Have you ever had an experience with getting your hair done where you are not sure about the style…read moreat first but then you grow to love it after "living with" the style for a week or so? Well this is definitely NOT one of those situations. I was in a rather desperate situation because the woman who usual does my braids was unavailable due to illness. So after searching yelp for someplace that is professional while being in my price range, I can upon Lady Leo Beauty Salon. I was able to make a same day appointment with Shenel, the resident hair braider and after previewing the pictures online, I was excited to get my summer style. I choose something simple and quick, cornrows of alternating size braided back into a bun. This was something basic that I didn't feel was easy to mess up. I did not get my hair washed or even blow dried, from start to finish my style which should have taken no more than two hours took over 4! I read the review of another helper about time being an issue for the, so this was no so surprising for me. After all quality takes time right? Wrong! After weather numerous comments by Shenel about how thin my edges were and dry my hair was (I had just taken out my kinky twists and my hair needed some TLC, which I tried to explain to her), I had to sit through her rough mishandling of my hair. I am not were near tender headed but I had to bite my tongue more than once. They braids were so tight I could not even touch the or bear to have her put them up into a bun. I told her they were tight and to her credit she tried to use steam to loosen them up. This did not work well and I have to take 825 mg of ibuprofen (a throw back from my Caesarean section this past winter). I left in pain and upset because she had braided on the very baby hairs which she complained were too thin. By then I was so tired I just wanted out. I paid the 80 fee ( nowhere near worth the style I received) forewent a tip and hurried out of the shop vowing not to return. I am writing this review a week after my experience because the pain from the tight braids remains and I am upset that I wasted my money because I now have to take out the braids that I received only last Monday! The cornrows which she placed on my baby hairs literally detached from my head from the stress of being braided too tight. Please do make the same mistake I did, please go elsewhere for your braids. Please see the attached pictures as a cautionary tale from my experience.

Consistent, knowledgeable, reliable, and reasonably-priced!…read more That about sums it up! Karen, who owns the salon, is great! After moving to NY, I was very apprehensive about finding someone to do my hair. But, I'm so glad I stumbled across her shop (after several terrible experiences elsewhere). She is definitely the only one in NYC I will let touch my hair! Karen really takes the time to talk with her clients about their hair and figures out a hair care plan and style that is suitable for ultimate growth. She also has several treatments (oil and protein) that she encourages her clients to use to perpetuate healthy hair and growth. Beyond that, she is extremely friendly and accommodating (she has squeezed me in on short notice when I desperately needed it, something I really appreciate it). Also, she is all about doing what's in the best interest of your hair! So, she's not afraid to let her clients know when a style or color request may be damaging to the hair--a very important characteristic to have as a hair care professional! I think the prices are reasonable, and there are no surprises, as all the rates are listed on the wall. I typically get full sew-ins which take approx. 4.5 hours, but are well worth the time! You can't rush quality, which is definitely what you can expect to receive. I am constantly complimented on my hair every time I get it done! So, definitely check out the salon! I've been going for 1 1/2 years, and I'm very satisfied!

For the first time, in a long time, I am feeling confident about my natural hair journey. In past…read moreyears, I've gotten lazy and my hair has suffered, not to mention my recent hormonal changes with the addition of my daughter. I heard about Tamika through a black hair care forum and she is very educated when it comes to naturally curly hair. I had to wait for months after first contacting her just because of timing and life events but was finally able to make an appointment at her studio. I am almost fully gray (started at 11 yrs) and I live my hair color so e just focused on my hair health. We spoke first, about what my expectations are and what regimen I use. We went over everything, from products to schedules and how I style my hair at home. She started the process and went over everything that she was using, why she was using it and what it would do for my hair. She meticulously styled my hair and cut it into a shape that fit me and while it was a bit overwhelming, the look was already growing on me by the time we finished. The whole time, we talked like we were old friends because she's very personable. This was, by far, one of the best salon experiences I've ever had. She told me what I need to do at home to maintain what she's started in the salon. She emailed the products that she used so that I can recreate the styling process at home. I'm thankful for her time and dedication to the craft. A stylist can only give you the tools to assist you in your journey. You have to put in the effort to maintain so that you're successful at reaching your desired outcome. This is not the place to go if you have unrealistic expectations or if you're looking for a cheap do. You're paying for education and instruction on how to achieve greatness.

