FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you all work with clients who are transitioning to natural or have heat damaged hair?
Diaspora Salon works with hair that is in it’s naturally textured state ONLY. We do not work with straightened, relaxed, texturized, keratinized, or heat- straightened/ heat damaged/ heat altered hair, unless you want that compromised hair cut off. There are no exceptions! If you are interested in actively transitioning, please wait to schedule an appointment with us until you are ready to fully commit to cut the damage and rock your curls.

What is a landmark near you?
We are on N. Charles Street between 24th and 25th Sts., and right across from Safeway Market.

When was the salon established?
In January 2015 we became Diaspora Salon to focus on curly and coily hair to represent the black cultural and geographical history of those that visit and work in our salon.

What do you specialize in?
We specialize in the cutting, coloring and styling of loose 100% naturally curly and coily hair. We are definitely unique in our service options. We perform curly cuts, color services, twists, rod sets, highlights and more. Our stylists are licensed senior cosmetologists and skill certified, so feel free to book with any one whose available on the date you’d like to come in. We love wavy hair too, but at this time, our focus is solely on curly and coily hair.

I'd like a consultation before I schedule; can I just walk in?
We are unable to offer walk- ins and stand- alone consultations. All appointments begin with a consultation. If you're a potential new client and have questions or concerns about your hair, please complete our Curl Concern Form here. For hair color, the Color Request Form is required to secure a hair color appointment with us.

Do you all classify curl types?
Not reallllly. Uness we’re discussing the specific width of your curl/ coil pattern. We're more concerned with your hair's hydration level, density, porosity, feel and overall integrity. Remember, curl typing only refers to the size of your curl; it has nothing to do with the health or possibilities of your hair!

What exactly is a Hybrid Curly Cut?
A Hybrid Curly Cut is a specialized way of cutting curly hair. The hair is cleansed, conditioned and softly blown dry. Then, accounting for your hair’s various curl patterns and textures, we shape it. Then, we style in a Wash & Go and make any adjustments needed after your hair is dry. This cut is perfect for those that wear their hair in ways other than a Wash and Go, such as a Twist- Out. There is no prep for a Hybrid Curly Cut.

What happens if I show up for a Curly Cut and my hair is not prepared?
It is a requirement to come in for your Curly Cut with your hair detoxed and in a Wash and Go style using water based products. This specialty cut is a 2 part process, and Part 1 begins at home! If you come to your appointment unprepared, you run the risk of us cancelling your appointment and being charged the full cost of the service, or incurring a $75 Prep Fee if we have the time to prep your hair. We'd hate to do this, so please come with your hair prepped. Please don’t over think it; it’s 3 steps! Trust the process!

Why do you require a deposit when booking?
To ensure that our salon is able to run at our goal capacity, we do not have the ability or bandwidth to constantly cancel and reschedule appointments. Requiring Reservation Fees ensures that our customers will make appointments with us that they will be able to attend. This is becoming an industry standard.

My hair is just so dry and kinky, I know it's not curly, so what is it?
Most of our hair (black women of the African diaspora) is wavy, curly or coily (coils are super tiny curls). Some of our hair has more of a zig- zag pattern. The tighter the curl/ coil, the drier the hair will be. This means you must hydrate with water- based products more frequently— not pure water, but products that are water- based. We’ll talk your head off about this when you come into the salon!

Do you offer braiding services or extensions? Do you provide hair?
At this time we do not offer any braiding nor extension/ weave services. We work with your raw, naturally textured hair hair only! Colored hair is ok, too.

I want color, but I don't want it to be high maintenance. What can I get? 
How often can you commit to getting your hair colored? If you're covering gray hair, want multi- dimensional color, or want to go a lot lighter, expect a bit more upkeep. If you'd like less retouches or maintenance, maybe consider highlights, where you may only need a retouch 2-3 times per year, as the grow out is a lot more natural looking and you can go longer in between retouches. Kindly know that color is a chemical service and will require some additional maintenance to keep your hair at its best.

Do you work with children? Do you discount prices?
At this time we work with adults, 18 and over only.

