Feb 22 2008
February’s Featured Dominican Stylist - Miguelina Soriano
We’re a little behind this month with the featured stylist [ok, a lot behind….sorry!]. We’re still tweaking the featured stylist write-ups – so make sure you give us feedback. This month we decided to bring you a Q&A format with Miguelina Soriano of Pro Hair Salon inRaleigh,
Ladies in the triangle…puh-lease tell me you’ve been taking advantage of the rise in Dominican salons in your area? Well, if you haven’t hopefully after reading more about Miguelina you’ll give her a try.
Miguelina standing next to a satisfied customer at Pro-Hair Dominican salon located in Raleigh, NC
RBH!: Thanks so much for agreeing to be our February featured stylist at RBH! Tell us a little bit about your self and how you got started doing hair.
Miguelina: I’m from Hato Mayor,
RBH!: (laugh) That’s hilarious, I can’t imagine a fourteen year old applying a relaxer. So did you moved to Raleigh directly from Hato Mayor?
Miguelina: No, I was a salon owner and stylist for many years in
RBH!: Was there anything in particular that prompted your move to Raleigh?
Miguelina: I like it down here. I love the weather; it is much different than New York City.
RBH!: Oh, I’m sure the winters are a lot milder than in New York. Speaking of winter, do you encourage your clients to do anything differently with their hair during the cold months?
Miguelina: I recommend that people maintain their hair no matter what time of the year it is. It does not matter if it is cold or hot outside. In general I always recommend that people maintain their relaxers and cutting their ends to keep their hair looking healthy. For people that go to the beach or to the pool, I recommend that they always wash out chlorine and salt right after they are done, and immediately apply a conditioner. There are so many excellent leave in conditioners that are made for this very reason, to protect the hair from damage. I also tell my clients to never leave their hair wet if they are relaxed, this will only bring damage to the hair.
RBH!: Those are some great tips. Do you have any advice for women nursing their hair back to health from damage or breakage?
Miguelina:
- It is vital that women trim their ends every 2 months.
- If women are relaxed - do not go longer than 6 weeks without getting a touch up (especially if you care for your hair at home).
- Always deep condition your hair, try to do it every two weeks.
- Wash your hair once a week (that is a must!).
- When relaxing your hair, you always want to condition your hair, try out a rinse (cellophane) to provide more moisture and luster to the hair.
- If you have a permanent hair color of highlights, ALWAYS CONDITION YOUR HAIR.
- Remember no matter how good you think you may be, doing your hair at home will never be like having a trained professional do your hair.
- Always use conditioning leave-ins when roller setting.
RBH!: Priceless information! You mentioned the importance of conditioning and the use of leave-in conditioners, do you have a favorite Dominican product or line of products?
Miguelina: I favor the Nacidit line. The creator of the line has nearly thirty-five years of experience in the hair salon community.
RBH!: You’re not alone when it comes to favoring the Nacidit line; it’s very popular with our customers as well. For women who would like to visit you at your salon, do you specialize in any one style?
Miguelina: I don’t limit myself to the normal wash and set, I can work and mold hair to whatever a client may ask for. I can also do hairstyles for special occasions like weddings.
RBH!: One last question before I let you go - the popularity of Dominican salons has grown tremendously throughout this country. Raleigh is no different, but would you say the word is only just recently getting out there?
Miguelina: Yes! And now there are so many Dominican salons popping up down here. I don’t mind it though, we [Dominicans] are showing progression and that is always good. God has a plan for all of us and we will all get what we deserve in life.
If you live in the Raleigh or plan to visit the area soon, check out Miguelina and her talented staff 6 days a week:
Pro-Hair Dominican Salon
4111 New Bern Ave.
Suite 141
Miguelina is the best! congrats on your new shop…thank god raleigh finally has dominican salons.
Does she have a website? I will have to check her salon out.
Hi Miguelina, I don’t know how soon you will be able to respond to this email ,but as you can see, I am quite desperate to find a Dominican Stylest! I would greatly prefer to find one in my area (Fayetteville NC)but, that seems nearly impossible. Miguelina I was wondering if you know of a stylest that is close to the Fayetteville, NC area but if not I was wondering if I could come vist with you. I am in the process of growing my relaxer out and I exercise4 times a week. I would be willing to travel once or twice a month . My hair is trippin and I need help! Please email me when I get a chance.
Erica
Hey Tanya, you can check out Miguelina’s comments, salon address and hours of operation on our Locator Service. Just enter her zip code: 27610
Hi/
I’m African American and I put a permanet color in my hair and my hair haven’t been right since, I usually can put jam on my hair when I wear my hair up in busch ball but now it’s to hard can you tell me some products I can order that will soften in back up.
Depressed, Janet
I went to Miguelina last week and I am very impressed. Congrats to me! I have found a new stylist. I have short damaged hair and I am working on growing it out. I like the products Miguelina used. Glad to say I have an appt this Saturday!
Great Profile and Q&A Format!!
