African, etc braiders

[laurend085]

***This post is not meant to offend or stereotype anyone.

I have decided to get kinky twists to help with growing out my cut. Well in my and other people's experiences that I know braiders of African, etc descent tend to braid tighter and cause breakage. I was referred to someone by stylist who isn't and who she said was good and didn't break her hair off. The thing is there's someone closer who is Nigerian and I just have my concerns. What are others experiences?

 

[Geminigirl]

IMHO they do tend to braid rather tight. And I notice that alot of them have receded hairlines as a result of this. I don't go soley on this because all African braiders aren't the same. I say there is a good majority of them that braid tight but I am sure all don't. I mean ask her to see some of her work. If she has kids check them hairlines..shoot check hers too.

If you are every nervous about a service for your hair research and ask questions before hand and only go through when you are comfortable with the answers and service they give you.

 

[Nonie]

I have never had my hair braided by Africans in the US because I could braid my own hair, but my braider back in Kenya used to braid even babies and she didn't pull at all. We'd fall asleep while she braided our hair. I did go to a stylist who'd braid so tight that you couldn't close your eyes--also in Kenya--and my mom took me right back to have her undo my hair, coz my mom, who's also African never pulled my hair so she wasn't going to stand for someone to do that to her baby. I was too polite to speak my mind hence the reason my mom did my dirty work for me.

So I think it depends. I know if I couldn't braid and needed someone to do my hair, one deciding factor would be "Do they braid little children's hair without the children bawling their eyes out?" <--Just something I thought of because I remember when I used to braid other folks, my friend telling me I wasn't doing it firmly enough coz she didn't feel pain. I was braiding her the way I braid my own and the way I used to braid my friend's 2-year old albeit in the baby's case no extensions were used. It wasn't until I brought a mirror and she felt the base as she looked at it that she believed it was firm with a look of utter surprise.

So my conclusion is, if they are good braiders, then there's no need to tug on your hair so tight as if the hair will run off if it's not held tight. And if they can braid a baby without tears, then they can use the same gentleness on your hair and should.

 

[Geminigirl]

OT- I love cornrowing my hair. It feels so good. I could only imagine how other people feel when I braid their hair.

 

[Beaute Noire]

Sadly, I've always had bad experiences with African braid shops. It has always pulled my hair out. Because of this, I'm 2 paranoid 2 even attempt cornrows.

 

[Renovating]

Hi laurend085,

I found a licensed African braider that has been doing my kinky twists for the last 3 yrs and she is great. My head is never sore and her customer service is excellent to me. She works from home. ( Arlington,TX)

However, I have been disappointed when I've visited African braiding salons in the past. They made me pay up front and I wouldn't have minded that if they didn't act like I became invisible after the money was exchanged. The second the money touched her palm, people were tag teaming on my head. I mean seriously yanking my head in every direction. They would walk away and take breaks without saying anything.

I am sooooo grateful that I've found one person to stick with. Her name is Amy 817-680-1767.

 

[purplepeace79]

I used to be the braid queen lol
I found one woman who actually did my hair the style I wanted, with no tension, and really knew what she was doing. I only went to her. Then I learned how to braid my own hair and haven't looked back.

It might be worth it to try to learn how to do it yourself. Not every braider is bad, but not every one is good. Just let them do 2 or 3 braids in your most sensitive area, and you'll know whether its worth it to stay or not.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

I've always gone to African braiding shops, and I've never had problems with getting my hair pulled out. My mom used to take me and talk for me, but once I started going on my own, I make sure to let them know that I have soft edges and am tenderheaded. And as the session continues, if I notice the braids were starting to get too tight, I gently and respectfully remind the braider to loosen her hand. My braids were always tight, but it was never anything that a couple of days wouldn't fix. But that may not work if the braider has a bad attitude, or just doesn't know how to make solid and sturdy braids without giving you a facelift. So just try to go to someone with experience and skill. And try to observe his/her interaction with other clients before committing to have your hair done by him or her.

In fact, the only time I've had problems with braids was when I let a West Indian lady give me cornrows. They were beautiful, but I looked like I was in a wind tunnel and was afraid to move the muscles in my face, because I thought my skin would rip. I took them out a day later, when my follicles started showing. And that time, I didn't speak up for myself when the lady was braiding. I just let her keep going.

