# Braiding Nairobi > Book Nairobi's top braiders for stunning braids, twists, and locs delivered to your doorstep, a storytelling-driven platform by the Ndeza Collective. Braiding Nairobi is an at-home hair braiding marketplace connecting customers in Nairobi with trusted, vetted braiders. The platform pairs the booking experience with original journalism profiling the braiders of Kenyatta Market and the wider Ndeza Collective storytelling project. ## Key facts - At-home / mobile service: vetted braiders travel to your home, hotel or Airbnb anywhere in Nairobi. - Coverage areas: Kilimani, Westlands, Karen, Lavington, Kileleshwa, Parklands, Runda, Langata, Muthaiga, Ruaka and most of central and suburban Nairobi. - Pricing: most braiding services start from KES 3,000, with a full quote (including extensions and travel) shown before you confirm. - Booking channels: the Braiding Nairobi mobile app (iOS and Android), the web app, or WhatsApp on +254 741 470 784. - Payment: M-Pesa and card, taken at the time of booking. Cash on arrival in select cases. - Appointments typically take 3-8 hours depending on style, size and length. ## Frequently asked questions ### Booking & Pricing **How much do services cost?** Pricing depends on the style, size, and length you choose, plus whether you'd like us to supply hair extensions. As a starting point, most braiding services begin from KES 3,000. You'll see a full quote, including any extensions and travel, before you confirm your booking in the app. No surprise charges. **What payment methods do you accept? (M-Pesa, card, cash)** We accept M-Pesa and card payments through the app and web app. Payment is taken at the time of booking so your braider is confirmed and protected. Cash on arrival is available in select cases, message us on WhatsApp to arrange. **Is there a travel or distance fee?** Travel within our core service zones is calculated and added to your service fee based on your location. It's calculated and shown to you up front before you confirm, so you'll never be charged extra after the fact. **What if I need to cancel or reschedule?** Life happens. You can cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 2 hours before your appointment. Cancellations inside that window may incur a fee that covers our braider's reserved time and travel, they've already cleared their day for you. To cancel or move an appointment, open the app or message us on WhatsApp. **Why is payment required upfront?** We want to guarantee braiders are paid fairly and to ensure you're never asked for extra money during or after your service. ### Your Appointment **What happens after I book?** 1. We confirm your order with the braider if they haven't checked their app yet. 2. We update you once confirmed. 3. We handle everything from transport to communication with the braider. **Do braiders bring their own tools and supplies?** All braiders come with the necessary tools they need to complete the service. Quality is important to us, so we make sure to ensure hygiene best practices are followed. **Do I need to provide hair extensions, or do you supply them?** Both options are available but most of our services include hair. If you want to provide your own braids, or you want to make sure your service includes hair, message us on WhatsApp or on the Braiding Nairobi before booking and we'll guide you. **How long does an appointment take?** Most braiding appointments take between 3 and 8 hours, depending on the style, size, and length. Smaller braids and longer hair sit at the upper end; jumbo box braids and shorter styles sit at the lower end. Each style on Our Services page shows an estimated duration range so you can plan your day. **What if my braider is running late?** We hold our braiders to a high standard, but Nairobi traffic is real. If your braider is running more than 30 minutes late, you'll get an update from us directly. If a braider is significantly delayed or unable to make it, we'll either reassign you to another vetted braider or fully refund your booking. **Should I tip my braider?** Tipping isn't required or expected. Our braiders are paid fairly for their work, which is core to why we exist. That said, if your braider goes above and beyond, a tip is always appreciated and goes 100% to her. You can tip directly in cash or via M-Pesa at the end of your appointment. **Can I request the same braider again next time?** Absolutely, and we encourage it. Once you've found a braider you love, you can book her again directly through the app. Building a relationship with one stylist means she'll learn your hair, your preferences, and your schedule. Many of our clients have been with the same braider for years. ### Our Braiders & Services **How are your braiders vetted?** We vet our braiders by visiting their shops, verifying their images, conducting calls, and regularly collecting customer feedback. **Do you only offer braids, or can I book other styles?** Braiding Nairobi hires the best braiders in Nairobi, these women are incredibly skilled in many other hair styles. Options may differ by salon/stylist, but we have a wide selection for you to choose from. **Do you offer services for kids?** Yes, many of our braiders are experienced with children's hair and use gentle techniques designed for younger scalps. When booking, just note the child's age in the booking notes so we can match you with a braider who specializes in styling kids. **Do you serve tourists or short-term visitors?** Yes, we love hosting visitors to Nairobi. Whether you're here for a week or a weekend, we'll bring the salon to your hotel, Airbnb, or wherever you're staying. Book through the app or message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we'll match you with the right braider. **Which Nairobi neighborhoods do you serve?