TIGHT BRAIDS: African braiders must be CRAZY!

[Halana Malie]

Let me clarify not all African Braiders are terrible to deal with. As a matter of fact my braider in NY is African. The shop is African owned, all the braiders at that shop are African. I give them props because I've been going there since I was about 19 or 20 I'm now 29 years old. At that young age I knew no better back then they braided tight, would talk about you in there language, handled my head in a rough manner, etc. Now most of the ladies are still there and there demeaner have improved over the years. Now most of them know English and speaks it 80% of the time, they ask you on occasion if it's too tight and before they start braiding they ask and make sure they know what you want (by showing you pictures) and let you know the price. If you're not happy with the price they give you a choice of cheaper/bigger size(micros, cornrows, etc) or let you know you can go some place else.

On the other hand I have nothing mean to say about African hair braiders. I will say that myself and many I know have had several negative experiences with them. Especially where I'm located now. The best advice I can give anyone who have their hair braided would be to find a braider that speaks english, establish a business relationship, communicate with them and let that person do your braids. Eventually that person will get to know you, know your likes/dislikes and braid your hair exactly how you want it for the price you both agree on.

I think the biggest issue with any situation is communication.

 

[Healthb4Length]

I am so sorry you had to go thru this crap! It makes me sick how African Braiders be doing peoples hair all tight and sh&*! Now I know not all African braiders are like that but it took me a really long time to find one who listened to what I wanted without taking out my hair line! I'm still sore about a microbraiding incident to this day my hair has not fully grown back in that spot. I really do think that some of them do so purposely...But no matter where I go to do my hair I look at the stylists' hair...if it's jacked up then she ain't touching mine. I know that this is not the perfect indicator but it works for me. I hope that your hairline will be okay!

 

[cocopuff]

Nonie your braids are very pretty. I hope to learn to do my own. I think I like braiders who do it on the side better than the pros. The experience I (AND SO MANY OTHERS) had was a learning experience and I won't let it happen again!

I know it's hard to see criticism towards Africans but it's a fact and even many african women will agree - basically blacks (incl americans) tend to be very HARSH on one another. I experienced this in my childhood, in my adolescence, and in my adulthood. People are JUST NOT COMPASSIONATE toward blackness and TEND TO BE DISTANT, COLD, AND CRUEL AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES. That's life all too often.

This site is different though. People here seem to have "sympathy" and a sense of kindness I am not used to among my own people (yes EVEN my own family).

I am definitely going to go ahead and DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ME from now on. I don't care about what ANYBODY ELSE THINKS because that's what kind of world I am living in. I don't think I'm doing anything with my hair for now. Maybe sometime later on. I don't want to give these women my business anymore (who's doing ME any favors!) and I can do my hair myself. I'll buy the Breslin video.

The girl who does my hair has a license, but operates out of her home. I like the experience of getting my hair done at her house because there is no juggling of clients and she is always polite. When I go to the salon, I almost always have to wait before the stylist gets started on my head becasue she is finishing up someone else's head and sometimes she also double-books clients.I want to learn how to do my own braids too so that I can start saving some money!

 

[cocopuff]

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

Oh, hell naw!!!! Are you kidding me, that is taking it wayyyy too far!

 

[Healthb4Length]

Oh, hell naw!!!! Are you kidding me, that is taking it wayyyy to far!

You are too funny! The last straw for me was when I had to give the braiders a ride home!

 

[AJamericanDiva]

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!

