
Akim’s Empire Cuts & Braiding barber shop
“I'm super happy with my haircut akim killed it is highly recommend everyone looking for a good barber and super clean barbershop smells good 👍 thanks akim I will definitely be back” — Google review
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 10,060 Google reviews of 57 top-rated wedding hair stylists nationwide; 10 of them in Takoma Park, MD. Updated October 28, 2026.
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of wedding hair stylists).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A 99How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%100+69.2Reliability 31%98+30.2Experts Score= 99Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––A– | 5.00 | $185 | |
| 2 | A 98How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — | |
| 3 | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%98+57.5Reliability 26%95+24.8Value 15%95+14.5Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 97Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 4.95 | — | |
| 4 | A 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%97+61.6Reliability 28%95+26.8Replies to reviews 8%66+5.4Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AB | 4.97 | $48 | |
| 5 | A 92How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%98+53.5Reliability 24%96+23.3Value 14%93+13.2Replies to reviews 7%29+2.1Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 92Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.97 | $140 | |
| 6 | A 85How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%89+48.5Reliability 24%82+19.9Value 14%87+12.3Replies to reviews 7%54+3.8Experts Score= 85Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAC | 4.86 | $93 | |
| 7 | A 84How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%89+48.5Reliability 24%86+20.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%7+0.5Experts Score= 84Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAF | 4.85 | $69 | |
| 8 | A 81How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%89+48.5Reliability 24%74+17.9Value 14%69+9.8Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty79−2.1Experts Score= 81Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABBBAA | 4.89 | $128 | |
| 9 | A 81How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%78+42.5Reliability 24%73+17.7Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%98+6.9Momentum penalty92−0.8Experts Score= 81Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BBAAAA | 4.78 | — | |
| 10 | B 77How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%82+44.7Reliability 24%73+17.7Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%9+0.6Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 77Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAAF | 4.85 | $176 |
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut | $45 | $58 | $91 | 0% |
| Hairstyling | $58 | $91 | $136 | 0% |
| Hair coloring | $214 | $282 | $426 | 0% |
| Blowouts | $50 | $66 | $97 | 0% |
| Shampoo & conditioning | $50 | $102 | $127 | 0% |
| Hair highlighting | $214 | $323 | $426 | 0% |
| Balayage | $246 | $323 | $426 | 0% |
| Hair extensions | $168 | $181 | $194 | 0% |
| Braids | $83 | $96 | $246 | 0% |
| Hair straightening | $91 | $115 | $184 | 0% |
| Hair treatments | $70 | $190 | $323 | 0% |
| Lash lift | $68 | $76 | $99 | 0% |
How the 10 wedding hair stylists we rated in Takoma Park, MD compare, and what customers praise most.
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
Average stars per company.
Share of Google review highlights.
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Not enough data yet.
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 10 best-rated wedding hair stylists in Takoma Park, MD average 4.9★ on Google across 2,552 reviews. Akim’s Empire Cuts & Braiding barber shop has the top rating (5.0★), and DMZ HAIR SALON has the most reviews (613). Updated October 28, 2026.
10 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (2,552 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.

“I'm super happy with my haircut akim killed it is highly recommend everyone looking for a good barber and super clean barbershop smells good 👍 thanks akim I will definitely be back” — Google review

“I got a signature haircut by Yesenia and she was absolutely amazing! So welcoming and kind, I will definitely be coming back. Gracias Yesenia💕” — Google review

“Great haircut and great service! Consuelo was lovely - I went in looking for a change and she helped me to figure out what I wanted and I love the result!” — Google review

“Clara has styled my hair for two weddings, and I loved it both times! She’s talented, professional, and did an amazing job. Highly recommend her!” — Google review

“Fifi is so charismatic and genuinely a sweet person with great talent. She will let you know what she can or cannot do, but will also try to help you reach satisfaction with want you want done with your hair. I love…” — Google review

“I had a wonderful experience at House of Keratin! The keratin treatment is high-quality and relatively affordable. Kiara is a joy to speak with and very attentive (for example, when she saw me tearing up from…” — Google review

“Amazing service and they got me in immediately, were very professional and quick. I’ve been back again and Senu got me all the way together, I got a sew-in with closure and she did so amazing! I love the results! So…” — Google review

“Cristina was absolutely phenomenal the day of my wedding. She was punctual, accommodating, and very accepting/respectful to the circumstances surrounding my wedding. I am a queer bride who had a variety of genders…” — Google review

“From the onset of contacting KC Artistry the communication was awesome. Moving along through the hair & makeup trial the artists were amazing and super sweet. Now Wedding day, let’s talk about it…….the girls were on…” — Google review

“Asal was incredible for my entire wedding weekend, as well as her team for my large bridal party. Her make-up and hair was ON-POINT. Eyes were fire, hair was magazine worthy. Literally perfection. She also is the…” — Google review
We scan Google Maps for wedding hair stylist listings in and around Takoma Park, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Akim’s Empire Cuts & Braiding barber shop has the highest Google rating on our Takoma Park list: 5.0 out of 5 from 388 reviews (as of October 28, 2026).
DMZ HAIR SALON has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 613, with a 4.8★ average.
Only open Takoma Park-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.