Nappy Or Not Inc

I visit the shop for the first time yesterday to get my starter locs maintenance and I must say I fairly enjoyed myself. Rhonda did an amazing job on repairing my starter locs that someone else terribly messed up. I will most definitely come back to see her, plus she has my dreads feeling and looking amazing. Thank you!

Please the service here sucks my stylish is always late late late… stay clear of this place save your money please please please. .

My review and experience at Nappy-​or-​Not salon
STYLIST: Lexie Terry
SERVICE: Color
DATE OF SERVICE: 4÷25÷15 and 5÷8÷15
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: Not good and will NOT recommend for color.
OVERALL RATING: 1.5 out of 5
DESCRIPTION
With my first appointment with Lexie maybe I did not explain what I wanted clearly, and after I got home I really did not like to color and made a followup appointment to lighten the color. Maybe it was a miscommunication between the stylist and the client, although I did bring in pictures of what I wanted.
With my second appointment with Lexie, I clearly explained what I wanted and even brought pictures to show and explain what I wanted. (please see attached picture)
PROS
I was able to make a same day appointment
CONS
1. The salon was dark and I was unable to really see the results of what was done until I got home where I had better lighting.
2. I felt like I was playing «musical chairs», because I moved from one station to another.
3. The process of going blonde from dark brown where was not fully explained to me, and neither were the steps involved. The stylist mentioned that she was adding bleach and just started adding bleach to my hair.
4. I don’t feel that the stylist listened to me the second time even after I should her pictures of what I was trying to achieve.
5. I also felt like the stylist was NOT fully knowledgeable about what she was doing because she kept asking for owner of the salon approval like it was teacher/​student relationship.
6. I was charged two different prices for color and bleaching, and the stylist did not use any toner and/​or suggestion I use a neutralizing shampoo after bleaching to tone brassiness.
ISSUES
— The stylist did not listen to what I wanted
— The stylist and/​or the salon failed to explain the process of a color change
— The stylist and/​or the salon did not make any suggestion of what I should used to maintain the color
— The stylist made excesses such as «I did what you ask» even through she did not do what I ask.
— The stylist and/​or the salon had not accountability for what transpired.
— When I call and sent pictures of the problem I had with the color the salon wanted to charge me an additional $ 20 to tone down the brassy orange overtones, but the stylist text me the next day and said she would take care of it.
— The owner of the salon never reached out to me and only sent messages via the stylist or another person working at the salon.

Very bad experience. The best part was the customer playing music on his phone. I made an appointment two months in advance for hair coloring. Called the shop on the set day of appointment. The hair stylist was on vaca herself! over the phone scheduled w a diff hair stylist, got there had a diff hair stylist (3 hair stylist switches) bc the other was too busy. She started, told her about the coupon, she got pissed called boss on cell in front of me! Tried not to finish my hair although I told them about the coupon two months ago and when I called! Mediocre hair lightening. Not what we agreed upon. The shampoo was nice

***Update***
So my favorite girl from Nappy or Not Dominique just moved into the shop next door to Nappy or Not and has GREAT specials going on!!! If you want the same services at a much more decent price go holla @ her!!!
***Update***
I’ve been getting my hair done here for the last 6 months and I love it! Dominique does an incredible job every single time. Nappy or Not is a very popular walk in shop so there will be times when your stylist might be working on more than just your head but honestly that happens at most shops.
For the quality of work they do the prices are fairly reasonable. I normally make an appointment for first thing in the morning and clear my schedule because i know I’m going to be there for at least 3 – 4 hours. I honestly dont mind because Dominque is a perfectionist and when I say leave happy… I leave HAPPY!

I’ve gotten my hair done here a few times, and they do a pretty good job. However, you spend hours under the dryer while your stylist does someone else’s hair. This has happened every time, even though I always make an appointment. If you don’t have time constraints, they are cool.
Also, I’ve gotten quoted one price and ended up paying another. For instance, the sign posted says $ 250 for a full sew-​in weave, but I somehow ended up paying $ 400.

