Where to Get African Hair Braids in Ulster County: 3 Trusted Salons Compared

Finding a skilled braider can be surprisingly difficult. The craft — knotless braids, box braids, cornrows, twists, and locs — takes years to master, and a great braider protects your edges, matches your hair texture, and can keep a style intact for weeks. In Ulster County, a handful of dedicated shops and stylists do this work well. We researched three of the best-established options, verified their contact details against multiple sources, and compared them below.

1. La Belle African Hair Braiding — Kingston

La Belle African Hair Braiding is Ulster County's most dedicated braiding specialist. Owner Melissa, a native of Ivory Coast, West Africa, learned the trade in leading African braiding shops in Charlotte, Washington DC, Silver Spring, and Chicago before relocating to the U.S. in 2003 to pursue her braiding career. In December 2016 she founded La Belle in Kingston, and the shop still operates as a family-run business with a staff of braiders from Africa.

The salon specializes in authentic African hair braiding of all kinds and natural hair care. They serve men, women, and children, and are known for working with short hair and finding alternatives that suit each client's texture. Braiding types include knotless and box braids, cornrows, twists, and traditional styles.

Best for: Authentic West African braiding technique, all ages and hair types, and anyone who wants a braider who has trained in established African shops.

2. Dream Weavers Style & Health Center — Kingston

In Uptown Kingston, Dream Weavers Style & Health Center offers braiding alongside a full slate of hair and wellness services. Located at 34 N Front Street near the Stockade District, it's a long-established neighborhood salon that handles braids, cuts, styling, and more. If you want a braided style as part of a broader salon visit — or want to add a treatment while you're there — Dream Weavers is the most full-service option on this list.

Best for: A full-service, established Kingston salon where braiding is one of many offered services — convenient for Uptown residents and walk-ins.

3. Signature Braids — New Paltz

Signature Braids brings braiding expertise to New Paltz. Run by stylist Brigette Lewis and operating at 124 Main Street in the heart of the village, it's a freelance styling business that offers on-site hairstyling for all occasions in addition to its salon services. Alongside braiding, the shop covers cuts, color, and bridal design — making it a natural choice for wedding parties, photo shoots, and events where you need a braided or styled look done on location.

Best for: New Paltz-area clients who also want event and bridal styling, including on-site appointments for special occasions.

How the Three Compare

Which One Should You Choose?

If authentic African braiding is your priority — knotless styles, cornrows, or working with short, natural hair — La Belle African Hair Braiding in Kingston is the clear specialist, with a braider trained in established West African and U.S. shops. If you'd rather tie a braided style into a broader salon visit in Uptown Kingston, Dream Weavers is your best bet. And if you're in New Paltz or need braids and styling done for a wedding or event, Signature Braids covers braiding plus on-site occasion styling.

A good braider books up quickly, especially heading into the holidays and wedding season — call ahead and confirm the exact style, the length, and whether you should bring your own hair before your appointment.