Natural Xpression Salon

Worst haircut I’ve ever received, which was done by Poka! Even a student would know when their shears are dull & needs to be replaced. I asked for a layered bob & ended up with a choppy, hot mess. I had to go to another hairstylist to fix my haircut which resulted in my hair having to be cut way shorter than I wanted. The worst $ 90 I’ve ever spent! Stay away, unless you like mediocre service & wasting your money. Horrific experience!

About Natural Xpression Salon (from their website):
«Atlanta’s hottest salon for curly, kinky, wavy and natural hair textures!
Our mission in life is to ensure that your Xperience with us far Xceeds your Xpectations! A standard component of our service to you includes a comprehensive personal hair consultation where you voice your goals for your hair and we offer you guidance on management of your tresses based on your goals and concerns. At the conclusion of your service, you will receive a personal hair care regimen designed and recommended especially for you!
We use and offer top shelf products for curly, kinky or wavy hair from the most prestigious hair care lines for various hair textures such as Miss Jessies, Jane Carter Solution, Design Essentials, and Deva Care. Your hair care program may contain various product lines or a particular product line.
Our atmosphere is comforting, our prices are great and our stylists are Xcellent! Contact us today to schedule your service and consultation!»
I purchased a voucher deal to get a consultation with hydration and finger styling. Also, came with a package of hair products. I thought I was getting service from Tas (the owner), but in fact I was getting serviced by the new guy. Hmmm… not sure if I would have bought it knowing that. Parking can be confusing. I have added a photo of where you should park. I had to go in and ask and then move my car. They have a parking pass that you have to fill in and put in your car. Be sure to print off and bring with you.
Here are some thoughts about my visit. I didn’t learn a whole lot about my hair. The consultation was kind of a joke. Something I DID learn though was that I have apparently not been putting enough product on my hair. Once I saw what they could do, I was amazed. I’ve been doing my wash out all wrong. Overall, I found the social environment a big negative. My stylist was new and still learned, but Tas was took a rather mean approach at correcting him. It was seriously uncomfortable for me. Poka was more gentle with him. My stylist was very nice! I felt so bad for him. And my hair turned out lovely. They didn’t have the products that I was supposed to get with my voucher. I had to come back and get them, and even then, they weren’t the products that I was originally supposed to get. Apparently, they were no longer available and I had to get a substitute.
3 stars just cause my hair turned out great.

This was my first visit to Natural Xpression Salon. I’m not one that usually frequents salons unless I’m getting a cut or color. On this particular occasion, I wanted both. I made an appointment for both myself and my 14 year old daughter. We’re both natural and I’m VERY selective with whom I let style our hair. After reading several reviews, I decided to give this salon a try. I made an appointment with Tas and I scheduled my daughter for Poka. The parking situation was good for downtown. In order to park for free, you must download and print the parking voucher they send you when you book an appointment online. You place it onto your dash when you park in the lot across the street. It was a simple process. The salon itself is small, but clean. When it comes to salons, I’m really big on customer service, overall quality of the service, and respect of my personal time. That being said, we were greeted by Tas upon entering the salon. He and Poka were the only stylists there and there were about three ladies being serviced. We arrived a few minutes early and were both started a short time thereafter. I explained exactly what I wanted to have done and Tas almost immediately told me no! I was taken aback, however, he explained why it wouldn’t be in my best interest to color my hair at that time (I had recently colored) and also that he wanted to analyze my hair before chemically altering it. I showed him pictures of my desired color, which we agreed to do on the next service, as well as the cut I wanted. My overall experience was good. I really like my haircut. My hair has a lot more height and my curls are popping! My daughter had her hair trimmed and silk pressed. It came out beautifully and has held up for a week now even though it rained nonstop for a few days after out appointment. Their prices are pretty standard, not ridiculously high like some I’ve heard of. I would definitely go back and this time I won’t take no for an answer! :)

Found the experience to be very professional. Location was great… if you live/​work downtown, hitting this place is pretty convenient (just a block from Centennial Park, I think). No advertising on the building about their services, but as long as you follow the directions/​parking instructions they email you about your appointment (online booking… also convenient), you’ll be fine. They are punctual, which is a big deal to me (had an appointment Sat@8AM, and they were there), and the facilities are well maintained. Payment options were great too… they use Square, so their transactions are secure, but they’ll take cash as well if you’re paranoid about that kind of thing.
Now, as to the actual hair skills… this is where these guys/​gals REALLY shine! Their knowledge of maintaining/​growing/​nurturing natural hair is freakin’ phenomenal, and they seem to envision a personalized hair growth plan just for you… makes you feel kinda special, actually. I’ve had locs for about 7 – 8 years, and these are the best natural hair folks I’ve ever encountered. Not to mention the dialogue/​banter/​jabs between Tas and Poka while doing hair is pretty hilarious. They have great chemistry. You can tell they’ve been working together for a while, and they trust each others skills completely. Also gotta say, their prices are quite reasonable. I’m used to paying more for vastly inferior service/​knowledge to theirs, so these folks are a steal. In summary, if you want efficient, timely, detailed, great service by a staff that is extremely knowledgable about natural hair, these are your guys.

