Shades of Afrika

Absolutely, love this place. The owner always makes me feel at home. She really cares for the black community, and honestly I feel not enough blacks shop there. It should be packed.

by recommendation from the owner kai did my hair
sorry but she arrived ***45 minutes late***
despite 8 years of license she was unable to do my hair as i described
now i’m stuck with dookie braids
Unilocal
says my review is misplaced
i say they have a business attached doing hair hmmm Unilocal???
***45 minutes late***
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The shop is always clean and organized, always friendly service. I love their incense collection, $ 1.50 for 20 sticks!

The vibe here makes you wanna stay.
I was invited to an Open Mic night here (now know it happens every Saturday). I was warned about the small venue, so got here on time. I was welcomed from the sidewalk by the aroma of incense and essential oils. I walked in to a small African shop of smell-​goods, hair goods, and books and things. The performance area was in the back.
From spoken word to jokes, sings to freestyle rapping, to musings in verse, it was a VERY cool vibe that I will definitely do again.

great place, enjoy the open mic

My first time in this store. My fiancé always buys his soap and herbs from here. He swears by them. So I decided to give it a go. I must say I was intrigued. I bought soap and incense… which happen to smell amazing. I’ll definitely return and explore this place a little more.

Love coming here for my oils! It’s far from home but well worth it indeed! The owner is a sweetheart always helpful

Just an awesome place go and get any and everything. From hair products to essential oils to books.

want to give this place 5 stars bc everything about this store is incredible except for how they treat me whenever I come into the store. the owner means well, but she honestly is quiet condescending & always, Always makes me feel uncomfortable. even calling the store on the phone, I’ll get attitude when I ask about a product. in a way I’ve gotten used to it, bc I can see that’s just how she Is consistently & I expect attitude so I’m prepared. but I’ll still give em 3 stars because the products they offer are truly wonderful & I stop by whenever I’m in long beach. I support their business for what they make accessible to the people. but imma jus order online from now on.

This is my go to place for oils that I place on my bald head. I enjoy the atmosphere as well as the customer service. Great selection of body soaps that don’t leave your skin dry. Also, don’t leave without purchasing Shea Butter. They also provide a yoga class on Sundays ad well as cultural nights throughout the week.

Shades of Africa is the everything store from personal advice to books to friendship to informational study groups to toiletries and all types of other products, perfumes, incense. I mean wow. I’ve been coming to Shades since before they moved to Bonito when they were on 3^rd and I must say it’s refreshing to see them continually raise the bar and standard for Customer Service, appreciation and giving back to the community. The staff and the owner are amazing and I will always remain a loyal customer.
Eboni

I would like to give no stars because I wasn’t even given the opportunity to interact.
I have heard a lot about this location and am involved in the Pan-​African community, so with said name and location, I called to get information from the owner about hosting a lecture… she was very abrupt and condescending. As an African centered person, business owner, and potential customer I feel there is a basic etiquette. She brushed me off every time I asked a question — «Did you see my website.» I have events all the time, did you see if the date is available” I have events booked months in advanced” — UM OBVIoSOULY THAT IS WHY I AM CALLING! To INQUIRE and INITIATE a process!!! She felt all her information was more valuable than mine and talked as if we were having a competition on who knew what and who… had the audacity to tell me she been in business for over 25 years and didn’t know who Ashra Kwesi or Dr Ben was and when I started to explain to her who they were, there mission and their successes she cut me off and said her blender was calling her and she wanted to have her smoothie… I normally do not write reviews but for someone to represent AfRAka and all its glory this treatment is unacceptable. I have heard many good things about this place and wish to patronize it, but after the experience I am ashamed that someone could be so bipolar and be about the people– clearly you are just about the money.

I hate to give it a one star rating but I gave this place a chance TWICE and both times experienced the same negative disappointment.
I had been really looking forward to coming into this establishment because so many friends and colleagues frequent it and speak of it.
As I usually do, when I went in I said hello to the person at the shop. But she didn’t hear me. Nor see me smile as I looked at her straight in the eye. Ok she didn’t hear me.
So I go on in shyly browsing, we exchange glances again. I smile. Still didn’t see me. Ok
So I’m in the second room now I am about to ask which of their Shea butters is the creamiest but when I look over the woman clearly sees me and looks to a customer and starts talking to him.
So I feel foolish now. I leave.
About two weeks later I give the place a try again because I’m actually really interested in the Shea butter, the oils and the incense.
Second time SAME thing.
They are clearly not interested in my business.
Nor making people feel welcomed.
Or making a good impression.

