Braids And More By Char

I sent Char a text, told her what I wanted done, sent her my pics, and scheduled my appointment with her all in one day. She was willing to work with me around my busy schedule and even contacted me the day of my appointment to see if I wanted to come in earlier being that she knew how busy I was going to be that day. The customer service was great and I have received numerous amounts of compliments on my #BraidsByChar. She also gave me instructions on how to keep my hair looking good for the next 4 – 6 weeks. You get what you pay for and I’d pick good quality over everything any day. The quality of her work can’t be denied. Thank you Char. I love my braids!

I know a few people on here and wish I had come here to see their reviews prior to coming here! I had an appointment with Fifi to get my hair touched up and was told that she would call me to come. Later that evening she called and asked could she do me tomorrow and said that she would fit me in because it would only be about an hour. I took my hair down and received no call. I tried calling several times an sent text messages with no response. I texted the owner who was booked and referred me to Tori. Tori told me she was available on Monday at noon so I took off the morning from work since I had already taken my hair down in anticipation of getting it done Sunday. Monday at 11:10am I receive a text from Tori to say that she double booked and could I come later. Never again!!!

Buyer Beware! Getting an appointment requires an effort in patience, not because they’re booked far in advance… but because getting a response can take days. I waited and got a spot. The braids looked good for a week before some of them started falling out. By the end of 2 weeks, I needed a wholesale fix. I texted for a follow-​up appointment. I ended up having to make an appointment elsewhere after waiting 3 days for a response. My hair was a mess and needed to be fixed.
What’s crazy, is that it’s not difficult to keep a customer who has the potential to become a regular at an expensive, cash only business. Loyalty is obtained by offering quality, consistency, professionalism and a wee bit of friendliness, especially in such personal kind of business.
It was my first and last time at Braids & More by Char.

If I could give this place no stars I would ladies be very aware of what you are walking into I made an appointment and was told a few min before my appointment that she had an incident and can she do my hair a lil later I said yes but if you can’t do it today we can set another day she said no I can do it today it will just be late I said ok text me when you ready I received no reply back no sorry txt the next morning nothing at all I was so disappointed because they do awesome work but very unprofessional when it comes to doing business ladies you know how it is when you washed an blow dried your hair your biggest fear is to not have the beautician be a no show smh unbelievable!!!

TERRIBLE customer service. Was a hour late due to traffic supposedly even though she saw it was raining outside. Why not get up earlier or leave earlier because of the weather? Was texting the WHOLE time which caused service to be slow. Has a policy that if you’re 15 mins late you are charges an extra $ 25. I took $ 20 off my Bill because she was late and she had the nerve to get an attitude. I could have just went to the Africans for the same price and faster service. Would never recommend this stylist.

Very rude person. Sent message to ask about pricing, let her know it wasn’t for myself and the person on the text was the person desiring the services. Didn’t want to be texted (and didn’t even answer the question), asked not to be texted and thanked me when I said with a response like that we didn’t want her business.
This is the bay area, if you’re in business and want more of it, get your head out of your arse, realize not all of your clients are in the ghetto and be a business woman!

Got there on time which is rare for me had to wait but it was ok. Hawa came in an started to section off my natural hair. And began to start my hair with medium mid back box braids. I love how each braider is focused yet they keep a ongoing conversation going on. Which was good made the time go by faster. I sat in her chair at 10 and she was fine by 215. I loved how she took her time. I also like how she allows you to pay either by cash or online

I have been coming to Braids & More By Char for over two years and I always walk out of my appointments feeling and looking like a million bucks!
The ladies always greet their customers with a warm and friendly hello. The vibe is very welcoming and open for group conversation. Every single lady involved in this shop has so much talent to offer, I highly recommend everyone.
Jo is my stylist by choice, she has 15 years of experience and a large portfolio of different styles and braiding technics. She works fast and takes no breaks, it’s very impressive.
I GIVE THIS SHOP A 100% RATING***

