Urban Nature

No definitive prices, a consultation where she didn’t actually touch my hair… I’m on time trying to follow the «rules» and she was 20 minutes past my scheduled appointment. Not a good first impression. The search for a salon continues…

Aiisah is a wonderful and gifted natural hair professional! I have sent many clients her way after I get compliments about my hair. I highly recommend her and the salon, which is clean and quiet.

I’d been looking for a REAL natural hair salon in Alexandria, VA for a long time. When Urban Nature was mentioned by a friend, I immediately made an appointment.
My appointment was scheduled for 10am and I was all set to get a flat twist updo with Stephanie G. At 9:50am, Stephanie text to tell me she was running late. Given all of their strict salon «policies» for customers, I was actually surprised that she wouldn’t be on time for an appointment scheduled a week in advance. But it was no problem, so I waited. Around 10:15, she walked into the salon and another stylist had to tell me it was her. She didn’t speak, so I spoke to her first and introduced myself.
She told me to have a seat at the wash bowl and began washing my hair. While she was washing, I noticed she wasn’t washing the nape area so I asked her to wash that area because I tend to have dandruff build up, especially in the winter. Without ever doing a hair or scalp assessment, she asked if I was sure it was dandruff and suggested that I might have fungus. I’m not exactly sure how she was able to draw such an inaccurate conclusion, but needless to say, it was a very offensive first impression. But I let it go and explained that I did NOT have fungus in my scalp, but simply dry skin.
She continued to wash, condition, and detangle my hair while only chatting with the other stylist, unless I asked a specific question. She didn’t seem personable or friendly at all, which created a cold and unwelcoming environment.
Once she finished styling my hair, it looked ok. I didn’t complain or ask her to correct anything because I was just ready to get out of there. However, when she finished, the amount she charged was SIGNIFICANTLY MORE than the amount advertised on the Urban Nature website. The website shows a flat twist updo $ 75+ but she actually charged $ 125. Granted, I expected to pay a little more than $ 75 because I asked her to add extra hair to my bun on top (I brought my own hair). But she never EVER mentioned $ 125 until AFTER she finished my hair. Then said she would apply a discount for my first visit and only charge me $ 115. Wow.
From the time I made my appointment, described my hair, and told her exactly what I wanted, we text back and forth approximately 6x about my hair, the style I wanted, and the type of hair I needed to bring. Not once at any point in the process — even after meeting me and seeing my hair — did she mention I’d have to pay $ 50 MORE than the price advertised on the website. By quoting a significant price increase AFTER she finished my hair, it felt dishonest and misleading.
Based on my experience, the customer service from Stephanie G. is poor, her styling is mediocre, and her pricing is misleading. As a result, I will never go back to Urban Nature. If I do, it won’t be at this location and never with Stephanie G. again. If you choose this salon, I hope you have a better experience.

