African Hair Braiding By Fama

I have never in my life experience such poor service! DO NOT GO GET YOUR HAIR DONE AT THIS PLACE. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING! I told the woman twisting my hair that i wanted a bob style and we agreed before I sat down. Please tell me why I am sitting here writing you right now with braids down to my butt? They also use entirely too much hair. I had to go back to buy more hair twice. There is absolutely no reason to use 11 packages of hair on my head. It looks like i have a mop on the top of my head. It weighs a ton, and she braided it way too tight. I told her half way through that it was not what i wanted and she kept going and tried to tell me that i told her I wanted it NORMAL length (whatever that means?). I told her i wanted a bob to my shoulders and she agreed. She was extremely rude when I told her it wasn’t what i wanted and she refused to do anything about it. She made a rude comment about taking all my braids out if i wanted any of my money back. I have had these braids in for two days and Im going to take them out. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY. If i could report this place and have it shut down i would. I am so mad I could scream. No one should have to go through this. On top of everything else they also take forever. 8am to 3pm for large sized Sengelese Twists? I think not.

Clean quality work, efficient and creative, professional, talented.
Prices are base prices, so bring more than the quote.
Respectable restrooms, parking and they are upstairs from a beauty supply store.
CASH ONLY.
Taking off one star so they can keep striving.

This is a true cautionary tale! If you are part of the natural hair movement and growing out your real hair, READ THIS before booking your appt! If I could give this shop NO STARS, that would still be too many!
My friend referred me to this shop after having her hair done by Fama. So back in October I called, spoke to Fama… told her I was interested in getting a crochet style. I let her know I was a crochet virgin and that I really wanted a protective style. I had watched many youtube vids, so I knew I wanted a seamless crochet install. Fama assured me that she could handle my request. She said she would take care of me by helping me get the right hair. Fama also said they would wash my natural hair for a small additional fee. I thought «Great! I can get an expert crochet AND protect my natural hair!»
So we set the appt for later that day. I arrive at the shop on time and proceed to wait for over an hour. I was approached by Ima. She said Fama wasn’t coming and she was there to do my hair. Now as nice as Ima/​Awa was, I couldn’t help but be distracted by her awful weave (lots of extremely thick new growth poking out from a silky Brazilian glue-​in). I mean, you’re the hair stylist but your hair looks like shit? I was nervous now! I asked her about her experience, but there was a huge language barrier and she couldn’t really understand. So, she grabbed another stylist and together we went downstairs to the Chinese beauty supply. The other stylist helped me pick the hair based off the pics I showed them, then we returned to the shop.
I decided not to have Ima/​Awa wash my hair because I didn’t think she could handle the task. Mind you, I have been growing out my hair for four years! It’s almost bra strap length, but has a tendency to tangle. So Ima started to blow dry my hair in order to put in the cornrows. I’m sitting there watching her toss handfuls of my hair on the floor! WTF??? I ask her is it normal to have this much hair come out during a blow dry? Again, she couldnt really answer. Once she started the cornrows, there was a ton of ripping and tearing. I should have run out the shop at this point, but I was kind of frozen in horror!
Ima/​Awa installed the crochet hair with a side part like I wanted. However, instead of a seamless, knotless install, I had very visible crochet knots with a part wider than Moses did the Red Sea
I had to wear the hair without a part the entire time! I was forced to hide that super wide gap/​hair part. Though I was able to rock that style, it isn’t at all what I requested.
My REAL beautician had to cut THREE inches off my hair to begin repairing all the damage this install caused
To make matters worse, Fama told me they accept debit/​credit cards. However, Ima and the other stylist had no idea how to work the card machine. Ima/​Awa (can’t remember her name) and I drove around in vain for 30 mins while I tried to withdraw money. But Chase put a lock on my card after I tried withdrawing from inside the gas station atm (something I have never, ever done!) They thought it was fraud Another epic fail for this shop…
I didn’t want to write a review that dogged a black, female-​operated business, but I decided to tell the truth about my experience. I wonder if Ima is even licensed? All of this is really the fault of Fama. It’s her shop. Fama stood me up and left me with someone completely inexperienced in handling Long, natural hair. Fama is so unprofessional that even my friend who referred me apologized and also never went back.
If you are growing out your natural hair and are interested in stylists who can care for unpermed, unruly, curly locs, (I have 4a type hair) you may want to keep it moving. I am still a huge fan of crochet braids, but I have found someone who is actually gentle, knowledgable and HALF the price of this shop!
BEWARE!!!Lesson learned!

