Roses and Siga African Hair Braiding

I say this as an African:
African braiders have zero regard for hair growth and length retention.
African braiders have zero regard for hair growth and length retention.
African braiders have zero regard for hair growth and length retention.
Make this a mantra before you go in to get your hair done at ANY African salon.
I preface with this because by FAR, Africans, whether Senegalese, Gambian, Ethiopian or whatever nationality, do the neatest and fastest braids period. However, you need to make sure of a few things before you let them even touch your hair.
1: Detangle. You’d think this is a given, but no. What I mean is not detangle as you would for a wash and go or twist out, but rather, detangle, stretch, and detangle again with a finer comb than your fingers or your shower comb. Hair that you thought was tangle-​free by your standards will be ripped out of your head.
2: Tell them not to make it so tight. Africans have this deceptive soft hand that makes you not realise how closely they’re braiding to your scalp. I would say, even let them know that you’re okay sacrificing the style a little for the sake of comfort. There’s a reason so many of our sisters are walking around with no edges (AKA traction alopecia). The braids are too damn tight.
3: Tell them not to clean up your hair with the snips at the end. Yes. The fuzzies will remain, but our natural hair loops. A little snip could easily mean you just lost a foot long strand. All over your head. Ask me how I know!
4: Tell them not to clean up your hair with the candle/​lighter at the end. See above.
It seems like a lot, but these are things that are de rigeur when it comes to all the things I need to remember before walking in to an African hair salon. More education is needed for sure, but the technique and speed is why I continue to come back. Roses and Siga are both sweet and friendly, and I’m actually a fan of the laid back familial atmosphere. I got Ghana braids this time around, they started on time, and I was in and out in two hours. No complaints except for the aforementioned.
Bring cash. They don’t offer any resolution or remedy if you’re in pain after your service, so beware. This is fairly typical across African braiders as well. I’m giving four stars for the quality and quickness and one star for service and attention. I rated this A-​OK because I actually haven’t experienced better.

So far I am a fan. I received a recommendation from a friend who has been going to this salon for years to get her hair braided. I paid for Senegalese twist and as promised the woman Mia finished with 5 hours and I have medium length thick hair. Most finish my hair with 8 hours. Not only did Mia finish in the time promised but the work was very neat and I loved it and look forward to rocking this style for the next couple of months while I grow my hair out! Very pleased and well worth the money. The owner can be a little impatient if you do not know what you want, but the shop likes to keep on schedule. I would recommend going in prior to an appointment, choose a style, hair color, wash and blow dry your hair so they can get started when you arrive, and they are on time which was a BIG deal for me!

Very rude salon and I will not be going back.

Great Service for braids… I don’t know who that other cat is but he was probably paid by competition to bash this business… I’ve been getting my hair braided at this place for over 6 years and never had a problem… Their very nice people and they have affordable prices…

Siga the business owner was very polite in discussing my hair needs over the phone. However, once I arrived for my appointment no one greeted me at the door. I introduced myself by saying hello, my name, and that I scheduled an appointment. Still no response from the 3 stylist not working with a client. I was then told to pick up a book, without given any direction as to where said book was.
I walked around the shop found the book with pictures of hair styles. I found the style discussed over the phone and showed Siga. She then told me that I would need to pay 120.00 not the 75.00 discussed in detail over the phone. I asked what style fit within the price point discussed, she stated none all styles are 120.00 and up.
I wanted roughly 10 French braids back into a bun, which typically costs 40.00−65.00 for a licensed hair stylist to provide the style. I thanked Siga for her time and made the decision to not do business with Rose’s and Siga African Hair Braiding. My decision to leave was not due to pricing alone. The lack of customer service and cleanliness of the shop were definitely factors. To say the least there was dirt and synthetic/​human hair on the floor, along with no present sanitation for the combs and other tools used to style hair.
If you choose to have your hair styled at Rose’s make sure that you discuss pricing face to face, bring your own comb/​tools, and patience.