Maxi Hair Salon

So far it’s easy to see why this business has no traffic on Unilocal.This place isn’t very large, isn’t flashy, doesn’t have that air of «I’m really successful» that a lot of other salons have, and from what I heard while waiting an hour and fifteen minutes for my appointment it sounds like most of their customers come through referrals.
I made an appointment for 12 and I was told at 12:20 that I’d be seen at 12:45. At 12:56 I was still not in a chair. I’d been here before, referred by my previous stylist, This is the woman that does her hair, and she told me even then that I’d probably walk into having been double booked, and that I’d probably want to set extra time aside for my appointment because I’d probably be seen late.
I was eventually seen at about 1:15, but I had to push. The stylist I would be working with let me know she was «just going to curl one more head» before she got to me, and I politely told her that I had made an appointment and had already been waiting an hour and 15 AND that I had somewhere to be, because I did.
She apologized and took me right away, and the woman whose service I interrupted (sorry lady, you didn’t have an appointment) glared at me the whole while. Whatever.
I got 3 rows installed with about 1 – 1.25 packs of hair. The rows were a little thinner than I would have wanted (I like slightly thicker braids, especially with a curly install where you can hid the bulk, but I didn’t say anything, so it was my bad) and the braids don’t come as near the front of my face as I’d like them to, which makes styling a bit more difficult, but otherwise I’m pretty happy with it. It’s been 21 days exactly and it still looks good and is mostly easy to maintain. The whole thing cost me about 130 $ (yes, I still tipped) which I think is a little high considering she charges 120 $ (before tax and tip) for a full install, but I knew the prices before I went.
The products they use are standard sally beauty products. There were very few things in there I saw that I didn’t recognize. Are there no ethnic salons that use designer products? I realize how picky I sound saying this but… I’m paying, Right?
The talk in this salon is also often extremely religious in nature. Of course I didn’t say anything to them about it, but if this kind of talk makes you uncomfortable its good to know to expect it.
There are always children all over the place, sleeping, climbing, eating McDonald’s. I don’t have an issue with this necessarily, but it isn’t very professional.
3 stars, but only because I’m hopeful that things might improve in the future, not because I think that the service/​salon warranted it.

This family-​run hair salon and cultural hub is a cozy place to be. Helen is the sole stylist who does all types of braiding, weave, cuts, colour, and design. It’s a comfortable place and she takes her time to get it right. There is a good sized collection of hair and hair products for sale. It’s very child-​friendly, affordable, and appointment timings are usually flexible.
In a unique strip on Edmonds street, beside some more Ethiopian shops and other small businesses, Maxi Hair Salon is the type of place you’ll want to stop in to say hi when you’re out for a walk.