I have to say that I loved my final product. I did a long awaited big chop so I was working with some inches when I came in. I was seen within 10 minutes of sitting down and I was early to the appointment. Taz did my hair and made sure to educate me on everything he was doing and putting on my hair. While getting my hair done was somewhat of a wait it still was a decent experience. They have a selection of some hair products that they favor that the customer can buy at the end of the visit and let me tell you, I got sticker shocked. I had to say no thank you to a few items, but they weren’t pushy on selling them to me. They let me know to come back and buy when I’m ready. For my services, I think I paid about $ 100. I would visit again. Oh and let me add that I did go on a Sunday and it wasn’t too busy but steady. And pay attention to the parking situation because it can be confusing for first timers.

I’ve been going to Natural Xpression for a couple of years, and Tas is my usually stylist, though Poka has styled me as well.
I found Tas while looking for a salon closer to home as well as a stylist who is comfortable cutting my hair in its naturally curly state. Anyone with curly hair knows how hard it is to find such a hair professional. Tas is that person for me. He cuts my hair confidently and we’ve found our happy place for my short hair.
I’ve read some of the other reviews on Tas’ personality, and I think because I’m also outspoken, he doesn’t rub me the same way he does others. I constantly tell him that he’s «special» but I like him and our dynamic works for me. I wish I could say that he treats me differently, but he doesn’t. He barely remembers my name (to be fair, I only go to the salon 4 – 5 times a year.)
This review is not five stars because of the wait time. Once it was so bad that I had to leave with my hair unfinished because I had to be somewhere that evening. (Tas called and apologized for this and did my hair gratis.) While the wait time varies, I usually come prepared to hang around for three hours.
Tas has been telling me that he’s planning a move to a different location, and I’ve told him that I wouldn’t follow him to the north side, but who knows… maybe I will.
Unilocal 100 #18

This is a GREAT natural hair salon with an extremely knowledgeable team. My introduction was a little rocky but once I got past that I wouldnt go anywhere else in Atlanta for my hair care. Tas is one of those people that you love to hate — because everything that comes out of his mouth is 100% correct. All you have to do is follow the prescription he prints for you and you are set!
Love love this salon and I hate hair salons.

This was one of the worst natural hair experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I walked in the owner was rude and I watched him be rude to some customers and extremely gracious with others. He has a lot of knowledge and expertise when it domes to natural hair but his demeanor with the customers, the other employee and even the stylist from the shop below him was abhorrent and made for a very uncomfortable experience. He also didn’t listen to anything I wanted about my hair. I wanted it cut, colored and flat twisted and had to talk him out of blowing it out after explaining I don’t put heat on my hair. After much debate I left there with my hair colored, trimmed and not twisted. I will not be going back.

My friend and I were visiting from out of town and we were looking for a natural hair salon that could accommodate the both of us seeing as she has locs and my hair is simply natural (usually worn straight). Based on their hours coinciding with the itinerary of our trip, we chose this salon.
I spoke with Poka to book our appointments and I must say he was very professional and lovely to speak to. When we arrived, Brandon greeted us and was also extremely professional and an absolute joy to deal with. He ended up working on both my friend and I and honestly he gave us LIFE. He listened to EXACTLY what we wanted to accomplish during our visit and more than produced the results we expected. We could not thank him enough. He and Poka are the ONLY reason I am giving this salon 4 stars. If it were based on our interaction with the owner Tas, this salon would be in a star rating deficit. In my opinion, he was EXTREMELY RUDE and COMPLETELY unprofessional not only to my friend and I, but to another customer as well as his staff. He desperately needs a lesson in customer service as well as dealing with people in general.
Please go see Brandon and Poka, they deserve your support. I would (and prob will) fly in to town just to have either of them do my hair.
As for the owner, you may be knowledgeable in all things hair but that is trivial if you have no people skills.

