NapturalGlory
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TIGHT BRAIDS: African braiders must be CRAZY!
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Halana Malie
Sippin’ bubbly feeling lovely
I'm sorry to hear about your braids.
Yes, I have concluded that I will let only one person do my braids. I'm currently in NC attending school and she lives in NY. When I go home I get my braids done. I don't know if I'm alone but since I've been here (going on two years) I found the African Braiders here in Charlotte are out for the money alone. A select few care about what their clients need. Did you get them done in Charlotte? I ask because it's in you profile. Plus they charge $160 for micros; in NY I pay $100 and they are done properly, not too tight and very neat. Oh, please don't get me started on Aabies African Hair Braiding
on Eastway
Yes, I have concluded that I will let only one person do my braids. I'm currently in NC attending school and she lives in NY. When I go home I get my braids done. I don't know if I'm alone but since I've been here (going on two years) I found the African Braiders here in Charlotte are out for the money alone. A select few care about what their clients need. Did you get them done in Charlotte? I ask because it's in you profile. Plus they charge $160 for micros; in NY I pay $100 and they are done properly, not too tight and very neat. Oh, please don't get me started on Aabies African Hair Braiding
on Eastwaytryn2growmyhair
New Member
This is precisely why I bought Braids by Breslin (www.braidsbybreslin). You inspired me to turn the DVD back on and watch it.
Girl, save your money and buy a braiding video and braid your own hair. A lot of braiders -- both African and non-African -- do not know a lot about how to care for hair. It has nothing to do with ethnicity because I have had both black Americans and Africans braid my hair and believe you me, if they are rough with your hair, they will break it off, no matter who they are.
Also, I am sorry but the prices that places in NYC charge for braids -- $300 and up -- are just not worth it. Save that money and invest it! I am sick and tired of seeing us throw away our money on things like braids, clothes, handbags etc. Learn how to braid and save your money. Just make sure that you take care of your hair while they are in the braids -- braids are no excuse not to wash/moisturize/condition, your hair. And be careful putting them in and taking them out.
I'm going to take the time and do it myself. My hair has been prospering since I stopped doing to beauty salons -- both AA and Dominican -- as often. It has given me the confidence to realize that I can braid my hair myself.
Also, know that a braider has an economic incentive to rush through your hair. Why? Because they charge a finite amount for braids that can take hours. It doesnt make what they are doing right at all, but it explains it. Even if a braider in NYC charges $200 for braids, that is about the price of 3 to 5 relaxers -- many of which can be done at the same time (i.e. staggering different clients so they are at different stages -- relaxer, conditioner, under the dryer etc).
All this to say, if you really want to ensure that you wont lose hair when getting it braided, try and do it yourself.
Girl, save your money and buy a braiding video and braid your own hair. A lot of braiders -- both African and non-African -- do not know a lot about how to care for hair. It has nothing to do with ethnicity because I have had both black Americans and Africans braid my hair and believe you me, if they are rough with your hair, they will break it off, no matter who they are.
Also, I am sorry but the prices that places in NYC charge for braids -- $300 and up -- are just not worth it. Save that money and invest it! I am sick and tired of seeing us throw away our money on things like braids, clothes, handbags etc. Learn how to braid and save your money. Just make sure that you take care of your hair while they are in the braids -- braids are no excuse not to wash/moisturize/condition, your hair. And be careful putting them in and taking them out.
I'm going to take the time and do it myself. My hair has been prospering since I stopped doing to beauty salons -- both AA and Dominican -- as often. It has given me the confidence to realize that I can braid my hair myself.
Also, know that a braider has an economic incentive to rush through your hair. Why? Because they charge a finite amount for braids that can take hours. It doesnt make what they are doing right at all, but it explains it. Even if a braider in NYC charges $200 for braids, that is about the price of 3 to 5 relaxers -- many of which can be done at the same time (i.e. staggering different clients so they are at different stages -- relaxer, conditioner, under the dryer etc).
All this to say, if you really want to ensure that you wont lose hair when getting it braided, try and do it yourself.
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Eiano
Well-Known Member
umm okay so you tell them not to do it so tight. 
My aunt (African obviously) does my hair and takes the time to put them in carefully and not too tight. Most of the time she tells me that she may put it in tight because she wants the style to last so it won't get so messy so quickly; but she knows that when I tell her not to do it tight she listens.
I don't get charged but if I were you ladies... and someone was handling my hair in a way I didn't like. guess what? Everytime she started getting tighter and tighter I'd tell her "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up."