So while it is dependent upon the braider and his/her skill level, it is also your own responsibility to let your feelings and desires known. Good luck.

 

[Kneechay]

No offense is taken, I'm Nigerian and I lightweight agree with your opinion.

Still, the main braider I used to go to was Nigerian and I went to her because she didnt braid too tight and one other Nigerian I went to once did, it was so tight, I went home and oiled my edges and prayed to the Lord heavens my hair wouldn't be too stressed out. I went natural for 5 months before I got my first set. I needed to. I was advised that I'd need to stop relaxing if I wanted any kind of braids put in my head, weaves included.

I just got back from Nigeria recently and there's one thing I noticed, a lot SEVERAL women there are natural. Although perms are an option, a majority of women don't relax, so because the braiders are used to dealing with kinky hair, and the braids/cornrows I saw were super tight. They are used to doing that.

I'm not saying you should go natural if you dont want to, but it may help with the strength of your hair. If it's still a problem, don't go to the braider. Look on craigslist for more options, you can find braiders there too and ask whoever that does them to not too tight and to use larger hair sections at the edges.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

Best thing, take control, be pro-active and state your desires..too tight? Tell the braider it is not comfortable...she's hard of hearing? Hand her $5bucks and walk out of the shop.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

There are good stylists of every background not all African hair braiders have bad hair practices......c'mon now.

I had an African Hair Braider by the name of Aisha and she used to do a wonderful job on my hair. She gave me individuals that were so flawlessly done, taut but not too tight. I slept like a baby that night. Then she did senegalese twists on me, same result.

You simply have to be vigilant and selective when choosing a stylist, or you can become a total DIYer like me and teach yourself to do self-installed twists which is the ideal situation.

 

[esi.adokowa]

i'm a ghanaian, and i braid my own hair, but i used to go to a sierra leonian woman to hav my hair done.
flawless, tight, perfect braids - no pain.
but i went to a jamaican woman once who literally ripped the hair out of my head!

i think that a lot of women expect their braids to be somewhat tight, and the braiders adapt to their clientele.

 

[shunemite]

***This post is not meant to offend or stereotype anyone.

I have decided to get kinky twists to help with growing out my cut. Well in my and other people's experiences that I know braiders of African, etc descent tend to braid tighter and cause breakage. I was referred to someone by stylist who isn't and who she said was good and didn't break her hair off. The thing is there's someone closer who is Nigerian and I just have my concerns. What are others experiences?

Go with the one who is good and doesn't break hair. It's worth it. I'm African. I'm not offended by your comments at all, by the way. A tight braider is a tight braider. I have a great braider now. I've stuck with her for 2 years coz she knows I like my edges loose, even though there's cheaper braiders.

I asked her one day why the braiders braid so tight. She said that it's because clientele will call her back 2 weeks later and complain that the braids fell out, or call back in a month and say the style didn't last. So, she said that it's the main reason they braid tight. Well, I told her 2 years ago to braid my edges large, she complied, and I stuck with her and didn't regret it.

 

[shunemite]

Hi laurend085,

I found a licensed African braider that has been doing my kinky twists for the last 3 yrs and she is great. My head is never sore and her customer service is excellent to me. She works from home. ( Arlington,TX)

However, I have been disappointed when I've visited African braiding salons in the past. They made me pay up front and I wouldn't have minded that if they didn't act like I became invisible after the money was exchanged. The second the money touched her palm, people were tag teaming on my head. I mean seriously yanking my head in every direction. They would walk away and take breaks without saying anything.

I am sooooo grateful that I've found one person to stick with. Her name is Amy 817-680-1767.

Pay half up front, and tell them to start in the back if their afraid you won't pay. Tell them you'll give them the other half on completion. Reason I say this is my own fellow African was a braider, she made me pay her upfront, then half-way through, she got an "emergency" to go to her dad's house or something. She disappeared until the NEXT weekend when it was convenient for her to do it. Ever since then, half the head, half the money.

 

[addaboutmyhair]

All you AMAZING women who braid your own hair, some questions:

Is this with extensions?
How long does it take you?
How do you make sure the parts in the back look right?

 

[Natirelle]

I had bad experiences with African Braiders, so I learned to diy for the sake of my edges, and for the early saturday mornings.