So words to the wise Sunday is one of their busiest days it seems. Made a appt with Tas (the owner) and when I got in I was greeted by Brandon (newbie). Brandon has great customer service etiquette and was the one who got me started. Later once my hair was washed I got seated and waited for Tas to start my hair. Long story short, Tas did an excellent job on my hair but the wait time I dealt with was a bit much. My appt should have taken about 1hr ½ but instead I was there for almost 3 hours due to Tas having to stop my hair and assist another client. I did my job to make sure I abided by their attendance policy aka «If you arrive on time then we will make sure you are finished on time» so I expected them to adhere to their part of the deal. No one wants to spend all day in a salon and it didn’t help that I had somewhere to be. Lol either way I would still recommend them but warn that perhaps going on a diff day will result in quicker service. Otherwise I do plan to make a second trip back so hopefully they’ll see this review and take note! :)

I booked my appointment online with Tas because there were WONDERFUL reviews about his care with hair and results he produced. Their late policy states if you are 15 minutes or more late they consider you a no call no show and charge you $ 25 (you need a card to book your appointment). One other Unilocaler said that her appointment started late but she was overall pleased so I figured they had an off day. My appointment was scheduled for 10 am on a day they opened at 9 am. I walked in at 9:55 and was promptly greeted, by a man who asked me what services I was getting done and what state my hair was currently in, then told me to have a seat. EIGHTEEN minutes later another guy, who has just finished someone’s hair cut and has been coughing and sneezing, walks up to me and I kid you not says, «come on». No hi, how are you, I apologize for the delay, my name is, what products do you use, may I take a closer look at your hair, none of that! I brush it off because I want to get my hair done and get on with my day. I sit down he washes my hair fine, he could have been more thorough putting in the conditioner but I was getting a steam treatment so no real worries. After the steamer goes off I wait, and wait, annnnd wait. Just when I’ve decided that my time has been disrespected too much for one day the man comes back over. Back to the wash bowl then he has another stylist show me to his chair. He then starts talking to another woman, a return client I can tell because they are playing catch up and talking about her hair. Mind you he hasn’t said much more to me than, «come on». He comes back to me getting ready to blow dry my hair, he starts looking around for something and is just moseying around. He finally asks someone where it is. He comes back with an unlabeled pink spray bottle and starts applying it to my hair. It smelled like it had alcohol in it. I do not like to use products containing alcohol in my hair but I understand that most heat protectants have them. I asked him what it was and he, very unsure of himself said, «it’s kind of like a leave in and heat protectant). Mind you he didn’t tell me what shampoo or conditioner he used either, which annoyed me because it’s something I like for my stylist to do (and is also a part of the reason I chose this stylists because other Unilocalers said he was very thorough in this arena). Did I mention HE hasn’t mentioned his name yet still? I bring it back up because the one name I did get was Brandon. The stylist next to him that has been doing comb coils. My stylist has been criticizing Brandon the whole time with such sass. «You’re taking too long, you’re using the wrong comb, you have WAY WAY too much product in his hair.» I’m all for constructive criticism but either let Brandon do his job or retrain him later. Don’t patronize him in front of his client AND your own. Very unprofessional, but back to my hair that’s been roughly whacked at with a Denman and a blow dryer. I have thick, coarse, 4c hair. This man did a mediocre finger detangle and started attempting to blow dry my hair without sectioning, using adequate leave in or truly detangling. I’m upset with myself for letting this happen. I’ve never been afraid of getting heat damage from a blow dryer, but the way he was convinced that he was going to miraculously detangle/​blow dry/​straighten my hair in one fell swoop was almost intriguing to me. Like maybe he had super powers. Well he didn’t. He took a break from my hair to show Brandon how he wanted the twists done. He puts down the blow dryer and grabs hand sanitizer, and picks up a comb and starts twisting Brandon’s client’s hair unannounced. I’m thinking he’s going to do a few twists and return to me. I was wrong. The stylist who greeted me initially quietly walks up to my stylist, well Brandon’s client’s new stylist, and says, «your client looks upset.» Nope he wasn’t talking about me, he was talking about the lady who has been under the dryer this whole time, since before my conditioner was washed out. He scoffs and says, «what she got an attitude for?» I’m in disbelief because there are two new clients and a new employee in IMMEDIATE earshot of his disgusting excuse for customer service. At this point he has done a whole row of twists on this other man’s head while I wait, not so patiently, in his chair, his return client is waiting in another chair, and the third girl is under the dryer, still. I had to leave! Even with my hair only partially blown dry. When I asked how much he wanted me to pay for what he’d done he tried to resolve the situation. He basically said he was too sick to be at work and was trying to get through the day with as little as dialogue as possible and told me how differently my services would have been if he felt better. I’d rather have my appointment cancelled than receive the piss poor excuse for service I was getting (mind you he was ready to charge me $ 95 for this appointment).

I have been natural for roughly 5 years and I had done the big chop twice some years ago. I came to Tas and he worked miracles on my dry tightly coiled kinky hair! I highly recommend if you are a natural that has searched high and low for a natural hair stylist. He trimmed my hair and I got a wash and go that is full of beautifully defined moisturized coils! The icing on the cake? He provided a hair prescription (directions on how to maintain and products to use on daily, weekly, monthly basis).