My aunt (African obviously) does my hair and takes the time to put them in carefully and not too tight. Most of the time she tells me that she may put it in tight because she wants the style to last so it won't get so messy so quickly; but she knows that when I tell her not to do it tight she listens.
I don't get charged but if I were you ladies... and someone was handling my hair in a way I didn't like. guess what? Everytime she started getting tighter and tighter I'd tell her "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up." "Loosen up."
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NapturalGlory
New Member
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NapturalGlory
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NapturalGlory
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shunemite
New Member
I think what the braiders think is that the tighter they do it, the longer it'll last. And the neater it'll look, even at the expense of your hair. Also, you have to admit, some clients getting their hair braided prefer the braids very tight. It's a production consumer thing.
HoneyDew
Well-Known Member
I agree with you! I was getting my hair braided once and saw a girl getting cornrows. She has fair skin and her forehead was red from the tightness. SHe even told them it seemed too tight and the lady ignored her saying that it was okay. That is one of the main reasons I stopped getting my braids - because the ladies at the shop did not think about protected hair and scalp.
cocoberry10
Well-Known Member
Hi Ladies:
Now I am going to kindly disagree with you all for a moment. I first got braids at age 12, and then started again at age 20. The first woman I went to was not African, but African-American. She braided my hair sooooo tight, but I was too young to realize it. I used to leave her house and take a good 3-4 Tylenol b/c my head hurt so bad. I had to cut her loose, and find someone better.
I recently got my hair braided (about 4 weeks ago). The woman who did my braids is from Sierra Leone, so that would make her (you guessed it)-- African! I have to say, she did a phenomenal job on my hair. I never had a headache, my braids are comfortably loose (loose enough that they never pulled on my hairline, but done well enough that they will not "fall out"), and she worked extremely fast. Furthermore, she always does a good job, and doesn't have an attitude.
I try not to "sterotype." Just like us African-American ladies hate it when people stereotype us (Black women have attitudes, etc.), let's not put all Africans in the same category. I think the most important thing to do is let people know that they are braiding too tight. NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE (AFRICAN, CUBAN, BLACK AMERICAN, DOMINICAN, "ANTARCTICAN," ETC.) is going to disrespect me when they do my hair. If I don't like what they are doing, I speak up. If they don't respect me, I walk out. Hairdressers/braiders need to understand that your opinion is what really matters, since it's your hair and $$$$$.
Last, if you have friends that are satisfied with their braiders, then I would suggest trying them out.
Sorry for the long post.
Now I am going to kindly disagree with you all for a moment. I first got braids at age 12, and then started again at age 20. The first woman I went to was not African, but African-American. She braided my hair sooooo tight, but I was too young to realize it. I used to leave her house and take a good 3-4 Tylenol b/c my head hurt so bad. I had to cut her loose, and find someone better.
I recently got my hair braided (about 4 weeks ago). The woman who did my braids is from Sierra Leone, so that would make her (you guessed it)-- African! I have to say, she did a phenomenal job on my hair. I never had a headache, my braids are comfortably loose (loose enough that they never pulled on my hairline, but done well enough that they will not "fall out"), and she worked extremely fast. Furthermore, she always does a good job, and doesn't have an attitude.
I try not to "sterotype." Just like us African-American ladies hate it when people stereotype us (Black women have attitudes, etc.), let's not put all Africans in the same category. I think the most important thing to do is let people know that they are braiding too tight. NO ONE AND I MEAN NO ONE (AFRICAN, CUBAN, BLACK AMERICAN, DOMINICAN, "ANTARCTICAN," ETC.) is going to disrespect me when they do my hair. If I don't like what they are doing, I speak up. If they don't respect me, I walk out. Hairdressers/braiders need to understand that your opinion is what really matters, since it's your hair and $$$$$.
Last, if you have friends that are satisfied with their braiders, then I would suggest trying them out.
Sorry for the long post.
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tryn2growmyhair
New Member
This is my feeling exactly. My hair was at its longest when I had an African woman braid my natural hair every week. When I went to get a relaxer, my hair was past my shoulders. After years of getting my hair done at African-American salons, many of whom were extermely rude to me and acted as if they knew how to do hair when they did not, my har was at chin length. Then I started going to the Dominicans and my hair grew to shoulders but gues what, it was thin because of their rough combing of my fine hair.cocoberry10 said:
I stopped going to them as much. If a stylist is rude or disrespectful -- and that includes a stylist that is recommended on this board -- I will go to them once and NEVER go back. I find that MOST stylists become rude and disrespectful when you give them suggestions because they feel that they are the experts and WE are trying to tell them how to do their jobs.
