Salon Review: Natural Vybz

Website: http://www.naturalvybzhairstudio.com/ You can also find them on Facebook

About: A group of friends who got together to do hair.  You can get the official information on their website.

Why I went: There was a LivingSocial deal I couldn't pass up - $37 for loc maintenance and light style.

Making the Appointment: I did it over the phone, but you can also book online.

My Experience With the Venue: The studio is a house that was converted.   No big surprises.  Adequate street parking.  I'm not a big fan of B'more, but my car and I both survived the neighborhood. They keep to door locked so they need to let you in and out.

My Experience With the Stylist: Jennie, the owner, greeted me and had me fill out what was essentially an intake form.  It asked how often wash my hair, how much water I drink, what products I use and various other items.  Then she sat with me and asked a few more questions. Like most other people, she said that washing my hair weekly was too much and probably the cause of my dry scalp - but it itches!!  She told me they used - I can't remember the name, but I know it when I see it.  The initials are T.W.  She also told me to be mindful of getting information from YouTube since it's not always accurate.  I don't think she believed me when I said I don't look at YouTube that often.  Who has the time for a 12 minute video?

The Process: After the intake process, Jennie shampooed my hair - she usually does three rounds, but only did two since I washed my hair less than a week prior.  She styled it asking if it was too tight at various intervals, and letting it out when I said yes.  The final product:

Time to Pay: All I had to do was tip.  She was able to look up my voucher since my phone was taking its time.

Overall Take: The other stylist were friendly and funny.   It was like hanging out with new found friends.  The service was professional.

Would I go back? Yes

Would I request the same stylist? No, not because I didn't like Jennie, but I felt that I would be comfortable with whoever I ended up with.

Would I recommend them to others? Yep.  P.S. Jennie said another deal would be coming out in October, so be on the lookout.

Lauren F. Stylist Review

Website: www.urbannaturestyles.com
About: A New Yorker transplanted to the DC area.

Why I went: Lauren had several very good reviews on the website.  And she has locs - plus!

Location:  She works at the DC and Silver Spring Locations

Making the Appointment: Online, so that was easy

My Experience With the Stylist: Lauren arrived several minutes late for my appointment, but her personality won me over.  I felt like I was talking with a friend.  

The Process: Lauren paid attention to me and my hair.  She noticed my scalp issues and gave me a treatment to help combat them.  She inquired of how I usually wear my hair.  Since I can go with the flow, I let her do what she was in the mood for. When the appointment was over, she gave me her number in case I needed to ask questions or needed to get in contact when running late.
 
Overall Take:  It was truly a  pleasure to have Lauren take care of my hair.  I didn't feel like she was doing me a favor by taking my money.  I walked away feeling more confident and like I had a new ally on my hair journey.

Would I go back? Yep

Would I request the same stylist? Yep

Would I recommend them to others? Hmm, yes!

I forgot to take a before picture, but here's the after:

Side view

10.5 months

JR Review

Website: None (contact me if you need his info)
About: Barber Stylist who does locs and has them.

Why I went: A lot of the people I know personally go to him to get their locs done.  He did his wife's and they were great.  He seemed like a good person to start with.

Location: Laurel, MD

JR did my big chop.

Making the Appointment: Via text message or phone call.  I can't really plan ahead with JR.  I make contact the week I want my appointment.  Too far in advance, and I'm worried he'll forget.  When I do it that week, I'm worried I won't get in.
 
My Experience With the Venue: JR works out of shops that have one side for barbers and the other side are typical salons.  He can be found on the barber side.  The atmosphere is laid back.

My Experience With the Stylist: JR is concerned with your life.

Before I started going to JR.

My first set of twists.

The Process: JR washes and twists.  He uses a variety of products.  Twisting is done using Barry Fletcher Hair Serum.  The effect is glossy hair that's a bit sticky, but clear.

Time to Pay: Cash only.  After your first service, JR doesn't usually tell you how much the is due.

Overall Take: The only draw back is the ease of making an appointment.  Since my schedule gets so busy, like knowing that I can get in when I need to been seen.  His products aren't all natural, but they get a nice look.

