Never before has hair been so diverse and interesting. Bobs, pixie cuts, waves and weaves, straight, natural, curly, long or short – and in every colour of the rainbow and more – it’s open season for the modern woman, whatever her ethnicity.
There are trends, of course, and one of them is a strong move away from weaves and braids, because they’re unfriendly to natural hair, breaking it or causing alopecia (hair loss).
“We’re getting more requests for hair wefts, which are sewn in, or clip-on hair extensions. So there’s no silicone bonding glue involved,” says Neo Kgolane at NStarzHair.
“The other big request is for glueless lace wigs with Indian hair.”
The lace wigs are fitted over a head of cornrows.
Another popular alternative is the slip-on-slip-off Peruca wigs made with Indian or Brazilian hair.
“I custom-make Perucas for my clients, and I’m ordering about 25 glueless lace wigs from India every five days,” says Kgolane.
As to the styles, Kgolane says short bobs – known as the Chinese cut – are very on trend for the summer.
“So are short fringes,” he says.
And dozens of his clients want colour in their wigs or extensions, particularly ombre (gradual tinting from dark to light), reds, violets, blues and greens.
“I put violet-blue in extensions for a teenage girl recently. She looked sensational,” he says.
Darling Hair, a manufacturer and distributor of hair extensions, says the ombre rage is not going away any time soon.
“The trend is rich, impactful colours, so ombre remains a major trend, including in long braids,” says Darling style expert Thomas Tsheola.
The happening styles include curl weaves, swept to one side, he says.
“It’s time to channel your inner mermaid. To achieve this look, you flip your hair to one side, and if you’re looking for a neo punk look, you can create cornrows on one side of your head.
“Darling’s new Body Curl weave is perfect to create this look,” says Tsheola.
Then there are long, loose curls, which add a casual playfulness and charm to your look.
“This look is perfect for a Sunday lunch or a day out shopping,” says Tsheola.
Meanwhile, the tight curl mohawk is a more edgy look, perfect for accentuating your cheekbones and jawline.
Darling’s new Glam Perm weave is how to achieve this style.
As for accessories, Tsheola says it’s all about shellfish, crustacean clips and oversized orchids, to create a bold statement.
“For a more subtle look, we suggest trying flower bud clips in white, peach and cream, with a leap head chain or flower headbands,” he says.
All-over tints are big for Caucasian hair too.
Terenzo’s stylist, Maryke Oosthuizen, says the new hair shades for blondes and brunettes are gold, mahogany, strawberry blonde, mocha browns and ashy blonde, in casually windblown styles.
“The key summer hairstyles to try are shaggy shoulder-length hair, soft waves, braids and also the effortless, but classy, classic short hair,” she says.
Hair accessories are also making a big play here, including beads in fun colours, thread hair bands, flapper head jewellery (harking back to The Great Gatsby); headscarf rolls – you can make it fun by using more than one; starfish hair pins for your beach hair look; and crotchet hair accessories.
For ideas, tips and prices, see: www.terenzohairdressing.com / www.nstarzhair.co.za / www.darling.co.za