Le Balafon African Braiding Salon

I wish I could find a salon like this in Orlando! I had a fantastic experience here. I came in for my appointment at 12pm and was out by 4pm. Anyone who has ever gotten braids knows that it is a long process. I always wanted to get the Senegalese twist so I showed Fatou a picture of the hairstyle that I wanted and she delivered. Also the ladies in the shop are very friendly and quick. I left the place pleased and satisfied.
Also not only is this a salon, it also has a few items from Africa that you can buy. I saw a few cute baskets, African art and a few dresses.
If you are looking for a salon in the San Francisco area and want your hair braided quickly and neatly, I recommend Le Balafon. the quality of their work is fabulous and your hair will look cute when you leave! I will definitely be back whenever I am in San Francisco.

Well I will never return to this place again unless I have Emma braid my hair. I had a horrible experience on Friday August 14^th. First of all my apps was for 9am and the braider did not arrive until 9:3am ok fine, then a few hours later while twisting my hair she just up and disappeared. I was like wait where did she go? So Emma (which is the other braider) stopped what she was doing to go look for my braider/​twister after not finding after 15 mins, she walks back in saying sorry I went to check my car it’s street sweeping day. On top of that she kept talking on the phone while twisting my hair but not talking to me. Whatever…so finally after 9 and half hrs she says she is
that time Emma had already braided 2 heads and I was still getting my hair twisted. Now here we are a week later and my hair looks a mess. The braids are unraveling. What a waste of money!

I had very bad experience to say the least. I was there for eight hours for simple twists, which normally takes 3 – 4. I grew tired of them treating me like I was going to leave with out paying when I went to the store next door, while leaving my keys and iPad.
While sitting for six of the eight hours, a person of a particular color came in when the stylist stopped braiding my hair and waited on her as she boasted about how her bottom compared to blacks. The stylist smiled and sold her an item while one of the stylist who was free of labor remained seated.
A week after completion I lost 12 braids!
I don’t recommend this business. There is enough competition in the area to pass-​by and find a more professional atmosphere.

I’ve been coming to this shop for almost 9 years! They are extremely kind and much faster then other braid shops I’ve been to. I’ve recommended this place to my family, friends and everybody in between. So thankful for them to be in a great location in the East Bay! Thank you thank you for such great service and quality work.

Came in last minute for Burning Man braids and could not have been happier! The ladies working at the salon were super sweet, efficient, and great at creative ideas about the «best look»! I would recommend this salon to all burners looking for cool and easy do.

I love this shop! Why do I love this shop you ask?
They listen to my hair request and deliver.
They don’t charge an arm, leg and my first born child.
They are quick!
My hair is always on point, and I leave looking amazing
My head is not on fire when I leave.
There is always a place to park.
Everyone is always nice
If I don’t like something, they will do there best to fix it!
I’ve been to many shops around the bay, but none have treated me and my hair as well as this shop!

It has been years since I had my hair braided. Moved here from Maryland 2 years ago but I’m still trying to get to know the good spots for certain services. I am always cautious because I don’t know how well places in the Bay Area compare to the quality that I’m used to back on the East Coast. However, I am SO GLAD I trusted Unilocal and went here. The shop is clean, the ladies are professional & Fanta did a great job with my hair. I have a small patch of damaged hair in the front but she was able to braid it very well. The owner, Fatu, was really nice & helpful. My biggest suggestion is that you make your appointment as early in the a.m. if possible because parking is tricky in this area. I got there early enough that I found a spot that wasn’t metered (right in front of the Episcopal church around the corner)… If you need your hair braided, come to THIS shop. You won’t be disappointed!

First must I say these ladies were very professional and nice. As soon as I walked in I was greeted by everyone with a hi and a smile, that made me feel very comfortable. Although my appointment was at 3:30 Ms. Emma didn’t get started on my hair until 5 very neat and fast braider only took 3 ½ hours for cornrows braided into style. They also provide the hair which I believe was $ 3.95 a pack she used 2 ½ packs of braiding hair on my head, which I didn’t have to pay for :). When Ms. Emma was finished, Ms. Fatu gave me advice on how I should maintain my braids, but my overall experience was great. At the end of the day we all was satisfied I love my braids &&. I also left Ms. Emma a tip with the price she charged me. I most definitely found my new braiding place &&. Yes I do plan on going back :).

