[koolba]

Interesting topic and I can see how this is a daily issue for some, but I don't get the startup angle. What's the eventual monetization angle? Referrals for hair stylists? Paid membership to get new lists of or customized styles?

Which of the pictures of the girl (linked to the dropbox share) is closest to her natural hair? The styles are so varied it's impossible to tell! On the aesthetic front (obviously IMHO) it's a toss up between Oct 2016 and Dec 2016 for best (though all look very nice!).

[priscahazel]

We will monetize through product sales, stylists booking/referrals like you mentioned and native ads targeted at specific hair types within the black hair-care community.

With regards to your second question, the closest to her natural hair is the 1st pic (Nov 2016). Hers will be much shorter and will have to be straightened to look like this. It's surprising that none of the styles show her own hair.

[wehadfun]

I would avoid trying to charge for bookings. You will be the victim of Disintermediation because the stylist will tell give the client their number and say to not use trees to book.

I would suggest charging stylist to attached their searchable location and phone numbers to picture of hair styles. In other words charge them for advertising.

[priscahazel]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestion. Will look into that option as well.

[mygo]

(black African-born male here) There are two December 2016's and three october 2016's. One cluster is at the top, the other cluster is at the bottom-left + a straggling october 2016 at the bottom right.

Her natural hair is probably closer to the set at the top. My guess would be the January 2017 and October 2016 (at the top, not the bottom-left). The December/October2016 set at the bottom-left is probably furthest from her natural hair. Everything else on the page took some type of unnatural styling, including the wavy hair.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if her unnatural hair is what you find aesthetically appealing (due to American beauty standards, this is usually the case -- I've lived in both continents and the difference is significant), then that alone is a testament to why this app will be successful through the advertisement of hair products and referrals to stylists. Beauty is important to women and the use of chemical products and knowledgable stylists are (IMHO sadly) what it takes for black women to reach "mainstream" beauty standards here, which is a major market force.

[koolba]

Not sure how I didn't realize those months were duplicated. I was referring to the one's on the top line next to each other.

[vidarh]

Here is a UK chain catering to black hair. Their page of products related to chemical relaxing (straightening) of hair alone has more than hundred products (sidebar on right):

http://www.pakcosmetics.com/hair-care/relaxer-n-texturizer/h...

And that's just one category of types of hair products that are rarely used on white hair.

That should give a slight idea of the referral opportunities..

[priscahazel]

That's true. Immense referral opportunities for both for major/mainstream brands and the growing ones.And many brands have a host of products targeting black women's hair.