Side note:
Not trying to offend anyone, I know not every African hair braider doesnt braid so tight.

 

[teysmith]

All you AMAZING women who braid your own hair, some questions:

Is this with extensions?
How long does it take you?
How do you make sure the parts in the back look right?

I braid my own hair. I dont do it often but I do sometimes and I'm a really good braider..

I can do micros, box braids, pixies cornrows, yarn braids and kinky twist(starting with a braid)

It usually takes me several days to do my own hair.. I have a two year old and plus I easily gets distracted from braiding. Honestly I usually never even finish the middle part. I get so lazy!!! so i end up wearing it in a ponytail.

usally my parts come out looking pretty good. its not hard to get them to look nice. just part with a rat-tail comb. u can always check it with a hand held mirrow in front of a bigger mirrow.. if your doing micros or braiding really full it doesnt matter too much..because the braids will be covering.

The last time I got my hair braiding at an African shop.. The braids were extra tight!!! I had like 4-5 people who worked on my head.. One of them were very gentle. I barley even felt her braiding..she was a new braider who just come to this country.

 

[Nonie]

All you AMAZING women who braid your own hair, some questions:

Is this with extensions?
How long does it take you?
How do you make sure the parts in the back look right?

Yes, with extensions.
How long depends on how long the extensions are. When I've done it in one sitting, it took about 9 hours to do these 10 inch braids:

While I took breaks when doing the set below, not coz I was tired but just bored to death , I estimate that it took about 10-12 hours to do these 14 inch braids:

I don't ever worry about the parts being straight in the back because no one really sees the parts. In fact the last set I didn't use a comb to part my hair. I finger parted except for the a few parts that I made before I started braiding where I thought I might part my hair when styling once braids were done. I find parting with a comb then wearing braids for as long as I do leads to permanent parts that are hard to hide. The more random the parting, the more easily it is for hair to appear "undivided" when you take the braids out.

 

[Almaz]

No offense taken when I get my hair braided I go to an Ethiopian woman she knows what she is doing and she does not pull so hard.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

All you AMAZING women who braid your own hair, some questions:

Is this with extensions?
How long does it take you?
How do you make sure the parts in the back look right?

I do senegalese twists on my hair using kanekalon hair.

It takes me about three days with breaks and meals but if I were to really go "in" then it would take me probably 2 days.

I just do grab and go parts in the back I think circular non-perfect parts look best with extensions actually, it gives a more natural effect.

Nonie your braids look GRGEOUS!! Great job!!! I would have thought you got it done by a professional! How'd you get the hair to fall so evenly? Did you cut/stretch it?

 

[teysmith]

One of my bestfriend's friend went to this African ladies home to get her hair micro braided.
The lady braided in her basement. This girl went to this lady's house with the intention to get her hair braided and the leave without paying..
This poor lady stood there and braided this girls hair for lord knows how long..
The girl had a purse and a old cell phone that she didnt use. Her plan was to make the braider believe that those were her personal belongings. So when she was done with her hair the girl asked to take a look at her hair in the mirrow, which was upstairs. she pretended that she was going to the bathroom but instead she went straight out the door!!!! The husband was on the couch and he was just like "okay have a nice day" he had no idea she didnt pay. and the braider had no idea that this girl was leaving!!! She jumped in her car and took off!
Thats just sad!!! I would never do someone like this!!! My friend said this girl does this all the time.. sadly to say, my friend thinks this is funny...

 

[jamaraa]

Yes, with extensions.
How long depends on how long the extensions are. When I've done it in one sitting, it took about 9 hours to do these 10 inch braids:

While I took breaks when doing the set below, not coz I was tired but just bored to death , I estimate that it took about 10-12 hours to do these 14 inch braids:

I don't ever worry about the parts being straight in the back because no one really sees the parts. In fact the last set I didn't use a comb to part my hair. I finger parted except for the a few parts that I made before I started braiding where I thought I might part my hair when styling once braids were done. I find parting with a comb then wearing braids for as long as I do leads to permanent parts that are hard to hide. The more random the parting, the more easily it is for hair to appear "undivided" when you take the braids out.

Nonie you never cease to amaze me. You're braids are ON POINT.

 

[Bachelorette]

Tell them not too tight.