Hi,
I learned about this website on “NocheLatina” blog.
It is true that Dominicans have diverse hair styling abilities and techniques. Although I am Black, I have been familiar with Dominican hair stylists from since childhood. Dominicans sure know how to smooth out the new hair growth between relaxers. And Dominicans know how to use both the blowdryers and brushes to do that, well.
My question for you today is: do you have any suggestions for thick natural tightly coiled hair.? I wear my hair braided, but I need do something (other than relax) new with it. It is shoulder length.
Vanya in the Virgin Islands
I love reading everything in this article, and was wondering if anyone knows any Dominican hair salons in Cleveland, Ohio area. I have heard so much about, their diversity in styling African American hair. I am willing to try this new regimen, and start using something more healthier for my hair. Please help !!!
If someone can tell me where I can find a Dominican hairdresser that treats African American hair (black) and is great at their trade, please email me at:
saddled@ccf.org and dsfisheman1-fisherman@yahoo.com . Thanks
I have an appt with Miguelina on Saturday–and I am excited. Prices are not as good as NY/NJ but I am used to that now (been here for 4 years). I am a black woman with thick curly hair and I just need it to be straight. I love the dominican shops and glad you have highlighted this salon in Ral…more details to follow after my appt.
I know at one point many were saying that the Dominicans prices were affordable. I am wondering what are the prices that they are charging now. Are the prices in line with regular salons, or are the prices still reasonable? I do my hair myself and it is growing like a weed..lol! And now I think it’s time to put it in the care of a professional. Like one person said…I am very picky about my hair.
Hey Lisa,
Prices at Dominican salons vary, but I still think they are more reasonable than your average American salon. I wouldn’t recommend calling over the phone to get a price…most stylists need to see your hair for a more accurate quote. Give Miguelina a try though! (and let us know about it)
I went to Miguelina when she worked at Suni’s. I loved her! She is the BEST! She is very friendly and soft spoken! She did my daughter’s hair too. I am so glad that I found her again! Thanks RBH!
I have been in Raleigh 2001 and have been asking and searching for a Dominican salon pretty much since I got here. It’s hard when you don’t know many people. I have just recently begun to hear of a couple of different salons in hear in Raleigh. All the comments are great but I’m not seeing any comments from people who have natural hair. I have natural hair and what I have run into is that so called professional stylists don’t want anything to do with you unless you have a relaxer! I don’t get it! I thought that is what you went to school for…I thought that if you love to do hair then no matter what type then you would jump on it. I was happy to hear about Sunny’s but when I contacted her she told me $25 and up for a blow out. I told her I have natural hair and she said, “oh well then for natural hair it will be $45 and up” I was shocked to say the least! I don’t get why they charge so much down here. I used to go to NY and it was $10 during the week and $15 on the weekends. Anyway, I would like to see some feedback from those who have natural hair and stylists who don’t discriminate!
Thanks!
Hi Tina,
It does seem pretty odd that there would be some “discrimination” when it comes to natural vs. relaxed hair in Dominican salons. I thought Dominican products were designed with natural hair (i.e. curly/kinky) in mind.
Well what do I know… I’m just learning, and I am in Michigan where I will probably never find a Dominican hair salon anyway. Best of luck anyway!
I have had a relaxer in the past and have not had one in about 3 months. I am trying to let my hair grow out and go natural. Will a blow out help me with the transition? Also if your hair gets wet while wearing a blow out does your hair revert completely back to it’s natural stage?
Well, I have recently found a new place in NC to get my hair done. Its LA LOOK DAY SPA & SALON in Mebane, NC. They not only do the dominican doobie (like I used to get in NY), they do manicures, pedicures, lash enhancements, massage, facials, braiding, dred retwists and so much more. The owner is the former owner of Hair Affair International in Queens and she relocated here to open her salon. My hair is once again healthy and growing like a weed, I threw away my curling irons because they are no longer needed.
I am so glad to find out about this salon and am excited about trying it out as soon as I get a chance. I moved to Raleigh from Philly almost three years ago and have searched for a stylist ever since. I was able to find a stylist at an Aveda salon that is good but after I tried a Dominican stylist on a trip home last year I have longed for a Dominican salon in Raleigh. There was one Dominican salon I found in Raleigh and, sorry to say, I was sorely disappointed. As a person that is able to style my hair very well at home I hope to have a “professional look” when leaving a salon and hate to pay for something I could have done at home. Unfortunately this was not one of those time and I have no intention of going back.
I have also ordered a starter package because I have never used Dominican products outside of whatever is used at the salon and I hope to be as satisfied at the people in the testimonies. I, too, am a natural girl but always set my hair because I have yet to find that right product to moisturize and define my curls without setting. Hopefully this website is the answer to my hair prayers:)
Romaine,
If I may ask, which salon did you visit that you were dissatisifed. I myself visited ProHair salon and was disapppointed. I recieved a perm and in two weeks my hair appeared to need a relaxer. I visited another Dominican salon and the stylist made the comment: Who did your relaxer? They didnt do a good job. Surprisingly, my hair had been relaxed by domuncan hands and it did not appear to be professionally styled. I have since found a Dominican stylist and must say, she is really awesome. The prices are steep though. I would love to get my hair done once per week but $40 a pop adds up quickly.