Worst place ever! First of I have to say customer service is dead in this place the lady whatever her name is, short wears glasses was rude all the way from the moment I tried to get a appointment for twists. She never told me her name, never called me or answered the phone so I could here her voice. And responded to my text messages about my appointment whenever she wanted to. I made a appointment for today the 12^th of October to get senegalese twists. I showed up on time she was 15 minutes late. When she got there she didn’t even introduce herself to me she just said I’m ready. Then I showed her my hair and she told me I don’t braid with that type of hair. Now I did the research on the type of hair style I wanted and the best hair for my type of hair and it’s kanekalon braiding hair. What type of hair stylist turns down a hair appointment? She’s lazy and rude and that’s $ 250 that’s not going to be in her pocket booboo. Don’t come here for professional work! I say always give somebody a chance but when they’re rude and their nasty then screw them!
I recommend this place called Modish mane though, they have great customer service, show up on time, and don’t make excuses when it comes to giving the customer what they want!

Got small singles by Kesh 2day im so in love with my braids I’ve gotten so many compliments on my hair already. If u read this «thank u so much Kesh 4 my singles they are so cute» i will be back in a couple of months.

I was planning to get Senegalese twist from this salon, I called twice around 7:50am which the Salons Unilocal page says they open at 7am, and this is the response I got «Please do not call me back to back before my business hours», HOW RUDE!!! Now I see why the other reviews talk about the poor customer service of this business.

I’ve been a loyal customer to Char from the beginning. She has never let me down and Is consistent with her work. All the ladies in shop have one common goal. TO MAKE ALL OF US WOMEN (and sometimes men) FEEL BEAUTIFUL. I went yesterday to get something new. Crochet Jumbo Twists. I was nervous and unsure how it would be. Let me just say, I was blown away! I walked out of there feeling like a «real queen». Thank you Char and all the ladies at Braids and More by Char!

Updated review: I have to address Char’s response because the amount of lies is ridiculous. Out of your 4 witnesses, 3 of them are your employees and 1 was a customer who can definitely back me up. One of your own employees offered to do my hair multiple times after you began raising your voice at me and telling me to leave the store. Your own employee tried to calm you down and was sympathetically looking at me and saying she could help with my hair because it was clear you were going off your rocker. I definitely did not yell at you, and I absolutely said good morning when you came into the store. Why would I not speak to the person who’s beginning to do my hair?
I DID say your customer service is awful (which it is), but I didn’t raise my voice when saying that or anything else to you. There’s a reason you have multiple reviews on here talking about your lack of manners and bad attitude. To everyone else — there are a ton of braiding places in Oakland/​Berkeley. Avoid this shop like the plague.

Got done by Fifi, finished in about 7 hours, didn’t mind the time frame, I’ve gotten micros done before and they took about 10 hours cuz the stylist kept taking long breaks. the braids are cleanly done and all even, no shortcuts here. Fifi was very kind and caring, she took her time and still did an amazing job. I wanted to tip more but I had only cash and it was too late to go to the ATM. Also the price was a tad more than what I was told (180 but was 250) but she did a great job so I don’t mind. Also I have short pixie hair and she still managed to do great braids that are holding strong ^_​^ I’m trying to grow my hair out so it’ll be braids for the remainder of the year and I’m definitely coming back here :) oh and they were a lil tight but I took a warm shower and they were nice n comfy this morning, awesome job Fifi you got a customer for life

I normally don’t do Unilocal reviews but my experience with the namesake of this shop was so disappointing I felt the need.
First, let me say that Char is a talented braider based on my two encounters with her. However, her business will progress much further once she realizes that she is in a «customer service» based industry, meaning the stylist serves the customer not the other way around.
Her bad attitude, slow response to appointment requests (4 to 5 days at the least), severe tardiness to appointments she books (she had to reschedule me when I showed up the first time/​I waited outside her shop for 3 hours the second time — to which she unapologetically said «my phone died»), and rude, defensive demeanor when called out on her poor customer service skills override what budding talent she has. I could go into more specifics but quite honestly, I’ve wasted enough time on this woman.
Contact me directly if you’d like to know more but PLEASE beware before paying your hard earned dollars for a braider whose ego is waaaaaaay too big for her britches. Better off dealing with the African shops!

