Let’s Talk Silk Presses, Healthy Hair & the Beauty Industry: There’s Room for ALL of Us!
Beauty Talk with Brielle Jai Beauty | Beauty By Yours Truly 💕
Because beautiful hair is more than a hairstyle, and choosing your stylist should always be YOUR choice.
Okay, beauties, let’s talk!
If you’ve been anywhere on social media lately, then I’m pretty sure you’ve seen the conversations surrounding silk presses, salon prices, independent hairstylists, and clients discovering salon services at places like Ulta Beauty and JCPenney.
And BABY, everybody has something to say!
Some clients are celebrating finding affordable, convenient salon experiences. Some independent stylists feel like their pricing, expertise, and businesses are being unfairly criticized. Other professionals are encouraging everyone to remember that hairstylists working inside retail salons are professionals, too.
There’s been conversation about deposits, booking policies, shampoo services, pricing, customer service, and what clients should reasonably expect when sitting in somebody’s chair.
As an independent beauty professional, I wanted to share my perspective. Not to take sides, bash another stylist, or convince anybody that one salon is better than another, but to bring the conversation back to something I believe matters tremendously:
HEALTHY HAIR, CONSISTENT CARE, PROFESSIONALISM, AND THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE. Because somewhere between debating who charges too much and who offers the better silk press, we’re forgetting something important.
The client is the reason we’re here.
And every client deserves to feel comfortable, respected, informed, and confident about the professional they choose to care for their hair.
So, let’s get into it!
First Things First: A Silk Press Is More Than Just Straight Hair!
I absolutely love a beautiful silk press. The shine, the movement, the body, the way the hair flows it can completely transform your look without permanently changing your natural texture.
But can we talk about what goes into achieving those results?
A silk press isn’t simply picking up a flat iron and running it through somebody’s hair.
At least, it shouldn’t be. A proper silk press begins long before the flat iron ever touches your strands.
It starts with understanding the hair you’re working with. Is the hair dry? Is there breakage? Are the ends ? Is the scalp experiencing excessive buildup? Has the hair been chemically processed or color-treated? What does the client’s current hair-care routine look like?
These things matter!
A thoughtful silk press service may include:
● A hair and scalp consultation: Understanding the current condition of the hair and any concerns before beginning.
● A thorough shampoo: Removing dirt, oil, and product buildup to prepare the hair for styling.
● Conditioning based on the hair’s needs: Addressing moisture, manageability, or strengthening concerns when appropriate.
● Gentle detangling and preparation: Minimizing unnecessary pulling and breakage.
● Heat protection: Helping reduce heat-related damage during styling.
● A controlled blow-dry and thermal styling process: Using appropriate tools and heat settings for the individual’s hair.
● An evaluation of the ends: Discussing trimming when necessary rather than automatically cutting hair that doesn’t need it.
● Professional recommendations: Helping clients understand how to maintain their results and care for their hair between visits.
And here’s something else I want my beauties to understand.
A silk press should be about more than how straight your hair gets. It should also be about how your hair is being cared for throughout the process.
A gorgeous finished style is wonderful. However, the goal should never be to sacrifice the long-term condition of your hair just to achieve a temporary look.
Even when done professionally, thermal styling carries some risk of heat damage. That’s why preparation, technique, temperature, and frequency are so important.
Remember, your natural hair should be treated with just as much love and intention as the finished hairstyle.
Let’s Talk About the Ulta & JCPenney Salon Conversation
Now, on to the beauty talk that’s been making its rounds! Recently, social media has been filled with clients sharing their experiences getting silk presses and other hair services at Ulta Beauty and JCPenney salons.
Some are excited about pricing. Others appreciate the convenience of booking, salon availability, established customer-service procedures, or having services performed in a traditional salon environment.
And you know what?
I LOVE that women are discovering more options for caring for their hair!
Seriously.
Do you know how important it is for women, especially women with natural and textured hair, to have access to professionals who understand how to properly care for their hair?
For years, finding a stylist who understands your texture, listens to your concerns, and makes you feel comfortable hasn’t always been the easiest experience.
If more salons are expanding their services, educating their professionals, and making textured-hair services accessible, that’s something worth acknowledging.
