Essence! I'm honestly lost for words.. (in all the most amazing ways!)…read more I recently moved to NYC and have been searching for a place to go for my waxing.. I've been to a few salons/studios and nothing felt right. I've been from queens to the UES.. Either their technique, their approach, their "bedside" manner, the products they used.. etc etc just didn't work! I combed through yelp reviews and instagram and came across Essence and was really excited to solidify services with her! I went in for a Brazilian and underarm wax and half way through the waxing I honestly forgot that I was getting waxed! Essence is beyond kind, and makes you feel comfortable immediately (not in that cheesy.. small talk waxer way) but her energy and presence is effortlessly calming, friendly, and I felt like we could talk for hours. If you are looking for someone to wax who is through, gentle, meticulous, and sanitary.. I say book with Essence. She's knowledgeable about products, skin care, has hella skin tips, and you will want to keep talking long after the wax! She's also an educated m black woman who is amazing at her craft!! BOOK HER BOOK HER BOOK HER

I usually don't leave reviews but I felt it was only fair to the next person to leave this one. I…read morewent to Marion to have my locs highlighted and left with an entirely drastic, poorly integrated color that looked like someone just poured bleach on some of my locs. It was really poorly done. To Marion's credit, she fixed it after I returned an hour later but I still did not get the look I hoped for. So, just as a precautionary suggestion: If you have locs and want them highlighted, go to someone who is a colorist of locs. Marion is very good at other hair styles, but I would not go to her to have my locs colored again. I respect Marion's work in general, but do your research.

I really appreciated my time here with Ms. Sophia. She was absolutely kind and gave me the relief…read morethat I've been praying to get these past few months. As soon as I settled in she looked into my scalp with her tool and computer and asked me a few questions about my routine and any concerns I had. Then she proceeded to give me a detox mask, hydration mask both under the steamer. I don't fully recall the experience and everything that happened that day but only that my scalp felt so good and light! I opted to get a silk press because my silk press season is over by the time it's consistently 70+ degrees and want to get my hair pressed as many times as I can safely. It's good to have another stylist that I can trust with the health of my hair. Personally, my silk press wasn't as silky as I'm use to but my hair was flowing, healthy and looked very voluminous (-as my mom puts it lol) I enjoyed my services completely and am excited to see her at my next appointment!

There is honestly not one bad thing I can say about the service I received from Sophia nor Sophia…read moreherself. She was attentive, informative, knowledgeable, and caring of you/your hair. I did the thing--"THE BIG CHOP"-- and Sophia exceeded my expectation 10 fold. I would recommend 10/10. The precision of her cut was on point and she allowed me to ask as many and any questions throughout the process. I've found my go to hot stylist in NY--the search is over!

I just received an invite to an event this evening and looked in the mirror and realized my hair…read morelooked a mess; needed a quick fix. Located this salon on Yelp; Diva Hair Care Unisex. I walked into the salon in a frantic; expressed my dilemma. I was serviced by Kerry Ann who ordered me to go to the bathroom, relax myself, and sit in her chair. I did as I was instructed and she used her skills to work hair magic. She took her time and blended my hair and had me looking amazing in a short period of time. She educated me on how to upkeep my hair between appointments. She suggested upcoming treatments needed and gave me a return appointment. Price was reasonable; I will be returning.

Kerryann is A perfectionist and her rising talent and popularity requires you to schedule an…read moreappointment. No worries, just schedule with her as soon as possible for best results. She is so sweet that she will squeeze you in but only if she is able to. Kerryann is authentic and her hands are blessed. She is the only one I trust my locs with not only because she started them but because she is truly a good person. She never changes and that is so refreshing in this day and age.

I don't even know where to begin with Courtney. She's an incredibly talented stylist with a great…read moreheart and so professional. I went to her for crochet braids after being told by another stylist that I had to much hair to get them done and have it look natural. I met with Courtney for a consultation, and felt confident she could do my hair, but even with that her work exceeded my expectations. Pros 1. The braid pattern she chose ensured they looked super natural and my hair laid flat (my hair is thick and just beyond BSL) 2. She did not braid too tight at all. My hair line is comfortable and there is no pulling 3. She blocked out the time to work on me and me alone. 4. She has such a great personality. We had wonderful conversation 5. She constantly checked to make sure it wasn't too tight 6. One pack of hair I bought had knots that were messed up. She improvised and was able to take the time to place the hair without it looking bad. You'd never guess I had dysfunctional knots in my hair. Cons None.