Tamika is a true professional! She's so skilled and talented!! She is the best natural hair stylist…read moreI have ever come across. She goes over everything with you step by step. I was struggling with getting definition from my wash n go or as she calls it "curl definition set". We went over technique and products. Best decision I've ever made was to go to her! As of recent, I received the taming treatment and my hair is so much more manageable. It's amazing! My natural hair is healthy and colored. My coily hair loves to be caught up in itself, and the treatment has loosened them just a bit making it easier to detangle and style. My hair is still curly and can be worn straight with less work! HEAVEN SENT

SO sooo happy with my visit! I haven't put heat on my hair in months, but needed a switch up from…read morethe DIY protective styles, so I booked a silk press. It's at discount on Thursdays which was a plus! I'd suggest confirming appointment time, since available slots listed online may not necessarily be. I arrived for my 3:30 appointment and was seen promptly. Jasmine was professional and sweet. I was a little nervous trusting a new stylist with my natural kinks since my hair had finally started to recover after years of over processing and heat--but I'm glad I did. She knew her work and did minimal manipulation. She also pointed out some damaged areas. It was such an easy process. I was in and out in a little under an hour and half and beaming from ear to ear (under my mask). The shop is also very cute, with neon signage and Pinterest worthy decor details. When I want another straight look, I know where I'll be!

Wow! This was my 1st time but definitely not the last! I got a silk press and trim and it's…read morebeautiful! Jasmine knows her stuff. Thank you Jasmine, you're awesome!

Three weeks ago I came to her through a search from a website and decided to give her a try after…read morenice rave reviews. Now, her main specialty is sister locks which majority of her clients rave her positive views on, but on traditional locks its a different story. Initially, I had a medium size locs which she didn't like how it was parted and pull out parts to make them smaller. I had no issue because I'm thinking the smaller the parts the longer the hold with less frizz. Well, on my second week it didn't hold well since I have different textures and the product she uses to retwist is "Mygel". Let me just say most locticians gets irritated when you questioned them about products use and normally won't service you the next time because they don't like you to be knowledgable on what products they put in your hair. So, a month has past and I wanted to go to her again since I couldn't find a affordable loctician at the time and was told she only accepts appointments through her appointment online site. I never received it which I was waiting for her to email it to me. No response. So I took the initiative to find her site myself and schedule it on there which she declined. I'm thinking ok. She wants to service a gullible client who's willing to pay over $300 for sister locks that would take her a day or two instead of a meaninglessly $100 of a traditional locs that will take her less than 200 hours to complete since I have very short starter locks (4 inches to be exact). Let me just say she done me a favor by declining me because I have found a way better loctician who's willing to school me on lock care and products for locks and scalp. Don't get me wrong because she's a cool person...only when you come to her asking about sister locks. If you have traditional locs then do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. Or, you can try her out on a trial and error. I learned my lesson to choose loctitians who specializes in traditional locks.

I met Nicole about 6 yrs ago..I walked into the shop looking for a stylist as I had cut off my…read moretraditional locks..She greeted me warmly answering all my questions I left telling her I would call and make an appt...Well I lost the card and could not remember the address...I walked along lenox ave. from 125th st. until I found Nick again, I can't ever see myself with another stylist. Professional,talented and a friend who could ask for anything more. I have to say "I LOVE MY SISTER LOCKS" people stop me at least once a week for info on my hair. Sister locks is only one of her many natural hair care talents. I always leave feeling "cute and sexy" with my hair doo. Thanks Nicole

Wendy is the absolute best and a class act! She does my hair beautifully every time, all in such a…read morecomforting and welcoming environment. I was just telling a friend today that she is the SWEETEST hair stylist I've ever worked with in my life. Sweet and talented, that's truly a winning combo! She's also very timely, exacting (she wants you to leave happy!) and professional. I'm so glad that I've found this wonderful stylist and person!

Men is genuinely the sweetest person ever!! I caught her right before she was going to close early…read moreand she was willing to give me a quick haircut before she left. She really understands what kind of cut you ask for and I was super satisfied with what I got -- especially for the price. Totally worth it!!