Well guess what, they are not the experts and the solution for me to hair growth and avoiding confrontation with poor stylists has been to do my hair myself and go to the lovely ladies of this board. My hair has grown tremendously as a result. I highly recommend the growafrohairlong.com website or going to braidsbybreslin.com and doing your hair yourself.
Ajamericandiva has said several times something that has stuck with me: No one can love your hair like you can!
Crackers Phinn
Either A Blessing Or A Lesson.
When I was living in Detroit, I went to an African braiding place that I found a flyer for and the big selling point for me was that they used 2 braiders to get the job done quicker.
Since it has taken up to 19 hours for one braider to do my hair I went in got an estimate and was told it would cost $215 (including the hair) for silky twists and they told me I would be out in 4 hours. So I made an appointment.
When I came in for my appointment, they insisted that they told me it was going to cost $250 which they wanted to be paid before they started braiding. After arguing it down to $235, the first person got started on my head. Then other random African people in the shop would come talk to her and start twisting my hair. In the first hour there were 3 different peoples hands in my hair. The 'second' braider shows up an hour and a half late, pulls out her cell phone, makes a call and starts twisting my hair. I kid you not, she was on the phone nonstop for the next 6 hours.
In hour 4, they ran out of 1B hair and had to send out for more. I was asked if I felt like going to get it. Since my head was half done and I wasn't the one at work, I declined.
Here is something that absolutely sucks about having more than one person doing your hair at one time. Both people kept trying to turn my head at whatever angle they wanted me at.
I sat there the entire time repeating to myself "Never Again".
7 1/2 hours later, I walked out with really pretty twists, a sore scalp and a crook in my neck.
Since it has taken up to 19 hours for one braider to do my hair I went in got an estimate and was told it would cost $215 (including the hair) for silky twists and they told me I would be out in 4 hours. So I made an appointment.
When I came in for my appointment, they insisted that they told me it was going to cost $250 which they wanted to be paid before they started braiding. After arguing it down to $235, the first person got started on my head. Then other random African people in the shop would come talk to her and start twisting my hair. In the first hour there were 3 different peoples hands in my hair. The 'second' braider shows up an hour and a half late, pulls out her cell phone, makes a call and starts twisting my hair. I kid you not, she was on the phone nonstop for the next 6 hours.
In hour 4, they ran out of 1B hair and had to send out for more. I was asked if I felt like going to get it. Since my head was half done and I wasn't the one at work, I declined.
Here is something that absolutely sucks about having more than one person doing your hair at one time. Both people kept trying to turn my head at whatever angle they wanted me at.
I sat there the entire time repeating to myself "Never Again".
7 1/2 hours later, I walked out with really pretty twists, a sore scalp and a crook in my neck.
Halana Malie
Sippin’ bubbly feeling lovely
NapturalGlory said:
I figured you went to Aabies. I've never met anyone who had a good experience with that place. I wish I knew a great braider to recommend but I don't. Good luck with EZY Braiding for what it's worth I've never heard anything negative about them. It's so many African Hair Braiding spots in Charlotte. I learned my lesson with Aabies and a few other spots so I gave up on getting my hair braided. I travel to NY when I want my hair braided.
beawo
New Member
When I read the title of your post I started laughing in my head because, that is exactly what my sisters think of me when I braid their hair. They think I am aggressive and cruel. But I think most of the time, I am frustrated because I tell them to keep still and they just won't and I find my fingers hurting so I have to grip the hair tight to get a grip atleast.
I don't think she was thinking too much when she did your hair, because she probably doesn't feel your pain. She properly felt that you were attacking her style of braiding. I know how it feels when I am trying to do your best and someone says something and I take it as though the person is attacking me instead of communicating their feelings to me.
I think its just the African thinking that the tighter the braids the longer it lasts and the better it may grow. Next time, if you ever decide to get your hair done again, just explain nicely that you get a headache when your hair is braided too tightly.
I don't think she was thinking too much when she did your hair, because she probably doesn't feel your pain. She properly felt that you were attacking her style of braiding. I know how it feels when I am trying to do your best and someone says something and I take it as though the person is attacking me instead of communicating their feelings to me.