But I also want to make something VERY clear.
The stylists working at Ulta and JCPenney didn’t suddenly become talented because their services started trending online.
Many of those professionals have been doing hair for YEARS!
They have education, experience, loyal clientele, specialized skills, and the same passion for the beauty industry that many of us independent professionals have.
Some have worked independently before. Some may eventually open their own salons. Others may genuinely prefer the structure and opportunities of working within an established salon company.
And that’s perfectly fine!
Your talent doesn’t become any less valuable because somebody else’s name is on the building.
A stylist is a stylist.
Your knowledge, technique, professionalism, and ability to care for your clients are what matter.
Not whether you’re working inside a retail store, a traditional salon, a private suite, or your own independently operated beauty business.
Now, Let’s Give Independent Stylists Their Flowers, Too!
Because while we’re celebrating the professionals inside corporate salons, let’s not forget the independent stylists who have worked incredibly hard to build their businesses.
Being an independent stylist involves so much more than simply showing up and doing hair.
You’re often your own receptionist, marketing department, customer-service representative, inventory manager, financial planner, website manager, and cleaning crew.
You’re purchasing products, maintaining equipment, investing in education, paying business expenses, and spending hours outside of appointments keeping everything running.
And let’s be clear: those expenses are real.
Professional products cost money. Continuing education costs money. Operating a beauty business costs money.
A stylist’s pricing has to reflect more than the minutes spent physically doing somebody’s hair.
However and I want to be fair here business expenses alone don’t determine whether a service is the right value for every client.
Clients still deserve to understand what they’re paying for.
That’s why I believe transparency matters on BOTH sides.
Independent stylists deserve the opportunity to build profitable, sustainable businesses, and clients deserve the freedom to decide whether the services offered fit their needs and budgets.
Those two things can exist at the same time.
One stylist may specialize in advanced corrective hair care. Another may focus on traditional shampoo-and-style services. Someone else may offer a personalized experience with ongoing maintenance and education.
All of these services can have value.
And not every professional has to structure their business the exact same way.
There’s room for the independent stylist AND the corporate salon stylist to be successful.
Can We Talk About the Client Experience for a Minute?
Because this is where I think the conversation gets interesting.
A lot of the feedback circulating online isn’t necessarily about clients refusing to pay for professional services.
Some clients are saying they want to feel like their money, time, and presence are genuinely valued.
And that’s a fair conversation to have.
Clients are discussing appointment cancellations, unclear pricing, excessive policies, unexpected additional charges, and feeling like they have to complete half of their service before arriving.
Of course, every situation is different. We shouldn’t generalize an entire industry based on a few negative experiences.
There are countless independent stylists who provide exceptional service and countless corporate salon professionals who do the same.
But as beauty professionals, we should be willing to listen when clients communicate what isn’t working for them.
A client should know what to expect before arriving.
If there’s a deposit, explain the deposit policy.
If an additional treatment is recommended, explain why it’s needed and what it costs.
If a service requires special preparation, communicate that clearly.
If you’re running behind schedule, communicate.
And if a client has questions about their hair, make room for education rather than making them feel uncomfortable for asking.
On the other hand, clients should also respect appointment times, cancellation policies, professional recommendations, and the time it takes to perform services properly.
Mutual respect creates a better beauty experience for EVERYBODY.
Professionalism shouldn’t be considered an expensive add-on.
It should be part of how we operate.
Higher Prices Don’t Automatically Mean Better Hair Care, and Lower Prices Don’t Mean Less Talent
Let me say that again!
Higher prices don’t automatically guarantee better hair care, and lower prices don’t automatically mean a stylist is less talented.
A stylist charging less may have years of experience, an efficient service routine, or a business structure that allows them to operate at that price.
A stylist charging more may offer specialized treatments, additional service time, advanced education, or a different overall appointment experience.
Neither price alone tells the full story.
And we have to stop assuming that pricing determines somebody’s worth as a professional.
As clients, it’s important to look beyond the number on the booking page.
Ask questions.
What’s included in the silk press?
Does the appointment include shampoo and conditioning?