Would I go back? Before finding Urban Nature? Yes.  Now, I'm not sure.

Would I recommend to others?  Yes especially men looking to a masculine atmosphere.

Urban Nature Silver Spring Review

Website: http://www.urbannaturestyles.com
About: Natural hair care salon with three locations in the DC metro area.

Why I went: Doing my hair myself is a lot of work.  I like the freedom it gives me, but there somethings that I need someone else to help with.  Since I started maintaining my hair, I noticed that the sizing of my locs was uneven.  There were some that were way too small and one at the front that was too big. I could go back to JR, who started them, but I wanted someone who was using natural products.  Why put all the effort in on my own to have it reversed by someone I was paying? And I didn't want to have to bring my products with me especially since I haven't figured out what mixtures I like best.

I started doing searches for salons that had stylists who did locs.  I eliminated places which did not show a product listing.  Then I read through the products listed for the remaining salons.  There was only one left standing: Urban Nature Styles. They listed the buttes used for maintenance.  In addition to that, I was able to make appointments online.  I was sold.

Location Selected: Silver Spring, MD

Making the Appointment: After selecting the location, I was able to read reviews left by other customers for each of the stylist.  I read through them and picked the stylist who had a review on loc service with a time that worked for me.  After I submitted my request, I waited for confirmation.  Confirmation was sent via email and text message after a few days.

My Experience With the Venue: I arrived for my appointment a few minutes early.  I was greeted by Angela.  While I waited for my stylist to arrive I was able to look at the products which would be used in my hair.  I smelled the butters available and selected the one to be used in my hair - TAMU, mango scented.  I started reading one of the books they had on natural hair while I waited.  There was only one seat up front so that led me to believe that they don't overbook and I wouldn't have to wait a long time.  The reception area isn't as professional looking (no desk, just a card table and two bookshelves one of which housed the credit card machine), but it serves its purpose.  And since there didn't seem to be a receptionist, no real point in doing too much.

Before

Before

My Experience With the Stylist: Kim started on time.  I first wanted a consultation.  I wanted a chance to go over my needs and get a feel for her.  She listened to my concerns about the sizing and asked me to point out the locs in question.  She then walked me to the back where she washed my hair.  That was followed by a herbal rinse.

Once back in the chair, Kim started to comb out the over sized loc up front.  She commented that it reminded her of when she combed out her locs.  That provided the opening I needed to find out about her loc experience.  Turns out she only had them for 8 months.  She didn't like being limited. Hmm.

The Process: Kim used the comb to twist the unlocked roots.  The rest was palm rolled.  In addition to the butter, a gel was added.  I failed to ask what it was, but based on feel, the lack of description on the jar, and the feel of my hair afterwards, I think it was aloe vera gel.  Drying took place under a hooded dryer.

After

After

Time to Pay: When it was time to pay, I expected about a $65 total.  If you book a consultation, you receive a $15 credit on any service greater than $65.  I assumed that would net out and just leave you with the price of the service.  My actual total before tip and the $1 charge for a credit card transaction was $75.  When I asked about it, she let me know that she didn't charge for the consultation, but since my locs had to be clipped all the way down, she charged by for beginner locs.  Really wish there was a description of what the differences in services were on the website.

Overall Take: The venue was nice.  The staff was professional, but not friendly.  Aside from Angela and Kim, no one said hello although I said so to each of them.  Kim was good, but not great.  I'm not really pleased by the fact that she didn't have the patience to keep her locs for longer.  How is she going to be able to help me when I get frustrated?  Also, there were two locs I asked her to join that now look less than perfect.  She didn't comb them out to combine them. Instead, the unlocked portion is twisted together and the two separate locs have been palm rolled as one.  The effect is a puffy loc.  I liked the process though.  I felt that she cared about my hair and the things that should be put in it.

Would I go back? Yes

Would I request the same stylist? Maybe.  I'd like to have Angela do my hair.  She was more personable, but she has an afro.  I may need to send an email to inquire of her personal loc experience.  If that doesn't work out, I may have to try a different location.

Would I recommend them to others? Definitely