I’m happy to say… Job well done. After reading some of the previous reviews, I was not sure how my hair would turn out. My hair looks amazing. The locks look done was more than I could have ever asked for. I’m happy that I went to this salon. I will be returning again. The pricing was the same as what I paid in Southern California, while I was back home for winter break recently. My only regret is not going to this place sooner, as I have lived here for 4 years now. Thanks Nappy or Not– I’m a happy customer.

I have mixed reviews because I feel I got really good service. I went in to get my hair dyed. All of the stylists were very helpful and I felt like I was a part of some kind of sisterhood, something I rarely experience when at a hair salon. Reggae music played in the background and I really enjoyed getting my hair washed there. My only critique is that I wasn’t given a heads up about the price. I was under the impression that a dye job was $ 40, as indicated. My stylist insisted on toning, conditioning, and giving me a couple of braids. I was also forced into buying soul food that one of the stylist had prepared there. I only ordered a piece of chicken and greens and was charged $ 10 for that. And the dye job turned out to be $ 100. I was alarmed but had no choice but to pay it.
I just wish that when a stylist insists on doing extra things to your hair, they give you the price quotes also. Sadly, I will return in a few months to get my dye job touched up. But not before getting an exact price quote and paying nothing more than discussed.

Rhonda at Nappy or Not is AMAZING! She KNOWS hair… I went in for a deep conditioning, trim and style and I was beyond satisfied. Rhonda whipped up my two strand twists in no time. And unlike most stylists, she was an amazingly smooth multi-​tasker. Most stylists will put you on hold, sitting in the chair while they start another client that they overbooked… Not Rhonda — somehow everything was perfectly timed and not rushed at all. When it was time for me to go under the dryer, she was able to switch over to styling a womyn’s locs with ease, finishing just in time for me to return to the chair and start my style. I waited no more than 15 minutes upon initial arrival to the salon (which is REALLY good for busy salons like this one), she spent time with me to discuss what styles I was interested in, and after examining my ends, she trimmed off JUST enough without instruction from me.
The salon atmosphere was fun and laid back with regulars coming in and out with smiles on their faces as well as enriching chit chat about health and love and stories about kids and family. Not only did I come out with a great hair style which lasted for over 2 weeks, but I had a very pleasant experience.
Fairly priced, good service, knowledgeable stylist, fun environment and a compassionate touch. I couldn’t ask for more.

I am in love with this place!
Dominique hooked my hair up once again and I just love her!
Shout out to Rhonda, Roni, and Dominique! Had a blast speak with you all and love the work you do! Looking forward to meeting with Dominique in November!

Terrible! Absolutely Terrible! I asked for a simple wash, press and trim and I ended up with a greasy, poofy haircut of 3inches! She cut 3 inches off of my hair and told me my hair was still long… For $ 80 it looks as though I went to a beauty college! My boyfriend was disappointed and I was depressed! I hate my hair! I will never ever go back again! Oh and the 21yr old-​Domonique did my hair… smh! Never again!

I would agree with many of the posters. I called and explained that I wanted a henna rinse, a texturizer and a style. I was quoted a price of around $ 35.00. I knew it couldn’t be that inexpensive, but I decided to give them a try. When I arrived, I found the same atmosphere mentioned in other posts, loud tv, kids running around uncontrolled, and people wandering in and out that were clearly not patrons or employees. When I told the hairdresser what I wanted, she seemed confused about the texturizer process, and was unfamiliar with henna rinses. At the end of the process, my hair was dyed the wrong color and did not cover the gray, the texture of my hair was unchanged from when I went in, and I was not given a style at all. At that point, she tells me the cost would be 100.00. To top off the horror, the website said that they take Visa and Mastercard. When I offered the card, she hemmed and hawed and said she didn’t know how to work the credit card machine, and referred me to a generic ATM in the store next door! If I were to follow my first mind, I would have left the shop, got in my car and never gone back, but since I’m honest, I used the ATM (for an additional fee that I should not have had to pay), went back into the shop for the last time, and gave the stylist (?) the money. I have never been so disgusted with a hair salon in my life…

Very unprofessional, unclean, and unorganized. I had a 10 am appointment. No one could find my appointment in the book even though I confirmed. I waited till 10:45 and the stylist never showed up. I had to ask them to call my stylist whom they could not locate. The place looked dirty, the chairs had rips in them, and the bebe kids were running everywhere.
You only get one change to make a first impression. I’m not impressed.