Won’t be coming back here. I called to make an appointment and I talked to Fama on the phone. I told her I wanted medium size width box braids with some length. Not too short, not to long. She goes, «okay, $ 140.» I said okay & set my appointment for the next day. I come in to the salon and one of the workers just stares at me for 30 seconds and then finally asks me if I need help. Strike 1. I didn’t know if she worked there or if she was a client. I told her that Fama is suppose to do my hair, and she goes no Fama is on vacation, what do you want done to your hair and points to the wall which has different sized braids and prices for each one. Strike 2 because if Fama isn’t the one doing my hair she should have let me know that and should have informed the stylist that would be taking over about what we talked about.
This stylist didn’t even introduce herself, she just started flapping her lips. Talking about its $ 140 for some braids that I didn’t even describe to or discuss with Fama about. And this is where strike 3 comes. This girl is gonna sit here and tell me what Fama did and did not say to me on the phone yesterday. I said, «excuse me, are you Fama? How do you know how the conversation went or what was said?» No. Thank you.” So then she tells me I need to get more hair. I grab that, return, and then tells me I need more hair to get longer braids and she’s going to charge me and extra $ 40. I said hold up hold up hold up… Strike 4 Because after she said that I was ready to just walk out.
Now here she come trying to charge me up the ying yang and got me buying 20 packs of hair. No. No. No. I told her she’s going to have to make do with what I bought. I’m not about to drop stacks on no braids and your not about to throw these random charges at me. That’s strike 5. Because they need to get their pricing together. Fama told me one $ 140. Now you trying to have me drop $ 200+. So she obliged and started doing my hair. It took her forever. Strike 6. And she braided my hair way too tight. Strike 7. I hope I still have edges when these braids are through. Like, I’m literally struggling as I write this trying to figure out how I’m going to lay my head down to go to sleep because it hurts so bad. They really don’t deserve any stars.

So I called to make an appointment on Friday the 18^th for the style you see pictured. I asked if they had any availability this weekend and I was told to come Sunday at 3:30pm. I asked if I could text a picture of the style I wanted and I was told that «no one was at the shop». What does that have to do with texting a picture… I have no idea
So this morning the day of my appointment I get a call to confirm my appointment. I missed the call as I was washing my hair. I returned the call saying I was confirming my appointment which then changed to 3pm. Cool, even better for me. I asked if I could send a pic of the hairstyle I wanted and she said fine. I asked do I send it to the # I called or a different #. I was told the same # I called.
So I received another call asking if I could come at 2:30pm. I thought perfect. The earlier the better. She said she didn’t receive the picture and to try sending it to the number she called me from. So I did. I asked how much for this style and she said she needed to see my hair. Okay cool, fine with that.
I arrive and I didn’t receive any greetings. Two ladies in the back going to town on someone’s hair and 2 ladies sitting in the waiting area. I sat there for about five minutes and one of the girls in the waiting area asked did I have an appointment. I said yes. She then said for what and as I proceeded to pull out my phone to show her she says «oh I have the pic». (So you know what I’m here for, but you playing dumb). So she looks at her phone and then began speaking in her native tongue to the other girl sitting on the couch next to her and say $ 120. Now… I’ve had this hairstyle before but with smaller braids and the price was 120 but again that was for 40 to 50 braids. This style only requires 20 braids. Your not adding any hair!
On top of that! You claimed you needed to see my hair for a quote but not once did anyone come look at my hair for length, texture, porosity, density, etc. As I came with my hair wrapped so you can’t see through the fabric.
There’s no need to play games. They charge $ 150 for a full head of individuals but yet I’m supposed to pay $ 30 from that price for twenty braids! Guess they thought they were going to get extra x-​mas $$$ or tried to play me thinking I would pay because of American holidays. Oh well… hopefully they’ll learn better business tactics.
1^st Unilocal let down

I had my Senegalese twists done here in September, and I just took them down. I was receiving compliments even up until the day I took them down. Heading back to get them redone

Braids were really clean, really neat, and really tight. Can’t remember the name of my braider but she was great. There are little ones running around so just be prepared to be in a relaxed informal environment.

I’m so glad I found this great salon! They are beautiful, kind, professional women. I am loving my Senegalese Twists and they were worth the price. I didn’t get my hair did by Fama but by her youngest sister instead. She was very nice and she took her time with me. She started at about 8:15am and I was done by 2:45ish. I will be returning soon.

Accommodated my last minute call to have weave removed and hair washed! Service was extremely fast and I would come back again. Thanks!

