For most women creating a beautiful and glamorous new look is not complete without a shining new hairstyle.
And for some women, life savers in the form of weaves, braids and extensions are vital for creating a glamourous look.
For most women creating a beautiful and glamorous new look is not complete without a shining new hairstyle.
And for some women, life savers in the form of weaves, braids and extensions are vital for creating a glamourous look.
Since the introduction of weaves and hair extensions in the 60s many ethnic women have discovered a variety of ways to creating unique hairstyles.
This multi-billion dollar business turns many women’s heads around the world who try to spend as much as they can on weaves and extensions.
These can either be clipped on, woven or braised in, glued on and even sewn into your natural hair.
Extensions and weaves come in both synthetic and natural forms.
The plastic synthetic type is most commonly used for braiding or twisted styles such as cornrows. However
it’s not ideal to use it for free-flowing styles because everyone can see that it’s not the real thing and it’s prone to tangling.
A completely natural look can only be created with 100% human hair. Have you ever questioned the origin of 100% human hair? In an article published on eHow, it is said that most human hair weaves are produced in Asia where the residents sell their long hair to hair farmers.
The farmers then sell it to processors who apply silicone to it to make it silky. BBC has broadcast a documentary where UK pop star, Jamelia, explored the ori- gin of human hair weaves.
In the documentary she explains how women in India, Russiaand China have their long tresses cut off which is then sold to other countries.
After the discovery she decided to stick to her natural hair. This makes one wonder whose hair you have on your head and what nationality the owner of the hair is (or was).
Local and international celebrities like local model Babalwa Mneno, DJ Anele Mdoda and American divas such as Beyoncé Knowles are always strutting around on the red carpet sporting a new hairdo that many women would die for.
Vivacious local television personality and Dark n Lovely face, Nonhle Thema said she has stopped using hair extensions.
She said: “I used to buy Indian hair from the States. I used the real thing and I liked it because it didn’t tangle.”
Thema said she used to fork out between R3 000 and R4 000 for hair from chennai in India. Bubbly 5 FM DJ and South Africa’s Got Talent presenter, Anele Mdoda said she prefers weaves because her natural
hair is difficult to maintain.
“Weaves are not time consuming, I just wake up in the morning, comb it and it’s done.” She said she spends about R2 000 on purchasing weaves, including the labour.
“My natural hair gets ruined by chlorine when I swim but a weave doesn’t get damaged,” she added. Meanwhile, well known local social queen, actress and budding singer, Khanyisile Mbau says that the price for the weave doesn’t matter as long as you have the best quality.
She alsosays that the most expensive weave that she has ever bought cost her R20 000. In terms of quality she said “It has to be dirty and smelly with dandruff for me to know that it is the real deal.
I then wash it and straighten it and style it.” Mbau said she prefers Brazilian hair because it is much stronger and lasts longer.
According to the manager of Blessing’s hair salon in Bathurst Street, Blessing Kufi, the price for the weaves
depend on the size and design.
He says he charges R200 for a boy cut weave. “Most women prefer weaves because it makes them look glamorous,” he said. He also said that the weave that most of his customers use for a boy cut is the Zen Zen brand.