Amen, Sister!!! Amen!!! My experience with African braiders has not been good. Are all African braiders like this? Probably not... but the ones I've come across were something else. When my daughter was natural I took her to a hairbraiding place in Harlem... I had freshly washed her hair, detangled it and had it in about 3 big plaits.. the braider then takes her rattail comb and begins combing the end of the braids very hard, ripping off the ends. I was like, "Whoa! It's already detangled. I'll do it." I took the comb from her and laid it down and loosed my daughter's hair... it was a miserable experience... then out runs a rat, my daughter was squeeling, meanwhile the people just step aside and let the cat sized rat roam freely... UGH! I was out of there. I went to a different braider and kept saying "Too tight! Too tight!" When my hubby saw my hairline when I got home, he was like "That look so tight!" I ended up loosing it out. When I bought the video from growafrohairlong.com, that's when I started doing my own braids. I've never looked back. I just did my braids this weekend. It was therapeutic... a feeling of satisfaction sweeping over me knowing that I was in control of the final condition of my head. I repeat "No one will love your hair more than you!"

I should also add that I should have known better than to go to those braiders because the condition of their hair said it all... short, broken off... one was having another girl cut up the wefts off a wig and sew it to her head... a la weave. Once again, I'm sure this is not true of all braiders, this is just what I saw....

 

[tryn2growmyhair]

Amen, Sister!!! Amen!!! My experience with African braiders has not been good. Are all African braiders like this? Probably not... but the ones I've come across were something else. When my daughter was natural I took her to a hairbraiding place in Harlem... I had freshly washed her hair, detangled it and had it in about 3 big plaits.. the braider then takes her rattail comb and begins combing the end of the braids very hard, ripping off the ends. I was like, "Whoa! It's already detangled. I'll do it." I took the comb from her and laid it down and loosed my daughter's hair... it was a miserable experience... then out runs a rat, my daughter was squeeling, meanwhile the people just step aside and let the cat sized rat roam freely... UGH! I was out of there. I went to a different braider and kept saying "Too tight! Too tight!" When my hubby saw my hairline when I got home, he was like "That look so tight!" I ended up loosing it out. When I bought the video from growafrohairlong.com, that's when I started doing my own braids. I've never looked back. I just did my braids this weekend. It was therapeutic... a feeling of satisfaction sweeping over me knowing that I was in control of the final condition of my head. I repeat "No one will love your hair more than you!"

You have been an inspiration to me, AJD, esp. the bolded words. You, Dontspeakdefeat, Adrienne and a number of the other ladies have gotten me to stop going to the Dominicans that often, make my own conditioners and now, to start braiding my own hair.

On the other hand, I do not blame the African braiders. Why? Many of those women are not well-educated and do not know much about hair. They have not had the opportunity to go to a school, like LIBS, where they are taught the most advance techniques, nor are they trichologists. Look at their foreheads and (unfortunately, the foreheads of many black women) they remind me of chickens that have had their feathers plucked.

I think that some people who go to African hairbraiders are unrealistic about what they will expect and are expecting miracles. You get what you pay for and, especially with braids, if someone is charging less than $200, esp. in New York City, for what can be up to 10 or 12 hours of work, then do the math and know that you probably are not going to get good work. I am sorry. I dont agree with it, but that's the way it is. These are immigrants who are simply trying to make their way in the world, and, while it does not excuse their behaviour, I think that people should be realistic about African hair braiders, and, as a matter of fact, Dominicans, AA stylists, white stylists, etc. Every stylist has their limitations. For instance, I noticed at a Dominican salon that I went to that most of the AA women's hair was thinning at the ends. It was long but thin. Why? Becuase our hair cant take the rough combing and round brush that Dominican hair can take. So, let's not blame them and try to use every bad experience as a learning experience. Dont go back to bad stylists and learn how to take care of our hair ourselves and decrease our dependency on stylists.

I still get mad sometimes when I have a bad experience with a stylist but I have satisfaction in knowing that they do not have control over me, I am not dependent on them to do my hair and I have grown my hair BY itself. A stylist cannot GROW your hair. At best they can help you to hold on to growth or, at worst, they can damage your hair.

I think that braids, in some ways, can be just as damaging as a bad relaxer. I compare the too tight braids to a relaxer burn. They both can leave you with bald spots. That's why, I am determined to try to braid myself.

