Grateful Dreads

Ann Arbor, United States

4.8

18 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
By Appointment Only

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 734-769-0859
Website:
gratefuldreadsannarbor.com
Address:
409 1/2 N 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
Kerrytown Ann Arbor
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.5 miRoute 6 & 36
0.7 miAnn Arbor Transit Authority, Bus Line 6
0.7 mi#12A
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
By Appointment Only
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (Ann Arbor) 7:43 AM Monday, June 2, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Cut, Color, Style, Threading, Dreads, Locs, Dreadlocks, Extensions, SoCap Extensions, Princess Fusion Extensions, Curly Hair, Asian Hair, Clipper Cuts, Fades, Men’s cuts, Women’s cuts, Kids Haircuts, Modeling, Photo Work.

Products used and for sale in the salon include Davines Color (nfs), Davines Naturaltech and Alchemical systems, Kevin. Murphy, Original Moxie, Knotty Boy, Jane Carter Solution, Magic Weiser, Glop and Glam, Original Sprout, and Giovanni (nfs)

History

Established in 2012.

Hello my name is Sandy. I’ve worked in salons in Ann Arbor, Ferndale, Detroit, and Birmingham. I am an expert colorist and love cutting hair with modern and effective techniques. I’m widely known and visited for my dreads and extensions work. I am also Ann Arbor’s first threader. I learned threading from some women from India and have actively offered this service for over 10 years. Odds are, if you know someone who has been dreaded or threaded in southeast Michigan, it was with me. I do a lot of editorial work with models which you can view on my blog.

I happily celebrate one year of great success with my salon in Kerrytown. it’s called Grateful Dreads!

Meet the Business Owner

Sandy A.

Business Owner

I love animals and natural healing. I have a daughter whom I love very much! I enjoy getting to know people. I love reading and education. I really love creating new trends. I’m happy to be in Kerrytown! I have a fashion blog that keeps me writing. I’m almost always doing hair!

Grateful Dreads also recommends

Siam Cuisine — CLOSED

42

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Thai

Sandy A. says,

«Great food and very friendly staff»

Elephant Ears

18

reviews

Children’s Clothing

,

Baby Gear & Furniture

Sandy A. says,

«Baby wearing, cute kids clothes»

The Espresso Bar — CLOSED

37

reviews

Coffee & Tea

Sandy A. says,

«Almond milk latte. Very hip spot»

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Vicinity

Near this location:
50
ft
Burkhart Enterprises
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415 North 4th Ave
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18 reviews of Grateful Dreads

