I usually wear braids every few months or so and have been since I was way younger. I know what I like and I know what's right and wrong when it comes to braiding. Overall, Braids Unlimited was a good place to go. Christina (the owner) is such a sweetheart Starting with the bad, I arrived promptly at my appointment time, however my braider was an hour or so late. I was irritated not because I had anything to do but because it was early and I could've slept in. She was sweet though, i think her name was Lucy or Lucille? She got started on my hair and just was a slow braider overall. My medium sized, mid-back senaglease twist took 10 HOURS! In all my years of getting this style done that hands down was the longest. I've had micro-braids take a shorter amount of time. She also didn't seem to be "catching" my hair with a tight enough grip. I guess you could call her braid timid. Hours later I was all done and my braids looked great, very neat and very pretty. I was content. I paid her and left. Well, about two weeks later some of my braids began unravelling. I knew it was because she didn't grip hard enough. I called Christina after a week of this and she said come in tomorrow I'll fix them for you. She was so nice about it! I really appreciated it! That was a big plus for me. Overall, the shop was clean, there was good conversation, and both Christina and Lucy (?) were super nice. I plan to go back, but only with an appointment strictly with Christina! read more

A friend of mine suggested I get my braids done here. First off, it was great hair was provided, but usually the stylist matches your hair color to the synthetic hair...NOPE!!!! Definitely didn't do that. She used black hair on me....I had just dyed my hair a dark golden blonde color 3mos before I went to get it braided. Braids are supposed to look like its all your hair. The friend that suggested I go here told me her price for individuals was between $150-$180. I asked for the same style she did...and had to fork over $230!! She also likes to jerk and pull your head around...my scalp was soooo tender and raw. And she tried to get me to schedule another appt...um no thank you ma'am. read more

Stay away! I called wanting q a walk-in appointment for cornrows with Christine. She was accommodating and generally nice but was very shady about the price. I asked 2x what the price was and she said show me pictures, etc. I thought it was weird since it's a pretty basic style. It wasn't until I had to pay that she told me it would be $85! I was livid. I've never paid $85 for freakin cornrows and against my better judgement I paid it. Most places charge between $45-60. She is shady and the product nor service was worth her fee. And to top it off she didn't even want to return the unused hair I'd paid for! I had to call her and return when I realized. I'll never visit again!! You'd be better off with Azuri braids or any round the way girls. Don't get tricked like I did. Good luck! read more

Cora H. -- I have known Christine for over a decade and I have never known a more gifted braider/hair stylist. I am American, but have lived in Western Europe for many years (Britain, France and Ireland) as well as the U.S., and have had my hair done (long, small single braids / full weaves) in London and Paris -- NO ONE did as good a job as Christine. I have watched her do cornrows, box braids, twists, and re-twist locks in various patterns that were perfect (never say perfect ??... I am saying perfect !!). I use these styles as an example, because the work is highly visible versus (the braiding under) a weave. Also, her work lasts !! Due to some unusual circumstances (moving, new job within weeks of moving, new commute, etc.) I once had a weave that she did in for 27 weeks !!... it did not fall apart, the sewing stayed tight even though the hair obviously grew, and the tracks still fell in a way that the weave continued to look totally natural. I would NEVER, EVER recommend doing this, but understand that I never had a moment of doubt that her work would hold... not one thread came loose. She has always been accommodating (me -- running late...) and has made excellent suggestions concerning the color, style/cut of whatever style I have. I have gotten many, many compliments over the years. In addition, her location is accessible (near Metro, bus stops, and Union Station). Prices may vary -- often she wants to see someone before quoting a price. Prices may even vary for the same person depending on the state of their hair (permed recently, normally permed but now natural, length changed, etc.) -- this is not a 'red flag', she wants to be sure of what she is dealing with, even for customers she has worked with before. Ask questions -- she wants you to be satisfied with the color, cut, etc. Color, in particular, is not a given. I see people all over the DC area that have extensions (with braids and twists) that do not match their roots -- it is a style that some prefer. This is not really an issue with a full weave, for example, but visible with other styles. DO NOT ask her to finish a style begun by someone else, OR begin a style to be finished by someone else... come on folks, this is rude ! It is preferable to have your previous style removed and your hair washed and conditioned before walking in her door. In over 20 years of going to stylists here and overseas I have NEVER requested help, even with the small individual braids. I come to the salon with clean hair (washed, conditioned, and blown dry) ready to be worked on. Christine will often undo braids, twists, cornrows -- she is kind, I would not !! The majority of her clients come to her with their hair ready to style, so I can understand why she would consider washing 'optional'. Again, I highly recommend Christine... a lovely person and an excellent stylist. read more

