Natural Hair Salon Review – Hairtural

Finding the right salon for my hair has been a long struggle and I have long craved an honest natural hair salon review to help me on my journey.

Terrible salon experiences have forced me to do my own hair 99% of the time, and while this has helped me learn more about my hair, it has been limiting.

During too many detangling sessions to count, I have longed for a natural hair salon where I can relax my biceps and have someone else competently handle my afro.

This longing has led me back on the hunt for that COMPETENT natural hair salon.

Salon Feature – Hairtural

My mission brought me to the doors of Hairtural Hair Salon. We have them listed in our Natural Hair Johannesburg Salon Finder and it was a no-brainer to give them a try.

Address: 2 Coventry Rd, Bryanston, Sandton, 2191

Website: hairtural.com

I will be discussing their:-

*Pssst, are you keen for some hair gossip. Get the 411 on the 5 Things I wish I knew before going Natural.

1. Booking / Appointment Scheduling

Time printed on a paper

This was painless and hassle free, and was done via their website.

I selected the R 670 treatment and plait option, which takes 2 hours.

I was initially hesitant because of the exorbitant pricing. However I remembered my pain at the hands of ‘cheaper’ salons, and I decided to give myself a much needed treat.

The online booking gives options to add to your menu, such as undoing hair or additional treatments or trim. I however, only selected the treat and plait option.

One thing I like is that it gives you the choice to select your preferred stylist, with a drop down of their names and pictures (in case you forgot). It was reassuring not to see fried and dyed hair, but hair stylists with healthy, styled afro hair.

I went with Mpfaraleni (more on that later).

There are time slots that you can select before proceeding to the next booking slot. After you have selected your date, time and stylist, you then enter your personal details and then choose your payment type.

And yes, payment must be made beforehand to secure your booking.

Again, I was taken aback as this is a new experience for me, but I get where they are coming from. Reserving 2 hour slots for a client that doesn’t pitch can be detrimental. It not only affects the business, but denies other potential clients the Hairtural experience.

After payment, you get booking notification via e-mail and you have the option to add it to your calendar. This makes it unlikely to miss your upcoming appointment.

Ok, on to my experience when I showed up at their doors.

2. Overall Appearance

The premises are in a residential area and the house is imposing, with large gardens.

There is demarcated parking for visitors and there was security at the gate that let me in.

As first appearances go, I liked the overall look of the premises.

Cons: None

Score: 5/5

3. Reception

Welcome sign on a board The reception I got was professional and friendly – just the right amount of positive vibes, without feeling put on.

I was led to the first floor, and was offered the option of a hot beverage, which I declined. I was too excited /nervous to see how my hunt would go

The receptionist introduced me to my stylist for the day, Mpfaraleni, who also had a pleasant vibe about her and was very professional.

For those of us who have spent time in the hair stylist chair, we all know how your salonist’s vibe is sometimes a toss-up.

You can either get Gossipy Glady, Aggressive Anna, Depressed Dorcas or Pissed off Patricia. Then you have to work your personality gears to the max, trying to get them on your good side so as to make your experience a pleasant one.

There was none of that at Hairtural.

Cons: None

Score: 5/5

4. Hairstylist Etiquette

As mentioned earlier, my hair stylist was professional and friendly.

I had brought a book to read, but I was still reading the energy and waiting to see how she would treat my hair.

I watched her like a hawk when I removed my wig and unleashed my afro on her.

She didn’t skip a beat, or try convince me to use heat to straighten my hair or even complain about the texture. Instead she went to work with a spray bottle and product, expertly manipulating my 4c hair.

Cons: none

Score: 5/5

Which brings me to her knowledge of natural hair.

5. Knowledge of Natural Hair

My hair stylist was very knowledgeable on natural hair.

She told me in no uncertain terms that they did not use heat. Ever!!!

I felt my afro stand taller on hearing this. She also told me that they categorically do not use hair extensions when plaiting or braiding hair, and that they only use their client’s hair to braid.

I almost wept in shock and joy.

She explained their hair assessment chat to me and explained in detail what they would be looking for with my hair analysis.

