www.theweaveshop.com

There has been some buzz swirling round the weave-hoods of Atlanta about a place that does $50 sew-ins.  Too good to be true?  Well Hair Sugar had to check it out to for our weave fanatics and give you the inside scoop.  The Weave Shop is a fairly new chain of weave only salons in the Atlanta area that ONLY specializes in weaves.  This includes sew-ins and quick weaves.  Locations are in Lawrenceville, Decatur  and Buckhead (the location I visited).  First, before you get too excited there are some rules.  Rule #1, you have to come with your hair already washed and blow dried.  Not a big deal.  Rule #2 $50 dollars gets you only the basic sew-in, a trim and flat iron.  Detailed cuts start at $15 and spiral curls or feathers are additional cost.  Still not a bad deal right? Rule #3 if you wear Indian hair that has to be pressed out, that’s an additional $20.  Rule #4 Friday-Sundays are walk-ins only so be prepared to wait all day unless you arrive when they first open.  The line was out the door.   Appointments are taken only Monday-Thursday.  Ok so lets get to the details of Hair Sugar’s personal experience.

I was definitely weary of going to this place.  My biggest fear is a weave tragedy and Christmas is right around the corner and who has time to look like a set up Christmas stocking??  I decide to take a chance after a family friend recommended The Weave Shop to me and told me to ask for a specific stylist named Travis.  So I decided I would check it out this Sunday and arrive as close to 11am, when they open, as possible.  When I arrive at 11:30 am, there are already 5 ladies ahead of me so I sign in, take a seat and use the wait time as an opportunity to scope out the scene in case I need to make a mad dash for the door!  My main concern was the braider.  I wanted to see how she was braiding everyone’s hair and if she was braiding small to ensure a flat weave.  The braider was also my main disappointment.  She was braiding too thick for my liking.  I also wasn’t pleased with the pattern in which she used.  She braided mostly straight down in varying patterns.  Usually, I like my hair braided as small as possible in a semi circular zig zag type of pattern close to the edges of my hairline with just a bit of hair left out.  I still wanted to give it a chance because sometimes a poor braiding job can be hidden with a superb sew-in.  SOMETIMES!

The shop was pretty small with 3 stylists sewing, cutting and styling only.  There were 2 braiders by the time I left but just one to start.  I asked that the recommended stylist Travis sew in my hair.  He was the bomb, fast, meticulous and knew what he was doing.  Finally around 4:30pm (yes I was there a good 4 .5 hours before it was my turn) I was up for braiding and I was not really looking forward to it because this braider was new to my head and I didn’t want to look like that Christmas stocking!  I asked her if she could braid my hair smaller because I was using hand-tied hair and the braids needed to be small.  She just looked at me kind of dumbfounded but says she can try.  Travis comes over and tells her how he wanted her to braid my hair since my natural hair was so thick and long.  That made me feel better.

Once the braider was done, Travis sewed in my Indian hair and he was great.  Travis was the best part of the experience and well-worth the wait.  My tab came to $100 and here is the break down:

1. $50 – basic sew in
2. $20 – press of Indian hair
3. $20 – my hand tied wefts were not all on one long track so Travis said this would take extra work (not happy with this)
4. $10 – tip

Total = $100

I give The Weave Shop an A for effort, a C for braiding and a B+ for styling.  Honestly I got a bit more than what I paid for considering I was paying close to $300 before this.  Would I ditch my old stylist for The Weave Shop?  Nahh probably not, however I would go back to The Weave Shop again if the budget wants a rest from my hair obsession.  Whatever you do, make sure TRAVIS does your hair if you go to the Buckhead location.  Check out the new doo boo!

Hair Sugar's Hairdo from The Weave Shop

Hair Sugar used 14 inch Candy Cane (Curly) hair available in the boutique.

The Weave Shop Locations in Georgia

Open 7 Days a Week
Call 404.292.1015
www.theweaveshop.com

Buckhead Location
141 West Wieuca suite b100
Atlanta GA 30342

Decatur Location
4712 Memorial Dr. Suite B
Decatur, GA 30032

Lawrenceville Location
1565 Woodington Circle Suite 101
Lawrenceville, GA 30044

You got this fresh weave installed about a week or so ago and now its itching like crazy under there!  Don’t forget about your scalp under your weave. We recommend washing your hair every 1-1.5 weeks in general.  It takes a bit longer to get the scalp clean since your hair under the weave is all braided up so use products that will get your scalp as clean as possible.  There are some great natural products out there that can clean your scalp and ease the itch at the same time.