Are treatments included or additional?
Does the stylist work with your particular hair texture?
Can they explain their approach to heat styling?
Will you receive recommendations for maintaining your hair afterward?
Look at their work, reviews, consistency, communication, and the experience they’re offering.
Because two stylists can perform what appears to be the same service while offering completely different experiences.
And neither one has to be the wrong choice.
The goal is to find the professional who is right for YOU.
Your Hair Doesn’t Just Need an Appointment. It Needs a Routine.
Now let’s get into one of my FAVORITE topics.
CONSISTENCY!
If there’s one thing I want more women to understand about healthy hair, it’s that your hair care cannot begin and end with the day you visit the salon.
A silk press may give you beautiful results today, but your daily habits and long-term maintenance routine have a major influence on how your hair looks and feels over time.
That’s why I encourage my clients to stop thinking of hair appointments as isolated beauty services.
Instead, start looking at them as part of your overall hair-care regimen.
Think about it.
If you want healthier hair, better length retention, improved manageability, or to reduce unnecessary breakage, those goals require ongoing attention.
One appointment cannot make up for months of neglected maintenance.
And one treatment won’t magically reverse every type of damage.
Progress takes consistency.
That may mean regularly cleansing and conditioning your hair, reducing excessive heat, keeping up with necessary trims, following professional recommendations, and being mindful of the styles you’re choosing.
It also means understanding that your hair-care routine should be PERSONALIZED.
What works for somebody else’s hair may not be the best choice for yours.
Your hair density, texture, lifestyle, styling preferences, scalp condition, and previous chemical services all matter.
This is exactly why I believe building a relationship with a hairstylist who understands your hair can be so beneficial.
Over time, that professional can become familiar with how your hair responds to products, treatments, heat, and different styling methods.
That’s the beauty of consistent care.
You’re not just getting another appointment.
You’re building a routine around your individual needs.
How Often Should You Get a Silk Press?
This is a question I believe deserves a little more attention.
There isn’t one perfect schedule that works for everybody.
Some clients may benefit from weekly or biweekly salon maintenance, while others may need a different approach based on their hair health, lifestyle, and styling goals.
And remember, regular salon care does NOT mean you have to straighten your hair at every appointment.
You can maintain a consistent regimen while alternating between silk presses, treatments, protective styles, and other low-manipulation options.
When it comes to thermal styling, we also have to consider the amount and frequency of heat exposure.
If your hair is already fragile, breaking, or showing signs of heat damage, more heat may not be the right answer.
The goal should be to build a routine that helps your hair remain manageable and supports its overall condition.
At Brielle Jai Beauty, I want my clients to understand the WHY behind their appointments.
Not just when to book again, but what we’re working toward with their hair.
Because the goal isn’t simply to keep an appointment on the calendar.
The goal is to make each appointment meaningful to your hair-care journey.
Let’s Talk About Maintaining That Silk Press at Home!
Because I know nobody wants to leave the salon with beautiful, flowing hair just to wake up the next morning wondering what happened!
A few simple habits can help preserve your silk press while reducing unnecessary stress on your hair.
1. Protect your hair at night.
Wrapping your hair and using a silk or satin scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase can help reduce friction and preserve your style.
2. Be mindful of moisture and humidity.
Natural hair responds to moisture in the environment, and that’s completely normal. A silk press is temporary, and your natural texture is still part of who you are.
3. Avoid constantly touching up your hair with heat.
You don’t need to use a flat iron every morning just because a section isn’t laying exactly how you want it.
Repeated heat exposure can increase your risk of damage.
4. Pay attention to your scalp.
A silk press lasting longer doesn’t automatically mean your hair is healthier.
If your scalp needs cleansing, don’t ignore it simply because you’re trying to stretch your hairstyle for another week.
5. Don’t neglect your next hair-care appointment.
Whether that means returning for a shampoo, conditioning treatment, trim evaluation, or another service, maintaining your regimen matters.
And most importantly, don’t feel discouraged when your natural texture begins returning.
Your curls, coils, and waves are beautiful, too!
A silk press is simply another way to enjoy the versatility of your natural hair.
