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Why is it so hard to get Afro haircuts? | Abingdon | Didcot | Wantage | Oxfordshire

Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.

CALL: 01235 534705
EMAIL: [email protected]
4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA

Hair Salon Opening Times

Tuesday
First Appointment
Last Appointment

Wednesday-Thursday
First Appointment
Last Appointment

Friday
First Appointment
Last Appointment

Saturday
First Appointment:
Last Appointment:

10 am
3:30 pm

11:30 am
7:30 pm

10 am
6 pm

9 am
4:30 pm

Afro Haircuts in Abingdon

For many women with Afro hair in Oxfordshire, finding a hairdresser or hair salon able to cut Afro hair can be very difficult. The number who can is very small and finding them even trickier! Despite the obvious gap in the market for an Afro specialist Hairdresser, the reality is that many towns and counties such as Abingdon are predominantly Caucasian thus the hands on experience of cutting Afro hair is limited and in most cases not a skill set that most Stylists is a number of towns hold. A lot of Hairdressers won’t have the training, experience or confidence to work with Afro-textured hair. Such is their limitations clients typically find themselves forced to travel to find a specialist.

In our daily blog, our Stylists explore Afro hair, the differences in cutting, what options are out there and how we can potentially support your next haircut. For more on haircuts visit our ladies haircut service page.

Finally, if you’re new to the salon and not sure how to get the most value from your next hair appointment, need a consultation or would value a conversation before booking, call or send a WhatsApp message on 01235 534705.

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Afro Haircuts FAQ's

Why is Afro hair so different?

Afro hair is unique in its structure, density and its texture with its typically tight curls which are usually prone to dryness, breakage and shrinkage. This is largely caused by a lack of moisture which differs from some other hair types in which case usually more niche hair products which serve Afro hair more efficiently.

It’s these factors alongside growth patterns of Afro hair also mean that cutting and styling it requires a different skillset compared to Caucasian hair, curly hair or Asian hair. For example, understanding how to shape curls, manage volume, and layer Afro hair is crucial to ensuring a flattering and long-lasting haircut. This expertise isn’t always covered in standard hairdressing training, which tends to focus more on Caucasian hair types. This is usually dictated by the predominant market within the confines of the locality.

Why can't all Hair Stylists cut Afro hair?

The short answer is a lot of towns in England aren’t that diverse, Abingdon included. For this reason Stylists training will be trained by Caucasian specialists whilst working on Caucasian clients and by extension most Stylists will go years and in some cases nearly their entire career without touching anything but caucasian hair types. In areas such as London, the diversity of clients extends to diversity in hair types and for this reason you’ll find Stylists with greater experience across all hair types from curly hair to thicker, finer, more straight, coarse hair etc.

Afro hair is less common in areas like Abingdon and as such many stylists won’t be trained in this area. The techniques applied to Caucasian hair differ and it’s becoming increasingly common that those techniques aren’t being adopted through apprenticeships and colleges either. You’ll find that most whilst most Stylists will lack the basic comprehension to cut Afro hair, however they will also lack the confidence or expertise needed to cut, style, or colour it properly.

Is it challenging to find an Afro haircut in Oxford?

As a woman with Afro hair living in Oxfordshire, it’s likely you’ve found yourself in a position where you’ve had to travel to a nearby city or larger town to find a stylist who can cater to your hair type. For many, this can mean regular trips to London or Birmingham, where there are salons with stylists who specialise in Afro hair. While this can be an acceptable solution for some, the inconvenience and cost of travelling long distances for a haircut can be frustrating, especially when you’re looking for regular maintenance.

Unfortunately, the reality is that in smaller towns like Abingdon, there simply aren’t many stylists who have the specific training and experience needed to work with Afro hair. It’s not a matter of unwillingness on the part of the stylists, but rather a reflection of the limited opportunities for learning and exposure to different hair types in less diverse areas.

Can we cut Afro hair?

We don’t profess to be experts in Afro hair, but we do have experience working with a wide range of curly hair types, including Asian hair, and we’ve found that some of the techniques we use for curls can be effective for clients with Afro-textured hair.

Many of our stylists have worked and lived in more diverse areas, including London, where they’ve gained exposure to different hair types. While we don’t position ourselves as a specialist Afro hair salon, we often find clients unable to establish a salon that delivers Afro haircuts, given we aren’t experts but do more diverse hair types, often clients find themselves lost and make their way to us as a happy-medium given the overall lack of local options. We pride ourselves on offering personalised, thoughtful service and are always willing to work with clients to achieve the best possible result for their hair type. Whilst we can’t help every time, we are happy to take a look and if we are unable to support we will do our best to point you in the right direction.

Conclusion

Frustratingly the number of Afro hair specialists are few across Oxfordshire with most clients opting to travel further afield for a haircut. Finding a stylist who can confidently cut and style Afro hair in less diverse areas like Abingdon can be challenging, however whilst not expert in the field we find that we are able to support many clients whilst in other instances we are happy to point you in the right direction.

For more information, please call or send a WhatsApp on 01235 534705. Before making a booking, we would encourage you to discuss your options with us to establish if and how we can help.

@wisteriaavenuehairsalon Balayage and blow dry complete! ✅ #AbingdonHairdresser #OxfordHairdresser #Highlights #Balayage #HairColour #Blowdry #HairSalon #Hairdressers #Hair #HairStyle ♬ original sound - Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon

Opening in 2018, our space is now one of the busiest. Our creative team are celebrated for their signature haircuts, hair colour, perms, blowdries and more.

CALL: 01235 534705
EMAIL: [email protected]
4 EAST ST. HELEN STREET, OX14 5EA

Opening Times

Tuesday
First Appointment
Last Appointment

Wednesday-Thursday
First Appointment
Last Appointment

Friday
First Appointment
Last Appointment

Saturday
First Appointment:
Last Appointment:

10 am
3:30 pm

11:30 am
7:30 pm

10 am
6 pm

9 am
4:30 pm

Want to know more about Afro Haircuts?

Complete the below and a staff member will contact you at the earliest opportunity with further information about how we can help you achieving beautiful Afro hair. Any questions, call or send a WhatsApp to the salon on 01235 534705 or book your appointment online.

Want to know more about your next Afro haircut?

As one of the best Afro hairdressers near me in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, we would love to discuss your plans with you! To book your hair appointment or consultation, get in touch with Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon by booking online or calling us on 01235 534705.

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We are a boutique hair salon in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. For hair appointments, visit www.wisteriaavenue.co.uk
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