Disnalda Beauty Salon in Providence, RI

I love Disnalda salon. The women that work here are super sweet and the prices are very reasonable. Make sure you arrive early for the quickest service because the salon gets packed, especially on the weekend. Services are on a first come first serve basis, so you write your name and phone number in a book when you arrive and they go by order. I always get a beautiful blow dry here.

On May 4, 2023, I went to the salon to get my natural 4c hair done like I usually do. This time instead of my usual blow out, I requested a weave instillation with a partial leave out. I called ahead to confirm they could do the style, and the stylist who answered the phone confirmed. I specifically chose this style because it was a protective style and did not require my natural hair to be chemically straightened in order to have it performed. Nevertheless, the stylists in the salon irreversibly chemically straightened my hair without obtaining my prior consent, and repeatedly subjected me to anti-black slurs based on the texture of my hair. To avoid causing a scene or having my hair damaged in retaliation, I paid the requested amount and filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

The first stylist asked if she could soften my hair because she thought my hair was "too nappy" for the style that I asked for. However, she didn't mention irreversibly chemically straightening my hair to do so. When I recognized the familiar scent of hair relaxer and noticed the second stylist begin to apply a cold cream to the roots of my hair in the back right section, I asked the stylist whether she put a relaxer in my hair. She chuckled and ignored my question, another stylist confirmed.

As I explained, "I did not want a relaxer put on my hair. I have been full natural since 2016 after doing a big chop, and have not had a relaxer in over 7 years. Relaxers are cancerous and you did not tell me you wanted to put in a relaxer before you did it. If you had asked I would've said no thank you and would've asked for a blowout. I refuse to pay for something I didn't ask for."

Despite my protest, the Salon refused to refund the service or acknowledge that they put harmful chemicals in my hair without obtaining my consent. The second stylist then complained about me openly in the salon, calling me a "gringa," a slur for English speaking girl/woman, and left me under the dryer for an extended period of time causing pain to my scalp.

After going back and forth about whether a relaxer or texturizer was put in my hair without my permission, the first stylist explained that my hair would still be curly when I wash it but it won't go back to an Afro. I explained that that is exactly how I like and wear my hair and that I didn't want that chemically changed. She explained that my hair would have "normal curls but not Afro curls."  

What exactly is not "normal" about afro curls, when that is how curls normally grow from my head.

As a proud Black and Native woman, who loves her natural hair, I left the salon feeling entirely violated, that someone would think it was appropriate to chemically straighten my hair because they thought that it was unmanageable for them.

If you love and value your 4c curls, don't come here.

I had high hopes when I walked in and saw it packed, thought to myself this is a good sign!

Sadly, I was wrong.

If you have natural hair that has not been processed by relaxers then be prepared for the hairdressers to talk badly about you in Spanish.

The owner was kind and very helpful, it's just sad that the people who work with her do not have the same attitude.

The lady that ended up washing my hair was supposed to blow dry my hair, but she refused and said my hair was bad in Spanish because of the texture. She assumed I didn't understand.

I was a little shocked considering most of the women who work there have similar hair to mine.

It's very sad that the amount of self hate these women have are projected onto their clients.

I understand that the culture (I'm Dominican myself) is engrained with 100's of years of colonialism ideals, but it's 2022 (2021 when I went). Curly hair, kinky hair, non-straight hair is not bad, it's beautiful.

However, this salon and the people that work there are clearly not trained enough to know how to deal with ALL hair.

After my wash, I was told to go to another lady who blow dried it.

She was very rough and pulled her brush through it ripping out my hair. I left with a sore head,  less hair strains and it looked damaged.

It's so mind boggling how a bunch of hairdressers with the same or similar texture hair as me don't know how to do our type of hair without it being processed by chemicals such as relaxers!! And then on top of that they talk badly about their customers hair texture and project their insecurities onto you.

How can you be a hairdresser?

I don't get my hair blow dried often but this salon has made me never want a blow out again. My hair is natural, 4B curl pattern. I went in one morning for a blow out and the lady who washes my hair was RUDE. She's everything but gentle with your hair and her tone is flat out rude. When she was washing my hair she went and got another mixture from over by the salon counter. When I inquired she said "conditioner". I finished getting my wash & blow out and left. When it was time to wash my hair a week or so later my hair didn't return to its original pattern at all. It was thin and falling out in my hands as I washed it and it had a chemical like smell to it. I've NEVER had this issue at all after my blow outs. My hair is now limp, very thin and just straight. I was told by several other who have been there that they're notorious for using a Keratin type of shampoo/conditioner on thicker texture hair. I wish I had known this before I sat in that chair. NEVER AGAIN.

If I could rate this place a 0 stars, I would. So you can fully understand my experience I will start by saying if you think you can call ahead and book, you cant. This salon is Walk-in only. The place is very disorganized. The women barely speak english, but I will get to that.. I waited a total of 4 hours. I arrived at 2pm, put my name on their 'list' and left by 6:30. Me and my friend went together btw. Anyways around 4pm I get told to start the process. First off the woman who washes hair is very rude , her attitude is disgusting to say the least. Be prepared to get death stared and eyes rolled. After washing my hair with freezing cold water and getting it all down my back, I sat in her chair expecting for the blowout I asked for.. Nope! I was told I HAVE to get rollers in my hair and that she couldn't just blowdry it.. (I get my hair done every 2 weeks ever since I was 15, I am 21 and have NEVER gotten rollers) whatever.. So as I am in her chair she and woman who seems to be the owner begin discussing me with their clients because I am visibly upset. IN SPANISH. I am not dominican like these women, but I understand spanish very well-- They clearly had no clue. They started off by saying in spanish 'her hair is very bad thats why we need to put the rollers'  wow thats a first.. people love doing my hair.. Then they proceeded to say their reasoning behind that was that my hair is a 4.. I will upload a picture of my curls and you can be the judge of that.. I then go under the dryer FOR AN HOUR +.. all of this but my friend is STILL WAITING and its 5pm. They walked by and continued to mumble in spanish. I go to the person who is doing the 'silk press/blowout' ..She burned me multiple times and I flinched, pulled my head away and a normal hair stylist would apologize or stop for a little or be more careful, she didnt lol what a surprise . As shes doing my hair the owner comes and tells me I need to stop getting my hair highlighted.. Why? My hair is very healthy and I like the color of my hair. She was suppose to take my friend next because her hair has been washed/dry (under for an hour) but allows a woman who came in only 20m prior to the situation to go before her because 'she has shorter hair it will be quick'. This woman was eating while doing hair/in between & she not only took someone before my friend -- But started doing EXTENSIONS!!! .. I walk to my friend & we heard them call us 'bitches' not in english ofc they think we don't understand. I finally go to pay (shouldve been 25$) & get charged 38. Im beyond angry & will never go there again!!