Taji Natural Hair Styling- Raleigh — Local services in Raleigh

Synopsis of the issue with accompanying background details. See pictures attached where some show the contrast between how my hair looked after my install vs when my new loctitian fixed the issues. the instant loc was not done correctly, with too much hair left undone towards the tops rows. It’s as if trying to finish in one day, the top was rushed and had quite a few where only the first inch or two was done. the parting of the instant loc is extremely inconsistent towards the back, and did not conform to any grid. My locs there are 2-3 times the size of my other locs. I followed up with the issues I had by calling, and sending both text message with pictures and a detailed message with pictures to the email address provided. the price on the website was NOT the price quoted at the time of talking about my initial retie. On the website, you can select a stylist and see a costing, but I got a different base pricing/ pricing per hour when I spoke to the front desk by phone.

I had the initial instant loc service mid November 2021. I paid over $1000 because I wanted the finished nature of instant locs and the salon came highly rated. I ended waiting over 2 hrs past my projected start time BUT, I was kept abreast of the issues causing the delay. I found the stylists and workers fairly professional, the shop seems clean, and was adhering to Covid standards. We had discussed a size that was about the size of the stylist’s own locs, or a little smaller. We also discussed having an established grid. We discussed leaving out the ends, and even joked re other stylists that left too much of the loc undone, instead of just the ends. I checked the initial back rows to ensure the sizing was ok, and the rest of the service continued. The service was completed in one day rather than the projected two days. We completed the service around 8pm, and because they locs were curled, it seemed fine at a look. I wore a satin bonnet to bed as I have done every night since install. The next day, I was better able to see the individual locs, and realized that the back row was already having slippage. I could easily slip an entire finger at the root of each loc. I called and was told that in managing my expectations, I should realize that that area was prone to slippage. I sent pictures through messages, and pointed out that I also had hair in the front that was practically open (not properly instant locked). For another two locs, I identified that the first inch of the hair was interlocked, but the rest of the hair shaft was not instant locked. In comparing with other online instant loc pictures, I realized my instant locs were very loosely tangled, rather than tightly formed. I was told to come in in two weeks for a fix of my back row and the two at the front or wait for my first retie at 4 weeks. I had a cough at the suggested appt date to fix the loc, and was asked not to come in with the cough. The 4 week appt was then cancelled, as the stylist was ill. By then I was totally frustrated with the service. I sent the detailed email plus message and waited for a proposed fix or resolution. I allowed 3 months, but to date, no one has called me back to ask how my issues could be rectified. I got no followup from a manager or the stylist, through any of the methods of contact I provided. I found a new loctitian who I had to pay per loc to fix nearly 20 locs. I was told on my install day no oil which I diligently followed, yet still I experience slippage within 24 hours. However, my new loctitian fixed my back row and I was able to use oil and I have had NO slippage in 3 months (which goes to show the initial install was not...

Addendum 2: I won't be back. Another stylist charged me extra again for the size of my locs. And the girl doing my hair seemed more concerned about partying & hanging out afterwards than actually doing my hair correctly. Three of your stylists say nothing about how thin or thick my locks are even though at the time my locks were down to my ass. 2 stylists which happen to be the last 2 who did my hair, charged me $20 extra saying that my locks were micro locs when they are not. This last chick had me in and out within I'll say probably 2.5 hours that includes wash and dry and retwist so if I have micro locs don't you think this would have taken way longer than 2.5 hours? Plus where you schedule online, they don't tell you they're going to nickel and dime you because your locs look skinner.

DON'T call me this time because I'm not coming back at all, not unless you're refunding me my $20 and tip that I felt slightly pressured to give because the owner asked me about it out loud instead of using discretion and I'm not the type to get loud and rowdy.

Y'ALL IF YOU HAVE SKINNIER LOCS, THEY WILL CHARGE YOU EXTRA FOR IT... Even if you don't have micro locs. Don't waste your time and money which is obviously something they need since they're nickel and diming now.

Addendum: Henry called and spoke with me this morning. Pretty awesome, I might add. I will be going back. Thanks for caring enough to rectify the situation.

I believe I've gotten my hair done here 4 times. I haven't been back since February bc the last time I was there, not only did the stylist ask me if I was told that she'd have to leave & pick up her kids, even though the appts are made online so I didn't get to actually speak to anyone & I'm assuming she knows that. So after she makes me wait for an hour or so, so that she could pick up her kids, she swears up & down my locs are microlocs EVEN THOUGH this was my 4th time coming here and she was the 4th stylist to do my hair, none of the previous 3 said anything about my locs being microlocs (and for the record, they are NOT microlocs, I would know, I've had my locs since 2013 & previous salons I've been to never called my locs microlocs). This stylist added an additional charge bc she swore I have microlocs and then only tells me about the charge AFTER I'd already paid my balance and tipped. I went back to see if I could at least remove the $10 tip but couldn't. When I walked out irritated af that night way later than I should have bc I had to wait an hour before my hair was even washed, I promised I wasn't coming back... but I want to come back, I just don't want this particular person to ever touch my "microlocs" again. I should have reviewed a while ago but these cancellation emails I get all the time keeps reminding me of this incident... which is a shame because the shop is awesome and I've yet to leave there without my locs looking fresh af.

P.S: I left this review on Facebook as well. See my profile pic on here. My locs are...

Surviving black beauticians: I have enjoyed my experiences of getting my locs styled here until I lost out on $55. When making deposits, one should understand it’s non-refundable, but the deposit being non-transferable to an appointment I could not make is absurd. Unpredictable events happen everyday, and if one considers calling the business to let them know that should be honored. A client that has respect to call and let the business know an event has occurred should be given grace. If the stylist canceled, would the client receive their deposit back in that same instance?

The receptionist made the comment, “Did I know before hand?” Before what that I was having engine issues that resulted me in having a salvaged car? Don’t have an emergency when booking. Where is the compassion and integrity when speaking with clients that’s bringing in business and has been consistent in booking, tipping, and referrals?

My stylist is awesome. But if the thought of me losing money because an event out of my control occurred, I cannot come back. I cannot afford to lose unnecessary money as anyone would. I understand it is a business, but where is the dignity and customer service when the customer is also communicating with the business. I’m not sure if stylists have a say. I assumed a rapport was created when coming to get my hair done many times.

Take in consideration when businesses require a deposit and it’s non-transferable to an appointment you communicated about. Thank you to my stylist; however, I’ll have to go back to doing my own hair since the result is me losing unnecessary money and the establishment could not work with me.

I was led to believe my deposit was transferable when making my next appointment and surprised that I had to pay the full amount in addition to the initial deposit and $10 tip to my stylist. My frustration is with the receptionist. I have never missed an appointment, and have filled in as a last minute for my stylist at one point. I was told my stylist would not refund the deposit and I was not looking for her to do that because this is her job; however, no one advocated for a transferable deposit. I wanted to love this place as many times I let my hair be touched by others. My hair is sacred to me and I will not allow someone from here to touch my hair. I’ll be more weary about who I let touch my hair. I referred this business to my husband for his locs and he will not be returning or referring his friends with locs due to my experience of “money wasted”.

So far there have be two influxes in pricing since I’ve been coming here in less than a year. A retwist should not be more than $75, fortunately there are other black stylists that provide the same services, but at a reasonable price. I enjoyed the time I had here, but not at the constant expense of MY wallet.

No one has contacted me since...