Always for a fee! As the hair stylists that have wanted to "help" me out have said, "It's for the hours that are needed and the finger/hand pain they'll have to endure!"
I've always been a hair grower...I donated it twice for locks of love and a total of 36 inches. I don't really trust hair stylists. If I went in to get my hair cut at all, it was just for the split ends.
Actually...I've never even dyed my hair. THAT makes a stylist salivate.
My hair may drive me nutso sometimes but I love it and love that FINALLY after 5 years my mom brags to people about my dreads instead of putting them down. It's mostly because it really did look like crap for about 3 years.
But wow....the sets that I have seen on those people who have been patient and waited! I love hair loose hair frames peoples faces. Also....I wish that the locticians would realize, that when the dreads form by themselves the elbows and bumps that they hate so much make them unique and beautiful! Versus the hair that really has to individuality. I guess that's boring to me!