I've debated writing this review since my last visit because I always want to support Black businesses in the area, but ultimately, I don't think their team is providing services up to par with the clientele that they seek to cater to (professional African-American women). For context, I have collarbone length virgin type 4 hair (a/b/c), get regular trims, and wear a rotation of braids, natural styles, and presses throughout the year. And I've been going to Black hair salons my whole life.
On my first visit, I received a good wash and deep condition, was offered water, and engaged in an informative conversation about my hair and what to know before trying new styles/treatments (sew-ins, keratin treatments, etc.). I was also given a good trim. It was strange to me that when I asked for a better blow dry, I was informed that it would be under a different service (blow out) than what I had booked, which was a wash and blow dry (nevermind the fact that I hadn't booked a deep condition but was still allowed to receive the service). I still believe that this would not have been an issue if I had a looser, or more "manageable" hair texture because then it would have responded differently to the blow dryer.
I booked a second visit to try their braiding services and got medium fulani braids (cornrows in the front, knotless in the back). This was where things got rocky. I don't understand the need to straighten hair on a low setting before doing a protective style. Again, I think this is a salon-wide incompetency regarding kinky-coily hair. As far as the braids, the sections in the back were closer to large than medium and didn't match those done at the front. The cornrows at the front were neat but the two braids on either side (coming to the front) were poorly done without enough of my hair added so were left loose and weak. I requested the braids to be shorter than lengths offered and clearly communicated this throughout the appointment. At the end, they were cut in a way that didn't match salon quality. And, the amount that I was charged didn't match the quality of the service nor the specifics of the hairstyle requested before and during the appointment (with reference pictures shown to braider).
Lastly, I realized that I couldn't go back for braids but still liked my first experience for a good wash and condition, so I unfortunately went back. Taking the "advice" of the first stylist to book the "blow out" service instead of a normal blow dry, I was met with, yet again, another lackluster, disappointing, and frustrating experience. In blow drying my hair, I told the stylist that I wanted it blown out straight, showing reference pictures to past salon visits that I had received a simple blow dry (all from other Black salons in the city). Sure, I have type 4 hair but my hair also responds well to heat and it doesn't take a lot to get it pretty straight just from the blow dryer. The real kicker was when I asked the stylist for a trim and she proceeded to straighten just my ends on low heat. While her defense for her sorry work was that "this was how they taught her in cosmetology school," I honestly don't think anything can excuse such choppy work. The trim was lopsided and poorly executed, and the "blow dry" that she finished with was not at all what I asked for, reminded her of, and insisted upon throughout the visit.
Longwinded but worth the read. I think if you just need a wash and condition and don't have the resources to do it yourself, they're a good option, but anything more, hold your coins close. Their services are too expensive to be so disappointing. From the other reviews I've seen and the services they promote on their socials, it seems like they do best with weaves and other extension services for women who don't wear their natural hair much. I'm not a fan. read more
