Braiding Salon in London

Booking a braid appointment in London

This page is about booking with us. If you are still deciding which style you want, read our braids guide first — it explains feed-in braids, box braids and knotless braids, how they differ and how long each lasts. Come back here when you know what you are booking.

Every braid booking at Hector's starts with a scalp and edge assessment, either at a short consultation beforehand or at the start of a longer appointment. We check tension tolerance, previous breakage and how your hair responded to your last set before we agree parting size and braid weight.

How long braid appointments take and how to prepare

Braiding is a long appointment and planning around it matters more than almost any other salon service. Feed-in cornrows are often two to four hours. Box braids run from four to eight hours depending on size and length, so small or micro braids may need most of a day.

Come with your hair freshly washed, fully dried and detangled unless we have told you otherwise. Do not arrive with product build-up or a style that needs taking down first, because that time comes out of your braiding time. Eat beforehand and bring something to do — and tell us at booking if you need breaks.

If a braid feels tight enough to hurt on the day, say so while we are still working. Pain is not part of a good braid and it is far easier to adjust as we go than to redo a section afterwards.

What braid appointments cost and how we quote

Braid pricing is driven by three things: the size of the sections, the length you want and how long the fitting takes. Smaller partings and longer braids take significantly more chair time, which is why a jumbo style and a micro style are not close in price.

We quote at consultation once we have seen your hair and agreed the style, rather than giving a headline figure that changes on the day. Current salon prices are published on our salon services page. If you are also planning colour or extensions in the next few months, tell us — the order we do things in affects both cost and hair health.

Afro hair specialist support

Braids sit within our wider afro hair and black hair specialist service. If you also need extensions colour treatment or a future style change we can plan the order of services so your hair stays healthier.

Our Mortlake salon welcomes clients from Richmond East Sheen Barnes Putney Hammersmith and across London.

Clients from across London

Braiding is a specialist skill and clients travel for it. Our braid chairs at 73 Lower Richmond Road Mortlake SW14 are filled by clients from every part of London not just the neighbourhoods next door.

We see regulars from Brixton Peckham Croydon Wembley Tottenham Stratford and central London alongside Richmond Putney Hammersmith Barnes East Sheen Chiswick Fulham Kew and Roehampton. District line to Richmond South Western trains to Mortlake station the 419 bus from Hammersmith or drive with parking nearby.

Braid appointments are long so book the first slot of the day if you are travelling a distance. See our London hub for travel routes from every direction.

Booking questions

Do I need a consultation first? For a first visit or if your hairline has had recent breakage, yes. For a repeat set with a stylist who knows your hair, we can usually book straight in.

How far ahead should I book? Long braid appointments fill first. Two to three weeks ahead is safest, and further for weekends.

Do you offer braids near Richmond? Yes. Hector's is in Mortlake SW14 close to Richmond and East Sheen with online booking through Phorest.

Which style should I book? Read our braids guide for the difference between feed-in, box and knotless braids before choosing.