Azalea Christian Braiding & Full Service Salon

I showed up at 8:50 for my appointment and knocked on the door. Through the door I heard a voice, «Who is it?» I replied with my name and said, «I’m here for my appointment.»
The voice replied, «Oh, my mom says your appointment is at 9… so she’ll be ready at 9:10.»
The door was never opened, and I was left standing in the hallway for 20 minutes.
That should have been my first sign. I sent a text to my husband, «I think I should run away.» I almost did, and really wish I would have.
At 9:10 I received a text from the owner stating that she was ready. I replied, «Okay. I’m in the hall.»
When she opened the door, I was hit with the VERY strong smell of cigarette smoke. The place wasn’t that clean, either. She looked at me and asked me, «How did you know what apartment number I lived in.»
Her confirmation didn’t include an apt number, and there were no instructions telling me that she’d send me a text when she was ready… so, I Googled her business.
We went into the salon area. The chair was not bolted down and was very wobbly.
On the phone the day before, she asked if I had a small-​medium head… or a large head. I said «small to medium.» All of the hats I wear are smalls (with a very few exceptions). And, to prove it I measured my head which (for a hat size — this is where you measure exactly where your hat will sit) is 22″. This is classified as «small-​medium» by anyone who is an expert with the «average» women’s head size in the US being classified as 22 inches. Now, this is measuring from the base of my head up towards my forehead. If I measure the actual circumference I am at 21″. This is absolutely classified as «small.» I did tell her on the phone that I have a lot of hair. Lot of hair = lot of hair to braid, right? Not according to her… She said that doesn’t really matter. Not sure how that makes sense, but okay.
Why am I going on about this? Because after about two hours of braiding the owner informed me that it was taking so long because my head is large. Mind you, on the phone she said small-​medium would take 6 hours and large would take 10.
Before starting I told her that she didn’t need to do the very short hairs on my neck and that we could shave those. She braided them anyway… they were about an inch long. Much of the back of my hair was an inch long… which, I totally understand would take a long time (hence, the reason I said to skip quite a bit of it).
By the time I realized it was going to be a very long night, we were already too invested. I could feel the weight of the braids on my head, but didn’t dare get up to look because I just wanted to finish.
And, we finally did finish… at 1:30 in the morning! 16 freaking hours I was there (with the owner taking several smoke breaks, a lunch break, answering her other business line, etc).
And, for the sake of argument, let’s just say my head was large. Well, according to her estimate it should have taken 10 hours. Not, 16!
I looked in the mirror when we were done. Honestly, I was too tired to even have a real opinion about the work. I just wanted to go home.
When I got home at 2pm, I looked closer at the braids. They were far too thick!
Because each braid was so thick, I couldn’t even hold my head up. I couldn’t even pull the hair back into a scrunchy! There was WAY too much! I couldn’t imagine trying to sleep on the hair or even function on a daily basis.
So, sadly, I spent an hour and a half cutting them all out!
I thought I was doing the right thing by going here (I had it narrowed down to four people) but lesson learned the hard way. Maybe she does a great job with weaves… and maybe she just wasn’t listening or didn’t want to give me the look I provided? Who knows. She did say that the look I provided was «tacky.» Well, the braids in the picture I provided were MUCH better than what she gave me.
And, because she made the braids so thick, I had to buy 3 additional packages of hair! I had brought my own hair and several hours prior she said, «I think we’re going to run out of hair. The Sassy brand really doesn’t have that much hair in it. If you would have went with the hair I provided we’d only use 5 packs.»
Meanwhile, I had to purchase an additional 3 packs just for the top of my head so there’s no way 5 would have covered my entire head!
The WORST money I’ve ever spent. $ 400 for the braiding, plus an additional $ 60 in supplies.

One word: Perfection.
This woman, who hails from Philly, knows what she’s doing. Hands down, the most amazing beautician I have ever went to. I mention where she comes from because she brings a different perspective of hair than what Washington is use to. Hence why her styling/​braiding/​weaving is far beyond excellent.
I had been looking for someone to do my box braids for over a year before I decided to book my appointment. My key reasons to finally go to her was because her pictures boasted sleek and stream lined braids without gaps (for some odd reason, all of the other competitors have wide gaps between the braids which make the hair look thin) Her price was excessive to me but in the end, I’d rather spend more money and get the results I really want rather than not and not love my hair)
During the service she educated me on my hair, on the hair she was installing, how to take care of it properly and even gave me insight on her other services. This woman knows about hair! I was very impressed.
I had no problem finding her salon since I received an email the day prior my appointment stating her address and her apartment complex name. The salon she built inside of her apartment is cute and comfortable. Since I was going to be there for awhile I was able to put my footies on, pull out a blanket and watched DVD’s on her huge screen TV she has in her salon. She even has a snack shack in her salon that you can buy from if you get hungry (only accepts credit cards)
I already referred my co-​worker to her and have had a ton of people ask me who did my hair and I’ve only had them in for 4 days. Thank goodness she gave me some of her cards to hand out.
(I’m on her website! I’m the Poetic Justice/​Booty Box braid girl with the Word Up sweatshirt. Yeah, my hair is too cute!!)
Hands down, A+ service and results :) I will be coming back!
Note: she not longer accepts card for services

Go at your own risk and feel free to waste your time and money. She cannot do hair. Not a shop and not professional. Do not say I did not tell you so. I got emails from others saying the same who did not see me review until after the fact!

Braids Review:
I had been planning to go natural for some time. So when my husband and I found out we were pregnant, I decided it would be the perfect time to get off the Relaxer Bandwagon and start a new hair adventure. I did my BC (Big Chop) in December 2012. After rocking a TWA for a while, I realized that it’s really tiring trying to manage newly natural hair while 6 months pregnant… plus I missed having length, so I decided to find someone to braid my hair up. After doing some research, I found Azalea’s Christian Braiding and made an appointment for Individuals/​Singles. When I called to book my appointment, Azalea was very nice and professional… good signs ;)
Her salon room was clean and nicely decorated, large fish tank and TV included. At the appointment, we looked through her website together, discussing styles and price points; then we got started. During the entire appointment, she was upbeat, personable, and social without being overbearing or inefficient. Being in a one person salon was also nice because, again being 6 months pregnant, I didnt feel uncomfortable eating snacks or embarrassed when making my (many) bathroom runs.
Pros :
— My braids turned out great. All the parts were even, the ends didnt unravel, and there was no fraying. Very reasonable prices with hair INCLUDED in the price; gotta love that!
— She took the time to trim any odds and ends, dip the braids in hot water, and cross check all her work. I appreciate any stylist that doesnt rush and makes sure his/​her work is up to par.
— As can happen, we ran over the expected 6 – 7 hour time estimate (stylists always underestimate just how much hair I have, haha) but she didnt rush or try to hurry to get me out the door. Still provided a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Cons:
— Had trouble finding the place. Unfortunately, it wasnt mentioned previously that the salon was in an apartment building so I got a little lost. Then, once I found the complex, there was more than one building so again, had a hard time finding where I needed to be. Would have preferred better directions/​instructions.
— Even though we discussed my desired braid length before we started, she ended up giving me much longer braids. While I agreed that they still looked really good, for functionality and ease, would have preferred to get my desired length.
Overall good experience. Would definitely go and get my hair done again.

I wish I would’ve read the other review first. I had a weave installed and am very disappointed with the work. I thought I was very clear about what I wanted, apparently not. The braids are too big and the weave is lumpy. I’ve definitely had better work done for less money. I would not recommend.