I have been going to this stylist since 1990 and she always but live and care in her hairstyles. She us an exceptional hair stylist for natural hair. read more

Christine has moved to 403 K Street, NW and is in a wonderful new location in Mount Vernon Triangle. The space is on the first floor. This is a fast working woman, who can do black and white hair. She is a great communicator! I leave there feeling new, beautiful and sexy each and every time I go. I went to the old location on L Street, and like the new place better. A window with a view. Separate room for hair drying and washing. HD TV for those of us staying a while!!! Thanks for the great service. read more

Clearly she is not interested in new customers. I guess money is good... I got my hair braided while living in another state and needed help taking the braids out. I called to get a price quote. She told me "I don't take out other people's braids." Excuuuuuse me! She just lost my future business and that of my daughters. Previously, I went into her store to get a quote for my daughters braids. She told me she would do the braids but wouldn't wash her hair. Sigh. Won't wash hair. Won't take out braids. I'm at a loss for words. read more

As always Christine did a great job with my locs. She knows exactly what my hair needs and she always asks what I want done. I have never had a bad experience at her salon, and would tell anyone that want professional braids, locs or hair extensions, Braids Unlimited is the place to go. Alice read more

Definitely will not go back to this place. I found them online, in need of loc maintenance at the last minute. She was able to take me the next day, quoted me $60 over the phone. I got there, she asked if I needed my hair washed. Of all of the places and stylists I've been to, washing is a given. So I'm in this chair at the bowl, that's not adjustable, and extremely uncomfortable on my neck and when I asked about it, she didn't seem to care. And this is when I became worried - when she took the shampoo and only scrubbed my left and right edges on my temples. She never once scratched my scalp over my entire head, but instead just lathered the shampoo on my locs, I couldn't believe it. She then began twisting my hair and a few times jerked my head in place, where she needed it to go so she could twist properly. Not gentle at all. Then she asked about my edges and how come they don't grow properly and began telling me all the things I needed to stop doing so my edges could grow. Wait, you mean the edges you just scrubed down at the bowl, as if the rest of my head didn't exist? Who are you to tell me what I have to stop doing when 1-you don't know what I am doing and 2-you don't know me. When I came from under the dryer, she started ranting about something on tv - from abstaining from sex, to politics, who knows. I just know that it came out of no where and she was loud and adimant about it. So the last straw came when I paid her the $60 and she told me it was $10 extra for the wash. I couldn't believe it. I didn't bother to ask or argue, gave her the money and left. So today, I sit here with a dirty head, with a half-a** job done on the maintenance, sorely disappointed. I do not recommend them at all. read more

First, let me start off by saying that I have not had braids in YEARS...maybe like 12 years. And the last time I had braids done, they were done by Christine, at Braids Unlimited, when the shop was on U Street. I got a referral from a co-worker for a place closer to home, but when I called, they said it would take a good 6-7 hours, and they couldn't guarantee me a time. I couldn't imagine sitting in a shop for 6+ hours, and that neighborhood is a little sketchy so I definitely didn't want to be there after dark, so I told them I'd call back. I continued my search online, and found Braids Unlimited. I had no idea they were still around. The new shop is located inside a barber shop (she has her own private corner), on K Street, near Henry's. My appointment was at 1, and we got started closer to 1:30 (she was finishing up a client). I got Senegalese twists. The entire process took 4 hours! I was in shock, but quite happy because I was tired of sitting...and my neck and back were starting to hurt. Christine was as nice as I remembered; she was quick and she didn't twist my hair too tight at all. I would definitely recommend her, and I will be going back the next time I get a braided/twisted style. read more

