Peter Matika Lets get stylish
ABOUT a fortnight ago I was introduced to a female tourist, Faith, from South Africa, who told me she was trying to be more natural when it comes to appearance.
We engaged in a talk about the use of makeup and other beauty enhancement products, which she emphasised that she was trying by all means to avoid using, as she had recently been made aware of the disadvantages of using beauty products.
We then started talking about hair and how she despised wigs, weaves and other hair products.
I advised her that since she was on a natural journey, she should consider getting dreadlocks as a hairstyle.
“But then again, I have heard, more than a hundred times really, how boring they get after a while. Since I don’t want to play with weaves, extensions, relaxed, cropped and all these other different hairstyles, will I not be bound to feel stuck to wearing the same style,” asked Faith.
I told her that almost everyone, women to be precise, hate being restricted to the same style for long periods. I regard this perception as entirely false and mythical.
I have seen dreadlocked women rock the most unexpected and innovative styles that have made some women with relaxed hair want to wear locks.
After I convinced her to try out dreadlocks I took her to two local dreadlock stylists, who I must say can come up with fabulous, trendy, exotic and appealing styles.
The two chaps, Langa and Theophillus Mtembo both work at different salons, gave different insights as to how dreadlocks could be fun.
“Dreadlocks are big business nowadays. More and more people want them and are transforming their hairstyles to dreadlocks. Ladies with relaxed hair can also turn their hair to dreadlocks if they lock it for a period of about three months without relaxing it,” said Langa.
He went onto tell me about how they developed styles according to a person’s taste, age, work environment, style, dress-code and shape of one’s face.
“Some of these styles are done to suit a person’s wants. We don’t just style someone, we have many styles that are available and have catalogues that people can choose from,” he said.
He went on to talk about how to make them even more interesting by tinting them. “There are many colours to choose from, you can turn your hair to different vibrant and sassy colours to suit your need. However, I should emphasise that you can only tint your hair at least three times a year if you don’t want it to lose its strength and texture. This then brings me to the issue of maintenance.
“Many people are for the belief that once you have dreadlocks your hair is cost free. That is not true. You have to maintain your hair either way. Just like any hairstyle you have to visit your hairdresser at least once or twice a month. You need to have a hair spray to moisturise your scalp, hair food and conditioners to prevent breakages,” Langa went on.
He also advised Faith and I that there were different styles for different seasons, where during the winter season anyone with dreadlocks could let their locks hang freely or just tie them back.
“In the summer you should try and avoid having your hair touching your neck, this is particularly for the ladies.”
He said during the summer it was important to wash your hair regardless of whether it was locked or not, at least twice a month to avoid it smelling.
Theo also highlighted the need to stick to one hairdresser and avoid being conned by fake dreadlock stylists.
“There are a lot of chancers out there that claim to be able to style dreadlocks yet they can’t. The style they do on your head won’t even last a week. Not that we want to brag but we know that we are among the top five in Bulawayo at styling locks. We have been doing locks as far back as 2009 and have even managed to work on white tourists as well, as they seem to like them,” bragged Theo.
They also told me of how they mastered the art of styling, after they underwent a course in South Africa.
They have also been in dreadlock competitions sponsored by South Africa’s biggest dreadlock product company — Jabu Stone.
Believe it or not soon after the chat with Langa and Theo, Faith immediately put locks on her head.
Once again I will mention that dreadlocks are an appealing hairstyle and should not be associated with wrong beliefs.
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