I called Friday afternoon for an appointment and surprisingly was able to get in the next day. Fatu is very professional and when I went to the shop for the first time her and the other women were very nice. My hair was braided in an efficient amount of time and when I was halfway done 3 braiders did my sengalese twist. My hair was done very neatly. I will definitely be back.

This place does great braiding! Pricing is reasonable, and they accept debit cards. Emma is really fast, and does good work. Everyone is friendly. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because every time I’ve gone, I’ve never started on time. I’ve even gotten up and left because I waited so long to get started. Braiding takes a long time already, so it’s really important to me to start on time.

I have been coming here since 2008, I have been here several times and I have always been VERY satisfied, but I am not this time. I came in for Senegalese twist on 10/​31/​2013 and they need to come down already. I didn’t notice until I got home that she mad the braids in the middle of my head SO BIG that I can not wear them out.
I am a natural hair girl, so that was a no no because she cut corners braiding and parting my hair correctly, they look old already. SMH I am very hurt, honestly, hurt that I have spent $ 150 for braid that I have to keep in a ponytail.
I am a business professional who has to maintain a neat and well kept appearance. I thought that I would be able to keep them until the end of the year at least, but I won’t make it pass this month. One braid has already fallen out. My business has been lost.

So I recently went back and got some braids. I only returned because it was easy to get an appointment. My experience is better than the last time, no smells in the air. I only came back because Fatu is Professional with her work.
The salon is clean. I bought a lite coat but wasn’t enough. If you are a person that hates the cold, then wait to get your hair braided. Next time I’ll bring my electric blanket. Bring your ipod or something to entertain you, because they like to chat with each other. Plus a charger. Cost… a bit pricy but I won’t get my hair done for a couple of months. I hope.

The do a good job, but take forever. I don’t think everyone in the shop has a hair license. I went in at 10am and did not leave to 9pm. I asked them to cut my hair to a shorter length and they tried to convince me it was ok the way it was… I paid my money, i should have it the way I like it. Parking is hard to find for 8 – 9 hours. Customer comes first. Never again

We live in Portland but saw the great job done on a friends hair in Portland. My daughters and I fly every few months to get their hair braided. Fatu does a fab job! It’s worth the travel to California for a job well done. And she is pretty quick, 12 year olds don’t like to sit long!

I’ve been getting my hair braided there for years. They have the absolute best braiders I’ve ever dealt with; hundreds of braids in my head and every single one of them looking exactly alike. Also, If I make a weekday appointment, I can sometimes get two braiders, which really cuts down on the time it takes to get my hair done. Everyone working here is really nice too. I just wish they would get some nail techs in there, so I could come out with my hair done AND a mani-​pedi.
They are a bit expensive, but let’s face it – you get what you pay for. You can either pay a little more for professional looking braids in a decent time period, or go pay somebody to do your hair in their kitchen, while they take breaks to pick up, feed kids, etc.

I don’t Know about anyone else but, My hair looks good and i feel great every time i get my hair done at Le Balafon. Me and daughter have been going for 2 years now, and i won’t go anywhere else. I have tried most of the shops in Berkeley and I can honestly say i am not impressed. Give these ladies a try you wont be sorry.

I’ve been here a couple of times and have had great experiences each time. The prices are a little more than I was used to at first, but apparently everything including getting your hair braided cost more in the Bay, so I’m over it now! I typically get same week appointments when I call, if they are not already booked. All in all, I think it’s a great place to get your hair braided!

I went in here to check the prices on braiding. Their prices are comparable to most other shops in Berkeley and Oakland. HOWEVER, there was an overwhelming smell of incense. Incense is good in small doses, I can’t imagine having to smell it for 6 – 8 hours, and then having that smell in my freshly done hair. ick.