On November 21, 2015 I made an appointment for a color consultation, and potential loc maintenance at urban nature. I set the appointment for Sunday November 22, 2015 (on my birthday) and yes I was pretty desperate. I normally do my hair myself w/​color but I thought it would be a good idea to get it professionally done to look nice for my birthday and to attend a play at the Warner theater my boyfriend was taking me to that night. The stylist (Stephanie G.) texted me to change the appointment from 10:00am to 10:45am and she informed me that because she has another appointment scheduled for 12:30 I would have to wait until She is finished to get loc maintenance which I agreed to. After the color which she used a box that I could have done myself at home, but I thought what the hey so I went along with it. After the color she washed my hair which was amazing and the herbal rinse was really nice and felt so good. I never had that and I was excited because I felt like this could be the shop for me. She showed me where the Shea butters were that I could use for my hair. I couldn’t decide on just one. I had a few in mind but because I wanted my hair to be shiny, conditioned, and soft I decided to use the «tamiru”(I believe is the correct spelling). When she finally started on my hair. It was the worse pain I had felt in my life, She asked how long has it been since my last maintenance which was two months (mind you, my hair was drying waiting for her to finish two strand twist on another client). She suggested that I do not do my own hair because I don’t have parts and she had to create them with a comb. She asked did thinning hair run in my family and I said no. She said I see thinning at the top which can come from that or from the interlocking technique. She suggested that I palm roll for awhile which I am considering. It cost me 147.00 all together, for the color on (12 locs), shampoo, rinse, and maintenance. I was not thrilled with my hair but I was ready to leave because I had never experienced that much pain from loc maintenance. I did it myself and one other individual who started my hair and maintained it up until I moved to Virginia and couldn’t travel to Maryland to get my hair done did it. And NO she did not hurt it at all but then again she started on my hair as soon as she finished washing it and my hair looked shiny and healthy each time. I regret not doing it myself or going back to my original loctician. It wasn’t until I got home and played in my hair that I had noticed one of my locs had snapped off. She tried to intertwine it into another loc (seemingly to hide the fact that one was missing.). I became furious. I didn’t send a text to her that day because my boyfriend said he didn’t want my night to be ruined going back and forth all night with this women Stephanie G so I waited until the following day. When I contacted her, she said I walked in with a small loc and in another text she stated she thought that small loc was something that I had joined with another as I had done with several others (in reality there where only two that was joined one that my previous loctician joined for fear that it might snap off if she didn’t join them and the other I did on accident when twisting my hair). I had no small locs when I entered the salon. I sent many pictures to her and her boss Dee Wade. I assured them that my hair was the same length all the way around and in none of the pictures did I have a small loc. Stephanie G proceeded to tell me that this is what happens when you bleach your hair; that It has the potential of snapping off. If this was the case it would have done so at the part that was bleached (I only bleached a few locs and of those locs they were bleached from the mid point of the loc to the bottom). The loc that snapped off (under her care), was snapped closer to my scalp. If this was the case it would have snapped at the mid point and not further up. After I spoke with Dee who laughed saying she doesn’t understand she asked me to send pictures confirming what my hair looked like before. I did and that night she said Stephanie would call me with a solution. The solution was to detach the short loc and put a faux loc in my hair. I told her I will let her know but after consideration, I decided I did not wish to put a faux loc in my hair; it might not look like my regular locs, so I declined this solution. I then asked for a free wash and hot oil treatment or half my money back. They never got back to me so I am taking this a step further and Unilocaling about this horrible ordeal. In addition I will call the Virginia State Board of Barber and Cosmetology to file a complaint. I know hair grows back but it was Stephanie G’s condescending tone, her lack of empathy, and her disregard for her wrongdoing that has prompted these actions. I will NEVER step foot in this god awful establishment again and hopefully her nasty attitude changes because karma has a way of getting people back.

I went here to get a two strand twist and had a horrible experience. First the lady who did my hair rudely questioned why I normally flat iron my natural hair while frowning at me. That made me feel completely un-​welcomed. I should’ve left but I stayed and my twists looked horrible. Which I could’ve dealt with. I’ve been to places and left not thrilled about the hair style that I asked for. But what really turned me off was the homemade shea butter that was used in my hair. It was sooooooooo greasy. When I went home there was grease everywhere. I had to use paper towels to blot some out and it still stained by pillowcase that night while I had a scarf on my head. I was hoping that this would be a place that I could go to too routinely get my hair twisted so I am deeply disappointed.

I generally love going to Urban nature’s Silver Spring location– but I’ve had enough of the Alexandria spot. The level of professionalism (as referenced in other posts) is LOW. Why have a scheduling system AT ALL if they clearly don’t adhere to it or care about it. While they might be great at doing hair– what does that matter if you can’t even get your hair done because they double booked (which they «claim» they don’t do) or didn’t check their schedules to see if they can take you on time. I scheduled an appointment for 1:45 pm. One of them KNOWS I scheduled this appointment. Why did they just let me sit there til 2:05 pm. until finally I get up to ask when I’ll be seen. and THEN she decides to tell me how she’s not sure how I booked my appt because she has two other people and it’ll be at least another 15 – 20 minutes and it’s a Saturday and asks me if I’m in a ‘rush’. Seriously? Even if I weren’t in a rush. why should a wash and deep condition take up HALF MY DAY? Ridiculous and super unprofessional. This is just the latest bad experience from the Alexandria location. The same sh*t occurred with the other stylist too along with other unprofessional crap. I hope the owner of Urban Nature will seek to remedy this problem with her Alexandria franchise. especially since the Silver Spring location is superb. and this location is allowed to ride on the coattails of their success. I will NOT be recommending this one at all to anyone.

I have been searching for years for a natural hair salon in the Alexandria area. I was getting tired of driving into MD to get my hair done. I was so happy when this location opened up. I’ve been coming for a year. Both Aisha and Steph are amazing. I show loyalty to both ladies because they both do a great job. My locks are long and my texture is soft. Both have managed to give me curls that last up to 2 weeks (3 if I push it). I love the products used in my hair and so does my boyfriend. He can’t stop smelling my hair. I gave four stars cause like most natural hair salons it’s rare I’m actually in my seat at the scheduled time. However, that doesn’t bother me much cause it’s worth the mini wait.

All I can say is, excellent! I was so happy with my experience and my hair. This was my first time going to a natural salon and I left feeling so happy. I had wash, condition, trim, and my hair was twisted.

