Women in Braamfontein love their hair and are not afraid to try daring hairstyles. But living in the city means time is limited and hairstyles have to be easily maintained and look good for any occasion.
From brightly coloured braids to cute bobs, hairstyles make a personal statement. And the women in Braamfontein make bold ones. Like any cultural expression, hair trends are constantly changing colour, length and texture. Personality, budget and bravery play a role in what kind of hair women choose to wear.
“Young and older women love changing their hair every other week, depending on their budget,” says Tendai Kumbula, a shop assistant in a popular hair extensions store on Juta street.
With over 15 hair salons in a five minute walk of each other, hair in Braamfontein is a competitive business.
One Wits 1st year student told WitsVuvuzela that she pays at least R450 monthly for the upkeep of her hair.
“I don’t mind spending on my hair because it makes me feel good,” she said.
Some of the most popular hair trends in Johannesburg are cornrows, bright hair colours, short pixies, braided bob and natural hair:
Cornrows
Whether done using natural hair or adding extensions, this hairstyle is a timeless classic that is appreciated by both men and women alike. Celebrities like Alicia Keys and D’Angelo and Snoop Dogg have been known to rock this hair do. The beauty of it is that it can be plaited in a simple straight back fashion, or it can be styled with funky patterns, beads and colours. It can cost anything between R150 to R300. The plaits usually last for roughly two weeks but maintenance is really just spraying on moisturizer and brushing up the edges then you are good to go.
Bright hair color
The trend of having brightly coloured hair has grown and transcends across hairstyles, textures and length.
“More and more women are feeling brave enough to experiment with unusual and striking colors like red and blonde” says Kumbula.
You can colour your natural hair with hair dye that goes for about R30 at any supermarket. You can opt to get extensions that are pre-coloured that cost about R200 or even purchase coloured wool to strut your favourite colour. Hot red, ivy green and piercing yellows are popping up on many heads around the city.
Mining Engineering student Moleseng Mokgosi has funky silver braids in her hair. Mokgosi says she was inspired by Rita Ora to go wild and edgy with her hair.
Short hair
Some people like to wear their hair short. “I believe that a hairstyle makes or completes an outfit,” says socialite and fashionista Serame Maishoane.
Maishoane says “the pixie cut does it for me.”
The pixie, also known as the ‘Halle Berry’, is short on the sides and has more length towards the top of the head. It’s easy to maintain and works for both a formal and casual look. Because it can be done using your own hair or a weave, the pixie can be brushed down or worn in a spiky style by adding a splash of gel or mousse. It is a bit pricey, one can pay any thing from R500 upwards.
Natural locks
Natural hair comes in different textures and lengths. You can dred it, comb it out into a fro, go for the unkempt urban look or add a bit of color to natural hair for some attitude. Natural hair is versatile and requires low maintenance. Cotton Curls is a hair care range that is developed especially for afro hair. “Our focus is on indigenous and locally sourced natural oils, clays and butters.” says co founder of Cotton Curls, Negin Naledi Monkoe. The range is used by many women in Braamfontein with afro textured hair.
This hairstyle can cost anything between R200 for a treatment at the hair salon or nothing by maintaining at home with regular washes.
Bobbed braids
The bob braid is making a comeback. This medium length chunky braid can be worn with a side path or with a fringe. Maishoane says this is a look for young and funky peeps.
“The arty farties,” she says.
At R300 for both labor and hairpiece this look is cute and works with most face frames.
Whether male, female or any gender in between, our hair is an important part of your identity. No matter how much or how little hair you have, the way you wear it says a lot about your personality and character.
Even the flavored beer brand ‘Flying Fish’ picked up on how much people in Braamfontein love their hair and want to have fun with it. ‘Flying fish’ turned the bus stop on Jorrissen into a pop up barbershop. Professional barbers, high chairs, clippers and all.
Students were treated to a free haircut of their choice and a voucher for free six-pack of beer that they can redeem at any Shoprite Checkers liquor outlet. The event brought flavour to the ordinary and mundane.
“Not everyone is into beer but anyone can agree that a fresh new hairdo can do wonders to boost confidence” said Noxolo Ntsaba, a brand representative of Flying Fish.
Hair is the one thing that is constantly changing and so is the brand. “ We wanted people to bring more flavor to their hairstyles,” says Ntshaba
The down side of overtreating your hair with chemicals is they can stress the skull, which can lead to dryness and dandruff.
Kumbula recommends that ladies moisturize their hair daily and keep it clean with regular washes.
“Every once in a while, the hair needs a break and no chemicals or stress,” he said.