Why I Believe Beauty Services Should Feel Like Self-Care
One thing I’ve always wanted to communicate through Brielle Jai Beauty is that beauty services are about more than the finished result.
They’re also about taking time for yourself.
And when I talk about luxury in beauty, I’m not talking about who can charge the most money or who has the most expensive salon.
That’s not my definition of luxury.
To me, luxury can be as simple as being able to sit down, relax, and have somebody take care of YOU for a change.
It’s making time in your busy schedule to prioritize yourself.
It’s receiving a shampoo after a long week.
It’s having someone listen to your concerns and help you understand your hair.
It’s leaving your appointment feeling refreshed, confident, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
THAT is the beauty experience I believe in.
You don’t have to spend an outrageous amount of money to deserve that feeling.
And you don’t have to visit a particular type of salon to experience it.
Self-care should feel intentional, not intimidating.
Whether you’re getting a silk press, a sew-in, a brow service, or another beauty treatment, you deserve to feel that the time you spent doing something for yourself was worthwhile.
So, Should You Choose Ulta, JCPenney, or an Independent Stylist?
My answer?
CHOOSE WHO IS BEST FOR YOU! PERIOD.
I cannot stress this enough.
As an independent beauty professional, I would never want somebody to book with me simply because they feel guilty about supporting a corporate salon.
And I certainly wouldn’t want a client to feel obligated to stay with a stylist who no longer meets their needs just because they’ve been going to that person for years.
Your beauty journey belongs to YOU.
If you love your Ulta stylist, keep supporting them!
If the professional at JCPenney understands your hair and gives you a wonderful experience, book that appointment!
If you have an independent stylist who has been helping you maintain beautiful, healthy hair for years, continue supporting that relationship!
If you’re looking for something different, explore your options.
It’s okay to try a new stylist.
It’s okay to change your budget.
It’s okay to want a different experience.
And it’s okay to prioritize convenience.
Sometimes your needs change, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
As professionals, we should be confident enough in our work to understand that we aren’t going to be the perfect fit for everybody.
And that’s okay, too!
I don’t believe we should have to tear down another stylist to explain the value of our own services.
Let your knowledge speak.
Let your professionalism speak.
Let your consistency speak.
Let the experience you provide speak.
There’s enough beauty, enough talent, and enough opportunity in this industry for us all to have a place.
A Special Shoutout to ALL My Fellow Beauty Professionals!
Before I wrap this up, I want to give some flowers where they’re due.
To the Ulta Beauty hairstylists showing the world what you can do with textured hair: KEEP SHINING!
To the JCPenney salon professionals who have been faithfully serving clients long before this conversation ever reached social media: WE SEE YOU!
To the independent hairstylists paying their own expenses, building clientele, continuing their education, and putting their hearts into their businesses: KEEP GOING!
To the salon owners creating opportunities for other beauty professionals: YOUR WORK MATTERS!
To the booth renters, commission stylists, suite owners, salon educators, newer professionals, and seasoned veterans who have dedicated years to perfecting their craft: YOU DESERVE YOUR FLOWERS!
And to every stylist who genuinely cares about the health, confidence, and overall experience of the people sitting in their chair, thank you.
This industry requires creativity, education, patience, adaptability, dedication, and genuine care for people.
And while we may not always agree on pricing, policies, or how to operate a business, we can still respect the work that goes into our profession.
We can celebrate another stylist without feeling like we’re losing something.
We can learn from the feedback clients are sharing without becoming defensive.
And we can recognize that different business models serve different needs.
Another stylist’s success does not take away from your talent.
My Message to Clients: Your Expectations Matter, Too!
I also want to speak directly to the beauties on the other side of the chair.
Don’t ever feel like you have to apologize for wanting quality service within your budget.
You work hard for your money.
You deserve to make informed decisions about how you spend it.
You deserve to ask questions about the services you’re receiving.
You deserve clarity about pricing.
You deserve professional communication.
And you deserve to feel respected.
But I also encourage you to recognize the knowledge, time, and work involved in professional hair care.
Ask questions instead of making assumptions.
Communicate your expectations.
Be honest about your hair history.
Respect appointment times and clearly communicated policies.