This place is awesome! I went in for medium tree braids two weeks ago and they still look lovely. I get so many compliments on my hair. The braider I had was very polite and fast. And even though I bought the wrong length of hair, she was able to make it work. Not only make it work, but made it fabulous. I’m so in love with this style, I will be getting it done again in a couple of months. The prices are very reasonable too. The shop was very clean and everyone was extremely accommodating. I found a new place for braids!!!

Braiding was fine, but just watch out, because they change the price a lot. I felt like I was nickel and dimed. Just make sure you ask about the price before you sit. Owner can be unprofessional/​emotional. Also, they speak in a different language, which is to be expected, but then when they’re laughing, as a client it can be uncomfortable.

My partner found the African Hair Braiding Salon by Fama online because she wanted a change. The first time I came with her, it took 8 hours to braid her hair — OMG!!!
BUT I found Fama, Miya, Vineta, Awa, and Sokhna to be friendly and very family orientated. The shop is relaxing and gives on a very nice vibe.
The ladies are skilled in braiding and socializing and Fama told me that they are like family.
The flow of Senegalese fills the shop and takes you back to the plains of home (I too am a woman of color).
If you want your hair braided — I highly recommend all of these ladies. They are both worth the time and money and my partner always looks amazing when they are done.
Be blessed.
Nehru H.

*Singing* I’m Bad, I’m Bad… JAMONE. (in my Michael Jackon voice)
Well, at least that’s how I feel. Listen, Listen, and listen again. Fama is the truth! I am once again pleased and satisfied with the results. Booking my appointment Nia,(Fama’s assistant) was so helpful and pleasant. On the day of arrival, I had to let Nia know just how her customer service was refreshing and how I appreciate this type of service where I am spending my hard earned money. A couple of the ladies made a «food run» and asked if I wanted something back. They didn’t have to include me but they did and that as well was appreciated. Now for the braids… I don’t consider Fama as just a braider, she is an artist. Fama is neat, fast, and very very professional. I’m in love with my braids!!! Someone told me today «Oh, you’re sassy now.» My reply Damn, right!
Thanks for the coffee ladies. Haha!

I searched around Unilocal for a good hair braiding salon one morning and just did a «Walk-​In» for Senegalese twists. I don’t remember the girl’s name who did my hair, but I think she was the second youngest out of all of the sisters. Sweet girl and even though I didn’t have an appointment, she took me anyway.
Although I don’t believe this girl was the usual Senegalese twister, she did a great job, it just took really long. I was there from the time they opened until they closed. She stopped to take one break to eat lunch/​dinner with the family (and they even invited me to eat with them), And I also had to make a few trips downstairs to buy more hair because she wasn’t accurate with the amount I needed to purchase.
One negative about my hair was that around my edges, she made really small parts and to me they seemed more prone to breaking off. I asked her if this was the case and she said because they’re smaller, they will be less heavy, therefore it’s better at preventing breakage, but of course, there were a lot of strands pulling out day after day and when I took the twists down, my edges pulled out in noticeable amounts.
In the end, my hair was beautiful and it lasted a good 7 weeks, with me only getting my perimeter touched up once in between then. I paid $ 180 plus about $ 40 for hair. I also had to get money from the ATM downstairs because the Credit Card machine «wasn’t working» in the shop.
I would go back again.

My braid were decent and lasted a long time. When I made the appt. I asked if they took debit cards and she said yes but when i got it «wasn’t working» and they told me I had to go to the atm downstairs which is an extra from the the atm and my bank. They dont do neat parts so I probably would not go back.

These are the sweetest girls ever! Great work, cool prices and flexible scheduling. Don’t sleep on getting your life!

I’m giving five stars for the braids alone because they are absolutely beautiful and came out exactly the way I wanted them to. They are very neatly done and seem like they’re going to last awhile.
I’m taking one star off for the miscommunication in pricing. When I called I said I wanted medium-​large box braids and they told me it was $ 140 for that size plus $ 60 for the length (waist length). When I got there they said it was $ 180 for medium braids and the $ 140 quote was for large braids. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because I did say medium-​large but while I was there another customer had the same issue. She had sent a text asking for medium size braids and had been quoted $ 140. Binta (my braider) had acknowledged that the person she texted quoted the wrong price and should have said box braids start at $ 140 but she still wouldn’t honor the price. To be fair, while I was there I did hear the person answering the phones tell customers box braids start at $ 140 so I’m guessing it’s just that one person that didn’t know the shop pricing?
I’m taking one more star off because I was there from 8am to 6:30. My braider didn’t take many breaks and when she did they were really short so I’m not sure why it took close to 10hrs to do my hair.

