Linda’s African Hair Braiding

Do not go to this salon. The women who was doing my hair continued to leave, talk on the phone, eat etc. I was late for work as a result
multiple children screaming and running around unattended. Some of the women who brought children weren’t even paying for a service. Needless to say It was very long 6+ hours for twists.
The restroom and salon itself was filthy. I brought my own hair and should have been charged accordingly. It’s very sad the braids were well done. This salon could make a lot of money IF …

*7 Erie St*
I honestly wish I could give this place zero stars. And from the other comments, sloppy work and overcharging people seems to be their way of business. But this is my story.
I called on a slow Wednesday, wondering if they could take me that day. I wanted 8 – 10, fat cornrows (with fake hair), literally going straight back. Linda told me there was an availability and to come immediately if possible. On my way there, she called me back TWICE to see if I was coming. She even helped direct me on my way, which I thought was sweet… I’ll tell you later why she REALLY was checking up on me.
When I got there, the store had two stylists and one client (empty). I was quoted $ 70 for a wash and cornrows which I thought was RIDICULOUS. So I told the girl doing my hair, Fatima hell no, and that I was leaving. Then she lowered it to $ 60. She waited till she was washing my hair to tell me the wash itself is $ 10, so my cost went back to $ 70. That also means she would have charged me $ 80 if I hadn’t haggled her for the price reduction earlier. #1 Price and customer manipulation
When I told my stylist I wanted 8 braids straight back, she told me that was a boring style and to try a design. I like simple, but I figured why not and told her to make them kind of curvy. «Why not try Ghana braids?» she said. «They look great, they last and they look better when they’re fat. You’ll only need 5 braids.» The fake hair they provided already looked too silky, fake and synthetic to look like it would last, and I figured 5 braids would look like dooky but she INSISTED that they would last AT LEAST 3 weeks. I’ll make them tight, she said. I accepted.
Fatima never made any effort to communicate with me. She was extremely rough when combing my hair, yet the braids felt so loose I made a point to repeat that I wanted them to last a few weeks. Even while she was doing them, I could see loose strands of the fake hair and my own hair coming out. They were terrible! I think she noticed my looks and said that it would look better once she trimmed the flyaways. Wrong. When she finished, I was so upset, I just stared at myself in the mirror till she asked me if I liked it. I finally told her I was disappointed and unimpressed. For supposedly $ 70 hairstyle, it looked like the job of a rushed mother. «You just have to gel it back.» I watched as she took globs of brown gel and slicked my BRAIDS back. Then I noticed that she already had her purse and jacket in hand– one foot out the door. «If you were in a hurry, you should have just told me to come a different day, not manipulate me to get less braids so that you can leave earlier» I said. She mumbled something about not being in a hurry, but when I say she left the store before I did I’M NOT LYING. I can’t help but think THAT’S why they called me so many times, to see if I was on my way. #2 terrible customer service #3 terrible advice/​communication #4 terrible skills/​style
Linda and I agreed that I would return another day to have them redone how I initially wanted it, but between Fatima’s limited schedule (idk why another person couldn’t just do my hair?) and mine, we couldn’t find a right time. When I called to reschedule I was told to «just come and take half your money back.» I deserve my whole $ 60 back, but I realized that these women were used to profiting from cheating people, and therefore probably didn’t care that I was unhappy. #5 unfair practice
As I predicted, the already messy hairstyle lasted less than a day. By the next evening it looked a month old and so I took it out!!! ONLY A DAY LATERRRRR. A $ 60 STYLE.
I picked up my half refund today, and even then Linda was unhappy that I came without calling. I was in no mood to explain to her (over the phone) that I was not from the area, and came because I was nearby. She cost me money, time, and happiness because I was distressed with an ugly hair style, lost $, and an angry hour bus ride back to my dorm.
From what I can tell, their specialty is tiny singles. That’s it.
I’ll post the «One Day Later» pics later this week.