I think its just the African thinking that the tighter the braids the longer it lasts and the better it may grow. Next time, if you ever decide to get your hair done again, just explain nicely that you get a headache when your hair is braided too tightly.
Nonie
Well-Known Member
Every time I read posts like these, I wish my braider from way back when I was knee-high, eventually comes to the US. She intends to. She's AWESOME. Very creative, very fast and ever so gentle. She's been braiding all the ladies in my family ever since my sister was about five years old. She's so gentle that most people fall asleep while she does their hair. Recently I called my sis (Monaliz) when she was getting her hair braided and she just had to rub it in that she's still getting the services of the best braider we know by sending me a pic of the finished product: Neat and totally painfree
It irks me that so many "pros" cannot braid without pulling. I don't pull when I braid. It isn't necessary to do a good job, if you know what the heck you're doing. When I used to braid people's hair (single extensions), people would complain that I wasn't doing them tight enough. They'd actually ask to touch or see the first braid in a mirror to believe it was firmly done. Yet the finished product would turn out as neat as that done by the so-called pros.
If I needed to find a braider (thank God I can do my own braids; more braids; and more yet), I'd use this rule of thumb: if the braider has a clientele of kids who keep coming back for more and never leave in tears, then it's worth letting him/her do my hair. Otherwise, I'd have to watch them do hair a few times before letting them do mine (It's easy to see the strain on the skin even if the client doesn't show any signs of pain). And then of course, the final test: If it hurts in the first few minutes of them doing my hair, then I'm outta there.
I'm so sorry you had this bad experience. Incidentally, how do people find braiders? Do they just walk into a store that says braiding is done there or do they seek out references first? I know heads have varying degrees of sensitivity but better safe than sorry. Perhaps the question to ask isn't just do they do a good job, but also do they pull, and how often do they do kids' hair? And don't ask the braider, ask the people who go there. Or heck snoop. Stop by and watch the reactions of clients - plural. Coz you might just have my sort of luck where you visit when a tough chick is getting her hair done; so don't just go by the reaction of one person. See more. If they haven't got anything to hide, they shouldn't kick you out their store. And who knows, you might just learn how to do it yourself from watching like I did.
It irks me that so many "pros" cannot braid without pulling. I don't pull when I braid. It isn't necessary to do a good job, if you know what the heck you're doing. When I used to braid people's hair (single extensions), people would complain that I wasn't doing them tight enough. They'd actually ask to touch or see the first braid in a mirror to believe it was firmly done. Yet the finished product would turn out as neat as that done by the so-called pros.
If I needed to find a braider (thank God I can do my own braids; more braids; and more yet), I'd use this rule of thumb: if the braider has a clientele of kids who keep coming back for more and never leave in tears, then it's worth letting him/her do my hair. Otherwise, I'd have to watch them do hair a few times before letting them do mine (It's easy to see the strain on the skin even if the client doesn't show any signs of pain). And then of course, the final test: If it hurts in the first few minutes of them doing my hair, then I'm outta there.
I'm so sorry you had this bad experience. Incidentally, how do people find braiders? Do they just walk into a store that says braiding is done there or do they seek out references first? I know heads have varying degrees of sensitivity but better safe than sorry. Perhaps the question to ask isn't just do they do a good job, but also do they pull, and how often do they do kids' hair? And don't ask the braider, ask the people who go there. Or heck snoop. Stop by and watch the reactions of clients - plural. Coz you might just have my sort of luck where you visit when a tough chick is getting her hair done; so don't just go by the reaction of one person. See more. If they haven't got anything to hide, they shouldn't kick you out their store. And who knows, you might just learn how to do it yourself from watching like I did.
NapturalGlory
New Member
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HoneyDew
Well-Known Member
I don't really think it is an "african" thing anyway. I have onyl gotten my hair braided at African owned salons so I cannot give a fair comparison. I just think some braiders don't care about the health of you scalp and condition of your hair. Many of them are not professional stylists.
I'm sorry, but I don't think it's fair to bad talk all African braiders because you had a bad experience. I've been to many braid shops (I'm from brooklyn so I've been to places in BK to 125th Street and now I live in CHicago and I've been to 2 places out here) and basically if you don't like the way the shop looks, then you shouldn't get your hair done there. I'll admit, there are alot of shops that have like 15 people crammed into a place braiding hair, but you know what? They tend to hook you up for less! If someone is braiding my hair too tight, then I tell her and I insist that she takes out the braid and redo it. I normally accompany my friends to shops the first time they get their hair braided. You have to be firm with the price you want to pay and once you negotiate it, then you should not have to pay more. I'm sorry you had a bad experience.
