS RAW NATURALLY TEXTURED STATE ONLY.
WE DO NOT WORK WITH HAIR THAT HAS BEEN FLAT IRONED, RELAXED, TEXTURIZED OR KERATINIZED UNLESS YOU WANT THAT HAIR COMPLETELY REMOVED AT YOUR APPOINTMENT.
COLORED HAIR IS FINE.

ARRIVING TO THE SALON

We want your experience at Diaspora to be as pleasant and relaxing as possible, so please allow about 5 minutes of time to find a parking space. Due to the COVID- 19 restrictions, we’ve had to change the way our normal salon experience flows.

*Complimentary parking may be available on our lot in the rear of the salon. The lot is on a small, but widely open street that runs behind the salon called Morton Street. Morton Street sits between Charles and Maryland and is accessible from 24th Street. In our rear window that faces our private lot, you will see a YELLOW ARROW pointing up. Please park diagonally. After parking, you will need to walk around to Charles Street to gain entry into the salon. Our address is 2412 N. Charles Street. If you decide to park on our private lot, you hold all risks associated with damage, harm, theft, etc. to your vehicle. This has never happened, but we have to disclose this for legal purposes!

Street parking is available at a rate of $.50/ hour, in 4 hour increments. We are directly across from Safeway Market in a cluster of brownstones, our windows read "Diaspora Salon" in gold; our entryway is teal blue. Please do not park in Safeway's lot or your car may be towed.

Please see specifics on arrival here.

CONSULTATIONS

A consultation at Diaspora is a one-on-one conversation between the stylist and yourself that’s necessary to access the current state of your hair, home care and goals. Consultations are performed at the beginning at your service appointment. If you have concerns about your hair, please complete our Curl Concern Form.
 

HAIR COLOR PREP

If you use butters, oils, silicones or any type of heavy products such as Shea Moisture, CANTU, Camille Rose, Pantene, As I Am or Mielle, or ANYTHING SIMILAR you MUST detox/ exfoliate/ clarify your hair prior to your appointment using a clarifying shampoo (the shampoo will be labeled “clarifying” or “detoxifying” OR notify us that you’d like to have us prep your hair. Heavy products build up on the hair and WILL affect the results of color service. We also ask that your hair is stretched when you arrive for your color service. Stretched could be a loose Twist- Out, stretched Wash & Go, or any other style where your hair is not compacted into a 'fro. If you have any questions about this, please contact the salon at 410-366-8700.
 

CURLY CUT & HAIR COLOR AT-HOME PREPARATION: 3 steps, that’s it!!

1. DETOX & EXFOLIATE At least a week before your appointment, get ready to detox and clarify your hair if you use ANY products with silicones, butters, or oils in them. Start by shampooing your hair with an oil-free/ butter-free/ silicone- free clarifying shampoo. The shampoo will be labeled “clarifying” or ‘detoxifying”. This means NO, zero, zilch Shea Moisture, Cantu, Camille Rose, Pantene, As I Am or ANYTHING similar. We love Kinky Curly Come Clean a detox/ clarifier shampoo, but any detoxing/ clarifying/ chelating shampoo that doesn't contain petroleum, lanolin, oils, butters, or silicones will do (please do not use apple cider vinegar, or Trader Joe’s shampoo- they do not clarify the hair). Please be sure to use a shampoo that is labeled as a "Clarifier", “Detoxifiyer” or "Chelator". Proceed to Step 2.

2. CONDITION We recommend any conditioner by DevaCurl, Innersense or Curls. But, like the shampoo, any conditioner that is not Shea Moisture, CANTU, Camille Rose, Pantene, As I Am or Mielle or that doesn't contain heavy oils, butters or silicones will work. Proceed to Step 3.

3. STYLE Please arrive with your hair detoxed, conditioned, in a dry Wash and Go/ Curly Set (if you don't know what a Wash and Go/ Curly Set is, see photos). Your curls/ coils should be as defined as possible using a water- based curl defining product. We recommend anything from Deva Curl, Kinky Curly Curling Custard, DIY flaxseed gel, or even Eco- Styler gel. Please refrain from ANY using products from Shea Moisture, Camille Rose, Pantene, As I Am, Cantu, Mielle or anything that contains silicones, petroleum, lanolin, butters, or oils. You may have never attempted a Wash & Go before, and that's fine- just do your best. At your appointment, we will give you feedback and teach you how to achieve your best Wash & Go yet. See photos here for examples.

PLEASE DO NOT use bobby pins, head wraps, ponytails, headbands, rubber bands, hats, clips, etc on the day of your appointment. Your stylist needs to see your natural curl pattern and how your hair falls in order to perform the cut properly. Your hair should be completely out in a dry Wash & Go.

//SMALL PRINT// Failure to follow these guidelines may cause a $75+ service charge, or your appointment to be cancelled. There are no exceptions. Contact us if you need help! And please trust the process! We have been offering this service with these same instructions for over 10 years and following these steps sets you up for success! If you have questions. If you are interested in a Curl Discovery Session, or Wash & Go style only, while it's not required, for best results, we advise you to just follow Step 1 (DETOX) prior to your appointment for best results.

THINK LONG TERM AND WITH REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Sometimes your desired result may not be achievable with just one visit to the salon. If you discuss your hair goals with your stylist, she can recommend a hair regime and timeline that will give you the results and look that you desire. Diaspora Salon works with your real hair, and we are able to achieve gorgeous results without adding hair to styles. If you've been wearing a weave, braids, or your real hair hidden for an extended period of time, we respectfully ask you to please be realistic about the capabilities of real hair. If you have been using products with butters, oils and silicones it will likely take more than one session to achieve your desired results.
Our stylists can advise you on styling options in between appointments, how to care for your hair at home, and also how you can evolve your style through the seasons.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

We appreciate our potential clients for taking the time out to read how to prepare for an appointment with us. It really makes a difference. We invite you to contact us for an appointment and get ready to relax! Thank you for considering Diaspora Salon for your curly hair care needs, we appreciate your business and we hope to see you in the salon soon!

*Please note that neither Diaspora Salon, nor any of its employees, agents or contractors accepts liability for any theft or loss of, or damage, howsoever caused, to vehicles, accessories or contents incurred on the premises of our parking lot.  Additionally, any liability of Diaspora Salon or any of its employees, agents or contractors for personal injury, howsoever caused, suffered by any entrants on the parking lot is hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
For added convenience, street parking is available on Charles Street at a rate of $.50/ hour for 4 hours. Please do not park in Safeway’s lot or your car may be towed.