When you want to look your best, it's always a good idea to head on down to the hair salon for a condition, cut, and style. If you live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you have access to some of the best hair salons in the entire state.
No matter what type of hair you have, these salons and stylists have you covered. We've compiled a list of the various kinds of salons you can find in the city, as well as the services they provide.
Fort Lauderdale: The Local Area’s Hair Salons and Stylists
Because this city is relatively small, tucked between Miami to the south and Pompano Beach to the north, most hair salons and beauty parlors are nestled in the heart of downtown. You can find a stretch of salons and stylists between Sunrise and Las Olas Boulevard along Highway 1.
Outside of this corridor, there is another cluster to the north, by Oakland Park Boulevard. Some of these places sit right on the water, giving you a pristine view while getting trimmed and styled. One salon within this cluster is EuroHair Designs, which has been an icon for over 25 years. Many of the customers at EuroHair are lifetime patrons because the stylists are just that good.
Another highlight is Illusions Hair Salon, which has some of the top-trained stylists in Florida.
Natural Hair Salons: Every Type of Hair
There are two types of hair salons for African-Americans: those that specialize in braids, wigs, and extensions, and those that cut and style natural hair.
Because African-American hair is often thicker and more layered, it is necessary to go to a place specializing in natural styling. This way, you can be sure that you'll get the best experience and keep your hair healthy and robust.
There are a couple of natural hair salons, but not many. There are also a few of them outside the city in the surrounding areas of Plantation, Sunrise, and Lauderdale Lakes. You can usually check the listings to make sure that they specialize in natural hair.
Black Hair Salons: African American, Dominican and Other Ethnicities
As we mentioned above, there are typically two types of salons for African American hair. However, many of these places will do both natural and processed hair.
Still, you will want to ask ahead of time, particularly if you have a lot of hair to cut and style. In some cases, sessions can be several hours long, so you want to be sure to get a stylist who knows what they are doing.
There are a few more black hair salons that don't necessarily specialize in natural hair. Most of these locations are along North State Road 7, while a few others are in Plantation Station. These salons can help with hair extensions, weaves, sew-ins, and much more.
Additionally, there are multiple Dominican hair salons, although you will have to go outside of the local area proper to find them. A couple of them are up in Oakland Park or North Lauderdale.
Typically, Dominican salons specialize in affordable cuts and blow-outs for all hair types. Because the prices are usually low, these places are popular and often crowded.
Go for Curls with these Hair Salons
Technically speaking, there is no such thing as a "curly" hair salon. However, because naturally curly hair can be a challenge to wash, trim, and style, not all salons can handle this hairstyle well. In many cases, curly-haired individuals will find a salon that offers curled styles and stick with it.
Another point to consider is that, while African-American hair is curly, it is different than curly hair from other ethnicities. As a rule, it is better to go to a black hair salon if you have natural hair since they will be more experienced with the thickness and texture.
Finally, curly hair salons can be considered places where you can go to get your hair curled. Dominican hair salons are great for this, but many other sites will do it too.
Fort Lauderdale has a few salons specializing in curling, but you will want to call ahead of time to make sure that they can give you the look you want.
Hair Salons: Need a Braid and a Stylist Who Specializes?
These days, braiding hair is a unique specialty that sometimes requires a license to practice. As of July 2020, Florida no longer requires licensing for hair braiders, although some salons may still have their stylists trained and certified. As a rule, certification ensures that you know the person is professional, but that can also mean a higher cost.
Typically, hair braiding is done for African-American patrons, although people of all ethnicities can get braided. If you don't have sufficient hair to do the braids, you can get a wig or weave to complete the look.
Depending on the amount of hair to braid, these sessions will last hours, so you need to plan accordingly.
Some of the black hair salons in the area also specialize in braiding, although there are braid-specific salons in the area as well. As with the natural and black hair salons, these places are along North State Road 7, between it and Highway 95.
Because these sessions are so long, you will need to make an appointment in advance since there might be a waiting list.
Get Your Hair Styled in Fort Lauderdale
With so many hair salons to choose from, it can be overwhelming if you don't know where to go. Fortunately, many of these places have rave reviews, so you can get the inside scoop from people who have been going for years.
If you are trying to get your kid's a haircut, we recommend calling ahead to ask about children's styles. Most salons can accommodate little ones, but not all of them do.