Recently we tried Dr. Bronners 18-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure Castile Soap.  This soap can be used in about 18 different ways and we love it used best on the scalp.  You can purchase it at your local Target for around $18 for a large bottle.  They also sell the small trial size bottles so you can test this minty soap out for about $1.99.  We recommend diluting some soap into a squirt bottle used for hair coloring as you can use the nozzle to get the shampoo right on your scalp.  Scrub your scalp gently then let it sit for about a minute and enjoy the tingle!

Remember this is a soap, not a regular shampoo so your hair may feel a bit dry or stringy afterward.  This is OK because you are just removing some of the oils and build-up from your hair that should be removed anyway.  Follow up with any moisturizing shampoo and conditioning treatment to restore the moisture.  Dr. Bronner makes great all natural hair products so if you want to try a natural alternative to soothing your scalp try the peppermint soap!

Dr. Bronner's 18-1 Hemp Peppermint Soap

Hair Sugar doesn’t believe in bad hair days!  There are too many cute accessories out there on the hair front to ever have a bad day.  You just have to be creative about how you twerk it so let us help you.  Many of us who wear weaves tend to stay away from headbands and hair clips out of fear of popping a track or string lose.  Fear no more, put away your emergency needle and thread.  We are here to ease your fear and help you make that weave last longer!

Style Trick 1: Try a fluffy stylish headband with a bow

Feathers and bows are very much in style these days.  This is great for your weave because the exaggerated styles hide new growth or loose tracks very well.  Forever21.com has a plethora of styles you can choose from all under $10!  Check out this trendy bow headband from Forever21.com for a whopping $4.80:

Satin Bow Headband from Forever21.com

Our good friend StyleScrybe from Shoes & Booze wears these stylish headbands in her weave all the time.  Sassy!

Style Scrybe in her pretty bow

Style Trick 2: Wear a soft feminine hat

Beret’s never seem to go out of style.  These little French numbers keep coming back each year and are sure to add some jazz to your hair.  Sequin is in this season so why not wear it in your hair?  Forever21.com has a shnazzy sequin beret for $9.80:

Sequin Beret Cap from Forever21.com

Angela Simmons wears beret’s all the time.  They look great with just about any outfit!

Angela Simmons in a fly beret

Make sure all your hair days are good ones and try out some of these accessories.  When you weave is due for a renewal, how do you maintain your hair?

We are having a sale to make room for new inventory arriving soon.  EVERYTHING is on sale and you can recieve 10% off your purchase by using the coupon code SWEETTWEET at checkout.  Make sure to click the “Boutique” link above to view the products available.  No one loves a sale better than Hair Sugar so be a hairfashionista on a recessionista budget!

If you haven’t seen good hair…you are missing out on some “Good Hair” education.  This was one of the best documentaries Hair Sugar has ever seen and here’s why.  The story is told from the point of view of a man!  Most men are oblivious to the effort, products, time and money black women put into their hair.  Bigger than that, most of the non-black world is oblivious as well.  So what better way to get the world to understand than have an oblivious man (to hair) tell the story?  Chris discovers what different women in the black community define to be “good hair” ranging from natural hairstyles to relaxers and weaves!

What we found to be most interesting was that everyone in this world has a different definition of good hair.  For some that means a weave and for others that means a bald head.  The weave segment was so entertaining!  Women really exhaust extreme measures for a weave or a nice wig. While we don’t suggest forgoing paying bills for a new hairdo, we definitely understand how doing something to enhance your look can make you feel good.  Just make sure the rent is paid!   Nia Long said it best ” A new weave is like buying new pair of shoes”.  It’s the truth!  Hair in general can be your best accessory.  If your outfit or shoes are not as fly as you would like, a fly hairdo will make up for any outfit mismatch.

Chris Rock journeyed to India to the source of where most hair extensions come from and learned about the ritual of hair sacrificing.  We found it ironic that the people of India Chris talked to weren’t as vain about their hair.  For religious reasons, they sacrifice their hair to the gods without hesitation.

Good Hair is a must-see for everyone.  This includes men as well!  Gain a better understanding of your own hair or your mate’s hair so you understand why it takes us 2 hours to get ready.  We also want you to redefine what “good hair” means to you and especially children you interact with.  So many children are raised with their parents ideas of what “good hair” is.  It’s important to let them embrace all different hairstyles before they define what “good hair” is.  No matter which style you decide to wear, OWN it!  For Hair Sugar, all hair is “good”!