the boston globe ran a story on sunday about the new black barbie dolls and francie latour’s words hit home:

Here’s what I remember about the black girls I knew: They had Mickey Mouse afro puffs tied in giant gumball barrettes or tight cornrow braids, or hair that was bound by nothing at all. For a little while, they had no idea what the word “nappy” meant, until one day they knew exactly what it meant. The black girls I knew marked their entry into womanhood reluctantly, with a first trip to the hair salon that often lived up to their worst fears. Caught in an in-between time when they were too old to sit for their mothers and too young to know what to do themselves, they climbed into swivel chairs and waited for the smell and then the feeling of chemicals that seared their scalps, leaving clumps of hair and Afro-puff innocence to be swept from the salon floor. As time goes on and products improve, many make peace with their unnatural states. Others find their way back to the beginning with locked, coiffed, or otherwise regal crowns.

that said, last week’s experience at salon monet was better than i could have expected. shellee mendes and her crew are a fun group of ladies who obviously know what they’re doing. they’re nice and have been so welcoming. i’ve already met some interesting new friends since my first visit.

on the way out here, i did some research from afar and was generally disappointed by the seemingly nonexistent options in black hair care. boston-area salon owners, please take note:

• please put up a website. if you don’t have one, your business doesn’t exist.
• if you have a website, pictures of your work are a must. i don’t need to know what the outside of the salon looks like.
• if i call your shop for information, don’t tell me to just come in so you can check me out. i called so i wouldn’t have to come by.
• if i tell you i don’t have relaxer, that is NOT your cue to try to get me to relax my hair. i’m off the “creamy crack” and i don’t intend to go back.
• the person answering the phone should be knowledgeable about the services you offer and your hours.

thankfully, i found salon monet. yay! i found my spot!