I called randomly on a Tuesday night at 7:30pm because I wanted cornrows for a Taco Tuesday party (don’t ask).
«We close at eight.»
«Please?»
“But we close at eight, I’m sorry, dear.”
«Pleeeeease?»
“Oh, okay. Come on in. I’m at home right now but I’ll meet you at the salon.“
And she DID!
$ 50 later, I looked like an Asian, non-​locker room cancer Alan Iverson.
She said I looked cute in both French and Senegalese.
Then she sold me a knockoff Louis Vuitton purse from behind the little glass case next to the pomade.
Greatest salon, EVER.
She only took about twenty five minutes, too, so we watched an episode of Friends on my Iphone to pass the time.
My favorite is Ross.
Anyway, yeah.

I’m not going the lie, they did a good job on my hair. However, I lowered the score based on customer service. I waited a whole month to write this review because I was so mad. First of all I got my hair done exactly four weeks before my last visit because I like to change my hair regularly and I think having my hair in braids longer damages it. Back to my point: The first visit was $ 140 plus an extra $ 40 for extra length. Large senegalese twists were $ 180 altogether, without tip. Even though On Unilocal,they had pricing starting at $ 150. I felt the hair was a little heavy, especially for my edges. I even had to go back and get the edges fixed by them, which they did & I tipped generously for, especially since I wasn’t charged for them redoing the edges. I was so happy with the results, I told me sister. I got a check in deal from Unilocal that said $ 10 for any service for 1^st time clients. I was pumped and the next time I made an appointment I made one for my sister, so that she could use the deal. I even called and the main girl answered and she told me the Unilocal deal was valid. Another plus. When I explained to her what I wanted, she said $ 180 for me. I was thinking it would be the same price as last time since I did the exact same thing this time, so me and I sister went to get our hair done. Knowing I was not a first time customer, I gave the deal to my sister.
When we got there I should have walked out the moment the price started jumping. The head stylist told me it was $ 140 to $ 180 for the exact same service which I had 4 weeks earlier. Strike 1. Of course, there also is no pricing of services posted anywhere :(I mentioned what was posted in their Unilocal business section about their ten dollars for service for first time customers (basically if you have this coupon and you are a first time customer, then your total service is only ten dollars.) I was very adamant about the truth of this coupon, and asked the head stylist more than one whether it was true or not, to which she said «yup» a customer in the chair next to mine then stated «that’s what I saw on Unilocal too» and then the owner, slash head stylist, said she never did anything on Unilocal.And then I thinking «Then how did you know about the $ 10 Unilocal deal that I asked you about in the beginning, if you said you have nothing to do with Unilocal?» (But kept that comment to myself). Strike 2. I asked for a size lower in the Sen. Twists again, because I’m always worried I’ll be bald on my edges. They said it was a $ 40 dollar fee to change the sizing of the braid down and I was like strike 3. It’s only one size lower why $ 40 and you’ve already jumped the starting up by forty dollars. But I brought my sister and she was getting a steal deal so I dealt with it. When they were all done, they say $ 240 each! What the!!! I showed her the deal on the phone, I guess she didn’t read it or couldn’t. I don’t know, but my sister had to explain what it said and the stylist slash owner laughed in our faces. And I was like, WTF!!! She said that’s wrong and could be no way possible. It’s $ 10 off a services, but that’s not what it said although what it says and what you meant might be different It’s your business and your mistake, take responsibility for it. I know it’s a crazy deal that’s why I was so excited, but that’s false advertising. Don’t say it’s one way and then bait and switch me. By the time it was all done $ 500 between me and my sister. I was humiliated because I told me sister what a great place this was and how she only needed to worry about this much. She has kids and responsibilities like the rest of us and she’s side swiped with a huge bill she wasn’t expecting. Not cool. These people will steal your money, constantly switch their prices on you then tell you to get lost after pretty much squeezing every penny out of your wallet. Again, it’s not the final price it’s the principal of good business. Post a price, stick with that price and be honest if you make a mistake. Needless to say I will not be going back.

I can honestly say that this has been my best hair experience ever. I came in for senagalese twists and the woman working on my hair had me choose the size and legnth. She was very sweet and professional and made me feel right at home. All of the other ladies in the shop were just as sweet and we all very polite. Let me remind you that I called yesterday Wednesday to schedule an emergency appointment for today Thursday and they got me right in with no problem.
I can’t believe how professional these ladies were, you have a lifelong customer and I will be back for a touch up in 6 weeks, love your shops work! I am leaving for vegas tomorrow with my fiancé, and you ladies made me feel so beautiful for this special day, Thank You!