DO NOT put your hair in Foster's care. If I can give a negative rating I absolutely would. I've…read morebeen natural for several years. I came across this establishment when I was unable to reach my previous stylist because she switched locations. My hair is a combo of 4's and otherwise healthy. Outside of straightening and trimming, I did my own deep conditioning and protein treatments and low tension protective styles. I came to this establishment for a deep condition, silk press, and trim. I left Friday with my hair bumped & curled and reasonably satisfied. Saturday and Sunday my hair was flat, despite wrapping it the night before. Had to put rollers in to hold the curls and bump. Monday it rained. I expected my natural hair to revert back to its waves and kinks considering how windy and wet it was. It didn't and that's when I first became concerned. One week later it was wash day. Used my sulfate-free poo and protein conditioner. My hair was flat-barely a kink. Matter of fact my hair was straighter wet than when it is dry. I contacted Courtney Foster to get a refund since my hair ended up damaged beyond repair. I sent her pictures of my hair and she informed me that she used heat protectant and that I should come in to have my hair assessed. I asked her when I can come in, as I live more than an hour away from her salon. I'm still waiting on a reply and that was in November 2018. Eleven days after receiving a "Silk press and trim", a different natural hair stylist assessed my hair and said it was permanently straightened either by severe heat damage or relaxer. The pictures speak for themselves. I sincerely implore anyone reading this review not to seek her services. P. S. In response to the business owners reply. Let me clarify our digital conversation/email. While you were damaging my hair, you mentioned that you reside/resided in Queens. Seeing as though I reside in LI, I mentioned, but did not ask by any measure to come to your house. My email stated "If it's easier to meet in Queens, I can do that as early as tomorrow evening or Sunday." I never wanted nor did I say I wanted to meet at your residence. Seeing that I believed assessing my hair and recouping my loss was time sensitive, I gave you that option of Queens or Manhattan. Don't flatter yourself by thinking I would ever invite myself to your dwelling. NEVER, would I invite myself to a strangers house as that is exactly what you are. A stranger who provided inferior "professional" service. Matter of fact I could have probably received a better service if I had gone to a kitchen hair salon! Furthermore, I offered the dates I could make time in my schedule for you to assess my hair in a more than timely fashion. You could never offer me a time when it was convenient for you to see me. Why would I offer or want to go to your home when at anytime, I could have just popped up at your establishment? Your appointment availability is posted online. Could I not have showed up on a day you are at Sola? Noticed I did not as showing up unannounced or uninvited is uncouth. As a business owner, would you not want to assess and rectify a client who had concerns about a service that you solely provided? You offered no resolve what so ever other than going ghost. Here's some much needed advice. Make sure when you lie or intend to fabricate the truth, ensure their isn't a digital or paper trail. I didn't call you with my concern, I emailed you. That was and still is a record of our conversation, with electronically stamped dates and times, as are the digital pictures of your craftsmanship and the damage that was caused due to your negligence and incompetence. This is the finale to my review of the services provided by you at your salon. I'm certain this review will disappear in time along with the other poor reviews that were pulled down but to other consumers who may come across this review take this as a forewarning.

I went in for a balayage touchup. The owner and everyone there are super friendly and nice, they…read moreoffered coffee and water and the place was clean. I didn't go to my regular girl because I moved away and decided to take the risk and find a new place near by. Unfortunately, the color didn't come out well and to pay 300 plus for it I'd expect more. The pictures on their website looked great, that's what enticed me to this salon. When my hair was finally done, it did seem dark but there was a lot going on at the time inside the salon so I didn't really spend time checking out my hair. I should've ignored everything that was going on and spent some time really checking out my hair. Plus, The last thing I'd want to do is tell someone they didn't do a good job so I decided to look at it in different lighting or to try to part my hair differently. Sometimes that's all it takes. In this case, it didn't work out. Expensive lesson learned. Balayage should start close to the root but it looks like nothing was done except some caramel and orangey highlights. I considered going back to the salon to ask if they can try fixing it but I decided to leave it as is and let it grow out before I do anything else to it and to have it corrected somewhere else would be another couple hundred bucks I can't afford right now. Next time I'll just take the drive out to my old stylist. I just wish that if this stylist knew that a balayage (or touchup) is something she's never done or something she wasn't sure about, she should've declined me as a client.

