The Real Reason Lagos Stylists Never Listen to Instructions
Let’s be honest. Walking into a Lagos salon is an act of faith. You can come with your Pinterest board, three reference photos, and a detailed plan for “exactly what I want,” and your stylist will still say, “Don’t worry, I sabi am.” And just like that, your trust issues are reactivated.
Every Nigerian woman has lived this story. You say “just trim the ends” and somehow you walk out with a bob. You say “I want a natural look” and end up looking like Patience Ozokwor in her wicked aunty era.
At this point, it’s not even personal. It’s part of the Lagos experience. Stylists ignoring instructions is like traffic on Third Mainland Bridge: stressful, inevitable, and somehow we keep coming back for more.
The Salon Chronicles: A Shared Struggle
There’s a special kind of heartbreak that comes from realizing your stylist has gone rogue. You start sensing it halfway through when she begins doing that mysterious twisting thing you didn’t approve, or when her assistant brings out attachment you never asked for.
You catch your reflection in the mirror and your stomach drops.
“Wait… is that what I think it is?”
By then, it’s too late. She’s deep in it, and stopping her now will cause a full salon meeting.
“It’s fine, it will still be fine.”
“You people worry too much.”
“Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”
No, ma’am. You don’t. And yet, despite the trauma, you’ll still go back. Same stylist, same salon, same prayer before sitting down. Because in Lagos, hope is stronger than sense.
So Why Does This Keep Happening?
Believe it or not, there’s logic behind the madness. Stylists don’t just ignore you for sport. There’s a cocktail of ego, culture, and salon chaos behind it all.
1. The “I’ve Been Doing Hair for 10 Years” Syndrome
Experience in Lagos salons automatically equals expertise — at least in their minds. You could bring a full-blown diagram and a video tutorial, and they’d still say, “No, that one won’t fit you. Let me do my own.”
The confidence is impressive. The outcome? Not always.
2. The Communication Gap
Sometimes, it’s not pride — it’s misunderstanding. You said “bone straight,” she heard “water wave.” You said “sleek it down,” she heard “make it fine.”
Hair language in Nigeria is mostly vibes. “Small small” can mean five different things depending on who’s speaking.
3. The Salon System
Most Lagos salons work like group projects. There’s the boss, the senior stylist, the
apprentice, and that one aunty who just “helps sometimes.” The person who starts your hair is rarely the one who finishes it.
Your vision gets passed around like notes in class, and by the end, you’re wearing a mashup of everyone’s ideas.
4. The Speed Hustle
Lagos stylists are multitasking queens. They’re doing your closure while braiding someone else’s cornrows and answering a customer’s call in between. The goal is to finish fast, not perfectly.
So when she says, “Sit down, we’ll fix it later,” just know “later” may never come.
But Let’s Be Honest — We Contribute Too
We can’t blame stylists for everything. Some of us walk in with zero plan. You can’t say “I just want something nice” and expect a miracle.
Stylists are not mind readers. If your only direction is “make it fine,” you’re giving her creative freedom — and that’s how disasters happen.
And brides, please. You can’t come on Thursday for a Saturday wedding, armed with six different Pinterest styles and no decision made. That’s not a booking; that’s a cry for help.
How To Avoid Salon Heartbreak: The Six-Step Lagos Survival Guide
You can’t fully escape the chaos, but you can walk in more prepared. Consider this your Lagos Salon Survival Kit — six things that will save your hair, your mood, and your peace of mind.
1. Bring Receipts (a.k.a. Reference Pictures)
Don’t describe it — show it. Find two or three clear photos of the style you want. Avoid screenshots from TikTok with filters; stylists need real-life textures and angles.
When you walk in with visuals, you remove confusion and reduce the “I thought you meant…” moments.
2. Say What You Don’t Want First
Before your stylist even starts, list your “no-go” zones.
“No baby hair.”
“No tint.”
“No dramatic curls.”
Be specific and confident. It’s easier for stylists to avoid mistakes than to fix them later.
3. Ask the Right Questions
Don’t be shy — you’re the client. Ask:
` ● Have you done this style before?
● What product or hair type will you use?
● How long will it take?
● How tight will the braids be?
This makes it clear you’re serious about your hair, not just there for vibes.
4. The Mid-Appointment Mirror Check Hack
Here’s the trick: always ask for a small hand mirror once the style is about halfway done. Say something calm and casual like,
“I just want to see how it’s coming together.”
That way, you can catch mistakes early — whether it’s your parting, symmetry, or how flat your install is — before it’s too late to change.
5. How to Speak Up Without Sounding Rude
It’s tricky, but it can be done. The key is tone. Don’t snap or embarrass your stylist mid-work. Say something like,
“I love how it’s looking, but could we make this part a bit flatter?”
or
“Can we make this section smaller? I think it’ll frame my face better.”
Be polite, firm, and specific. Lagos stylists respect confidence — not attitude.
6. Stick With Stylists Who Communicate
If you find someone who asks questions, checks in, and listens, hold onto them. Book early, tip well, and recommend them. Good stylists are rare, and loyalty pays off — they’ll remember your preferences next time.
The Industry Is Slowly Changing
To be fair, things are getting better. There’s a new generation of stylists who actually listen, take notes, and even follow up after appointments. They understand that customer service is part of beauty.
Social media has helped too. Nobody wants to go viral for the wrong reason. One wrong braid pattern and your salon’s reputation is gone by morning.
There’s hope — but the old salon energy still lingers.
