New York

Share your experience with a natural or curly salon by providing the following:

-Name of Salon and location (city, and contact)
-Name of stylist
-Experience (the good and the bad)
-If you'd recommend to a friend

Can they give a curly girl a good hair cut, on dry hair, going curl by curl so the clumping pattern isn't cut at different lengths?

Khamit Kinks in Brooklyn, NY (718-422-2600)
Awa
I loved it at KK. The atmosphere isn't snobby or overly formal. Everyone is friendly from the hairdressers to the other customers. I was incredibly nervous going there because I hate having to go to new salons. But after talking with the receptionist and then Awa, my hairdresser, I was completely at ease. She even gave me some tips on how to maintain my hair by myself. They also use all natural products like Jane Carter and Nature's Gate, which is great for the hair!
I would definitely recommend it to a friend!

They can definitely give a good cut. I loved mine and the other customers I saw, lots who were regulars, looked great! It was obvious they know how to take care of natural hair and keep their customers happy.

DevaChan Salon (Makers of Deva Curl products)
425 Broome St. (917-267-7227)
New York, New York 10013
-I don't particularly remember my stylist's name; but they all seemed amazing w/great personalities.
-Everyone was very friendly at the salon. They particularly specialize in naturally curly hair. My stylist took her time asking me questions about my hair/products I use. Then, because I was initially indecisive, we decided on a particular color for my hair that wouldn't damage it. Let's not even get into atmosphere! When you first arrive, you are given a silk robe to put on and remove your shirt so it doesn't get damaged w/color. As they are working on your hair, you are served ice water & ice tea in champagne glasses. The hair washing area resembles that of a spa (so relaxing).
-Yes, it was a bit pricey ($150 +tax +personal tip=$176) & all I got was a coloring. But keep in mind they needed 3 separate mixes of color for my entire head to be dyed, the products used were curly friendly, & the environment was superb.
-I would definitely recommend this salon to a friend!

Anyone know of a good place in Long Island for natural hair?

-Pikanini's 499 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn, NY (http://www.pikaninishair.com/index.html)

-Sheeba

-So far I've been abt. 4 times, once for consultation and the other 3 for braiding services including 1 touch up for my transitioning style. I only had 1 "bad" experience in which Sheeba went back and forth between my head and that of other clients so I felt like I was there forever. All the other times I didn't have to wait, there weren't a ton of people waiting. The salon is small and intimate and Sheeba has a beautiful personality. It doesn't hurt that she also does amazing work. She uses natural products and is very encouraging and helpful as to what products you should use to maintain your style and hair health

-I have already recommended this place to several people and got loads of compliments.

Christo Fifth Avenue
574 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY

Stylist-Tameeka McNeil-Johnson

My hair type--4A/4B

I BCed myself a year ago and have not had a cut or trim since. I live near Hartford, CT, and I went to get a cut by Tameeka in Manhattan.

The salon is pleasant and everyone is friendly. As a first time customer they give you a questionnaire about your hair, your hair routine, want you want done and your hair concerns. Tameeka looks at it before meeting you and then does a consultation. She looked at my hair, told me how she wanted to shape it, about the products she would be using and answered any questions I had. Then an assistant clarified, washed and conditioned and detangled me. Tameeka then did the cut on damp hair, had the assistant re-wet and condition me, then styled my hair soaking wet. She gives a styling lesson, letting you watch in the mirror with a hand mirror and talking through everything she does. Then I sat under a dryer for a short time and was ready to roll after some spritz and fluff. Tameeka also offers complimentary a follow up styling lesson that you can use later.

My hair looks great and I have even better second day hair (something I have not been able to achieve with my usual products). Tameeka was professional and did not push her products too hard. My only small complaint is that she didn't really cut too much for it to be so expensive. But she told me my hair and ends were in great condition and that I didn't need to give up my length if I didn't want to, and just needed shaping. She basically just cut my mullet off the back and shaped a little. So I can't complain, it just seemed like a small trim for the price of a couture cut. BUT, she did give great one on one hair advice for me and for my daughter (who is 2 and was not with me) and she told me to call her anytime with questions. My cut was $154 after tax and I tipped her $30 and tipped the assistant a smaller amount. I put the dollars and cents in there because I always like to know how much things really cost :-)

So I would recommend this place for anyone in need of a good consultation and cut. But I wouldn't got there just for a simple trim again because it is pricey. Hope this helps!