I went to this shop an had my Senegalese twists done by Christine. I called prior to find out the cost of the Senegalese twists where I was quoted one price via phone. I was told that it would be 150 + 20 to have my hair taken out and washed. I then agreed and scheduled my appointment. I arrived the next morning and she begin my hair immediately. She then asked if i had a photo of the hairstyle which i had shown her and she stated OK. She then begin to discuss the costs of the hair that I could choose and she was continuously attempting to convince me of one type and I wasn't going for it. I went for what I wanted. She told me the hair would be 6.50 per pack and the actual hair i wanted was cheaper. So i then added the total up of my services 150 + 20 (for my wash and take out of previous hair) and 37.50 (which she took upon herself to round up to 40.00) Any who, long story short, when I came back for her to begin my hair she then wants to tell me, the style that I wanted will be 300! I turned and told her directly, I will not be paying you 300.00! She then asked me "what could I afford?" and I told her, it has nothing to do with what I can afford I am not paying you 300.00 for that style. Especially seeing that I walked in with a photo and called prior to, even coming in, and then all of a sudden, the price jumps a whole 150.00 No MA'AM! I was literally up and ready to leave the shop, with the intent to pay for her taking my hair out and washing it, she then begin to ask me how much am I willing to pay i advised her I will not be paying her 300.00 for that hair and that I will not be giving her no more than 230.00 she agreed and stated OK. Not to mention when speaking of the hair style we started to exchange words where she was trying to tell me i didn't understand when i understood completely she even made reference to trying to steal business from my other stylist by attempting to give a 20.00 discount so that I can come to her. No thank you. What i noticed too there was NO PRICE SHEET ANYWHERE And that to me is problematic. Also, at the end of the day, one of the barbers came over inquiring about the price of a style like mine, where she then quoted it starts at 300. SMH! When people talk alot they tend to tell on themselves. Because I was nice I felt she attempted to get over, and continued to attempt to boost the price on me. She would speak of trying to go an visit her son an her personal financial situation. It to me felt like an attempt to get over. 1st impressions are a lasting one and this is one shop I will not be returning to for any services. She did do a good job on my hair but I am all about treatment and my customer service when it comes to spending my money. When it came to my pricing I did not like the fact it kept changing. I felt she told me one price to get me there, in the chair then changed once it was time for services to be rendered. It left a bad taste in my mouth so unfortunately, I will not be returning. read more

As other customers have mentioned, there isn't a list of services and prices posted at the salon - which means that you will have no reference whatsoever if the price you are being quoted is reasonable. 1st Red Flag. Even if you go back to Christine for the same service, she will quote a different price. 2nd Red Flag. I've visited Christine for box braids and 2 weaves. Again, as other customers have mentioned, the styles don't last. That's a major problem for me. If I pay for a hairstyle that she tells me will last for 2-3 months, I take good care of the hairstyle and still, it barely lasts a month, that is unacceptable and a waste of my money. With the box braids, they began to slide out after 2 weeks and I thought that with my fine hair, box braids were simply too heavy for my hair. I let it go. I went back for a full weave and I also noticed that after 2 weeks, my hair was very loose, specifically the braids. I asked Christine why this was happening and she said it was due to me flat ironing the straight hair - pulling on the hair to get it straight was pulling the braids. I listened to her... and after ONE month of wearing that weave (3rd Red Flag) I went back to her, this time with curly hair, thinking that my weave would last longer if I wasn't flat ironing it every day. She installed the weave with curly hair. I even asked her to please braid my hair tighter. After I left, I did not straighten, pull or tug or even brush the curly hair. I am not exaggerating - after one full week, I could pull the braids away from scalp and stick my fingers underneath each braid. After ONE WEEK. I immediately went back to the salon. Christine looked at my loose braids and with a straight face, told me my hair grew so much in a week's time, that was the reason my braids were so loose. No joke. I told her that was impossible and asked her to redo my hair. As a repeat customer and having payed for a weave a week ago that was now falling out, I believe I deserved a redo. She refused. Final Red Flag. Don't be a fool like me - stay away! read more