Naijaqueen
New Member
Back when I used to get braided, I tended to be very insistent, last time I had my hair braided was in Nigeria, and I told the woman as clear as possible what section I didnt want her to touch, she looked at me funny but did it anyway, i had my temple area gelled down. My lil sister on the other hand would sit there and not say a word, and come back with a headache the next day.
On another note I bought Braids by breslin and one of these days I'll do my own
On another note I bought Braids by breslin and one of these days I'll do my own
Phoenix
Well-Known Member
I won't make any generalizations, but I will tell you about my personal experience.
I've been getting my hair braided on and off for about 13 years. For the first 7 years I went to 2 different braiders who were from somewhere in the Caribbean. It took them a loooong time to braid my hair...maybe 8-12 hours. But they were never too tight and my hair flourished. But they were a long way from my house so I started going to another braider who happened to be African. She was faster but she braided soooo tight. I would tell her not so tight and she would be cool for a few braids but then she'd go back to doing them tight. So I stopped going to her and started going to a shop full of African braiders (most from Senegal but a few from Nigeria). They all braid tighter than the Caribbean braiders. I have had my hair braided by probably 4 or 5 different women in the shop and I finally found one who doesn't braid so tight that I can't blink my eyes. I just wish I could find a braider who cared about the health of my hair as much as they style. That's why I'm going to go ahead and invest in the Breslin video.
I've been getting my hair braided on and off for about 13 years. For the first 7 years I went to 2 different braiders who were from somewhere in the Caribbean. It took them a loooong time to braid my hair...maybe 8-12 hours. But they were never too tight and my hair flourished. But they were a long way from my house so I started going to another braider who happened to be African. She was faster but she braided soooo tight. I would tell her not so tight and she would be cool for a few braids but then she'd go back to doing them tight. So I stopped going to her and started going to a shop full of African braiders (most from Senegal but a few from Nigeria). They all braid tighter than the Caribbean braiders. I have had my hair braided by probably 4 or 5 different women in the shop and I finally found one who doesn't braid so tight that I can't blink my eyes. I just wish I could find a braider who cared about the health of my hair as much as they style. That's why I'm going to go ahead and invest in the Breslin video.
EbonynIvory
New Member
NapturalGlory said:
I went to two different African Braiders here in Alabama. The first one braided extremely tight and after I got it done I could swear I thought I could hear snapping everytime I turned my head. These were cornrows that I kept in for maybe a month and a half. The second time I went to a different one because they said they were cheaper, but when I got there and showed them what I wanted done, halfway through they told me that they couldn't do that style because it would only last for a couple of weeks and they wanted to do something that lasted longer, so I ended up getting individuals done. They lasted a good two months, but the Kanekalon hair broke my face out and I had to take them out. Both times that I went, they always ended up talking about the price was going to be more once they got halfway done on my head. If I choose to have braids again, they will tell me what it is going to cost and stick to the price.
CurliDiva
Well-Known Member
When I pay for micro braids, the West African braid shop I go to has all of the problems mentioned above-- I once had to hold and feed one of their babies while getting my braids. The final straw was when it need a diaper change. 
They probably complain that I'm picky, but I do TIP and never get rude (like many of the other AA customers), so they listen! Also, I only let 2 of their many braiders touch/work on my hair.
I recommend that you bring your own combs, products, and hair. Set up an appointment for first thing in the morning (before anyone is tired or cranky), perferably not on a Saturday (most busy day). If you walk in at 5pm or later - they are going to RUSH to finish your hair and get home before midnight.
Stop them to check by feel and looking in a mirror (go to the bathroom -if you don't want them to know what you are doing) , and you speak up (it your hair and money) if something seems wrong.
Thanks
They probably complain that I'm picky, but I do TIP and never get rude (like many of the other AA customers), so they listen! Also, I only let 2 of their many braiders touch/work on my hair.
I recommend that you bring your own combs, products, and hair. Set up an appointment for first thing in the morning (before anyone is tired or cranky), perferably not on a Saturday (most busy day). If you walk in at 5pm or later - they are going to RUSH to finish your hair and get home before midnight.
Stop them to check by feel and looking in a mirror (go to the bathroom -if you don't want them to know what you are doing) , and you speak up (it your hair and money) if something seems wrong.
Thanks