I visited Natural Xpression Salon after reading several good reviews. Tas was my stylist. I made sure to be on time as their policy is to only give you 15 minutes grace before considering you a no show and charging you a $ 25 per service fee. I was not about to be late! I assumed that they would be equally prompt and respectful of my time. I was wrong! Tas did come and do a consultation shortly after I arrived but then I had a long wait before he actually started on my hair. I decided quickly that I would not return! Well, Tas changed my mind. He is very knowledgeable about natural hair and the best products for your hair. He identified each product he used and explained why he was using it and what it would do. He cut my hair wet instead of blowing it dry and then cutting it. I prefer not putting unnecessary heat on my hair. Tas did a finger set bringing out my natural curl. I loved the finished product! He gave me a print out of instuctions and products I should use to maintain the style. We discussed my next appointment when I would need color. He had previously asked what kind of color I had and complemented the color done by my previous stylist. I asked if he could match the color and he was honest and said no. But he asured me that he could color my grey and not make me look crazy. I liked the pricing — my hydration was included in the quoted price instead of being extra like the salon I just quit. Other than the long wait, I enjoyed the experience. I made my next appointment before I left. I would highly recommend Natural Xpression Salon and Tas. Be prepared to wait but it was worth the wait.

My hair before Natural Xpression, could of been a cast member of the color purple. Now? (even a week after Poka blessed it) Gone with the wind fabulous. I have not had my hair done professionally in years, I stopped going because everywhere was stuck up and over priced. Natural Xpressions changed that! Taz and Poka were inviting, the atmosphere was nice and relaxing. It felt like an invite only celebrity hide away but filled with excellent stylists and smooth music. In one visit it seems like my damaged, dry, giant non curly afro tumble weed was replaced with soft, trimmed, healthy, shiny hair in one visit. Also I super love how they did not assume because I was light skinned with sandy brown hair that I was a specific hair type. I got it straightened for a meeting but I cannot wait for my next appointment because they do the curls I so desperately want with such ease. Only thing I would suggest is that they put a C on the door down stairs, I was lost for two seconds :)

Called and made an appointment for 1:30 on Saturday with the secretary, and received confirmation. At 1:15 the day of, 15 minutes before my appointment as I was looking for parking outside the salon, I received a call telling me that there wasn’t time to fit me in after all, and asking when I wanted to reschedule for. As I was getting my hair done for an event that evening, rescheduling was not an option, and no amends were made other than «sorry» from the secretary. Unbelievably unprofessional, and I will be looking elsewhere for a salon.

I arrived for my first visit to this salon at 10:25 for a 10:30 appointment. Polka Dot and Tazmanian didn’t arrive until 10:45 (strike1). I’m afraid my hair turned out unremarkable — an uneven cut that could have been achieved at Supercuts and color that left my roots lighter than the rest of my hair (strike 2). When I called to ask Tazmanian about it, he declined to return the call (or the email) (strike 3). So I made one more call — to a different hairdresser. Sorry guys — your place is urban chic and I was cheering for you — but 3 strikes and you’re out. If you’re going to charge me the big bucks, I need someone who can do my hair correctly and make it look like something, not to mention someone who can arrive on time and return my messages!

Got my big chop here back in April– love it– service was great– very encouraging– I was really nervous. Will be back in the future!!!

I’ve been natural for the last 3 years and have been on the hunt for a stylist that I can call my own. When visiting Natural Xpressions Salon today thanks to a great Groupon deal I felt like I may have just found what I need in Tas. A knowledgable, personable, «keep it real» type stylist who was willing to educate me on every stage of my hair washing, styling, and care process. I’ll definitely be going back to Natural Xpressions in the near future. Oh how can I forget, there is free parking which is a major plus in the Luckie-​Marietta district & it seems like the clients respect & abide by the late policy. I absolutely hate making an appointment and being held up because the client (s) before me decided to show up late.

I am the world’s greatest salon skeptic. I’ve had unstraightened African American hair for approximately 2 decades. It’s long and thick and scares many stylists. Taz and Poka treated my hair like silk… deep condition, trim, finger style and gently dried under a helmet drier. And it smells like cinnamon. Next visit, I’m going to let them shape it. Best natural hair salon I have visited in ATL

Tas was the stylist that did my very first consultation 4 years ago at Urbanbella and took care of me very well, i followed him to Curltopia and still received great great care! Now he has his own shop and I’m a repeat customer. I hate that some clients had bad experiences but I can only speak on my own. Everytime I go, I’m taken care of with no problems. I love the fact that it’s by appointment only and you make your appointments online. That way, there are no extra folks in there and phones constantly ringing off the hook. Gives the stylist time to concentrate on the clients. If you want a great consultation and superb stylist, give Natrual Xpression Salon a try.