I filled out the form on Char’s site and got an email a few days later. After a few texts, she confirmed my appointment and I headed over for Senegalese twists.
Turns out, I had the wrong hair (my fault!) She offered to reschedule but I had a hellish work week and vacation coming up so I opted for box braids instead. It’s been awhile since I had braids so being in the chair for awhile was not something I was used to and she was pretty understanding about it.
She was very sweet the entire time, and yes, she multitasks but nine times out of ten, she’s texting customers. She worked pretty fast! I had a good service with a prompt appointment and everyone loves the braids. She also offered to get the hair next time if I wanted to come back for twists (because I do really want them).
Location is good for me, easy to get to by transit or Über (it’s not the best place for parking but one of AC Transit’s most frequent bus lines is *RIGHT* around the corner).
So I’m very happy to have found another braider after my previous braider left the country.

If I could give no stars I would. Woke my daughter up at 6am because we had a 7am appointment on a Sunday!!! We get here and guess what, no answer. No picking up the phone, no answer at the shop. Waste of time and energy and my poor kid who had to get her hair blow dried this early.
Very very unprofessional.
Update: thanks to other Unilocalers I ended up getting an appointment for my daughter at Braid Bar on Shattuck! Best decision ever! All the girls in there do a great job are professional and my daughters hair turned out amazing! Give them a call (510)200−1723!!!

I’ve gone to Hawa & Domie and it has been a perfect & pleasant experience every single time. I’m am so happy to have found these women!
Their speed and work ethic is impeccable. I found myself going to another stylist on styleseat when I couldn’t get an appt early enough and ended up taking the style out after a few days, needless to say, I learned my lesson.
I’ve also found them to be the easiest beauticians to book with since i moved to the Bay Area (texting to make appointments isn’t common where I’m from so that threw me off a little…)
I’m glad I found go to stylists! I can always count on them to give me beautiful protective styles.

Found this shop on Unilocal and read all of y’all’s reviews, and since the shop had its fare share of pros and cons, I decided to check it out for myself.
I had an appt today with Char and I am very happy to have found her. She’s a smart, vibrant, fun, and polite woman and she knows her business. Her personality is very straight forward and to the point. I can see why some would see that as negative (you shouldn’t tho), but she’s direct, professional, and respectful and I appreciate that a lot.
I texted her just last week and she replied right away. She scheduled me for an appt right away and followed up with me at the beginning of this week to confirm day and time.
I went in today at 1pm and was done with my braids before 5pm (I mean, wow!).
She may not be your «bubble gum» customer service chick, but she is professional and damn good at what she does.
Please keep in mind she’s an independent hair dresser. She does not have a receptionist, nor employees to do anything for her. She’s her own business and she takes care of it. This girl is on the GO all day.
While I was sitting her phone wouldn’t stop beeping, and she multitasked very efficiently. She took calls, replied to texts, made conversation with me, AND did and awesome job on my braids.
I’d def refer her and encourage you to check her work. I for sure coming back; I love my hair!
You go this down, chica!

After about 4 hours of text messaging, she said she only had an afternoon availability for that day so she asked me to call her friend Hawa if I wanted a morning service. I basically begged her (Char) to do it and that id would be willing to wait for her.
After all day of corresponding through text messages, she told me she was at the dentist. I told her i would be willing to wait after the dentist appointment. I even told her she could be upfront and just say no if she couldnt actually do it that afternoon. I just wanted some answer after all day through text with her and she just never responded to my calls or messages with an answer on when she could do my hair.
I just think that it is very unprofessional and risky to have such poor communication in a business where there are so many others who are willing to braid.
I found a young african girl named Barbara who was very nice and willing to do my hair the very next day. She works out of a salon in Berkeley with her sisters. She says I can post her phone number here. Call her ASAP if you want beautiful braids along with professional customer service. 925−339−6161.