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Rare Essence Studio
Rare Essence Studio

Rare Essence Studio

Hair salon in Tempe, AZ

Rare Essence Studio was founded in 2006 by Essence China Farmer, who challenged a state requirement for a license to do natural hair work and won, with help from the Institute for Justice. The studio describes itself as a pioneer in natural hair care and as Arizona's premier natural hair care studio, and it says it has more than 20 years of experience. Adelaide Goode, who started at the studio as a teenager, later became its owner.

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About

Rare Essence Studio was founded in 2006 by Essence China Farmer, who challenged a state requirement for a license to do natural hair work and won, with help from the Institute for Justice. The studio describes itself as a pioneer in natural hair care and as Arizona's premier natural hair care studio, and it says it has more than 20 years of experience. Adelaide Goode, who started at the studio as a teenager, later became its owner.

The studio's educational arm, Rare Essence Academy, offers training in natural hair care, braiding, twisting and locking techniques, with time spent working on real clients, along with business and personal development. The studio also partners with The Goode Hair Project, which aims to educate youth workers about hair care for children in foster care and to raise awareness of how hair care affects adolescents of color.

Every service begins with a consultation, which costs $25 and takes 15 minutes, and bookings are made through the studio's website, phone or email. Prices depend on hair length, density and how intricate the style is, so the final cost can rise from the listed starting point. Loc start prices include the kits, and loc maintenance, loc styles, twists, roller sets, curl definition and up-dos include shampoo. Styles under $200 require a $50 deposit, and styles over $200 require a 50% deposit.

Reviewers describe the salon as clean, peaceful and welcoming. The stylist levels run from Trainee, when available, through Emerging Stylist and Experienced Stylist, typically five or more years in, to Elite Master Stylist, typically ten or more years in.

The studio focuses on natural hair care, with services built around braids, twists and locs and a consultation before every appointment.

Reviewers describe the salon as clean, peaceful and welcoming.

Services

Final prices may vary.

Braids, twists, cornrows and loc services sized for children, with loc maintenance and loc starts starting at $75 and $130.

  • Child Loc Maintenance $75
  • Child Cornrows (Natural Hair) $85
  • Child Two Strand $85
  • Child Two Strand & Side Braids $90
  • Child Loc Starts $130

Upkeep for existing locs in several sizes, from top and mohawk locs to micro locs, plus interlocking maintenance.

  • Top Locs $65
  • Mohawk Locs $70
  • Palm Roll Maintenance Traditional Size $95
  • Interlocking Maintenance $110
  • Small Loc Maintenance $120
  • Micro Loc Maintenance $145

Starting new locs in a range of sizes, from top locs to micro locs.

  • Top Loc Start $95
  • Mohawk Loc Start $125
  • Traditional Loc Start $150
  • Small Loc Start $250
  • Micro Loc Start $450
  • Top Loc Start Comb Twist $95–$125
  • Mohawk Loc Start Comb Twist $125–$150
  • Traditional Loc Start Comb Twist $150–$250
  • Small Loc Start Comb Twist $250–$350

Styling added onto loc maintenance, including palm roll styles with braids, pipe cleaners, roller sets and ropes, plus a style-only option.

  • Style Only $35
  • Palm Roll & Braided Half Way $115
  • Palm Roll & Pipe Cleaners $125
  • Palm Roll & Basic Style $135
  • Palm Roll & Braided Platts $135
  • Palm Roll & Roller Set $135
  • Palm Roll & Ropes $135
  • Palm Roll & Intricate Style $155
  • Palm Roll & Basic Micro Loc Style $190

Cornrows for women and men, curl definition, and roller sets for natural hair.

  • Men's Cornrows (Top) $45
  • Curl Definition $75
  • Men's Cornrows (Full Head) $85
  • Women's Cornrows $85
  • Roller Set $100

Trims, shampoos, deep conditioning, a deep cut, a curly cut and therapeutic shampoo, along with the studio's hours and service fees.

  • Deep Condition $25
  • Deep Condition Added Service $25
  • Trim $35
  • Trim (Does Not include Shampoo, must book as additional service) $35–$45
  • Shampoo $40
  • Shampoo (added service or a la carte) $40
  • Take Down $40/unit
  • Take Down (per hour) $40
  • Before/After Hours Fee $45
  • Deep Cut $50
  • Theraputic Shampoo $50
  • Theraputic Shampoo additional service $50
  • Shampoo & Blow-dry Only $55
  • ACV Detox $65
  • Outside of Business Day Fee $75
  • Curly Cut $140
  • Curly Cut Inc. Curl Definition & Shampoo $140–$160

Comb twists, finger twists, twist outs and several sizes of two strand twists, including two strand and side braids.

  • Comb Twist $70
  • Finger Twists $70
  • Twist Out $85
  • Two Strand Twists $95
  • Small Two Strand Twists $120
  • Two Strand & Side Braids $120
  • Micro Two Strand Twists $145

Braided or twisted up-dos in natural hair or with added hair.

  • Braided or Twisted (Natural hair) $120
  • Braided or Twisted (Added Hair) $160

Photos

  • Woman with braided side-swept style against white backdrop
  • Back view of two high buns with intricate braided scalp design
  • Woman with curly top and cornrows on one side
  • Back view of braided design with shaved pattern detail
  • Side view of cornrows with shaved pattern on a client
  • Side view of client with feed-in cornrows swept back
  • Close-up of client with twists and side part
  • Client with twists and side cornrows, eyes lowered
  • Side view of client with curved cornrow design
  • Client with side cornrows and twists, looking to the side
  • Back view of cornrow braids with geometric pattern
  • Side view of braided updo with linear part designs

Meet the team

Team members listed on their website. Individual roles, credentials, and current employment have not been independently verified.rareessencestudio.com (opens in a new tab)

Highlights
  • Consultation required before every service, costing $25 for 15 minutes
  • Specializes in braids, twists and locs, including loc starts with kits included in the price
  • Rare Essence Academy offers hands-on training in natural hair techniques
  • Partner of The Goode Hair Project, focused on hair care for children in foster care
  • Deposit required to book, with a $50 fee for same-day cancellations
Good for
  • First-time clients who want a consultation before booking
  • Children's natural hairstyles
  • Loc starts and loc maintenance
  • Natural hair braids and twists
  • Up-dos with natural or added hair
Treats
  • Loc starts
  • Loc maintenance
  • Braids
  • Twists
  • Natural hair styling
  • Children's natural hairstyles
  • Hair care for natural curls
Techniques
  • Loc starts
  • Comb twists
  • Palm rolls
  • Interlocking
  • Micro locs
  • Cornrows
  • Two strand twists
  • Finger twists
  • Roller sets
  • Curl definition

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