 

[tryn2growmyhair]

I really do think that some of them do so purposely...But no matter where I go to do my hair I look at the stylists' hair...if it's jacked up then she ain't touching mine.

I think a number of rough hairdressers do it on purpose -- of all races, not just Africans. That's why if you are rude to someone who is going to do your eyebrows or hair or nails, anything where they can cause permanent physical damage, be nice and hold your tongue or dont go back, because some of those ladies can be wicked -- and I mean of all races. Watch out especially if you have long hair because jealousy can come in t play too.

if it's jacked up then she ain't touching mine.

Exactly! This took me a while to learn but I finally realized that if she doesnt know how to do her own hair, then there is no way that she would be able to do mine. Again, dont expect these women are braiders, not miracle workers!

 

[balisi]

I've had my hair professionally braided only three times. This was during my transition to natural hair. The first time was by an AA braider who did not braid tight, but also did a terrible job on what was supposed to be two strand twists. When she dipped the rodded ends in hot water, the curls did not even form properly.

The next day I went to African braiders recommended by my girlfriend. They had done her hair and it was bangin. The braider removed my braids and washed my hair. I had to ask her not to scrub my scalp with her fingernails. She also used too hot water and no conditioner at all, not even a leave-in. She combed through my hair with a rattail and parted my hair roughly with the duck bill clip she used to hold my hair out of the way

At some point, two braiders worked on my hair. The pulling was not to be believed! But thinking about how good my friend's hair looked kept me in that chair. As I sat in the chair, I got a real good chance to see just how dirty the shop was. It didn't look like they sanitized anything and would use the same comb and clips from one customer to the next without even washing it in between. The twists looked absolutely perfect when done, but I will not be going back to them or anyone else for that matter, especially if I can do my own twists, thanks to my recent purchase of the BBB DVD. Now if only I can get my hands on that Marley hair...

 

[asummertyme]

even thought i have been braiding my own hair for about 15 yrs..i would still go to the African salons to have my hair braided b/c at some points i just didnt feel like sitting for 2 days doing it myself..but i have to admit going anywhere from Harlem to brooklyn..the African briaders do braid extremly tight..but b4 i knew anybetter i thought tight was good b/c it supposedly would last longer...Once i began to take netter care of my hair and thnx to forum like LHCF..i knew that was not the thing to do..i avioded the African salons ..i went one last time...and i told her braid loose! they would still pull my hair when they were even parting it..i could hear it snap as the made parts..and the use rat tail combs to ram thru it..I did want to go back to them b/c African will braid like the wind..in and out in a few hours..but the tightness..i cant take it...

 

[Mahalialee4]

I agree with NapturaGlory about the cruelty toward blackness thing. What amazes me more than the braiders are the people who submit to this type of behaviour that in some cases is ACTUAL ABUSE. I know some of you ladies would throw down if someone disrespected you in other areas of your lives. Why would anyone choose to remain dependant on an abusive person...one who abuses you personally by yanking your hair, (we call that being snatched by the hair!!!!....) ruining your hairline to the point of alopecia, (we call that "snatching you BALD!" stunting the growth of your hair, snapping off the ends of your hair and basically telling you to suck it uP!!!????If a man OR WOMAN treated your head rough in a disagreement or just because he was a jerk, you would be indignant and your friends would tell you to leave or beat her behind and they would probably help you. When you see the first sign of scalp and hair abuse and violence.....walk away. Don't keep coming back for more....Why are you subjecting yourselves to this treatment from stylists...1. because you are unwilling to learn to do it yourself...then pay a family member or friend who will treat you differently. 2. dependency....welll that is an issue that you have to decipher.... anyway...3. Status? "I just got my hair did ...thing....but you really got "plucked like a chicken". lolol .Walk away forever from a cruel, disrespectful stylist forever and tell your friends why.You will save money, your dignity, your hairline and your growth and maybe even avoid catching a scalp disease from nasty combs!!! No not all hairdressers and stylists are like that and my compliments to the good ones. Bonjour

