So many lessons were learnt.
Having been a naturalista for close to 6 years now, I am very used to making my own hair, except braiding it of course. From the tough TOUGH transitioning stage in years 1 and 2 to the awkward length stage. Not to forget the lengthy wash days endured, hours spent on YouTube and concoctions cooked up in the name of achieving healthy long hair. I have to admit that it really has been a labour of love.
So, it’s a welcome relief to see more salons coming up in Nairobi that offer to relieve me of some of this labour.
Once or twice, I have chosen to take the leap of faith and get my hair done at three instafamous salons.
I call it a leap of faith because after years of patiently sectioning my hair, detangling it and bending over a sink at home with my eyes getting stung by shampoo, I believe that I know best just how my hair needs to be handled and find it hard to let just anyone get their hands on it.
You know how the internet can sometimes read your mind and your feed is suddenly flooded with suggestions and ads for exactly what has been on your mind?!
Well, some of the salons I discovered were precisely as a result of this internet wizardry. The others just appeared to be popular on Instagram, with seemingly good results and exemplary service.
Coincidentally, all the ones I eventually tried happen to be along Ngong' Rd.
This was my experience.
1. Maya’s Salon Kenya- Greenhouse Mall Ngong' Rd
I went to Maya’s to get a wash and trim around July 2020, almost exactly 3 years after my first and only trim since becoming a naturalista. You can imagine just how long the split ends were by this point. The lady that trimmed my hair (Diana) was amazing in recommending the best products for my hair and stopped me from unnecessarily getting a silk press.
She even advised me on how often I should get my hair trimmed, which is information I hadn’t received before. Diana won me over and Maya’s earned another visit.
In the second visit, I got a wash, trim and some ombré knotless braids.
From those two visits, I have to say that I think they could REALLY improve on how they washed my hair.
No sectioning was done, leading to some unnecessary tangling. Also, detangling before washing the hair would be a minor yet very useful adjustment to the washing process that would improve my experience and be protective to my hair.
For the wash and trim, I paid Kshs 2,500 which, I felt, was money well spent.
Naturalista friendliness score- 3 out of 5
2. CC’s Hair Lounge- Applewood Adams Ngong’ Rd
My first time at CC’s Hair Lounge was when I decided to cheat on my neighbourhood salonist, Eunice, in June 2020. (FYI, Eunice does not work at an #instafamous salon)
Knotless braids were the freshest style in town at the time and I just wasn’t sure if Eunice had caught up with the trend just yet.
I had already washed and straightened my hair when I walked in. At that time, they were running an offer on Nubian twists and the salon was packed, salonists were doing their best to hasten their hands and move on to the next client. Fortunately, I was almost done just before the rush started.
I guess I liked the knotless braids so much that I decided to cheat on Eunice on more time to get crotchet faux locs plus a wash and blow-dry. (My first option was Spritz Hair Studio but they were fully booked that day).
I went early in the morning to avoid any afternoon rush and also because I was travelling later that day and really had no option.
Similar to my experience at Maya's, I was not very impressed by the wash. No sectioning, no detangling before the wash. The straightening as well did not take into account the kinkiness of my now more tangled hair.
Interestingly, I overheard the lady in the chair next to mine also complain about how her hair had been washed the last time she was there.
As time went by and more customers walked in, you could tell that the lady doing my hair was being given pressure to finish working on my hair, resulting in a rushed service.
Unfortunately, I can’t remember how much I paid for the wash and blow-dry. However, from the two experiences I had at CC’s as well as the extent of avoidable breakage my hair had, I don't feel that it was money well spent and I have never gone back to CC’s.
Naturalista friendliness score- 2.5 out of 5
3. Spritz Hair Studio- Greenhouse Mall Ngong’ Rd
Spritz had been on my mind for the longest time before I eventually decided to walk into this #instafamoussalon and entrust them with my hair.
Unlike the other two, Spritz has branded itself as a salon meant to cater primarily to #naturalistas. So, I was excited by the prospect of getting my hair done there. They had so many cool styles and services advertised on their page. From fresh twist-outs to cool colour treatments to unique braids, all done by stylists who can handle natural hair and using products suited for natural hair.
I am not certain about many things in life but one thing I knew for sure, is that I had to get my hair done at least once at Spritz.
Let me tell you, Maina...I had not foreseen the horror that followed.
I could continue this review but there is a very strong chance that the post will either be too long or that I will shortchange my review of Spritz- none of which is fair to you, loyal reader.
Want to find out what happened at Spritz, find Part Two of this story in our blog or among the related posts below.
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