Brazilian Extensions at Polished Hair Care

Photo by Polished Hair Care

OK ladies who love it long and sleek, but need a little help--you'd better get over to Polished Hair Care in Paris! Nicole and her staff are doing fierce Brazilian extensions. And to answer your question, yes, I am tempted. 

Up Close: Yetunde Oshodi of Feels Like Home in Paris

Yetunde Oshodi of Feels Like Home in Paris

BHIP: How long have you lived in Paris?

YO: Eight going on nine years!

BHIP: How did you wear your hair before you got here?

YO: Before coming to Paris, I cut most of my hair off as I was afraid to put my hair in the hands of just anyone. It was relaxed in a mushroom cut, shaven in the back and long on top.

BHIP: What was your hair experience when you got to Paris--were you lucky in finding salons? Products?

YO: I kept my hair short for a while and just asked my husband to help me keep it shaven around the back. Then one day I met a woman who had scheduled an appointment with me to propose her company's services to me and when I saw how lovely her hair was, I just said, "Sorry this may seem like a strange question in the middle of our conversation, but please, where did you get your hair done." And that was when she gave me Nicole's number.

BHIP: Where do you get your hair done now or do you do it yourself?

YO: At Polished Hair Care. I am a loyal client. When I find a hairdresser I like or I will allow to put scissors to my hair - I don't leave her or him till one of us changes continents.

BHIP: Have you had any bad hair experiences in Paris?

YO: Not really because if I am feeling uncertain about the salon, I have just asked for braids. I mean how bad could someone braid your hair?

BHIP: People often talk about the negative effect "calcaire" (limestone), which is found in French water, has on their hair. Would you say it has affected yours? How?

YO: I am not sure if it has affected my hair but it certainly affected my skin and since my scalp is skin I would guess it had its effects on my hair - just making it dryer than it usually is which is already dry as it is.

BHIP: You've been here for a long time. Have you seen black hair evolve here? I remember when I first got here the weaves were HORRIBLE. You'd be on the metro and see tracks everywhere, but really noticible tracks!

YO: Ha ha! Same here. I see a lot more women with better weaves but I still find them a tad odd. Nicole convinced me for my trip to Asia not to have too much too worry about, to get a pony tail attached and another time to get pieces put in. I liked looking at myself with a bit longer hair but it was still a bit odd for me.

There are still a lot of wigs!

BHIP: How do you wear your hair in Paris now-Relaxed, natural, braides, weaves?

YO: Currently my hair is in twists with extensions (yes, I think extensions are Ok particularly because you don't have the odd bump on your head. ; ) ) I have not had my hair relaxed in about 2+ years now and it is quite long though you couldn't tell when I just get the 'fro going. I have had two or three Keratin treatments as well with the interest in loosening my very tight curls. Results have been mixed. But I think I'll try again.

BHIP: What's your current hair regimen?

YO: To be honest the less I do, the more my hair loves me and I think that is why I have been able to finally get from proper thick growth. I have a lot of hair!

BHIP: If you were in the U.S. would you be wearing your hair the same way? Why or why not?

YO: Probably, but not sure really.

BHIP: What advice would you give other black women, especially Americans who are used to have so many choices, about taking care of their hair in Paris?

YO: See a lady walking down the street with hair you like, do not hesitate to ask "where did you get your hair done?"

Permanent Blow Outs at Polished Hair Care

Polished Hair Care

Polished Hair Care Salon, owned by fellow American Nicole Pembrook, is an upscale hair salon located on the famous Champs Elysees. Now this salon is offering its clients the permanent blow dry (also known as the Keratin straightening treatment, The 12 week blow dry, and The Brazilian Blow Dry)!

According to professionals, the permanent blow dry is the only anti frizz hair straightener designed to be used on bleached, highlighted, colored, relaxed, dry & natural hair. It straightens and conditions leaving the hair soft and easy to manage. It also returns the hair to its original healthy, shiny, smooth condition. You can see the results immediately after the treatment is completed and it lasts up to four months as the treatment fades progressively.

I haven't tried this blow dry because I've recently gone "natural", but I did talk to four different women (including the one pictured above) and they all swear by it.

From now until a limited time only, the salon is offering the permanent blow dry for an introductory price of 250€ (first visit only).