I don’t know where to start, from the lady being brutally rough on my strands to her leaving to pick up her son (which took about 2 hours, smh) and having two different ppl on my head at once. It’s been 3 weeks since I’ve have my braids in and I took them out today! I have so much breakage it’s unreal. they put a thick amount of weave on a small section of you hair, which is too much weight on YOUR strands! They have no knowledge of hair care! This was my first and LAST time getting these braids. I did it as a protective style to be able to workout and now I’ll be spending the next 3 months nurturing my hair back to health! VERY disappointed and a very unprofessional place!!!

Update: New location at 7 Erie St Dorchester MA
I requested for crochet braids with a wash which were priced between $ 110 – 140 via phone. The price seemed high for synthetic hair so I got a quote for wash +cornrows which was $ 30. Upon meeting my stylist, I wanted to confirm the price depending on the thickness of my hair. The stylist said $ 140. I reminded her of the range I was previously told and she changed the price to $ 150. I was surprised and she explained that the $ 10 was for the wash (which I thought was included per the phone conversation).
When I went to the back room to wash, the stylist told me to pick up a towel from a pile. I dropped it and mentioned it was damp. She muttered «they must be from yesterday.» When I was silent, she asked, «you don’t like that?» I told her no and she grabbed a new towel. When finishing my wash and (very quick) condition, she used the new towel which was full of hair and smelled like mildew. I asked her to take the towel away.
The stylist was very rough when blow drying my hair. I am not tender headed but I could hear the tearing of hair while she incorrecty used a paddle brush from root to end. I assertively told her that it felt like my hair was ripping. At that point, I mentally decided that I did not want to crochet my hair there and I could happily do it at home for free. Due to her rough hand, I kept quiet until she finished the cornrows and informed her I would pay for the wash and cornrow.
The owner, attending to another customer two chairs over, asked why I had changed my mind. I asked if she wanted me to discuss it in front of everyone. She encouraged me to continue so I told her my concerns with the dirty towel and the roughness of the stylist. She raised her voice and told me how I should have mentioned something instead of waiting. I asked her why my timing mattered if I brought my own crochet hair and would pay for the poorly done services. The owner changed the price of the wash + cornrows to $ 60 and stated $ 30 was not for natural hair but cornrows without braiding hair added. SMH. I hand her my debit card, which African Braiding does not accept. When I asked where the atm was, the owner demanded for my ID so I would not leave without paying. Obviously I returned with $ 60 and no tip. The other stylists snickered and sucked their teeth disrespectfully.
At this point, I was angry and approached the owner again. I asked «why does it matter when I changed my mind? I can’t cornrow so I was happy to pay for that but I cannot stay where someone thinks a dirty towel is okay on my head.» She told me the stylist was new. I told her that this is her (the owner) fault for hiring someone so incompetent and left.
Needless to say, I will not be returning to such a disgraceful place.

Called to make and appointment for myself and my mother. Highly recommended by my sister. Who’s styles looked great. Got pricing for the styling with hair ($ 150 per head) & scheduled for the next day. We get there at the scheduled time of 9 am. Only one braider there. Another braider arrives after about an hour. I decide to get the twists and Mom chooses wet & wavy braids. We specify how we want it done. I wanted red & black twists whole Mom wanted her braids length above her shoulders. Just for the record, neither happened. Mom gets started and two braiders get going with her. She finishes at 1 pm. I didn’t finish 5 pm. Never mind they charged an additional $ 20 per head because Linda (the owner & who I made appointment with) wasn’t there when we paid. And you pay before you hair is started. Sign posted in the shop.
Fast forward 3 days: I’ve had at least 20 twists come out. They only allow fixes up to three days. Anything after that they can’t help you. Another sign posted in the shop. I go back to get my twists fixed but I’m continuously having them come out and the twists around my edges were ripping out.
Fast forward another 3 days: My hair looks like I’ve had the twists for weeks instead of just ONE week. Mom’s braids look great tho.
So after sitting in a chair for 8 hours, paying $ 170 and not getting exactly what I wanted, I took the twists out. Going to get my hair braided at another shop. And I probably won’t be back.
Pros: Spacious facility, hair is included in the price & accessible by T.
Con: Unorganized, they don’t follow directions when it comes to styling & definitely not the cleanest place.
Go at your own risk!

