Brooklyn Best Loctician

Wow! As soon as I got home I had to run to the Unilocal page and tell everyone my experience. Marlene Forde is truly a gift from the heavens. Not only is she skilled and gifted, she’s also an amazing person who wholeheartedly cares about her clients. Amidst her busy schedule, she somehow find a way to treat everyone with same level of attention and meticulous detail.
I did a ton a research on loc extensions and was looking around NYC area for someone to do them for me. There’s a couple of locticians but Marlene stuck out! Not only does she have a stellar Unilocal track record, but the photos she posts of her work on facebook speaks for itself. I was floored when I saw all the marvelous styles she can create. I definitely had to reach out as soon as possible.
Fast forward to today! Here’s a great example of customer service. I stupidly forgot the hair for my loc extensions after making it down to Brooklyn. I was frantic and embarrassed. I sent her a manic text message saying I forgot the hair and I would be late for the appointment. Instead of berating (which I had coming), she was super accommodating and told me not to worry about it. Afterwards, I retrieved the hair and about an hour later, we were set and ready to go! We had a bunch of laughs, shared stories and discussed everything about locs. The day flew by and she was working quick. We had a few breaks and she even had time to squeeze in a client for a wash and style! It was amazing! We started about 11am and finished around 8pm. My hair looked amazing! and put in the books another appointment for a wash next month! I highly recommend her to anyone who’s interested in having locs, having them styled and looking brilliant!

As a busy professional with locs it’s challenging to find a beautician that will accommodate my 9 to 5 weekday schedule. Even in a city as diverse and progressive as NYC most salons do not cater to maintaining natural African American hair so our options as professionals with locs are limited. I used Unilocal and called around to numerous salons only to discover that they all took their last appointment at 5 or maybe 6 which wouldn’t be enough time for me to get there after I leave my office. Not willing to sacrifice my Saturdays just to get my hair did I’m so glad I finally found Marlene!
I’ve been wearing my hair natural since I was 17 years old and I’ve had my locs for 8 years. I’ve dealt with countless locticians over the years from the DMV (DC, MD, VA) to NYC and Marlene is by far the absolute best! She does an amazing job of cleaning my hair, twisting my locs and she’s open to trying any style I bring to her! The woman is a professional and an artist! I owe my long strong healthy natural hair and the cute styles I always rock to expertise and vision as a loctician! I feel so grateful to have found her and I will always recommend her to people who ask me where I get my hair done and I will always be her loyal and dedicated cheerleader and customer! Look no further if you want someone who will have your locs looking fabulous!

Marlene is the bestest ! =)
After a bitter first attempt at getting starter locs in Atlanta, Marlene was a blessing to find when I relocated to NY. I was very intentional about the section size for my locs and wanted a natural look (small, thin boxes) and not thick, chunky looking boxed-​up dreads.
Most hairdressers don’t listen to you or your very simple requests but Marlene does! Before I visited with her, I told her my story (through a free consultation via phone) and was encouraged to text her pics of my starter locs so she could see what I did NOT want. She listened to me and I love her for that.
She’ll ask for the style you want or offer up one of her creative looks and knows if you’re not happy with the final product and calls it out with a sincere desire to accommodate your style preference. You will leave happy every time ! Did I mention she’s the best ?
My starter locs cost about $ 120 (I believe it’s cheaper than that though, I have very thick hair) and my regular visits (wash n style) run about $ 85 – 90. Its expensive but apparently that’s the norm in NY. My styles are well done and last 4 – 6 weeks. If your edges don’t cause you much trouble, the style will last long. I only have to go to her often because my hair gets dry easily and needs the wash and I’m still learning how to do at-​home loc maintenance.
She has flexible scheduling, you won’t wait long for an appointment. Also, it’s best to be the first person in her chair to get in and out as she gets busy.
Other than that, she’s a sweet Trinidadian lady who is warm, funny (with a delicious accent) and great conversation. She will teach you a lot about your locs — she knows hair! I’m happy to call her my first and hopefully only Loctician!

Marlene is an amazing loctician. Prior to going to her, I had gotten my locs started elsewhere. I’m someone who will not settle for less in anything especially my hair. A week had passed and I just couldn’t find it within myself to just settle with what a prior «loctician» had done. Especially being that locs are pretty much permanent. I spent the week looking online for different options some places wanted $ 100 just to start them, very long story short, I found Marlene’s business on Facebook (the power of social media) I made an appointment with her, I showed her an image of the size I wanted and when I say she’s nothing short of a miracle.
Marlene has a great talent/​skill. She’s reasonably priced, has a wonderful personality and just does an amazing job all the time, I’ve never walked out dissatisfied. And more importantly she listens. I will never allow anyone else to touch my hair. She just truly loves what she does and it shows in her work.