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Novi, MI
I love Grateful Dreads! Sandy is so wonderful every time I talk to her on the phone, via email, or in the shop. She definitely cares about her clients and her work.
Originally I had been going to someone else to install and maintain my dreads but, after 9 months and so many appointments later, I realized that, not only was my hair not looking how I wanted it to, but that the person who was doing my hair wasn’t the best listener and had not been doing my hair how I wanted it anyway. :(So by the time I came to Sandy, I was very apprehensive about whether or not she would listen to my requests and help me meet my hair goals. I know that during my consult and first 2 visits I was super picky and kept checking on her work to make sure the dreads were at the thickness that I wanted! I was very nervous that I’d have a repeat situation of my hair dresser not listening to me, but Sandy was 100% patient and caring and knowledgeable and made sure that I was happy with my hair, even while I was being really picky!
Now it’s been almost a year since I started seeing Sandy and I love going in for my dread maintenance. I never worry anymore about my hair because I totally trust Sandy to do an outstanding job and I also have learned that I can totally trust her to listen and respond to my concerns.
I am so very happy and beyond thankful that I started going to Grateful Dreads! They’ve made this dread process basically stress-​free and enjoyable because I know that I can count on them for excellent work and to knowledgeably and thoroughly answer any questions or concerns that I might have.
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
I had some synthetic dreads put in my hair by Bronwyn and at first they were a little too long for the length of my hair but she fixed them no questions asked. Now they look Fantastic! Great service, highly recommend.
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
Kyanna @ Grateful Dreads perfected my asymmetrical pixie (no easy task) and made it look better than ever. She worked individually with each wave of my hair to enhance my natural texture. The style of cutting used at this salon is nothing like I’ve ever experienced at a standard salon and I will most definitely be returning. :)
Place rating: 1
Ann Arbor, MI
Saw this place had several great reviews and was very excited to try it out. Called 3 days in a row and several times for more information and pricing. Not one answer. Decided to take my business elsewhere!
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
I found Sandy and Grateful Dreads on Unilocal.If you read her website, you immediately realize that she really knows hair. I live in Ann Arbor, but I have been getting my haircuts in Las Vegas for the past few years because I am continuously disappointed with the hair care offerings in Ann Arbor and it’s surrounding areas.
Tired of only getting my hair cut 3 times a year, I decided to give Grateful Dreads a try after reading the glowing reviews here. I was not disappointed. When I arrived, Sandy was finishing up a color and cut on a young, edgy looking cutie pie. She had colored her hair platinum with some violet highlights and she looked amazing. I am neither young nor edgy and have fought for years with my thick curly hair which I usually wear straight.
Sandy immediately sized up my hair, listened to what I wanted, offered her own input and proceeded to give me the best cut of my life. She then gave me a great blow out. If you ever have blow outs, you know that many many stylists, even the ones that know what they’re doing as far as haircuts can be abysmal at blow outs. I usually need to go over my hair with a flat iron after blowing it dry, but Sandy made it straight with just the blow dryer and did it in about 10 minutes when it takes me over 30 and I’m pretty damn good at blowing out my hair.
My cut is gorgeous. I am so excited to find someone in Ann Arbor who is so knowledgeable about all types of hair and can really deliver. Ann Arbor has a ton of salons that are ridiculously overpriced for the quality they deliver. I think Sandy is incredibly reasonable and would have happily paid more for my cut and style.
Don’t let the name fool you. While apparently Sandy is super good at dread locks, she offers so much more. So glad I found this place.
Place rating: 5
Ferndale, MI
YESSS! Best eyebrow threading ever!!! I moved to Michigan from Southern California last year and have struggled to find someone to do eyebrow and lip threading. Wax makes me break out and I’ve been using threading for the past few years and I love it. It is the best alternative to waxing and tweezing, especially for sensitive skin. I found a review for Sandy (the owner) on Unilocal yesterday and called to make an appointment. She got me in right away. This place isn’t fancy or pretentious and I was done in 15 minutes and for a great price. I could NOT be happier. I like a full but clean look with my brows and they are exactly what I wanted. It’s scary to go somewhere new, but I am so glad that I did. This is my new spot!
Place rating: 5
Royal Oak, MI
I absolutely love Vanu at Grateful Dreads. She is the most accommodating, sweet and the only person I will go to for my hair!
Place rating: 5
Dearborn, MI
I had the pleasure of receiving a haircut from the beautiful Vanu Gant. She’s worked on several of my friend’s hair and I’ve seen her work on her Facebook and Instagram. Her color, cut, and style transformations are amazing. If you’re looking for a change, I HIGHLY recommend seeing her.
Place rating: 5
The Woodlands, TX
First time eyebrow threading with Sandy.
One gets a little nervous thinking I could walk out looking like Joan Crawford.
She rocked it. Perfect brows, great conversation. Quick, easy.beautiful.
I will definitely return.
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
In short: this place is amazing and adorable and Sandy treats her customers like gold and gives you what you ask for. A+++
Specifically I had my hair colored (platinum) and my eyebrows threaded, two firsts for me! Sandy was professional, friendly, quick and very attentive. Her studio is adorable and in a primo location, walkable from any place down town, including campus. Don’t let the name of the studio discourage you; this place is not just about dreadlocks. Sandy can do it all. During my short visit I saw her interact and HELP 3 other customers, all walk ins. She saved one girl’s blond hair after a hot tub disaster (green fixed) and gave another girl interested in dreadlocks an honest explanation of the process and upkeep, and even a test dread. Not enough good things to say about this place.
