Mamacita Braids — Attraction in Hillside

I came to mamacita thanksgiving eve for waist length small knotless braids. I love the location, it is easy to find and plenty of parking. The salon itself is BEAUTIFUL, Modern and very clean. They have working and accessible outlets to charge devices. I don’t know my stylists name but I believe she was Senegalese as I believe she was speaking Woloff. I personally think the price was very reasonable considering the pricing of braids nowadays. I was happy with my braids and I think it took just about the right time.

Now here is what I have a problem with.

1. I had a 1pm appointment and wasn’t seen until 2pm. Scheduling issues happen and that is expected, it is even written on their website I believe that it could took longer or they could run late. What I’m not okay with is not even acknowledging that they r running late or at least apologizing. A simple “sorry for the wait” goes such a long way and makes a customer feel like their time is valued

2. when you make an appointment you are able to select a stylist. I honestly loved how my stylist did my hair so I didn’t have any issue, however when I arrived they didn’t ask for my name or anything so I don’t know how they were able to match me to the stylist I selected? Would be nice for the stylist to also introduce themselves.

3. Several customers had issues with sizing of their braids, honestly I think this is a common issue at braiding salons. Even my stylist and I took some time to figure out the size I needed. I booked small so I said I wanted small but she kept asking me what size. I said whatever size small is, two other stylist had to come over to clarify. I suggest they have a “size board” where they have all the different sizes of braids glued to a cardboard poster so they can show customers and there is no uncertainty. Stylists can even use it to reassure customers that they r braiding the right size. Sizing shouldn’t be subjective and all smalls should be the same size and so forth.

4. I am an African woman myself and I know the importance of language, and expression. I also understand that some of the stylists may not speak English or not speak English fluently and that is totally okay. However, stylists need to be a little considerate when speaking another language in front of customers. Be mindful of body language, facial expressions etc. You don’t want to give the customer the impression that you are speaking about them 😊. I know enough French to know when they were talking about my hair, or other issues. You also don’t want a client to think you are annoyed with doing their hair.

5. There was a huge argument between a customer and a stylist. It was embarrassing. I’m sure the owner will see it on the cc tv, again it had to do with sizing of braids (cue my braiding size board lol). The customer indicated that the stylist was not braiding the size she requested. The customer was aggressive but the stylist was aggressive as well and did nothing to deescalate the situation. I know in this day and age the customer isn’t always right but business owners need to be able to appease the customer and come to a mutual agreement or solution. The customer ended up walking out without paying and with her hair half braided. As a customer I also don’t to witness the drama, I want my salon experience to be relaxing and drama free.

I am rating a 4, 5 stars for the actual hair braiding process and final results but a 3 for the other issues I mentioned so an average of a 4.

In terms of hair braiding I would definitely come back but would try to get a morning appointment , I hope they can work on some of the other issues so it can be an amazing experience for all...

Yesterday 7/1/25 was one of the most unprofessional and frustrating salon experiences I’ve ever had. My appointment was scheduled for 2:00 PM, and I wasn’t seated until 4:30 PM — over two hours of waiting with zero communication, no updates. That alone was already incredibly disrespectful of my time.

I also told them from the very beginning that the crown of my head is extremely sensitive and that pulling too tight could cause breakage. That warning was completely ignored. When I spoke up, I was met with attitude as if I was the problem — for simply trying to protect my own hair. My braiders told me to stop complaining at one point. Mind you the back of my head you could feel the heat coming from it.

Before my appointment, I called and asked what shades of brown they carried so I could bring matching human hair. They told me they couldn’t give me the color over the phone i have to choose day of my appointment — basically implying I had to come into the store to see it for myself. It felt deliberate, as if they were trying to push me into buying their overpriced bundles of 100$ instead of letting me bring my own.

Then they tried to charge me extra for “combining hair”, even though the confusion was entirely their fault due to lack of communication. I also clearly asked for mid-back length, and these braids don’t even reach past my chest. I’m nearly 6 feet tall and reminded them multiple times to make it longer — I was completely ignored, yet they still tried to charge me 40$ for “extra length” I never got.

