Harlem Natural Hair Salon — Attraction in New York

I was a recent customer in your salon today. I wanted to reach out, because I honestly and unfortunately feel like I was taken advantage of as a brand new customer by your business. I called earlier today, asking about pricing for a braid down and a deep conditioning. The prices that I was told over the phone, included $85 for the braid down, and $25 for the deep conditioning. After speaking with the receptionist, I called back and decided that I did not want the deep conditioning for the extra $25. The receptionist mentioned that she would take it off my service. I was given an appointment around 4pm today with Adama. I thought it was strange that the prices of the services are not posted on the website, similar to other salons. However, this is the reason why I called to confirm the pricing.

Then, I came to the salon and received the simple braid down, which included a wash and conditioner. When I sat down, the only thing that Adama asked me was if I wanted my cornrows to hang, or if I wanted them together. I mentioned that I wanted them together. She said okay, and then she continued with the service. After she finished braiding my hair, she put some oil on my scalp and sprayed some shine spray on it. As I was getting ready to pay, I was taken aback when I was told I was being charged for $100 for the service. I stopped and asked why, because I was told that it was $85 over the phone. The receptionist said “oh because of hair length and thickness “. I was still confused, my hair is not that long right now and Adama never mentioned that as she did my hair. The receptionist also never mentioned that pricing are just “estimates “, like she did on the phone when I called back to complain. She also said that the reason the braider charged me more was because I received more than two cornrows for my service. I immediately said that I should have been told all this information upfront when I was booking the appointment. This is why I opted out if the deep conditioning, because I did not want to pay over a certain amount. I feel very deceived by the salon, the stylist that did my hair, and the receptionist. I feel like this was all an orchestrated effort to charge me more than needed.

I was referred to this salon by a good friend, who praised this business for your cleanliness and professionalism. However, I am deeply disappointed. I am a student on a fixed income. This semester has been very stressful for me to the point that don’t have the time or the capacity at times to wash my hair. It’s been stressful trying to take care of myself with other added responsibilities at this point. So, I was looking for some place that I could go for maintenance of my natural hair, that would take care of my hair and treat me right as a customer. Little did I know this would happen today. I understand that you are a business, however, the least that a business can do is to be transparent with the customer. If I knew I would be paying over $100 today just for a braid down, would have made other decisions today.

I am not sure how your salon can make this right, but this was...

I would've left 1 star but the atmosphere is so nice. Marie at the front desk is so professional and welcoming. I booked my appointment with her over the phone and she is so sweet which is really the main reason why I decided to go with this location. When I arrived, she checked me in immediately and knew my name which was very nice. The salon has very good lighting, it's clean and the music was really good. So immediately I would've given 5 stars.

However, my stylist (Amanda) arrived a few minutes late. Which I didn't mind because I was eating my breakfast anyway and we all have days when we run a few min behind. So I didn't really care about that. BUT, she didn't introduce herself and she didn't ask me my name. She just started putting her hands in my hair and asked me what we're doing today - as if she didn't check. Fine, at that point I told her that I'm here today for a silk press, deep conditioning, possible hot oil treatment depending on her recommendations. We went to the back to wash my hair and as she's washing my hair she asks "what oils are you using?" I told her I'm using Jamaican black castor oil, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil. I also use mango butter as my leave in conditioner." I can't recall exactly what she said but she basically insinuated that I don't take care of my hair.... Which is absolutely not true. I was previously going to a natural hair salon in Philly but came back to New York for a job opportunity and was excited to check out a natural hair salon in Harlem. That previous salon gave me recommendations on how to care for my hair and I followed them. So it was really rude how she made me feel like the products I'm using are somehow bad for my hair.

Next we went back to the chair to start my blow dry and silk press. During the blow try, she kept telling me to stop moving my "neck." And to "hold your neck." I literally was not moving so I have no clue why she kept saying that. It came off as rude and aggressive and I honestly felt very uncomfortable. The silk press in the end came out very nice but I did not enjoy the experience.

Today is my husbands birthday and I was excited to treat myself today to getting my hair done for his special day. However, it didn't feel very special. Amanda did not talk to me. She didn't ask me anything. It felt so impersonal. I honestly just felt like "another client" to her. The next person walked in and she was already asking them questions about their hair WHILE SHE WAS STILL DOING MY SILK PRESS.

In the end, I wanted to trim my gray hairs. She refused to trim them for me. Which is again rude. It's not her hair, it's my hair. If gray hairs make me feel insecure, who are you to tell me to "embrace them". She tried to talk me into dyes and sprays. If you just said an hour ago that I need to take better care of Mr hair, why would you recommend harmful chemicals that could further damage my hair...???

I won't be...

PATRONIZE AT YOUR OWN RISK

I never write reviews, however, after visiting this salon, I couldn't help myself. I live in Westchester County, but I usually get my hair done in the East Village. My salon was completely booked, so I started searching for local black-owned natural hair salons and stumbled upon this place. I read the reviews and decided to try it out. I called and made an appointment for a week later. While on the phone, I was told that I couldn't make an appointment without having a credit card on file. I didn't think twice about it, as this is common practice at my regular salon, and the lady assured me I wouldn't be charged until the day of service. I was scheduled for a wash, deep conditioner, and silk press. (Super quick backstory on my hair, I've never in all of my 38 years on this earth used any chemical in my hair. No perms, relaxers, other straightening agents, NOTHING!! I've also never had heat damage due to only using heat quarterly.) I showed up for my appointment and had to wait for about 30 minutes to get started. Side note: the lady with the dreads at the front desk was the only pleasant encounter I had. Everything was going well until the stylist showed up (while I was under the dryer for my deep conditioner). She was very rough while rinsing and combing through my hair, towel drying my hair, and blow-drying my hair. She suggested that I get a TRIM because my hair was uneven, I agreed. Once done, she began flat ironing my hair. After she flat ironed it, she sprayed some sheen spray and fluffed the curls with her fingers. I was very confused by this since I was supposed to be getting a silk press. She says, Do you like it? I'm like yes, but this isn't what I paid for. She said you wanted a silk press, right? This is a silk press. To which I replied, no, this is a wash and flat iron. After some back and forth, I decided to just leave. NOW FOR THE BIGGEST SHOCK. I'm checking out, and the receptionist says I owe almost $200. I'm like gtfoh, she has to be joking. So, I laughed and jokingly said, oh, that's it. Then, she showed me the screen, I was blown away. They charged me $60 for a haircut. I'm like, I didn't get a haircut. The stylist comes over and says she cut more than two inches, so that's considered a haircut. They charged me $75 for a silk press, which is not what I received. The receptionist states she has to charge for the services that the stylist listed, and there's nothing she could do. Even if I didn't want to, I had no choice but to pay them because they trick you into giving them credit card information during the booking. I paid and left. Two days later, my hair started falling out in chunks. I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THIS SALON. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. THEY'RE NOT ONLY OVERPRICED, THEY'RE INEFFICIENT. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND GO...