 

[aquarian1252004]

I use an African hair braider that I have been going to for years in NYC. When I tell her not to braid tight she doesn't. I got cornrows in August for a trip to Florida and she started by braiding my hair a little first and then adding the extensions. She said I don't want to braid it too tight around the edges because your hair is soft and I don't want it to break. I know how much you your hair . Is my hair obsession that obvious ? She even suggested a different cornrow style than the one I chose because she said it would be too tight around my edges. I think you just have to find the right braider many of them are only concerned with making money and could care less about quality or hair care which is sad. If you are in NYC and you trust my recommendation you can PM me and I will give you her information and she is moderately priced.

I have to update this post because I've received a couple of recent PM's asking for my old hair braider's info. She is no longer based out of NYC, but has since moved her shop to NJ . . . not really sure what part because I don't travel to NJ, but if anyone lives in Jersey or is willing to travel that far I can still provide you with her info.

 

[Plenty]

I don't believe they care/know anything about hair care, but just the style of the braids.

I don't know

 

[BAILEYSCREAM]

I am not trying to dog all african braiders I am just trying to WARN EVERY ONE WHO LOVES THEIR HAIR to stay away from most of them unless you KNOW they don't do tight braids! Once they start and you don't like how they're treating you you must get up and leave.

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Ok, to be fair, I think there are a lot of non-African braiders that braid hair too tight.....so the above can be applied to anyone who braids hair too tight and leaves your hairline as though a squirrel chewed it off

 

[Ayeshia]

I will never go to an african hair braiding shop again They are very rough with your hair...when I went with my friend two weeks ago they TRIED to use a fine tooth comb through her 4b natural hair...hell no That was enough for me to decide.

 

[Crackers Phinn]

I think that people are getting overly P.C. about the semantics. The way to identify an African Braiding shop is that's what the sign on the front door normally says. By putting the words African Braiding on the door they want to distinguish that you are not going to a 'regular' salon. I don't think it's unreasonable to differentiate the bad service at an African salon.

If one has a bad experience at a shop that calls itself an African Braiding shop why should anyone have to candy coat the experience by lumping it in with a bad experience at an African-American hair shop?

I noticed that the people who have mentioned good experiences at African shops have had a relationship with their stylist for long periods of time. Perhaps that relationship gets you different treatment than a first time visitor? Especially in the examples where the stylist was a relative.

 

[Amarech]

No I have not read every single page of this thread and If I am being redundant forgive me,

but judging from the original post it sounds more like a case of unprofessionalism and less of the braider being African.


She sounds exactly like the braider I used to go to back in the day. She did my hair good but it was at her house she had kids running around, hubby comin and goin and the house was filthy.

You get what, where and who you pay for. I am extremely picky about my hair. Some things are just more important than others and you have to know how to gauge them. THE most important thing for me is QUALITY. Quality to me = no too-tight-braids, style exactly how I want it, lasting quality. Meaning my $65 braids don't look busted after 4 weeks and 2 shampoos.

Money never has and never will be an object when it comes to someone else in my hair because you cannot undo the damage done by an unskilled hand.

The lady's place was filty, she had kids running around, but I didn't feel like I had perm on my head after she was done, the braids kept their quality despite time and maintenance and her price was just up my alley.

 

[cmw45]

I know this is hell late, but I thought I was the only one who felt like this. Thanks ladies for the advice and support.

 

[anatomicallycorrect]

Whoa! I almost got my hair braided by an African one time, I guess I should be glad I didn't. Now I have this to add to the list of other unflattering things that I have heard about African hair braiders.

I went to an African braider a year ago. She was 30 mins late, smelled musty, started telling me how she couldn't do what i wanted and wanted to charge me $200 for something else. I walked the *** outta there and didn't look back.

 

[Substance&Style]

I'm sorry to hear about your braids.