Went in yesterday (⁵⁄₁₆) for incense and body oils and fell in love. This place has actual OIL for their body oil and a drop goes alonggggg way! It doesn’t wear off fast or feel overly oily. The incense are «WET» which I loveee. They didn’t burn too fast and the aroma stayed for a while. The prices for the incense where magnificent and the body oil was a good price too!!! I also purchased some jarred shea butter and it’s magnificent!!! It dries in matte and doesn’t ruin your clothes! The owner was really nice and helpful!!! Anyone searching should seriously give this place a try!

I have visited before but this is my first time writing a review. I purchased tea tree oil, vinegar spritz and coconut oil for my son and daughters hair. As usual this place is excellent! The vibe is amazing. I will be back for the yoga and open mic. Finally a place where I feel welcome and at home. I will always support this business!

Shades of Afrika is very clean and well stocked. I have purchased handcrafted earrings that were well made, a t-​shirt, and a blouse, also very well made at excellent prices. There is also an extensive collection of hair products, two cabinets full. I’ve bought some of those also. Shades also sells several varieties of incense which I have also purchased at a great price, and beautiful cards and refrigerator magnets. I’ve never been unhappy with anything I bought from there. They sell a lot of stuff, so there is something for everyone. Black soap, Shea butter, just go and look, and buy something. It’s very Afrocentric.
There is also an open mic ever Saturday night, in the black room. The cost is $ 5 although in my opinion, to rebuild the audience the admission price should be waved and a basket passed for donations until a larger following attends. There are some good performers and the hosts are excellent, though. It’s only my opinion. There is also tea that patrons can pour, all you can drink… so that does justify the $ 5 cover. Parking is challenging on a Saturday night and you CANNOT park at mcdonalds across the street. So you would have to park in the surrounding area. GO!

This review is for Natural Kinks and Waves
I love this place!!! I was looking for a PLACE TO GET MY HAIR TWISTED (after my other stylist moved) AND OOOOOOOOOOH CHILD THIS IS IT! YEAAAAAAASSSS! Aingeel is my GIRL! She is so sweet and funny and professional! I LOVE ME SOME HER! She has great hours and is located in the Heart of Long Beach! She is uses quality products on my hair! And with 2 STRAND TWIST SHE DOES I AM GOOD FOR A FULL 3 WEEKS TO A MONTH! I will have my hair in the twist for 2 – 3 weeks and then take it out for the best Curlies of my life! This style will usually last a good 5 – 7 days (day 4 my hair is looking a lil worn by day 7 its more a kinky fro! SUUUPER CUTE But not as curly! (I think this is because I just sleep on it– I KNOOOW I KNOW That is bad!) Still 3 – 4 weeks of style AWESOME!
She shop is super clean (Aingeel keeps her tools and area CLEAN! In fact they disinfect the bowl after each shampoo! I HAVE NEEEEEEEEEEVER SEEN THAT!
Parking in the area can be a little stinky sometimes but that’s not their fault! So arrive early to get a spot.
Another awesome thing is How well each of the stylist get along! I ased my girl if she can press my hair. She was honest, said she could but that Kai the stylist in the booth besides her would be a better option if I want a longer lasting press! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT TALK ABOUT HONESTY! She could have said yes I can do it, or you may want to try another person for that style but NO, She not only told be her way of straightening hair she also recommended someone! SHE IS SO COOL! And Kai in turn said there are certain styles she recommends Aingeel for! TEAMWORK!!!
There is also another lady Mz Tina who does natural hair and it an excellent cutter… barber… (I am not sure if barber is exclusively a male term of not) But she too is GREAT!!!
I have seen her work! AWWWESOME!

Came into the store a few weeks ago and trying to make time in my schedule for a return visit. Enjoyed meeting Renee who prompted me to buy a «love card» for my wife. Great atmosphere; would like to see a larger selection of books, but what she has in stock is adequate. She sells Blackshear art!!! Yea! been looking for that for years. Please get out and support our sister in either Long Beach or Corona.

Closed on Mondays!
The store is open the rest of the week, there are other enjoyable things like classes, hair styling, spoken word, etc… feel free to ask Renee!

As a naturalista, this is my «go-​to» spot. This place carries everything you need to help maintain healthy hair and skin. From raw butters to essential oils, you name it, more than likely Shades of Afrika carries it. I go there to purchase Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO). For an extra cost, Renee, the owner, adds peppermint oil to it (this stuff is the TRUTH! Google JBCO if you want to know the benefits).
This place overall, is cozy and inviting. As one Unilocaler said, its like being in a living room. The owner is very helpful so if you aren’t sure about a particular product, she can and will assist you.