** We currently serve most of central and suburban Nairobi, including Westlands, Kilimani, Lavington, Karen, Runda, Kileleshwa, Parklands, Ridgeways, Gigiri, Spring Valley, Loresho, Muthaiga, Kitisuru, Hurlingham, Upper Hill, Riverside and Brookside. Don't see your area? WhatsApp us at +254 741 470 784, we may still be able to help, and we're adding new neighborhoods every month. ## Nails (beautician track) Braiding Nairobi also offers mobile nail services. These are booked on WhatsApp (+254 741 470 784), not in the app. - Pro directory: /book-a-pro — every pro, braiders and nail artists, filterable by discipline. Nail service pages (search-shaped, index at /nails): - Acrylic nails — /nails/acrylic-nails-nairobi - Gel nails — /nails/gel-nails-nairobi - Builder gel nails — /nails/builder-gel-nails-nairobi - Polygel nails — /nails/polygel-nails-nairobi - Nail extensions — /nails/nail-extensions-nairobi - Sculpted nails — /nails/sculpted-nails-nairobi - Manicure — /nails/manicure-nairobi - Pedicure — /nails/pedicure-nairobi - Gel pedicure — /nails/gel-pedicure-nairobi - Nail art — /nails/nail-art-nairobi - Nail refills — /nails/nail-refills-nairobi - Eilish Bratz (/beauticians/eilish-bratz) — mobile nail artist, travels to your home, hotel or Airbnb anywhere in Nairobi. Manicure: Plain (no product) KES 1,200 - Full plain manicure KES 2,350 - Gel application KES 2,350 - Gel & moding builder base KES 2,950 - Manicure with plain gel KES 4,700 - Manicure with gel & moding builder base KES 5,300 - Removals KES 600 Sculpting & overlay: Short/medium KES 5,300 - Long KES 5,900 - Extra long KES 7,100 - Refills short/medium KES 3,550 - Refills long/extra long KES 3,550. Extras: repair one nail KES 950, French/cat eye/ombre KES 1,200, removals KES 1,200, creative nail art per nail KES 250 Builder gel, acrylics & polygel: On natural nails KES 4,700 - With tips KES 5,300 - Short/medium KES 5,300 - Long KES 5,900 - Extra long KES 7,100 - Refills KES 3,550. Extras: repair one nail KES 600, French/cat eye/ombre KES 1,200, removals KES 1,200, creative nail art per nail KES 250 Feet: Plain pedicure KES 2,350 - Gel application KES 2,350 - Gel pedicure KES 4,700 - Overlay pedicure KES 6,500 - French pedicure KES 5,900 - Removals KES 950. Extras: overlay per toe nail KES 250, art on toes per nail KES 150 Prices include products and a mobile appointment at your location. Transport is quoted separately based on your area. ## Full style list Prices are starting prices; final quotes depend on size, length and extensions. ### Category hubs - Knotless Braids (/styles/knotless-braids-nairobi) — from KES 3,200 — 5-7 hours - Boho Knotless / Goddess Braids (/styles/boho-knotless-nairobi) — from KES 3,200 — 5-7 hours - Box Braids (/styles/box-braids-nairobi) — from KES 2,500 — 4-6 hours - Twists (/styles/twists-nairobi) — from KES 2,500 — 3-7 hours - Locs (/styles/locs-nairobi) — from KES 3,000 — 4-12 hours ### Braids - Knotless Braids (/styles/knotless-braids-nairobi) — from KES 3,200 — 5-7 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Boho Knotless / Goddess Braids (/styles/boho-knotless-nairobi) — from KES 3,200 — 5-7 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - French Curl Braids (/styles/french-curl-braids) — from KES 2,700 — 4-5 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Box Braids (/styles/box-braids-nairobi) — from KES 2,500 — 4-6 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Fulani Braids (/styles/fulani-braids) — from KES 3,500 — 5-6 hours - Crochet Braids (/styles/crochet-braids) — from KES 3,700 — 3-4 hours - Unfinished Braids (/styles/unfinished-braids) — from KES 3,500 — 3-4 hours - Stitchlined Braids (/styles/stitchlined-braids) — from KES 5,000 — 4-6 hours ### Twists - Twists with Extensions (/styles/twists-with-extensions) — from KES 3,500 — 4-6 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Coco Twists (/styles/coco-twists) — from KES 2,500 — 3-4 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Kinky Twists (/styles/kinky-twists) — from KES 2,500 — 3-4 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Nubian Twists (/styles/nubian-twists) — from KES 5,500 — 5-7 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Spring Twists (/styles/spring-twists) — from KES 2,500 — 4-5 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Spanish Twists (/styles/spanish-twists) — from KES 2,800 — 4-5 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Passion Twists (/styles/passion-twists) — from KES 2,900 — 4-5 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large ### Locs - Sisterlocs Installation (/styles/sisterlocs-installation) — from KES 6,500 — 6-8 hours - Sisterlocs Retie (/styles/sisterlocs-retie) — from KES 3,500 — 3-4 hours - Dreadlocks Retwist (/styles/dreadlocks-retwist) — from KES 2,500 — 2-3 hours - Artificial Sisterlocs (/styles/artificial-sisterlocs) — from KES 15,000 — 10-12 hours - Faux Locs (/styles/faux-locs) — from KES 3,800 — 5-7 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large - Locs Installations (/styles/locs-installations) — from KES 3,500 — 4-5 hours - Worms Locs (/styles/worms-locs) — from KES 3,500 — 4-5 hours - Soft Locs (/styles/soft-locs) — from KES 3,000 — 5-6 hours — sizes: Small, Medium, Large ### Lines - Ghanaian Lines (/styles/ghanaian-lines) — from KES 2,500 — 2-3 hours - Ethiopian Lines (/styles/ethiopian-lines) — from KES 5,500 — 3-4 hours - Drop Lines (/styles/drop-lines) — from KES 2,700 — 2-3 hours ### Maintenance - Weave Installation (/styles/weave-installation) — from KES 5,000 — 2-3 hours - Braids Refresh (/styles/braids-refresh) — from KES 1,700 — 1-2 hours - Braids / Weave Removal (/styles/braids-weave-removal) — from KES 2,500 — 1-2 hours