What is a Wash & Go? Do I really just wash and go??
A Wash & Go is also know as Curl Setting. It's how your hair looks after you cleanse, condition and detangle in small sections to medium sections. At that point, it's defined and you can see your curl pattern perfectly! You lock that look in with a water- based styling gel. Please DETOX your hair prior to your appointment if you use products with oils or butters. Trust us. While it’s not required, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

Are you all on social media?
Yep! We're on all major social media platforms as Diaspora Salon!

I booked three services but I think I want just one. Can I change the service/s I want the day of my appointment? 
Noooope. Canceling a color or styling service the day of your appointment counts as a cancellation. If you are unsure of the style or service you want, or need to make changes you must do so following our cancellation policy. If you're confused about what you want, please call or email us your ideas prior to reserving time with a stylist. Check out our photos to see what you’re interested in having done.

Where can I leave a review?
Google, Yelp, NaturallyCurly.com, and DevaCurl.com. We do not pay for reviews or ask for them to be removed. Like any established business, sometimes we get a bad review. Hey, it happens! But we have way more positive reviews than negative! We appreciate our clients’ feedback, good or bad.

Will color damage my hair? Can I just color my own hair?
Maintaining the integrity of your natural texture, and overall health is our top priority, and we would never do anything to jeopardize that. The products we use while coloring hair virtually eliminates the damage that can be caused by hair color or lightener. Moreover, coloring hair is a chemical process and should only be performed by a licensed professional. Proper application and the chemistry of hair and hair color are taken into consideration when a licensed professional performs a hair coloring service.

I don’t like braids or twists, what styling options are available for me?
You have a few options. We offer curly cuts and styling, twists, rod sets, and specialty hair color. You can see our menu of services here.

I got my hair straightened at another salon now my curls have become straight in certain places. What is that?
Here's some hair chemistry: when extreme, direct heat, typically over 425º, is directly applied to natural hair, it causes the bonds in your hair that responsible for it’s curl pattern/ texture and strength to break. This breakage of essential bonds allows the keratin chains to move around and assume a new, permanent position that results in permanently straightened hair. When the hair cools down, the disulphide bonds between the keratin are reformed. Because the keratin molecules moved in different positions when the bonds were reformed, the hair stays in the straightened shape permanently. When straightening natural hair, the hair must be properly protected with a balance of moisture and protein to avoid this type of damage, and the temperature of the tool shouldn't be higher than 375º. Remember- it only takes ONE straightening service for your curls to be permanently damaged by heat!

What is Olaplex™ ?
Olaplex™ is a professional product that was created in California by 2 scientists. Since its debut in 2014 it has rocked the hair color world with its dramatic capabilities. When coloring hair, disulfide bonds tend to break, especially if your hair is being lifted more than 4 levels. Disulfide bonds provide your hair with its overall strength, so when they break, you're left with damaged hair. Olaplex™ is a bond multiplier, which means it repairs the hair's broken disulfide bonds and prevents damage to your hair. Olaplex noº1 is mixed into hair color or lightener. The same active ingredient in Olaplex noº 1 is also present in Olaplex noº2, a treatment you can take home and use once per week to dramatically strengthen the hair and repair broken bonds. Every Olaplex Service includes the take home bottle of Olaplex noº2. This product is only used and sold in professional salons.

What is Balayage?
Balayage is a form of highlighting where color or lightener is swept onto the hair, away from the root, for a more natural look. It's an advanced form of hair color application. With Balayage color, a retouch would only be needed 2-3 times per year, versus every 8 weeks.

Is a style included with color services?
All add-ons to services are booked separately. But, all full styling and color services include cleansing and conditioning. If you book a color service alone, the service includes the color application, and shampooing and conditioning service. We can absolutely add on a style at an additional fee.

I have henna in my hair, but I want a different color. Is henna compatible with professional color?
Henna is not compatible with oxidative color, whether it be permanent, demi- permanent, or lightener/ bleach. We are not able to apply color to your hair if you've used henna– even if you've used it only for conditioning purposes. Henna is a metallic salt dye that stays in the innermost part of your hair. If peroxide and ammonia touch the henna, a chemical reaction can be take place, and your hair start smoking. We try to stay away from extreme science projects at Diaspora!