For more information, visit their Facebook page, or call and make an appointment at the salon today!

Address

Polished Hair Care Salon
76-78 Avenue Champs Elysee
75008 Paris
Tel: 01 43 59 31 48
International: +33 1 43 59 31 48
Fax: 01 43 59 33 89

Naturally Me in Paris

I am a new naturalista. But I never planned to be. I didn’t go for the big chop. I didn’t have a hair tragedy or develop an allergy to chemicals. I didn't watch Chris Rock's Good Hair. I came into the look I’ve always wanted simply by accident. Serendipity is my friend.
 

I got my first relaxer at 13. I tagged along with my aunt to the salon. While sitting there amazed at her glossy results she asked me if I wanted one. I said yes, all gooey-eyed, and that experience led to me using chemicals for the next two decades. Before my relaxer I got my hair "pressed" as folks back home call it. Every Saturday night we'd go to my grandparent’s and sit in the middle of the kitchen. I still remember my grandmother saying "Grab your ear girl" and me cringing, hoping she wouldn’t slip and burn my finger. When she'd finished and all the smoke had gone, there we sat with our long hair reaching our shoulders. Happy. Proud. Ready for ribbons and church on Sunday.

Those were the days.

After I initially got my relaxer I kept it simple until I reached 18. I was away at college and modeling part time. For one of the fashion shows the organizers sent me to a hair stylist. She turned out to be a weave specialist and said "Why don't you try it, at least for the show?" I went from having a bob to being a diva overnight. That led to what I call my "Diana Ross years." Afterwards I wore long hair extensions (braided in, glued in, sewed in) off and on for several years. If I cut my hair and missed it, I'd go and get it weaved in again. If I simply got bored with my already long hair, I'd go and get even longer hair. Curly weaves were my kryptonite.

In 2006 I decided that length no longer mattered to me. I didn't need super long hair. Not even long hair. I went for a super short bob and it was one of the best looks I've ever rocked. But then, I let my hair grow out and I was bored again. I returned to my old habits and went and got another weave. Sigh. The vicious cycle was hard to break. I finally got rid of it once and for all in 2009.

I was then expecting a bundle of joy. I didn't want to go to the salon. I went for a long time without doing anything to my hair other than a simple shampoo and a pull back. After the baby came I knew it was time to get my head taken care of. Nicole Pembrook of Polished Hair Care told me on my first trip back to the salon, "You know what? You don't need a relaxer. I'm not putting one in. In fact you never needed one."

WHAT?

I didn’t believe it. I'd had a relaxer since...forever. In the back of my mind I thought "I'll just try it out. She'll see." That day I walked away with a shampoo and blow out. No one could tell that I didn't have a relaxer. I would wear my hair blown out and flat ironed for the next two years.

In December 2011 I was travelling home to America for Christmas. I had a weave specialist’s number. He was inexpensive and good. I didn't want to go back to relaxers or weaves but I wanted to change the texture. I wanted curly hair again. It turns out he wasn’t available (thank God!) so I decided to wash it myself. However, when I looked in the mirror afterwards I didn't recognize my own head: I had a head full of naturally curly hair.

It's been two months since I had a blow out. My family, my friends, and most of all, ME love my new hair! The icing on the cake was when my daughter, who has curly hair too, looked at me, patted my hair, and said "Mom pretty hair." 

What more could a girl ask for? Absolutely nothing.

Salon Review: Polished Hair Care

Polished Hair Care

Owned by Nicole Pembrook, an American from San Francisco, this salon has expertise in hair extensions, cutting, straightening, the permanent blow dry, colouring techniques, eyebrows, and flat-iron curling and tons of other things. For Nicole, Polished Hair Care is more than a hair salon. It is a sanctuary where women of all origins can experience professionalism and tailor-made services. 

Pros: A very experienced and talented team, great products, perms, conditioners, advice, and much more. Easy, central location. Nicole and her team are tops!

Bottom line: A good salon with a good staff. Their shampoo is the best I've ever had. DO make an appointment beforehand and DO be on time as the salon gets busy.

Address

Polished Hair Care Salon

76-78 Ave. Champs Elysees

Metro: George V

Tel: (33).1.43.59.31.48