Truly, truly sad.. The first time I visited, my experience was good and I give that time 5 stars. My second visit earned 1 star. Not only was I having a sad day, but this made it 10x worse :-(. First, this is not the place to get a weave, partial or full, done at. Second, their prices are off the top of their heads, and therefore a price quote is highly recommended. Finally, be prepared to wait over 4 hours for a mediocre service. Fortunately, I’ve learned my lesson and I do not advise going there unless you have dreads or locks and are having your hair done by the owner :-/.

Never Again Will I Return. The owner Rhonda did my hair. I asked for a short hair cut style some thing that was trendy, that B%&*! ended up giving me a short hair cut that looked so old school from the 80’s & 90’s, on top of that she wasn’t even going to trim my hair, she wanted an extra $ 15 for that and a trim is included when you have a short cut.
Worse hair experience I ever had… When my husband seen my hair he was disappointed and ended up sending me to another shop the next day for now on I go to Platinum Plus Nancy does a good job with short cuts.

Almost one year later, and I’m a happy every-​other-​week regular at Nappy or Not.
My newly natural hair has grown at least six inches, and I seamlessly navigate through everything from straw sets (still my fav), to funkycurlyfros (and braided remixes), to bone-​straight iron-​outs (which I’m rocking this week).
As a professional chocolate sista’, feeling great in my natural hair, I think Rhonda is deserving of a Nobel Prize! AND… they’re adding a Mini Spa!
Also, I gotta say, I’m ECSTATIC to be able to support this Black-​owned, WOMAN-​owned business, which has been a successful and evolving Oakland establishment for YEARS. And it’s accessible, fast, always positive, and convenient. As for the complaints about the prices — you pay for what you get. In fact, I’ve paid higher prices for… let’s just say «less». Trust me, Nappy or Not is a gem!
All things included, I have never had such a POSITIVE hair experience in any salon on the West Coast, East Coast, Midwest, or South. From the positive energy and attitudes of seemingly everyone in the shop, to the fast yet attentive service, to the top-​quality (and consistent) talent of Rhonda and her staff. I always walk out with a smile, feeling like I got my money’s worth and then some.
Five more stars for Nappy or Not!

Before you walk in and let these people touch your hair, get a quote! I had 16 locks repaired and the manager didn’t discuss price as we had a previous discussion about them when I had gone the week before to get the new growth done and paid $ 90.more than fair and they did a good job.
I returned less than a week later to get the one’s I thought that needed repaired and got a whopping charge for $ 160!!!
The manager just told me to come back for those and simply said she would take care of the few I wanted done. She NEVER told me it was $ 10 per lock. I was a new customer and it should be been discussed. She asked if I wanted to make installments, what? They know hair but don’t let anyone do anything without telling you FIRST what the entire charge is. For christ’s sake, it only cost me $ 200 to get them done at another salon to begin with! I will never walk into that establishment again.

I went in a few months ago to get some help with my dreads. They were not locking and I was embarrassed. Sonji worked on my hair and now my dreads look great.
I wish it wasn’t so expensive so I could come in more often. But if it weren’t for Sonji, I probably wouldn’t have dreads now.

I visited this salon a couple times last year. The name led me to believe they could cut and style my super curly hair. I have to say, in the case of Nappy or Not, it’s a big fat NOT!
I’m not gonna drop names cuz I’m not trying to ruin anyone, but it was the same ‘ol, same ‘ol I’ve gotten in the past. Hair blown and pressed straight and then cut and curled like a pageant participant. This is after I came in prior for a consultation and explained I was interested in a cut and style for my CURLS! I was reassured the stylist was all about natural hair and would hook me up. Unfortunately, not so. Not to mention, I was in the salon for SIX HOURS!
When I finally washed out the press and curl at home, I was right back where I started… and nearly $ 100 poorer.
Sorry, you won’t see me there darlings!
P. S. Want your curly hair to look drop dead fierce? See my review for Madusalon. Finally, someone gets it!

I agree with Niesha.
They are over priced and the results aren’t worth it.
I’ve been there a least three times.
I figured they were worth a try each time my price went up.
Not so professional and too much Drama!