Hairstylists vs YouTubers | Which One Should You Actually Listen To?

I would rather risk my own hair than let most stylists touch it....and I'm not alone. Here's why.

In the natural hair community, this question comes up a lot: Should we trust hairstylists — or YouTubers?

And if I’m being honest, I lean heavily toward YouTubers… and more importantly, just knowing your own hair.

But let me explain why.

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My Worst Stylist Experience

The last time I went to a stylist, it was to bleach my hair — the first time in years. I actually documented this on my SubStack too. She told me she was a curl specialist, so I trusted the process.

But after she rinsed the bleach out, she was pretty rough with my hair. No gentleness’s, no sectioning, no care that I’d just had a chemical process done. And before I could even process it when I got home, I had a literal chunk of my hair missing in the back.

It’s still growing out. And before that appointment? I hadn’t really been to a stylist in nearly a decade.

Although, she was very nice and had zero issues explaining to me certain processes, it still doesnt take away the fact that im still missing a chunk of my hair. 

So yeah. That kind of snatched whatever trust I had left.

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The Problem with “Professional” Credentials

Here’s the real issue: cosmetology school doesn’t teach afro or coily hair properly. And yet, so many stylists point to their license like it proves they know how to handle our textures.

It doesn’t.

Most schools focus on straight, wavy, or looser-textured hair. Coily, high-density, or high-porosity hair? Barely touched. So a stylist might be certified — but still not know how to handle your crown the right way.

And when that happens? We get horror stories, heat damage, breakage, or way more hair cut off than we asked for.

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What About YouTubers?

Now, I’ll be the first to say: not all YouTubers are trustworthy either.

Some creators push trends like rice water, onion juice, or random oils for views — not because they actually work. I fell into that trap when I was a beginner, and it was hard to sift through all the misinformation.

But… YouTube also taught me things I’d never learned from a stylist:

• The difference between high and low porosity
  

• How to layer products for moisture
  

• How to avoid ripping my hair out while detangling
  

People like Naptural85 (and honestly, myself) have shown real results over time. That’s the kind of transparency I can trust.

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Can We Trust Stylists Again?

Crazy enough, I don’t think the bridge is burned. I do think stylists can earn back the community’s trust — but it’s going to take more than just saying “I’m licensed.”

Stylists need to:

• Be willing to keep learning
  

• Be open to questions without getting defensive
  

• Respect the fact that naturals have been forced to teach themselves for years
  

If I had a stylist I fully trusted, here’s what my ideal experience would look like:

• They’d explain every step of the process.
  

• No question would be treated like a dumb question.
  

• My concerns would be taken seriously, not brushed off.
  

• And they wouldn’t treat watching YouTube like a bad thing — they’d see it as part of our journey.
  

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What About Me Becoming a Stylist?

People ask me if I’d ever get certified myself. And the truth is, I’ve thought about taking classes — especially science-based ones — just to sharpen what I already know.

But cosmetology school? Not for me. I love educating, not styling people’s hair. I’d rather give advice, make videos, or write posts like this than physically do hair every day.

What I would love is for more hairstylists and educators to meet people halfway. To break down the science in simple terms. To teach without ego. And to make natural hair care accessible, whether you’re in a salon or watching from your phone.

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So… Who Should You Trust?

Here’s my answer: Neither — and both.

• Trust stylists if they’ve earned it and understand your hair.
  

• Trust YouTubers if they show consistent, long-term results.
  

• But most of all, trust yourself. Track what works. Pay attention to how your hair reacts. Build your own blueprint.
  

Because nobody — not a stylist, not a YouTuber, not even me — knows your hair like you do.

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