Oh, please don't get me started on Aabies African Hair Braiding on Eastway

dang! whats wrong with aabie's?! i too have my horror stories about braids. i almost had to fight a stylist because she kept braiding my hair too tight, especially around the hairline. also she wanted to do that fire trick at the end, where they catch the loose hairs. i have been there before :-( i love braids, but i just need to find the right person...

 

[glamazon386]

I am not trying to dog all african braiders I am just trying to WARN EVERY ONE WHO LOVES THEIR HAIR to stay away from most of them unless you KNOW they don't do tight braids! Once they start and you don't like how they're treating you you must get up and leave.

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I just got some quick cornrows at ONE OF MANY African braid shops here and I was shocked at how cold and cruel she was in handling my hair. Not totally but still. It's a surprise. My hairline is gonna come out a little if I don't take this thing out tonight! It's not super bad but its JUST TIGHT ENOUGH to let me know that I'd be crazy to keep them in. Plus the shop was dirty with hair all over and the woman that did my hair had damaged half relaxed hair and looked about 10 months pregnant with twins or something. One of her daughters heads was shaved off and the other was damaged super short by relaxer. :::SIGH::: I spent $65 when they said they do that for $45. She must have been feeling a lil greedy then. She also didn't braid down to my brastrap like I asked her but she did curl the ends which looks cute. It LOOKS CUTE BUT IT'S NOT WORTH RISKING ALOPECIA AND HAIR LOSS ESP ON THE EDGES.

I remember a day when there were black american braid shops still. Back in Seattle like 5 years ago, that is. The problem with them was they didn't do me the way I liked - I'd ask for braids and they'd suggest a quicker easier more profitable style like GAUDY ponytail weave!

I know I wish I could afford a place like Khamit Kinks that would do me right but that's in New York City and pretty fanciful for my budget. Maybe one day...

I am taking these out ASAP... I still have one hope... TWIST extensions at another african braid shop. I'll look around at the clients and braiders FIRST since they take "walk ins". I'm not sure but I think even THOSE are done too tight!

That reminds me that the african shop I went to today for these cornrows was sheisty... Folks were coming in WITHIN SHOP HOURS after being told that someone would do their hair... and no one was there! No explanation and no accountability. COLD. The drink machine doesn't even work and no they don't put a side to help their customers not lose their change.

I don't think these ladies even LIKE to do hair. I bet they HATE afro hair... seriously I felt like my braider got a sadistic pleasure from doing them too tight EVEN THOUGH I TOLD HER LIKE 5 TIMES TO LOOSEN UP. Ridiculous. Luckily I had it pretty well detangled beforehand and brought some detangler spray. I feel like a d*mnation is coming upon my hairline!!! Gotta take em out QUICK.

I'm sorry to ramble on and on like this. I hope this helps somebody else!

This is the exact reason why I'm scared to get individual braids. I really want some Senegalese twists but I'm scared they're going to pull my hair out. I haven't had any problems with cornrows done by the Africans though.

 

[chocolatesis]

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.

When I first started growing my hair long, I wore my hair in braids for like 2 years straight. I always braided my own hair, and I always kept the hairline looking natural. I loathe it when every little strand of hair on the hairline is braided. I have an aunt who has no sides because of this. I always kept the hairline braided really loose and I would do those braids over more frequently. Of course, this means I had to maintain my sides daily(put water and leave-in conditioner on it), but it's worth it to keep them.

 

[~Nigeria~]

LOL. Yeah African braiders do tend to braid the hair tight. They are also notorious for taking very little pieces of hair while braiding. That's why so many lose their hair line. I use to get my hair braided faithfully at an African hair braiding place in NY. They kept taking little pieces while pulling and yanking on my hair trying to get the extension on. i was steady telling them "No, you can't do that, you gonna pull my hair out like that!" So they kept having to take out and doing it again. I was like "no that's still too small". Finally I just showed them how I wanted it myself (this is while I was still learning how to braid my own hair). After that they got right... still tight as all heck of course. But ultimately I just started doing my own braids. I agree that if you want something done right, do it yourself. More motivation to learn I guess.