To make matters worse, I brought my own hair, but they claimed they couldn’t find a match and switched to synthetic without telling me. I had already confirmed over the phone that my hair would be fine — but instead, they used something I didn’t agree to, and still tried to charge me as if it was human hair.

Then came the most unprofessional part of all: while my hair was still being done, they asked how I was paying. I told them I’d do $150 on card and the rest in cash. she said my total due was 310$ Which made no sense because I already put down a $40 deposit and I got synthetic hair so I’m no longer going to be paying for a human hair. Next thing I know, four women surrounded my chair, pressuring me to pay right then and there for a service that wasn’t even completed — and trying to make me pay full price for human hair that wasn’t used.

Let’s be clear — you don’t pay for hair services in the middle of your appointment. Ever. It’s always done at the end. Trying to rush and corner a customer to pay early, before seeing the final result, is completely unprofessional and predatory.

And if that wasn’t bad enough — when I tried to calmly explain that the charges didn’t make sense, the braiders began talking about me while I was still in the chair. They were laughing, making comments, and speaking in another language thinking I wouldn’t understand — but I did. Not only was that unprofessional, it was extremely disrespectful and humiliating. I was trying to advocate for myself, and instead I was mocked and dismissed by the entire team.

I left that salon overcharged, disrespected, and honestly disgusted by how I was treated. I didn’t get the service I asked for, I was pressured to pay for things I didn’t receive, and I was laughed at and talked about for...

I have never had any major problems with any braiding salon but this one!!! I had to take the time out of my day to give my review. First of all I should’ve known better and read the reviews first and not just go by the photos posted on instagram. I arrived 9am for my appointment and didn’t start until 10:30am. I guess I was sitting in the owners chair and she wasn’t pleased because I left a comment on one of mamacita post, asking if the human hair were available for purchase or do I need to purchase human hair and if so what brand/type. As instructed in the policy to contact the store to purchase, I did so, one month before the appointment and wasn’t successful. A week before I called/texted everyday. Now I’m anxious so I decided to make a polite comment under a post on Ig that was uploaded 30 mins ago asking for assistance. Someone commented back stated I should contact the store directly. Then deleted the comment. I msg the number given online and stated the style, size and length and also the confirmation code/number. Immediately, I was told that they don’t have any human hair. Now this is the reason I was trying to get in contact before the appointment to avoid last minute hassles. I was sent the hair they recommended to do the small-medium gypsy style. I asked if they know where I could find the hair they said no. Even through the text messages I could already sense the individual annoyance because I asked a few questions. I was contemplating on just canceling the appointment and find somewhere else but most of these places that pretend to provide top quality had no bookings, so I had no choice. This was my birthday hairstyle and I was also going on vacation the next day of the appointment. So, I wanted to make sure I got what was needed for the appointment. Traveled from Connecticut to New Jersey(never again) got there at 9 am (I also work and have a family too) sat patiently for Ama to start my hair. There was no Ama! I was Seated in the owners chair, just for her to tell them to move me to the next chair. Sat there for an additional 20 mins before someone could start my hair. The lady came was friendly at first but was complaining that it was too much to do the small- medium style that I’m paying $500 for plus bringing my own human hair!!! The owner had an attitude and wasn’t pleasant to me!!! The lady asked for her assistance with the sizing of my hair and she was annoyed. I stayed calm and didn’t say a word apart from, “is it going to be too much”. Whole time my boyfriend who speaks the same language was on the phone translating to me what was being said about the situation. They proceeded and completed the style by 6pm. Some of the human hair came out as soon as I got home and was checking out the style. It was three braids that was in the front so it was obvious. They didn’t braid the hair down enough and the front partings were bigger than the back and I want to believe it was because two different person did the partings. I had to pay someone else to fix it cause I couldn’t make it back there before my trip. While on my trip it was a disaster.. the human hair kept coming out and the braids were unraveling so I had to braid it down and burn the ends. I am completely disappointed and would just stick with who I know now....