And give your stylist the opportunity to educate you.
The best salon relationships aren’t built on one person having all the power.
They’re built on communication, respect, trust, and a shared understanding of what you’re trying to accomplish.
Remember, the right stylist for your friend, sister, or favorite content creator might not be the right stylist for you.
And that’s perfectly fine.
Find your person.
Find your routine.
Find the experience that makes you feel comfortable and cared for.
The Brielle Jai Beauty Philosophy: Healthy Hair, Consistent Care & Beauty With Intention
At Brielle Jai Beauty, I want to continue encouraging women to look at beauty from a more intentional perspective.
Yes, I love a gorgeous silk press!
Yes, I love when that hair is flowing and the results speak for themselves!
But what matters to me is the care that goes into achieving those results and the habits that help maintain your hair afterward.
I don’t want you to only think about your hair when you have somewhere special to go.
I want you to think about the care your hair deserves throughout the year.
The same way we create skin-care routines, fitness routines, and other forms of self-care, we should be making room for consistent hair maintenance.
And I want my clients to feel involved and educated throughout that process.
That’s one of the reasons I believe in offering a Hair Recovery Silk Press Membership and encouraging ongoing hair-care regimens.
The intention isn’t just to create another booking opportunity.
It’s to help clients approach their hair care with more consistency, structure, and purpose.
Healthy hair goals aren’t always achieved overnight.
They require patience, realistic expectations, and a willingness to care for your hair even when nobody else is looking.
Your hair deserves attention before the special occasion.
Your scalp deserves care even when you’re wearing a protective style.
And YOU deserve time for yourself even when your schedule is full.
To me, that’s what beauty maintenance is really about.
Final Beauty Talk: May the Best Stylist for YOU Win!
So, what do I think about the Ulta versus independent stylist conversation?
I think it’s opening the door to some important discussions within our industry.
And I don’t believe those discussions have to be negative.
We should absolutely talk about affordability, service quality, professionalism, education, booking practices, and client expectations.
We should also recognize the hard work and financial realities involved in operating beauty businesses.
But I refuse to believe that celebrating one group of hairstylists means we have to disrespect another.
There are talented professionals everywhere.
There are wonderful experiences happening in independent salons.
There are wonderful experiences happening in corporate salons.
And there’s always room for improvement in both.
To my fellow stylists, continue perfecting your craft, educating your clients, and building businesses you’re proud of.
To my beauties, continue advocating for yourselves, learning about your hair, and choosing professionals who align with your needs.
And to everybody participating in this conversation, remember:
We’re not supposed to be competing over who deserves to have their hair done where. We’re supposed to be helping people feel beautiful, confident, and cared for.
At the end of the day, the goal is not for every client to choose Brielle Jai Beauty.
The goal is for every client to find a stylist they trust, a routine they can maintain, and a beauty experience that works for them.
Of course, I’d love the opportunity to be part of your hair-care journey. But whether you’re in my chair or somebody else’s, I genuinely want you to have a positive experience and love the care you’re receiving.
Because when clients are educated, professionals are respected, and beautiful, healthy hair is the priority, the entire beauty industry benefits.
Shoutout to ALL the stylists doing this work with love, passion, professionalism, and integrity. There is room for every one of us!
And to my beauties, never forget:
Your beauty regimen is personal.
Your self-care matters.
And choosing who gets to care for your crown will ALWAYS be your decision.
With love,
Beauty By Yours Truly 💕
Brielle Jai Beauty
Where beauty, self-care, and consistent maintenance come together.
Ready to Begin Your Hair-Care Journey?
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful silk press, hoping to establish a more consistent hair-care regimen, or interested in learning more about the Hair Recovery Silk Press Membership, Brielle Jai Beauty welcomes you to explore the services available.
Let’s focus on more than one beautiful hairstyle. Let’s focus on caring for your hair with intention.
Let’s keep the beauty conversation going!
Are you currently visiting an independent stylist, a corporate salon, or exploring both? What matters most to you when choosing a hairstylist pricing, expertise, convenience, consistency, or the overall experience?
I’d love to hear your perspective!
— Brielle Jai Beauty 💗
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