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Hair Expo showcases trends in natural and weave styles
Hair stylist Jane Akoth with same of the models in her creative hair styles during this years hair expo at Prestige Plaza on March 14, 2015. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
To go natural or which human hair weave or wig to wear? Those are the questions going through many Kenya women’s minds. The follow-up question usually is, which hair stylist can help me look good when I do finally make a choice?’
At the second edition of the Hair Expo in Nairobi last weekend, the second question was adequately answered. Hair stylists showed their skills while competing as well as revealing the latest hair trends.
Just like fashion, hair trends come and go, and women do eventually find what works for them that matches their age and status.
Weaving
Farouk Jannedy, a judge of the hair competitions at the expo and a well-known hair stylist says there is sort of ‘sensational beauty’ when it comes to well-done hair.
“Today’s woman is looking for weaves that look real and appealing. It all depends on the finish of these products,” says Farouk, who has made his mark in weaving.
According to him, the lace weaving technique is so last year, as now a technique known as Tape hair is in. As the name suggests, the procedure involves hair being taped with a rail of human hair which can either give volume or length. And it costs between Sh36,000 to Sh72,000.
“It (when it comes to weaves) is all about time, speed and perfection,” he says.
Coconut oil
The only natural hair exhibitor, marketing her 100% Virgin coconut oil, Njeri Kuria-Rono says since 2013, more and more women between the ages of 18 to 35 have been choosing to keep their hair natural. And coconut oil is a favourite product when maintaining healthy natural hair.
“Women are going more natural today when it comes to hair as it is more convenient,” says Njeri.
She adds that thanks to ever changing fashion trends, natural hair can be styled to look stylish even when unkempt. And since most of the maintenance is do-it-yourself (DIY), a wealth of information can be found in the internet.
“You do not have to go under the dryer. You can have a relationship with your hair. It is about loving yourself,” she says.
For the expo, she invited Kelly Mwiruri - a hair stylist at Amadiva Salon, on Riverside drive, Nairobi – to give a demonstration on natural hair styling. After noticing that women with natural hair were leaving the salon without being given service, Kelly started researching on natural hair.
“Women want healthy hair and natural hair is just that. It has less breakages, is easy to maintain and versatile for more styles,” he says.
Your natural hair remains even with colour although the texture may change a bit as time goes by. Two years in, he has come to understand the different categories of natural hair and how to maintain them.
Natural hair
Still the appeal for human weave rages on. There is plenty of human hair weaves to choose from such as Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Filipino, Peruvian, Mongolian and so on. Each coming in different textures and lengths.
“Women want something that looks natural. They want to be asked ‘where did you get it from or where was your hair done?’ They are looking for compliments,” says Jane Akoth, hair stylist and owner of Rapunzel Salon, Westlands.
She points out that weaving techniques are changing every day to make the weave look as natural as possible.
“Women are always looking for something fresh - be it colour, cut, braiding, wig or weave,” said Ronnie Maingi, a hairstylist and judge at the Hair Expo.