Hair health assessment

My hair diagnosis was as follows:-

🌺 Scalp: No dandruff or Inflammation
🌺Patchy Areas : At the back, thanks to My Hair story and Iron deficiency anaemia (Speaking on which, catch up on our stellar article on What causes Alopecia Areata?);
🌺 Hairline: Healthy;
🌺 Porosity: Normal (I was side-eyeing this diagnosis purely because of where was the proof? But I didn’t want to jinx a good thing and so I did not protesteth at all);
🌺 Density: Healthy at the front and thinning at the back (getting over my bad bout of low iron is a female dog. I had progress and seem to be regressing. But that is a hair story for another post);
🌺 Hydration: My hair was dry, thanks to My experience using clove oil, coffee water and coffee oil (when will I ever learn).

My hair diagnosis seemed spot on and at this time, I knew that my hair was in good hands. She then used product on my hair based on the diagnosis.

Additionally, she finger detangled my hair 70% of the time and only after properly detangling my hair, did she use a wide paddle brush.

I could have wept for joy at this. Any natural worth her salt knows that finger detangling is the holy grail of length retention.

Not convinced? Get the 411 on How to Detangle Natural Hair.

Cons: None. Just on an aside, I would have liked to have known how she arrived at the normal porosity diagnosis. I know my hair porosity to be low and it would have been interesting to know how she got to this conclusion.

Score: 5/5

6. Value for money

Would I say that Hairtural’s treatment and plait was value for money?

Coins spilling out of a jar

I would say a resounding yes.

I walked out feeling like a million bucks.

I am usually someone who does not buy hair products, but I was so impressed by their level of service and professionalism that I walked away with a cleanser and leave-in conditioner. (Review of these to follow).

But nonetheless, I must say that this the best money I have ever spent on my hair. Ever!!!!

Cons: None

Score: 5/5

7. Extra Touch

I was given a scalp massage, after my conditioning treatment, and it felt heavenly.

My only complaint is that it was too short.

My little afro has NEVER received this level of care, love and attention in its spongy, up and down life. Which is kinda sad! And also uplifting – because it means that the natural hair salon hunt is over.

Yipee!!!!

Cons: None

Score: 5/5

8. Waiting times

Zilch! Nada! Zero!

There was no waiting times at all.

As soon as I arrived, my hair stylist took me to get my hair done and at no time was I rushed or felt like she was clock watching.

My hair was completed in the 2 hour slot and not once did I have to wait for my stylist, with water dripping down my neck.

It was also a first to have 100% attention on my hair, and not have a stylist multi-tasking or eyeing the traffic as it came in.

Cons: None

Score: 5/5

9. Product Usage

Afro-textured hair with leave-in conditioner

This matters a lot!

At my previous salon visit, they used a small tube of product on my large head (and afro), and I was scandalised.

It was such a relief to see the hair stylist apply copious amounts of product in my hair, and work it in, without being stingy about it.

My hair loved it and lapped up the attention. Also, she used water spray and leave in conditioner to manipulate and plait my hair, which was a big confidence booster.

Cons: None

Score: 5/5

Wanna make your own product? Read up on our Homemade Detangler for Matted Hair.

10. Styling Options

For my styling, I chose straight back cornrows, as the selection was limited.

Cornrows on natural hair

But context is key here.

This is one salon that strictly sticks to natural hair good practices – no heat, no extensions, and no detangling with wrong tools.

So when I was shown the tablet with the natural hair styling options, I was not surprised that, outside of cornrows and plaits, their range was limited.

This is actually a positive, rather than a negative sign.

Sometimes client’s heads need TLC and a low- installation protective style. It is not always advisable to tease, manipulate and style afro-textured hair to within an inch of its coils.

Ultimately, their few styling options showed me that their client’s hairline and hair comes first!

There were also a good number of children’s hairstyles that were not only cute, but required minimal manipulation.

Speaking of which, do you need style inspiration for your little one? Look up some of our hairinspiations on Natural Hairstyles for 3c Hair – Week 1 and Week 2.

Cons: None

Score: 4/5