Essence Braids And Weaves — Local services in Orange

My experience overall was good. Read on for details on booking, atmosphere, pricing, and experience. FYI: SHOP IS LOCATED INSIDE SSA BUILDING ON 4th FLOOR. There is no store front from the exterior.

I called a few days in advance to see about booking an appointment and I was told they don’t take appointments but ask that clients call an hour or so in advance for availability. Ahmad (forgive me if this isn’t the correct spelling), was kind over the phone. He asked me to send a pic of what I wanted then instructed me to call back for details. He explained the price and informed me that hair was included in the price, but any accessories were for me to bring in. He also asked the length/condition of my own hair to ensure that my hair could be braided into the style requested which it is. I felt that was good so that he can manage expectations of clients who maybe have very short hair.

As I was planning to come on a Saturday, It was suggested that I arrive between 7:30-8:30AM in order to be one of the first in a chair. I followed his advice and arrived at 8:35. There were already a few women waiting so I’m glad I came early. I sat in a chair for about twenty minutes because I was told the stylists don’t arrive until 9AM. Sure enough, about 5 stylists arrived between the time of 8:55 and 9:15AM and began taking clients.

I washed my hair before arriving so it needed to be blow dried before braided. I have 4c hair so I kept a cap on so that my hair didn’t air-dry. That would’ve just been a nightmare for the stylist. The stylist was a bit rough with blow drying (as she was using a blow dryer with an attached comb) and was attempting to dry it without sectioning. Finally she realized she needed to section my kinky hair and she was much more successful. Her and another stylist were talking (maybe Haitian?) about how much work it was to dry my hair and I felt a little insecure, but I didn’t say anything...it is definitely a lot of work but I wish she didn’t allow me to feel that. That’s the whole point of getting your hair done, so someone else can handle it. Anyway...moving on...

The stylist didn’t speak to me much which is fine. They had the morning news on but I wish there was a movie or something more engaging for the clients to watch while the stylists speak in their language over your head.

I was done at about 11:30. By this time there were definitely more clients waiting so I’m stressing once more the benefit of arriving early.

The shop itself is ok. It’s designed better than most. As far as cleanliness, I’d give it 3/5 stars. The tools are minimal since the stylists mainly need braiding hair, brushes, and braiding gel.

I think if they wanted to level up their service, it would be super nice for them to have coffee and donuts for their clients who arrive early. I don’t expect them to do this...but they could if they wanted to. It’s always a nice touch when a salon offers complimentary wine or tea.

I’ve received many compliments on my hair thus far. It is tight but expected. Definitely bearable for the first 2 days. For me if your braids don’t hurt at least a little then they weren’t done right...

No white glove service here, but for the price and the talent of the stylists, I’ll definitely come back. This isn’t a place you go for service. It’s an IN and OUT...

Had a 9:30 appointment today, got there 10min late. Waited till 10:30 for someone to finally show up and do my hair. So I wanted kinky twist and brought a packs that the lady did not approve of and told me I needed cunban only. So I spoke very calmly to her in a very neutral voice trying to understand the differences in hair because they have the same wavy look, just mine is more shiny and the Cuban she recommended was more rough looking. That lady threw her hands up in the air and walked away from me giving me a nasty attitude when all I’m trying to do is understand the hair differences; I wasn’t arguing with her but I guess asking questions bothered her. This would have been my 2nd time doing kinky twist as the first time was years ago in Harlem as I’m more of a box braid person, so as far as hair buying goes I was not sure and went by what the sales person recommended. I had to speak with another worker who was more patient explaining to me the hair I bought. Anyway I told them I’ll be back in a few min and went to the store on Main Street to have it changed. When I came back a new person was already there working on a customer’s hair. So I waited for 10min and had to ask are there more people coming to do braiding. They said no and I would have to wait. Mind you I had an appointment and made a $30 deposit to secure my appointment, though I screwed up with the hair I expected when I came back someone would be available to do my hair, not start with a new customer. Knowing also that I needed to pick up my daughter at 6pm, after waiting at 12pm I had enough. Luckily when I went to exchange hair I asked the sales worker do you have anyone you can recommend for hair braiding, she gave me a card, I called and as soon as I walked in my hair is started. No appointment no wait. Also I should mention that when I showed the new salon the pic of the kinky twist and how my hair looked she said I should not have gotten Cuban and showed me the pack I should have bought, which I told her I bought that pack initially but essence did not want to use that pack🙄 While the gentleman on the phone was polite essence hair braiding is horrible at customer service, don’t know how to communicate with customers and do not keep appointment times. This is my first time getting my hair braided in NJ and I’ve lived here for 4 years now, I’ve traveled so far as to go Harlem, but because of my toddler I cannot any longer. I thought essence would be the place but I’m highly disappointed by their lack of professionalism and service. I am happy I found somewhere else close by at the last min, now I’m just awaiting my $30 refund, let’s see...

Just finished getting my hair done here and it was a horrible experience. For one, let me inform you all of those coupons they advertise. I don’t even know if they’re legit. It was time for us to pay and when I told the young girl who was doing my hair I had one, she told me I should’ve told her when I came in. What? When I go shopping and I have a coupon I don’t go up to the cashiers at Walmart or HandM as I walk in letting them know I have a coupon. You wait until it’s time to pay to show the coupon right? And no where on the coupon does it say show at entry. Her excuse was so stupid but I wasn’t pressed about it one bit. What really pissed me off was how rude the girl was as soon as I walked into the shop. She was the one to do my hair. I guess they moved their shop so I had to wait for someone to come open the door for me. When I see her she doesn’t say hi nothing just looking at her phone with attitude. We get into the shop and she has me sit at her station. Upon arriving I called the owner and he informed me to show pictures of how exactly I wanted my hair. I was trying to go for a pixie braid style but slightly longer. I pulled out my phone and I show her the picture and she says before I can even open my mouth “we don’t do the ends like that” to which I responded that I just wanted to show her the length. No form of customer service, nothing! She started pulling out hair not even asking what color I want. So I asked her if they had different colors. She had the nerve to haste her teeth at me. At this moment I was ready to get out of my seat and walk out and I asked her if there was a problem. I guess she was shocked at my bluntness and said no. Throughout the whole experience they kept talking in their dialect about my hair texture and she kept rolling her eyes and sighing as she did my hair. I have very kinky hair I know that and I think all hair textures are beautiful. So to claim you’re a braiding hair shop and you’re saying in a different language that my hair is tougher than wool really offended me. I guess she thought I couldn’t understand what she was saying. The style took longer than usual cause she kept stopping to talk and at one point she stopped to eat. When the hair was finally done and she dipped my hair in the water she burned me then had the nerve the have an attitude about that too. All in all she did a good job (wasn’t the length I wanted but came out nice) but the attitude and atmosphere was horrible and I won’t be going back. Work on your customer service skills and don’t advertise coupons if you’re going to be mad and lie when a customer tries...