I'd say Nigerian braiders are less likely to pull compared to others. Ive been to them all, not sure how I still have hair

Oddly enough they dont braid as tight anymore.

 

[Southern Belle]

One of my bestfriend's friend went to this African ladies home to get her hair micro braided.
The lady braided in her basement. This girl went to this lady's house with the intention to get her hair braided and the leave without paying..
This poor lady stood there and braided this girls hair for lord knows how long..
The girl had a purse and a old cell phone that she didnt use. Her plan was to make the braider believe that those were her personal belongings. So when she was done with her hair the girl asked to take a look at her hair in the mirrow, which was upstairs. she pretended that she was going to the bathroom but instead she went straight out the door!!!! The husband was on the couch and he was just like "okay have a nice day" he had no idea she didnt pay. and the braider had no idea that this girl was leaving!!! She jumped in her car and took off!
Thats just sad!!! I would never do someone like this!!! My friend said this girl does this all the time.. sadly to say, my friend thinks this is funny...

WOW. Just W-O-W.

Honey, the KARMA that will be heaped on that sista?!?!? Her luck is gonna be SOOOOOO bad, it will be dangerous to even be LOOSELY connected to her.

Since I was a little girl my grandma always told me "if you even take $5 that wasn't yours to take, next week $100 will fall out of your pocket in a parking lot..."

All these years later, I still live and die by those words....

Just when I thought I've heard it all.........

 

[angenoir]

It slightly offends when people say African braiders braid tight, they have no edges etc etc...

First, I think most really good braiders are African (you should see the amazing braids I get whenever I go back home to visit.) and second, ofcourse there will be those who braid badly or too tight or whatever.... You just have to look for a good braider!

And also you have to KNOW what good braiding is, so when it feels to tight you say so early enough and they ''loosen' the grip. When they are too micro, you say so and they increase the size. Remember like everything else, it is up to you... You need to explain, complain, ask them to re-do so you get what you want. Braids take hours to do and I am amazed when peolpe come out saying she braided too tight! You should say something when you feel its too tight way before the six or so hours are up. If you know you need less stress on the edges, just ask them to take bigger portions of hair there... talk to the person doing your hair. It is of key importance to commuincate. Ask for the mirror once in a while to see what is going on on your head, at the back, in the middle etc

IMHO it has nothing to do with their being African or not.

But good luck with finding someone to do your hair!

 

[Nonie]

Nonie your braids look GRGEOUS!! Great job!!! I would have thought you got it done by a professional! How'd you get the hair to fall so evenly? Did you cut/stretch it?

Thank you!

I fold the hair in half when I braid, so the 28 inches become 14 inches all round and therefore all are the same length. I use human hair so it's limp and just falls naturally. So it's not really anything I do but rather I let the the hair do its thang. I don't trim or do any "tidying up" afterward.

 

[cecilie]

I' m African I have just one advice be sure of your braider.....braids can be a good or a very bad experience
good luck .

 

[glamazon386]

I've been to a few who didn't braid tight. I would always go back to the same person. Please believe if my hair was being pulled to tight I would let them know and if they didn't stop I would be leaving head half done or not.

 

[almond eyes]

I'm half Nigerian but it's about the technique used. I can tell from the technique about whether the hairdresser will be a tight braider or not. I used to tell my braiders to use the method where I could slip the hair from the top to remove my braid when I was ready to take them out. Many braiders in the States used to detest when I would ask them to use that method because it was more work in terms of twisting the hand under and over. Even when I braided in Africa I always asked for that method and if my braider couldn't do it I would not let them near my hair. Sometimes in the US braiding hair salons I would end up in yelling matches with the Senegalese braiders because they would grab my hair, not comb my hair properly or try to use the scissors to cut loose hair in the braids and I had specific instructions about handling my hair and they would think I was a diva. In the end, I stopped getting my hair braided in the States because the drama was too much. I only let my step cousin who is Liberian and has a salon in NY braid my hair because she doesn't braid tight and the people in her salon know that.

There are plenty of braiders who don't braid tight. And be careful if you have fine strands especially in the front because that really chewed off my hair in that area.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[DecemberBaby]

I've taken my daughter to the same african shop twice now. They do an excellent job. They grease her scalp and sometimes have two people working on her head to get it done quicker. I never had to pay upfront, only when I come back to pick her up.