Flower ATL African Braiding Studio — Local services in Atlanta

I'm writing this review while it's still fresh in my mind. My appointment was yesterday evening. I will caveat that the reason for my rating is less to do with the quality of the work, but more so the entire experience itself. I booked my appointment online. The listing indicated that hair was included. I had also texted (from a different number) and they also indicated that they had hair on site. I came in a little before my appointment around 6:30ish. When I arrived, I was seated, but the braider was about to lay out a dark color of braiding hair, which I believe was 1B. My hair is currently dyed a medium brown, so a color 4 is what I needed. HOWEVER, I was then informed that only 1B was free with the service and they didn't have any color 4 braiding hair OR curly hair (my service was goddess braids). I was told I'd have to go down the street to buy the hair myself; ON TOP OF the standard braiding price. Given my time constraints, I acquiesced. I went to BOTH of the Beauty Masters down the road so that I could get all of the hair I was told to get. I was so annoyed at this point.

I come back and we get started. One person begins separating my hair and makes a "test" braid for demonstration. Again, I wanted goddess braids, but just wanted them more full. Apparently the other braiders were a little confused by that. They seemed to be Francophone, as I understand some French, and from what I could hear, they kept having to get instructions on what to do, which was confusing, because I didn't ask for anything out of the ordinary. So there's one braider doing the top left side, and another working on the back. About halfway up the back and with the left side nearly done, they stop and say that they didn't have enough hair!!!! Again, I bought was I was told to purchase, which was already $50 and suddenly it's not enough. At this time, it's about 9 o'clock! The shops were closed. We found one that was open, and they said I would have to go out and buy another, otherwise my hair would be lopsided in fullness. At this point I didn't have a choice, so with the entire right side of my head undone, I had to venture out to the only open store. Then the store didn't have the same hair, so the only option I had was a $40 pack! So at this point, I've spent nearly $100 on just additional hair alone! I told the braider that this hair was different, they called the original "test" braider, who I assume manages the shop, and spoke about it. I tried to indicate that I wanted the new hair in the back under the original hair, as it seemed they'd only need a little bit of the new pack. But that definitely was not what happened. So we eventually finish just around midnight.

Now it's the next day and I'm a little pissed. The new hair, which is a slightly different color, as it's a different brand, was NOT used further down below the top of my head to blend in better to hide the difference in brand, and it's instead at the crown of my head, and it's pretty noticeable. So the right and left of my hair are the original pack, and the crown is the newest pack. It's slightly lighter. I also booked for Smedium mid back length, and it's more like small butt length. I'm a petite person, so this is a lot of hair and not exactly what I wanted. Also, I feel that if it was actually mid-back length, there would have been enough hair. This in total was a $400 ordeal (excluding tip); $300 for the service and ~$100 for the hair. I was originally quoted $280 but because I wanted it full it was an additional $20.

I will say the work itself is good, and the braids are comfortable and are neat, but it was just too much of a hassle. They really should indicate that hair is not included if you want anything beyond 1B, or they should offer to get the hair themselves, instead of sending people out looking crazy because they underestimated the amount of hair.

If I wasn't in a time crunch and preparing to go out of town, I would have left after they told me they didn't have hair, but I needed it done, and needed flexible hours, which I'm thankful...

I like the owner Flower a lot. She is pleasant and very accommodating. I wish she hired people who are a reflection of her, then she can retain more consistent customers and word of mouth referrals as almost every woman I know gets braided styles often.

My first appointment was VERY PLESANT. Flower and another sweet lady did two-toned faux locs on my hair, and I absolutely LOVED IT. She told me to return to get then taken down when I'm ready, as it's a difficult style to unravel by yourself.

A few weeks later, I called her to schedule a takedown. (The thing I love about her is that she is very flexible with scheduling appointments). She booked my appointment the same day, and that is when all hell broke lose.

When I got to the shop, there was a baby running around, loud music, and no greeting. The young lady started taking down my hair shortly after arrival.

Of course, I'm running my fingers through my hair as she progresses and what I felt were significantly shorter pieces of hair. She had been cutting my hair the entire time!!!!!!!!!!

I asked her why would she continue cutting if she wasnt sure what she was doing, her response was, she couldn't see bc my hair was tucked in in some places. I was very upset and asked her to stop. She didn't apologize, but started loud talking in her native language about me.

I called the owner and she apologized profusely and made her way to the shop. She told me to please come back and she would discount my next visit. That was in February 2023.

I hesitantly called her in August 2023, hoping that I could get HER to do my hair, not the one who cut out my hair.

When I got there, disappointingly, Flower was not there. Again, I walked in, no greeting, but I always speak whenever I enter the room because I have manners.

Anyway, the same lady with the baby was the one who started braiding my hair. She attempted to put a dirty comb in my head, I politely asked her to clean it as my hair is very clean, freshly washed and blow dried, and she began to rant loudly in her native tongue. I ignored her; it's a shame, but I'm used to rude African hairbraiders.

Once they got about halfway through, I looked in the mirror and discovered that I had several 1-inch pieces of hair hanging outside the braid. Of course, I had an attitude at this point because y'all already cut my hair before. So I asked, why is all of my hair hanging outside of the braid, why wasn't it braided down with gel/product? I was then told that my hair is too straight.

They ended up cutting my hair again!!

As much as I like Flower, I will have to find another stylist as some of her workers are lazy!!!!

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Unfortunately, I can't recommend this business until Flower gets some like-minded workers who are just like her....

After nearly a year of watching this salon from afar and seeing it pop up on TikTok, I finally walked into Flower Atl Braids and I’m so glad I did.

Growing up, I was no stranger to African braiding salons. But as I got older, the tightness and discomfort pushed me toward Black American braiders. Unfortunately, that came with its own trauma: sky-high prices, inconsistent booking, and losing an entire day in someone’s chair. I was over it. I knew I needed to return to what I knew—the efficiency and reliability of African braiders.

I arrived early on a Monday morning, the first client of the day. I was greeted by one of the braiders and instructed to call the owner, Flower, to confirm my style. I requested medium knotless braids, waist-length, with a custom color mix (1B/30/27). Flower quoted me $250, a fair and honest price considering the style, length, and color. Two braiders worked on me—Sophie and another braider whose name I didn’t catch, but it starts with an M based on the sign-in sheet.

The shop was clean and everything ran smoothly. My braiders were initially hesitant about the color mix, but once they saw it finished, they loved it and so did I. The braids ended up being a little longer than I anticipated, and the whole process took about 5.5 hours. For the length and quality, I have zero complaints. The braids are neat, the parts are clean, and most importantly, I left without feeling like my scalp was on fire.

Tight? A little, but nothing unbearable. Painful? No. I’ll definitely be back again.

My only issue was with the handling of the braiding hair. At times, the hair would fall to the floor and if it was picked up quickly, I understood. But sometimes it lingered, was stepped on, and still used. I did refuse some hair that had been stepped on, but I don’t believe it was thrown out. That’s something I’d encourage others to be mindful of. Make sure the hair being installed in your head is being cared for properly.

If you’re looking for a clean, efficient, no-nonsense braiding experience that gives what it’s supposed to give, Flower Atl Braids...