Okay so where to begin… So I was supposed to get my braids done by someone I regukarly go to but they were suddenly unavailable so I searched for a braiding shop and originally was going to go to Rose’s on Blue Hill Vae but they were to pricey. So I went to Linda’s. I have gotten braids plenty of times in my life. The style I wanted was MEDIUM size BOX braids that reached the bottom of my back. When I got to the shop I showed the stylist pictures of braids I had before that showed the style, size, and length of braids I wanted and she said okay that’s fine. The stylist was very very nice.
So she did one braid and showed me and the thickness seemed fine but it was not long enough at all. She asks me my age after I said it wasn’t long enough and I said I was 17 then she said oh that’s long enough for you you’re too young for that length… My mom then stepped in and said make it a little longer. She then made the next braid longer. But after many braids I started to notice I was not getting box braids at all. she was using a pin and taking small sections and braiding it.
Long story short, the stylist was very nice but extremely slow (was there from 10 – 545, slow for an African Braiding Shop) I left extremely unsatisfied, braids not all the same size, braids not the same length, and braids not what I was looking for at all. Only go here if you want basic Senegalese twist because I saw them doing those and they were good. But if you want any new popular styles like Poetic Justice braids or simply Box Braids, do not go here.

I honestly don’t know how I feel about this salon. I guess I’ll start from the beginning and let you decide. (this may be a lengthy review… sorry)
I called on a Monday asking for an appointment on Thursday, my name and time was taken down with no problem and everything was set. I called the next day asking if I could up the appointment to Wednesday at 12. again no problem they rescheduled my appointment with no hassle.
I arrived the next day 10 minutes early. When I announced what I was there for the women looked at each other in confusion. It was pretty slow at the time only one woman was getting braids and three other women (workers) were sitting around chatting with one another. Eventually an older woman made her way over and asked what I wanted (which was slightly annoying since I already told the lady over the phone what I wanted… but I digress) I explained that I wanted really long and really thick Senegalese twists. They kept trying to give me these itty bitty tiny twists that I did not want and was told they did not know how to do big twist…
Now that would of been nice if I was told that in advance so I could of spent my money on exactly what I wanted but instead I had to settle for smaller twists.
**FYI: I went on a date right after my appointment and my boyfriend pointed out to me some twists were abnormally bigger than others and others were way small… and that says a lot coming from a guy…**sips tea**
It took all of 7 hrs for two women to finish my head. Tired and irritated I was glad to flee out of the salon. The first few days I received plenty of compliments asking where I got my hair done but my ends kept unraveling and I had to go back twice for them to retwist the hair (each time I wasn’t charged).
My hair was beautiful but by the 3^rd week it was loosening up. As gorgeous as my hair was I had to take it out by the 6^th week. I couldn’t deal with my hair looking the way it did. So I don’t know if I would revisit this salon… probably not

Worst choice ever. I went there 3÷31÷14. I showed the owner Linda 3 pictures of what I wanted and she said don’t worry you will get those braids. She was being cheap with the hair and gave me smaller braids then what I asked for. I would never go back even if I was paid to. The ladies switched every hour which became annoying and now all my braids look different. They took multiple breaks and at one point I sat in the chair waiting for 30mins for someone to come back and finish my hair. If you want to be satisfy and happy go some where else!!!
Now it’s a week later and six of my braids has coming out, one being in public. I was embarrassed beyond measure!

A braid fell out in public AFTER they supposedly fixed them all. Very very embarrassing!

I’d say the real reason why there is no consistency in these reviews, is because it really depends on who you get. I saw a one-​woman show bang up some zillions while another one required three helpers and still took longer.
I got a woman who did really nice braids (look good and super light) and was quite quick, except that she had to tend to her child that she brought with her. While I’m all about motherhood, the chick took an extra 2.5 hours (running late and lollygagging) while I had nothing better to do but look at my thumbs. She also was entirely too rough on my head: from parting my head to even the slightest tilt, every move felt that she was wrestling with a 200 lb wad of hair that needed to be manhandled. And when I winced as she started to braid, she’d say «sorry» (though not meaning it whatsoever) and continued like I said nothing at all.
General notes: reasonably priced and centrally located (really easy to get to off the silver line). Luck of the draw braiders, terrible movie selection and real rough on your hair (I needed 2 Tylenols two days later…).
It’s really a ⁵⁰⁄₅₀ shot. Have definitely had better.