My first stop was Khamit Kinks in Brooklyn and I was not very happy with them. If you have 4a-4c curls they know much about your hair texture but if you have a mixture of 3a/3b/3c curls they have idea on what to do. It's all a guessing game.

I just got a cut from Jeff at self salon in bklyn and he is amazing. He is devachan certified and knows alot about the various textures of curly hair on women of color. I would definitely recommend him. He also does the devachan curly dry cut method which is great! Also your first visit you get 15% off with their first time coupon they have on their website.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I plan to do a length check near Christmas and wanted to visit a reputable salon. I've heard of Khamit Kinks in BK, Devachan and the fabulous Tameeka at Christo's. I'll be looking into these particular salons.

@courtrhapsody - thank you for the info! I've been reading so many good reviews about Tameeka that I am convinced she's the one I want to do my BC with...so I better start saving! LOL

Are all the natural hair salons over $100? I'm on a serious budget and looking for somewhere in NYC/BK area I can get a cut for less than $100. I already spent so much money on my permed hair years ago and as someone that sweats in the scalp you can only imagine that after paying $150 for a hairstyle it lasted until I went to sleep and next day looked as if I never got it done. So to make a long story short I simply can not afford to keep putting $$ into a salon service when I simply need a cut or shape since everything else I can pretty much do on my own. So if there are an recommendations out there for cheaper alternative I can really use it! - Thanks everyone in advace :-)

Great info/reviews. Thanks ladies!

Hey seyonce, I've never tried them but check them out at Kissed by the Sun

The cut is listed at $30

http://www.kissedbythesunhairspa.com/

A few reviews:

Love Jamilah at Khamit Kinks, she's THE one for edgy, punk, completely new and beautiful styles and super beautiful and friendly. Their coloring game is less advanced than other salons of that quality. I loved their Manhattan salon, the Brooklyn one is huge but nice as well. Also Seshua is amazing!

Afrigenix - Marie was great for my twist outs and coil outs and the price was good at $70 including wash/condish, the salon is at a great west side Manhattan location but they rush you out of there at 7pm even if they schedule you for 5:30!

Aminata Dia @ 125th - ugh environment! And I only know them for braids which vary in quality from visit to visit but they're quick, though I'll never step foot in there again. Website fools you about expectations of cleanliness, the owner and braiders are nice enough.

Locs N Chops - conveniently located in Manhattan, the salon is a bit dingy, the website is nuts but the price is good for twists and the quality was good, staff is friendly. I never got over my stylist dipping into a gross, wet vat of gel of all things for my twists though.

Turning Heads - when I was still flat ironing, Roxanne and (guy?) were great w/pressing and styling for a good price, nice, quiet atmosphere.

Hadiiya Barbel - Gorgeous salon! Was natural but got a weave which for the style was I felt overpriced. She's a natural underneath all those wigs too.

Diane DaCosta at a salon near Grand Central in 2009 she no longer had her own. 2nd worst NY salon experience. I flat ironed for a stupid reason. She burned my scalp within an inch of its life with a hot comb and TALKED NONSTOP about her sex life, her faith, Rihanna getting beaten up, she didn't even stop when I was under the steamer. I had to keep peaking my head out b/c I thought she may be asking something important but nope! She was completely oblivious to another human being cringing and pleading with her to be careful and my press out looked amateur. Sorry if she has fans here. Just 1 experience.

By the way, worst experience was at a 125th/Lex braid factory (dump) for twists in 2004 and a woman hated her style so much she screamed, broke a mirror and came back and threw a bottle through the window!

Also Done Up! Salon in Times Sq

http://www.doneup.com/

Saw Kimberly and she was a true stylist and a sweetheart. Salon was large and nice and bright and staff was great and efficient.

hey ladies! i just moved to nyc not too long ago and i'm looking to big chop. it seems like cuts are pretty expensive at natural hair salons. anyone have any suggestions for places i may be able to go specifically for a big chop?

thanks, krystel.