I saw this place on IG. I'm always up for trying a new salon. Well if I could give this place NO…read morestars, I would. The owner of the salon behaves as though the clients have no other choice except her. The place is small and there is a room where there is a woman doing nails. Kids were all over the waiting room, running around and the owner said nothing to their parents. It's overpriced! $850 for hi-lites?? Why? Go somewhere else... you'll have a peaceful experience and pay human prices!

I have been going to Sister Aminata for about 7 years now and I am never disappointed!…read more They are located across the street from Old Navy, ALL the way up the stairs. I don't get braids as often as I used to, but they always do a great job. They braid faster than most African hair braiding shops which is a huge plus for me because I hate sitting for too long. I like that they are not rough with your hair and know how to work with all hair textures. When I first started going there, I was still getting perms. After I stopped perming my hair, I was worried that the braids would hurt and that my braids wouldn't look fresh. I have 4C hair and I am tender headed, but they are gentle. If there is more than one person working on your hair (usually not more than two), they are aware of that and aren't just pulling your hair in different directions at the same time. Back when I used to get sew-ins, this was my go to place, because they know how to blend your natural hair with your weave. I have gotten everything from sew-ins to box braids here. During the summer, the AC is on and during the winter the heat is on, so it's never uncomfortable. The shop is kept clean, they are sweeping the hair off the floor throughout the day. There is enough people there that speak English, so you'll always be able to communicate exactly what you want. I would suggest trying to make an appointment even if its the day before, so that you're not waiting around all day when you get there.

I had never ever had braids/otherwise done prior to my first visit to Sister Aminata's 2 weeks ago!…read more My cousin recommended the place and tried to prep me on what to expect. Based on how long I've heard it takes to get braids in, I was expecting to be there all day - but I opted for medium Senegalese twists and it took a little over 4 hours! I had a total of 3 ladies work on my hair, 1 at a time - not all at once as I've heard is common. They were all nice and friendly and chatted to each other, not so much the customers, which was fine. The space was air conditioned, which I appreciated in this summer heat and I was perfectly happy reading my book the entire time. My scalp is relatively tender and was extremely tight afterward but in a day or two loosened up nicely. Now, 2 weeks in, I'm looking forward to trying out different styles with my gorgeous Senegalese twists!

THERE'S A/C !!! *** EXPENSIVE…read more *** they provide braiding hair and they sorta all work together to get things done -- WHICH SAVES YOU A BUNCH OF TIME. ..... which is just an observation, I made, as I was getting my hair braided. :-) and I was lucky enough to get a woman who DIDNT TAKE ANY BREAKS. She literally, sat down for 4hrs and braided my hair. Other than that, the place is packed, like any other black salon. Get there early.

Although I never post reviews I do rely on others for their suggestions on where to go. My…read moreexperience with this establishment was so bad I could not let this go. First the place is so sloppy, and messy. On this particular day there was hair left in piles everywhere. While the ladies here may be talented they do not take in consideration the client. We are ladies and as such we appreciate a well-maintained space. Second while I was here I witnessed clients leaving unsatisfied because they were given what the braider gave them and not what they asked for. In one instance when a client publicly said they were unhappy with what they were getting she was set upon by the hair braiders who argued her down telling her to forget about what she wanted because what she's getting is better. Third there is a constant influx of street merchants hustling their wares. From food, to jewelry, socks, scarves, even drug store products. TOO MUCH... when you add the raucous conversations of the braiders in their language that is on a CONSTANT back and forth It's just like being on the street corner rather than a hair salon. Lastly, I watched braiders pick hair up that's fallen to the floor and put it into their clients hair. As it stands I will never come back to this place nor will I recommend it to anyone. If could, I would have given them minus stars, but to submit this review I had to give them one.

Andrea does great hair. She is meticulous, and take her time. When I leave out of the salon, I feel…read morelike I have stepped out of a Hollywood hair salon. I get a confidence boost when she does my hair. She uses the best products. She is a hair expert. I have soft hair around my hairline, which hair caused other hairstylist trouble, but Andrea keeps the hair neat, and does not yank or twist it too tight. Andrea is definitely one of the best stylist around. I highly recommend her. She is worth every penny.

My locks were in need of some TLC, after 2 visits Mandella had them looking and feeling healthy,…read moreand stronger. The color also came out great. I really appreciate your love for what you do.#customer4life