My experience at Linda’s starts with a phone call. I call the shop, she answers, I tell her that I would like to come in next week, she says ok, and that is the end of the conversation. She doesn’t ask for my name, which is what I thought was weird. I wake up early for my appointment that is at 930am, go to the place but no one is there. The salon is in an apartment style complex, so if you arrive before they do then you will be waiting in a hallway. Someone arrives around 940ish but she doesn’t speak a lot of English, however she informs me and this other girl how Linda will be arriving in a few minutes.
The salon is like a city closet. It’s small, and not really glamorous. I have thick natural hair and was afraid that she wouldn’t know what to do with it, however she knew how to manage it and wasn’t rough. Before Linda starts my hair she asks me how long and the size I would like for my Senegalese twists. I tell her, she twists one piece of my hair, and has me look at to make sure it’s the size I want. I thought that was awesome considering I knew exactly what I wanted. If you speak up she will listen to you. The process took about 7 hours, however at different times there were 2 people working on my head. While I was in the chair for what felt like forever there were hilarious, bad acting African movies on the television. I probably heard about 10 sentences and English (as every stylist in there was speaking another language), and was often confused about what was going on.
Despite Linda’s not being a «typical» glamorous hair salon, Linda knows what she’s doing and my Senegalese twists came out awesome. They were a little tight when I first got them, but I wasn’t dying. If you’re looking for a glamorous hair salon go somewhere else and pay an unreasonable amount, however if salon appearance isn’t a factor and you want a good price for amazing work I highly suggest going to this salon.

They can braid however it is very difficult to get exactly what you ask for. Also I don’t believe they know anything about how to care for hair. I thought it was just me so the last time I went I came with a few pictures. I wanted thick braids, not the skinny ones that are diffucult to remove. They were really pushy and convinced me to get smaller braids saying that when I’m ready to have them out they will remove them. Like a fool I went on and got the braids they suggested. The braids were so tight a woman I ride the bus with grew alarmed when she saw me the next day and insisted I go back and have them redo the front. After sitting for hours in there the day before I had no time nor patience to go back and sure enough, my hair broke off in the front due to the weight of the extensions. What was worse was when I finally went back months later to get them removed they were removed rather carelessly and they took out much of my natural hair with it.
I’m here now years later searching for a place to get my hair braided for a trip and when I saw Linda’s listed here I just had to post this review. I will never go back there.
ETA: Oh my God, I forgot to mention those terrible Nigerian movies they show in that shop. Women are treated like shit in these movies. Part of the plot in one movie was for a woman to steal a baby and bury it alive at night as part of a voodoo «charm» to win the affections of a man. I sat there thinking, «What did I just watch?» More awful than anything awful you would never choose to see.

Very satisfied with the service and the friendliness of the staff. They gave me exactly what I wanted 2x! They rock when it comes to the single extensions (that’s all I ever get). Will be coming back for a 3^rd visit. :)

I have been fantasizing about getting Patra braids for about two months and went through many postings, recommendations, and Unilocal reviews to arrive at Linda’s. I walked in, so it was a huge plus to have the ability to come with no appointment. I was very very detailed about what I wanted, and Linda insisted that she knew what I was talking about. I walked over to choose the hair and I pointed at the hair that everyone had recommended I use for patra braids, but again, Linda said that I needed a hair type that would be too bulky. Typically I am a pretty good advocate for what I want, but I am annoyed with Linda and some of the braiders for not listening to my concerns.
I tried to show them the Youtube postings for the box braids, and pictures, and I did not have the desired outcome. The single braids that I do have do look good, but I can’t achieve the high bun that I was looking for. Plus with a discount, the hair came to $ 140 which was way too much for four hours worth of work.
It’s quality, but at what price? Too damn high and not enough attentiveness to customer needs.

Customer service was awesome! They were friendly and gave me what I wanted. My sister and I were pleased. Priced like everyone else but, she will work with you. I’ve been to a lot of braiding shops and this one was the first to make me want to come there and not look anywhere else. They really aim to please. They also take walk ins.