 

[InJesusName]

Luvmalegs,

I HAD to reply to this thread b/c Aabies in Charlotte messed my hair up! First of all, I don't appreciate it when they pull on your hair with a scowl on their face then proceed to talk to each other in their native tongue. We KNOW they are talking about us! My experience was horrible! I had micro braids done there and they started to slip out the same night I got them! One week later, I returned to the shop with a bag full of braids (about 60% of them hd slipped out). I was nice enough to only ask for a partial refund, and they would not refund my money! I was TOO THROUGH. There was another young lady in the shop that came back because they had braided her hair so tight that her scalp started bleeding!! Charlotte dwellers--BEWARE!!

 

[InJesusName]

Napturalglory!

BEWARE on EZY braids as well! I have been there and done that too. Though her prices were lower, she took 8 1/2 hours on a style that she told me would take 3 1/2 and I ended up with bumps on my hairline where she braided too tight. Though I am terrified, I am going to try to learn how to braid my own hair.

 

[chocolatesis]

Luvmalegs,

I HAD to reply to this thread b/c Aabies in Charlotte messed my hair up! First of all, I don't appreciate it when they pull on your hair with a scowl on their face then proceed to talk to each other in their native tongue. We KNOW they are talking about us! My experience was horrible! I had micro braids done there and they started to slip out the same night I got them! One week later, I returned to the shop with a bag full of braids (about 60% of them hd slipped out). I was nice enough to only ask for a partial refund, and they would not refund my money! I was TOO THROUGH. There was another young lady in the shop that came back because they had braided her hair so tight that her scalp started bleeding!! Charlotte dwellers--BEWARE!!

That's crazy! They should have given her a full refund. IMO, you should be able to sue in that case.

 

[sky_blu]

Well they can be a little rough but all you have to do is say something and they stop manhandling your hair. My hair is currently African braided and its fine. Of course its tight but not where my cuticles are popping out.

 

[Halana Malie]

dang! whats wrong with aabie's?! i too have my horror stories about braids. i almost had to fight a stylist because she kept braiding my hair too tight, especially around the hairline. also she wanted to do that fire trick at the end, where they catch the loose hairs. i have been there before :-( i love braids, but i just need to find the right person...

Yeah Aabies is straight crazy it amazes me how they stay in business, they now have a few locations throughout Charlotte.

 

[Halana Malie]

Luvmalegs,

I HAD to reply to this thread b/c Aabies in Charlotte messed my hair up! First of all, I don't appreciate it when they pull on your hair with a scowl on their face then proceed to talk to each other in their native tongue. We KNOW they are talking about us! My experience was horrible! I had micro braids done there and they started to slip out the same night I got them! One week later, I returned to the shop with a bag full of braids (about 60% of them hd slipped out). I was nice enough to only ask for a partial refund, and they would not refund my money! I was TOO THROUGH. There was another young lady in the shop that came back because they had braided her hair so tight that her scalp started bleeding!! Charlotte dwellers--BEWARE!!

I'm sorry to hear about your experience at Aabies, gosh I've met so many people who's had negative experiences at their many locations. Those radio ad's keep getting folks but it's not worth it. The crazy thing about that place is that their radio ad says micros with hair included is $120 when you get in there they tell you a bunch of bull and up the price to $160 even more sometimes. Or how about medium size micros around the perimeter of your head then huge braids in the middle? The tricks they play to get over on you

That place left a bad taste in my mouth, I haven't had my hair braided in over a year. I loved the days when I had the time and energy to braid my own hair.

 

[misspriss]

I've only gotten my hair braided twice (both time by Africans, different salons) but my second experience was sooo much better because I was referred by a friend and I even went up there for a consultation beforehand, so that the lady could see my hair, know my expectations, and give me a set price. It saved a lot of drama and she did a really good job. I'd definitely say check out a salon/stylist before you set an appt.