Sometimes I feel «weird» being the only man in this salon when I go there, but the end result is excellent. I decided to start growing Dreadlocks this year & Stephanie is my stylist. Actually she’s more like a friend. This is not a 5 star salon, it’s a place you come to have your natural hair taken care of. It’s small, clean & the level of service I receive is excellent. I book my appointments on line. They always send me a confirmation email for my appointments. I searched far & wide for a GOOD, LOCAL salon that could start & take care of my locks. I am extremely happy with the level of service I receive from Stephanie at Urban Nature. As a result of the excellent service I receive, I have a standing appointment every 2 weeks.
Expert, professional, friendly, local service… WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?

My experience at this salon was deeply disappointing. Although my appt was at 11am, Stephanie didn’t even really start talking to me until 40 minutes after I arrived. I didn’t really sweat that because I am accustomed to the lack of punctuality that plagues black salons. I explained to her I wanted a blow out Afro and she said she got it. Easy enough. She washed my hair with cold water because the hot water was not working. The credit card reader was also not working. I was instructed I would have to go to ATM to get cash after my hair was done. The fee she charged me for the style included a $ 15 consultation charge but she did not give me one word of advice about my hair. In fact, I tried to engage her in conversation because she did not seem interested in me or my hair. The worst part came when I looked in the mirror and saw the disaster that was my hair. She had spent all of two minutes blow drying my hair. Then she slapped some shea butter on it and sent me on my way. When I tried to express my dissatisfaction, she statex we do not straighten. I was thinking Lady, did you not hear me say I wanted a blown out Afro. This was a horrible experience at a horrible salon with a horrible stylist. A total waste of my money. I put the hat I wore there back on as soon as I left the shop.

I loved the way Aiisha handled my hair, especially with the Shea butters that they use.

I’ve been searching for someone to cut my natural hair for awhile, so I was excited when I found this place. Most hairstylists want to cut dry straightened hair, but I have decided I don’t want to put heat on my hair for awhile.
I met with Aiisha. She had called me the day before to see if we could move the appointment from 11 am, to 10 am which was perfect for me. She was great! I got a wash, condition, and trim. I got exactly what I asked for.
The salon was pleasant. She seemed very knowledgable about natural hair. My overall experience was great, and I recently made an appointment for the end of the month for a flexi rod set.

I decided to go back to Urban Nature Alexandra and try a different stylist. I am sooo happy that I did. I now see why Aiisha Jordan was usually booked whenever I tried to schedule an appt. She was greatness.
She was personable, she asked about my hair care, she gave me advice, and when I asked her what I ask all natural hair stylists, How often should I get a trim? She honestly stated that I would know. That my hair would break off more and I would get knots, etc. The overpriced ‘natural’ stylists that I’ve asked always say the same thing… every 6 – 8 weeks, which I know is BS b/​c I never use heat on my hair and that was the timeframe for my relaxed hair salon visits.
Also, at one point during the appt, she asked me if she could wash another client quickly rather than just doing it. Who does that??? A stylist with great customer service does that.
Thank ya Baby Jesus for finding my reasonably priced N. VA natural hair salon for trims. The search is OVA!
I didn’t give 5 stars b/​c there was a slight wait, but it wasn’t extreme…
*They take credit cards, but tips are paid in cash

The level of professionalism I’ve experienced at this salon is laughable. I made an appointment last week through the online system to get a much needed twist out for my birthday dinner this evening. A couple of days later I get a text message that my appointment time has been changed from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. The changing of the time is fine, what I did not like was that the stylist, Stephanie, did not even ask me if this new time fit my schedule. Since I took the day off of work, I didn’t have a problem with the change, but all the places I’ve been they will at least have the courtesy to ask before making a change to an appointment.
Then, I get a text message from the stylist at 12:05 AM, basically the day of the appointment, saying, «I have to attend to a matter tomorrow. Please allow me to reschedule your appointment for another day, my apologies.» The time of the text suggest that maybe an emergency came up and she was just unable to make the appointment. Again that’s fine, but the text just seems so nonchalant like, sorry boo… can’t make it *shrugs*. I’m thinking is this a place of business or are you my homegirl doing me a favor? I texted her back letting her know I wanted my hair done for my birthday dinner so rescheduling to another day wasn’t ideal, thanks anyway. I got no response. Previous stylist would at least try to recommend someone else, or try for later in the day, something to show you wanted to gain/​keep a client. Crickets. Maybe I’m asking for too much.
I don’t know how her hair styling skills are, but just based on the nonchalant type attitude I’m getting through these text, I don’t think I want to find out.
I’ve gotten my hair done before by the Urban Nature in Silver Spring a few times, which was good, however the stylist, I believe, has since moved to another location, which is a little bit too far to travel to get my hair done, but right now I’m reevaluating that drive.