I went to Pro Hair on 12-3-08. Miguelina did a wonderful job on my hair. This was my first visit and I needed a relaxer but the money was a little low so I just got a rolo ( that’s what they call it in their language)..The shampoo lady was awesome! She almost put me to sleep. The atmosphere was pleasant and friendly.. They talked in their language the whole time… but little did they know I spoke their langauge… I was able to translate what this little girl had said to her mommie about me.. Nothing bad.. she basically said in their language “Mommie she has her hair like you” and when I looked at the little girl and responded “yes I do “. They were shocked… That just goes to show there are people out here that not only knows English but other languages like myself.. I am definitely going back!!!
What are her prices for a blow out on relaxed hair? Relaxer, and roller set with small rollers?
Miguelina, i love to see you on the weekends i have had nothing but good experiences in your salon and iam a regular customer. Migue has shown me how to care for my hair and keep it healthy i than god for her and her experience, she makes the visit to her salon worth while, Please if you have not gone GOOOO soon. Love Mary From FedeX
I’ve been goin’ to Pro Hair Salon since the end of February…I do have natural hair (went natural last year- so done with relaxers), and I must say that Miguelina is tha TRUTH!..lol…I’ve been more than pleased with her service since I’ve been going to her…even though my hair is natural, I do like to wear it straight, which is where the blow outs come in, along with her flat ironing it… I will never forget, the first time she did my hair, it had never had so much bounce and movement in its life! And trust me, I’ve been to the Black salons and they have NEVER achieved the effect Miguelina has on my hair. I almost went to one salon in the area where they do have a Dominican stylist. This was when I was first put on to Dominican hairstylists by a good friend of mine. When I spoke with the owner on the phone (who was Black), I had inquired about having the Dominican blow out, and she said that she could achieve the same effect. And she probably could have, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I’m glad that I decided to go to Miguelina instead. She only charges me $30 for my blow out, granted that my hair is not long (yet!). It has grown a lot since I’ve gone to her and I will continue to drive from Durham every Saturday morning to New Bern Ave. to have her work wonders on my hair!
I have an appointment with Miguelina tomorrow - I will be posting my review after my appointment. I can say they were very nice on the phone! I’m excited because I haven’t been to a domi salon in nearly two years due to financial constraints - I need to get my swang back! I just moved to Raleigh and I hope she is the answer for my hair! I am working out nearly daily and I need someone to keep my “do” in check.
Miguelina is AWESOME! I was in a bind one day. I called her at the last minute. I had somewhere to go all of a sudden and she said okay,okay, come right in. That was the most beautiful gesture. She is sooooo good. She is affordable! Just awesome!
I am in desperate need of finding a Dominican beauty salon. Please help! I can’t go back and forth to NY to get a perfect Do!
I need to find a Dominican beauty salon in Fayetteville, NC ASAP!
I been going to Migulina she’s great. I won’t be using her for relaxer’s however. Otherwise I have no complaints. I’m going to ask her to give me a cellophane treatment too. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Everyone talking about this salon so i gave it a try today im tired of the damage of perms and asked for a blow out. She did an alright job but not worth $35 more like $20. My hair is not straight at the roots but it does blow with the wind. I am going to try a different one. This one was OK. Miguella is nice, but i doubt shell get another regular customer from me.
I’ve been going to Miguelina for the past year now. I am from NYC and i must say, she does a better job on my hair than my regular stylist back home!! My hair has grown out sooo much and is really soft and shiny. Although her prices are not as cheap as in NY, you have to pay for beauty!! Keep in mind that Dominican stylists are a bit scarce here in Raleigh, so if you want your hair to look beautiful, you’ll have to come up off dat dollar!!! Miquelina is a godsend!! Muchas Gracias!
I am from NY and moved to Raleigh. I am Italian but am used to going to Dominican salons. I REALLY need to get my hair done and want to feel comfortable in the salon I go to. (Down here, people don’t mix as much) I miss my Dominican salon and am wondering about this issue. Thanks
Hey Sisters,
I just recently relocated to Fayetteville, N.C. from Atlanta. I have been asking about a Dominican Salon since arriving, but cannot locate one. I cannot believe as big as Fayetteville is and being a military town, they are no where to be found. Needless to say, I cannot go back and forth to Atlanta to get my hair done. Please, please, someone, anyone, open a Dominican Salon!!!
Hi Miguelina,
I have the same problem as Erica I workout 3 times a week, i have been without a relaxer for about 3mnths, I live in the Fayetteville area and i would love to find a Dominican salon in the area, I also have to girls ages 7 and 11 and i was wondering if you could give me tips on how to manage healthy and longer hair for them at home