Shankari Williams

Shankari Braidlife is operated by Shankari Williams, who founded the business and works as its master braider. The work centers on premium knotless and stitch braids, with protective styles chosen to help keep hair healthy.

Knotless braids start at $75 and take about an hour or more, with four options available. They are set to waist length by default, and shorter lengths can be booked. Stitch braids start at $120 and take about two hours or more, also with four options. The Braid Life Special is a stitch braid service that includes hair for $100 and takes about three hours, with a $25 deposit required.

Boho Knotless Braids 2.0 use two bundles of 100% human hair and start at $500, taking roughly eight hours or more. Boho Knotless Braids 3.0 use three bundles and are offered only in small and medium sizes. Buy Now, Pay Later financing is available for bookings between $50 and $4,000, subject to approval before the appointment.

Booking opens on the 20th of each month at 7 AM. Appointments are for the client only, and guests are not allowed. Add-ons must be selected at the time of booking. Hair should be 4 to 5 inches long all around, arriving clean, freshly washed, blown out and free of product. Services are not provided on dirty hair, on scalp conditions such as sores or heavy dandruff, on perm burns, or on extremely short hair.

The studio is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM, and is closed Monday, Saturday and Sunday. House calls are listed as an option. Changes need at least 48 hours' notice; later changes forfeit the deposit and 50% of the service fee. No-shows are charged the full service fee before a future booking, and arriving more than 15 minutes late may lead to cancellation with the deposit forfeited.

Each braiding style is planned around the individual client, and the work is done at an unhurried pace.