Place rating: 5
Ypsilanti, MI
To quote Morrissey, «If your hair is wrong, your entire life is wrong.» And maybe it’s a little true, because I feel more myself than ever with some help from Grateful Dreads.
Sandy understands hair. My thick, curly, coarse, mixed ethnicity hair had never seen a good cut until she got ahold of it. She wasn’t reproducing a haircut she had practiced in school — she was paying attention to the way my hair grew and knew how to make it happiest. With her help on my platinum upkeep, I finally got the blonde I’d been aiming for. And when I decided that I wanted dreadlocks, there was clearly nowhere I’d rather go. Check out my profile picture for a look.
I recommended Grateful Dreads to my best friend, and she has been just as happy. I used to get bummed out phone calls two days after every haircut, but now she still raves about her style months after the fact.
Sandy is also just a great person to have the privilege of spending a couple hours with, and the salon is a beautiful and uplifting environment that seems miles away from the hectic city streets it sits off of.
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
I’ve got super thick Asian hair, and it’s hard to find a stylist that can deal with it. I went to another salon in downtown AA and asked for the usual (layers and some inches off the length), and walked out feeling like nothing was done at all.
Not at Grateful Dreads.
Love the haircut – I can feel how much lighter my head is already, and everything’s even and beautifully textured! Also, Sandy showed me how I could style my hair simply if I wanted a little change, which I will be forever grateful for.
Totally recommend.
Place rating: 5
Baltimore, MD
I have a lot of hair. Like tons. Big eyebrows, lots of insane curly hair, etc. I’ve moved around the U.S. a lot and have always had problems finding someone that I could trust to deal with my sometimes problematic hair and eyebrows. I just moved from the east coast to Ann Arbor six months ago, and I’m happy to say:
Not anymore.
Sandy is great and extremely knowledgeable about my crazy hair and eyebrows and also always up for the challenge! I got a haircut from her today and I’ve already received compliments from strangers. Someone even told me the new haircut made me look skinnier (um luckily this one was not from a stranger).
A major plus is that she is effortlessly friendly and tells good stories.
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
«Your hair will look best if you just let it air dry and don’t try to style it.» Never have more wonderful words been spoken by a hairstylist. The best part? She’s right!
So I went back to see Sandy about a month ago for a real haircut and to do some more threading. She is easy to talk to and I feel like she really gets what I’m saying. I am completely happy with my hair and I feel like Sandy managed to give it definition and curl while making not as heavy as it was before. She works wonders! I waited to write this review to see if she was right about my hair not needing to be styled and she is. I just air dry it and, if I’m feeling fancy, comb it (WHOA) and whabam, awesome hair! Sometimes my bangs need corralled, but nothing a couple bits of brushing and a dab of gel can’t fix.
I am in love! But please, don’t everyone go here because I love how easy it is to get an appointment!
PS While I don’t doubt Sandy does great dreads, I should mention that I have totally average wavy hair. (more hipster than hippie)
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
I just saw Sandy for an eyebrow and lip threading. We talked first on the phone. I was spending a very rare day in pajamas and wasn’t sure when I’d manage to motivate myself to go in for an apt. Sandy was lovely. Said she understood how nice it was to spend a day in pajamas and to come in some time before she closed. I did. She was as lovely in person as on the phone. I have sensitive skin and blister when waxed. So far so good. A little momentary discomfort but very tolerable. I will definitely go back.
B
Place rating: 5
Bennington, VT
My new favorite place in Ann Arbor. Yes, I am straying from Ulta. Part of that is because I am taking the foray into dreads but even if I weren’t if I had heard about and tried this place it would have won me over.
Sandy is a trip… She talks a mile a minute, knows more about hair than anyone else you’ll ever meet, has the most interesting personal history (ask her about fear and getting over fear), and is just intuitive and fun. While I started my dreads on my own my arms were hurting after three so I decided some help would be best. After two sessions (I’m easing myself into the transition) I could not be happier.
I have difficult hair — it’s curly and cowlicky and in the winter it’s dryer than anything found in nature. Sandy gets this and has still been able to dread it beautifully without splitting curls or ending up with a tangled mess.
The experience is phenomenal in itself, though, and goes far beyond hair. You’re in a one-​on-​one setting because the space is so small, Sandy uses Pandora and will ask what YOU want to listen to, she never pushes products and is extremely fair with prices.
I’ve been in twice now and am already looking forward to visit number three. In addition to dreading my hair Sandy also trimmed my bangs yesterday and did a brilliant job. By far the best hair experience I’ve ever had. Try her out!
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
Sandy is amazing. She is truly a visionary. I have curly hair and no stylist ever wanted to cut it short, but Sandy agreed to and she did a great job at it. She is also really sweet and listens to what the customer wants and desires. For someone who is really picky with hairdressers, I have to say I really really like her work.
Place rating: 5
Ann Arbor, MI
I went and saw Sandy for eyebrow threading. I had tried it once before and not understood what all the hype was about, so I figured I would give it another shot before I wrote it off completely! Boy, what a difference experience makes!
As a woman in her 30’s I am using skin care products that make my skin a little sensitive to waxing. I was really happy about finding a great, viable option to keep my eyebrows clean and perfectly shaped. She did a very nice job with keeping a natural full shape for my brow. I plan on continuing to have Sandy do my browns in the future and would recommended her highly!