Oumi's African Hair Braiding — Local services in Birmingham

BEWARE! DO NOT COME HERE EVER !!!! I had a disappointing experience at Oumis African hair braiding shop on January 14th. Despite a recommendation from a friend, the salon fell short of expectations. Upon entering, I noticed unsanitary conditions, a sink filled with dirty dishes, attempts to mask the unpleasant smell with air freshener, and disgustingly dirty floors.

My journey started early in the morning; I washed my hair at 4 am and traveled from out of town for a specific style – knotless braids boho with color 30. Unfortunately, the problems began with the braider assigned to me. The first row of braids was done with a ball, resembling a traditional style rather than the flat-to-the-scalp technique expected for knotless braids. Throughout the process, the braider consistently needed help with parting, causing frustration.

A second braider joined, starting the front side of my hair. However, she misplaced the part, and when I pointed it out, I was handed a comb and told to fix it myself. Despite multiple attempts to rectify the front, it remained incorrect. I complained about the top, leading to the original braider being asked to redo it. Shockingly, she left the shop without fixing her mistake. Another braider assisted in fixing the top, but the result was messy, with uneven braids.

Despite asking for a mirror to check the progress, none were available. When my hair was finally completed, I realized it wasn’t salvageable to be fixed. Not only was the top and entire hair style awful, but it was not butt length as i requested and paid for as well. $250 plus a $20 tip down the drain. Disheartened, I called the owner, Oumi, who took a while to return my call. She suggested I return to the shop for a refund but failed to mention the drastic resolution they had in mind.

Upon my return, they insisted on chopping off my hair to process the refund, a detail the owner didn't disclose earlier. Feeling deceived, I called the police for assistance. The police brought to my attention a wall inside the shop displaying rules saying they have to cut my hair. Surprisingly, the owner never mentioned these rules, and I wasn't aware of them during the entire time I was getting my hair done. This lack of communication further added to the frustration and confusion during the already distressing experience.

With four braiders, four customers present, and two police officers present at the front and back of the shop, three employees attempted to approach me simultaneously with scissors. In a moment of panic, I had to scream out that my mom would handle it. My mom, aware of the situation, pointed out that the position of the scissors they held would have resulted in cutting not just the extensions but also my real hair. This added an alarming dimension to an already distressing and chaotic situation. My mom had to cut off my hair in the middle of salon which was inhumane. While cutting my hair, I expressed my frustration, stating that the style was hideous, and I had no intention of keeping it. I emphasized how ridiculous it was to have to cut my hair so high just to get a refund. To my surprise, one of the employees in the shop agreed, openly stating that she also thought the style was very ugly and that she wouldn't want it on her own head. This acknowledgment from a staff member further underscored the poor quality and dissatisfaction with the service provided. Eventually, with police involvement, I got my money back, but the entire experience was humiliating.

In summary, my visit to Oumis was a nightmare, from poor braiding skills to unprofessional conduct, deception, and filthy conditions. I wouldn't recommend this establishment to...

I took my husband here for his birthday a couple months ago and let me tell you. Stay far far FAR away. I felt like I was in a hatitan brothel complete with pimp coming in to collect his money (more on that l8r). First I called b4 hand to ask about pricing on re-twisting and braiding back length dreds. She quoted me $60. Knowing my hubby's hair being his only hairdresser for 5yrz I figure I'd end up paying $80 so I brought extra with me. I set the appt for 11a.m. and arrived at 11:15. When we got there a client was already being braided but she had just gotten started and was being prepped by what appeared to be a 13yr old bc the owner was MIA. When the owner finally strolled in around noon it was with a bag full of food for her and the five bad a$$ children now running all over the shop. She finished eating and told the 13yr old to wash his hair while she started on the other client getting tree braids. I took the opportunity to run some errands until twenty minutes l8r I get a call from the Mr that he didn't think they were doing it right I RAN back. The 13yr old is now re-twisting the Mr's dreds. AND doing them incorrectly. I stop the owner and asked her to double check the child's work and with an attitude she snatches all n my manz head and just GLOPPING black gel everywhere. Then her pimp comes in when shes halfway thru. She turns to me and asks me for the $60 so she can pay him. I didnt c much choice as his head was only half done so i paid her but i also told her she had to finish them RIGHT. She said she would but i stayed put & watched. In the end they LOOKED ok but a day or two l8r when the dried gel began to flake we saw the truth. She'd put multiple dreds together trying to cut down on time as well as had not twisted MOST of the crown AND we left b4 she even braided them up from disgust. Plz if u value ur hard earned money DO NOT patronize this POS establishment. Oumi's should b shut...

I will NEVA patronize this establishment ever again. I paid $180 to get my niece micros. No problem there, however, after sitting there having to wait 9 hours from the breaks, phone conversations and her actually leaving the building to go pick up 5 kids ranging in age from 6 months to about 13/14 years, this is why it took so long (BEST mannered one was the 6 month old baby). Ok, left the shop went to the store, came home and my niece said, look (with three braids in her hand)...TWO HOURS LATER!! I got in the car, went to the shop and was told to come back the next day and they would fix them then because she was tired but started on someone else hair....YES I cut up at that point (in a classy way)....the lady "so called" repaired the braids but after one and one half day of having micros the middle top portion of her braids are sliding and unraveling.....more than 70% of the braids were not knotted causing them to unravel. I called to let the owner know that I am still displeased, she actually got smart with me and said she "fixed it" (speaking on repairing braids that fell out after a couple of hours). I have NEVER experienced anything like this with getting braids. THIS WAS MY FIRST AND LAST TIME VISITING THIS PLACE!! Sidenote: If every other braid shop on the strip is crowded and that one is not, it's for a reason......and those kids running and jumping all in front of you.....I wouldn't have given a star on this rating at all but had to give something in...