I love Lisa and Sealene! I got my hair styled in Sept 2015 in Havana Twists. I made an…read moreappointment for a consultation and met with Sealene who answered all of my questions about pricing, the difference between havana twists vs marley twists, price, length, and color options. She also informed me that the hair is included in the price which is great for me because I don't know the first thing about buying hair. They also offer a six week touchup for the twists. Two days later, I had my appointment at 10 am with Sealene. Sealene was already at the salon and prepping for me which I liked because I hate a late stylist unless they're late for a good reason. Sealene came out and greeted me and asked about my color choices and convinced me as a twists newbie to go with a solid color first to get used to the look before going so bold. I'm glad she told me that because sometimes I tend to dive in head first and I'm really glad I didn't go for a bolder color right off the bat. The color that she used is a bit darker than my natural hair so in a sense I got to experiment with a new color anyway and I love it. Sealene was very easy to talk to and very gentle with my hair. I tried to detangle as much as possible before arriving but Sealene had to blow dry my hair a bit to make it easier to detangle at the roots. As a natural, I'm always concerned with heat but Sealene and Lisa work with natural hair so I trusted her and Sealene used a nice warm heat and not a blaring hot heat so there was no worry of heat damage. I have a head full of hair and Sealene was done in under 3 hours. Lisa came into the salon during my last 45 minutes and I loved her personality just as much as Sealene's. I can see why they make a great team. During the last few minutes, Lisa and Sealene both worked on my hair. I invited my sister to come along to document the process and she was able to get a quick but thorough consultation from Lisa about her waist length locs. My sister and I really enjoyed Lisa and Sealene and now my sister has an appointment scheduled too! The salon is really nice. It's shared with other stylists and everyone in the salon has a really cool vibe. To make an appointment, you have to book online. I think Sealene's name should also be added to the stylists list because in other reviews, people commented that they thought they were going to see Lisa and was surprised when Sealene did their hair. When Sealene turned me around in the closest mirror, I instantly loved my look! And that's saying something since 98.999% of the time, I shy away from any styles that don't use my real hair since it looks unnatural to me. But Sealene used the invisible root method and the ends of the twists are slightly wavy so they look really natural on me. They gave me a maintenance card to let me know how I should maintain my twists at home. Lisa said that I'd get plenty of compliments and I must tell her, "Lisa, you are so right! I've gotten so many compliments and told people where I got them done!" Thanks to Sealene and Lisa, I have a nice protective style that will last for weeks during the hot and drought-stricken California season I'm in and my hair can get a break from the 25 to 38 grains per gallon very hard water I have in Santa Barbara.

I got my hair braided by Monique Willis at Queenly Paradise, suite 27. I have never left a one star…read morereview for a braider in my life but this appointment warrants it this rating. First, me and Monique agreed to start the appointment at 1:45. At 1:45, when I'm already waiting outside the salon, she texts me "Hi, I am running behind. I will be arriving at 2:25." No apology or remorse even though she texted me at the last possible minute. Once she eventually arrived, she still did not once apologize for being late or even greet me, she just said my name and walked into the room. I showed her a picture of what I wanted and she started braiding. While she was braiding, I asked her for clarification on if she was adding the color I brought that day and she was rude every single time -- sighing loudly, using a condescending and at times hostile tone of voice, pretending not to hear me so she could ignore what I wanted. At some point I even texted a friend debating if I should even ask her if I can go to the bathroom -- that was the level of hostility I felt. Eventually she gave me a lecture saying "You need to relax because I already planned out where I wanted to put the color so that is what I am going to do. I got it." When I told her I didn't mean any disrespect, I just had a preference as to where I want the color placed. She again remained stubborn and told me that she already planned where SHE wants it. And then she placed the color exactly where I did not want her to. On purpose, directly after we talked about it. I said about 5 sentences total to her in the 7ish hours it took her to braid my hair and she managed to get irritated every single time. Seeing that I was the one paying her and not the other way around, I didn't appreciate the treatment I got. I would absolutely not recommend her to anyone looking to have a say in what style they want. Very inflexible, hostile, and unprofessional. UPDATE: So she apparently messaged me trying to argue back in August. Apparently it's "taking over a service" to explain to your stylist what you want done for a service you're paying 185 dollars for. Lol. Extremely unprofessional but expected as I have seen she has done with this other customers. I attached the conversation below.

I have no regrets about this salon. I love that Monique took her time giving me my services. I…read moredidn't feel rushed and the environment was very chill. Also I love the fact that I can get my hair and nails done in one spot. BONUS!!!!!!! Definitely going back

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!