I'm thrilled to find this forum & am sharing info about LA Dominican salons &
a national Dominican salon directory:
www.roundbrushhair.com
Here's the article from Latina Magazine about the top 10 Dominican
salons in the country (I only put the LA ones on here):
The Best Dominican Hair Salons in the U.S.
There?s no mistaking the look or feel of a Dominican hair salon. Past
the often small, hidden doors, you?ll find las peluqueras standing
over swivel chairs, wielding blowers like guns aimed directly at the
curliest, frizziest hair you?ve ever seen. A bachata might be playing
in the background as they unwind soft curls from bright plastic rolos;
the chicas under the dryers shouting out the latest chisme while lunch
is ordered family-style for everyone in the house. But, as laid-back
as these joints may appear, Dominican stylists are known for giving
the best damn blow-outs in the country. Or, as Grimilda Gonzalez,
stylist of Destination Laguna Spa Salon, says,"Nosotras las
dominicanas hablamos un buen blower." That means they speak a mean
blower. And, with a little help from conditioning products sometimes
flown in from the island, they work hair through rolos, round brushes,
flatirons?whatever it takes?until each strand lies straight and shiny.
And the price? Let?s just say it?s common to get a blow-out for as
cheap as $20. Popular on the East coast, Dominican salons are now
popping up across America. Here, we single out some of our favorites.
As for an appointment, bueno, that?s up to you.
CALIFORNIA
I'd go here before the one below:
Dominican Beauty Salon
8440 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
Sun Valley
818/767-2711
You want absolutely stick-straight strands that lie flat against your
face? Then see Anna Aguilar, who owns this salon. She slathers wet
hair with conditioner before using only a blower to dry it completely,
from root to tips.
Barber & Beauty Salon
9003 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
Sun Valley
818/771-0787
You won?t even see a blower until owner Catalina Vandusen has first
washed your hair three?yes, that?s three?times to rid it of dulling
product residue. Hello, shine! And she?ll dry your hair in sections,
twirling the brush at the ends to give hair tons of body. But while
it?s possible to get a haircut, deep conditioning and blow-out for
only $45, Catalina doesn?t list her prices and charges according to
individual hair type.
What?d she say?
Here, a few key words you?ll need to know before stepping foot in a
Dominican salon.
el doobie: After hair is blow-dried straight, a stylist may wrap and
pin your hair around your head and cover it with this scarf to protect
strands and keep them flat. Ask for it by name.
rolos: Wet hair is wrapped around rolos?rollers?and then you?re tucked
under a hood dryer for about an hour, until hair is dry, before it?s
blown straight. This option uses less direct heat on strands, which
damages hair less than if you were to use only a blower to straighten.
el flip (pronounced fleep): When your stylist asks you if you want
your blow-out con flip, she?s asking if you want a gentle wave toward
the ends, which will give your hair more body and bounce.
halar: Remember what Frenchy said: Beauty is pain. So when your
stylist takes a blow-drier into one hand and says,"?Voy a halar!" get
ready: She?s gonna pull your hair through that brush, and she?s gonna
pull hard.
Their favorite products
Spotted on Dominican salon shelves across the country:
AG Fast Food Leave-On Conditioner: Yes, it?s actually called"fast
food," and it helps moisturize, repair and nourish dry strands.
Aghaircosmetics.com for locations.
SaLerm Silk Touch: A repairing treatment, this product gives hair a
glossy, silky feel.
Salerm.com or 973/745-0410 for locations.
Alter Ego Nequal Nourishing Color Care Conditioner: This deep,
leave-in treatment softens dry, frizzy hair. It?s also said to help
prevent dandruff.
Alteregousa.us or 888/577-7900.
Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Illuminating Shine Mask: From an Italian product
line, this mask is a favorite treatment for damaged hair.
Alfaparf.com or 877/APCOLOR for locations
