AFRO-HAIR SALONS BECOME POPULAR IN QATAR

CATHERINE W GICHUKI

DOHA ARE you in Doha and want to get a funky hairstyle? If yes, there are a number of Afrohair salons where you could do your hair and at affordable rates.

A number of salons and beauty aids stores that cater solely to clients with natural Afro-textured hair have opened in recent times thanks to a large number of people from African countries taking up jobs in Qatar. The salons include those operated by Nigerians, Cameroonians, Kenyans and Ghanaians.

Earlier, those who craved for an ethnic hairdo in Doha experienced difficulties because of the prohibitive cost. This is not the case anymore.

Some of the beauty parlours are now offering hair care and products at much cheaper rates. Accessories have also become much cheaper and they are now available in new styles and colours.

Nowadays, there are many ways of styling natural black hair, as new products have come to the market, including dazzling extensions and weaving accessories associated with famous celebrities.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Aquilina Wanyika, a hair dresser at Pambo Beauty Salon, which is operated by Kenyans, said that weaveon (synthetic extensions sewed neatly to resemble the natural hair) are very popular among women in Qatar. “This is because it is easy to manage and it can last for about two months,” she said.

According to her, a typical weaving is priced at QR300 at her salon.

“The new types of weaves in the market include Daniela, Fashion Idol, Wawa, Rumba, among others,” she said.

Since braided hairstyles make a statement and make you stand out from the crowd, the salons are offering a huge variety of braids hair styles and hair techniques.

They include African hair braiding like cornrows as well as micro braids. There are a large number of hairstyles, including plaits or braids, which are two-strand twist formed into dreadlocks, she said.

The charges for braiding can vary from QR300 to QR700 depending on the size of strands and style.

Afro-kinky, Expression, Princess, Abuja Lines, Pony Tail, Pony Yaya and Sangita are some of the elegant hair synthetics favoured by women in Qatar for braiding.

According to her, natural hair can also be styled into Bantu knots, which involves sectioning the hair with square or triangular parts and fastening it into tight knots on the head. It can also be braided flat against the scalp, worn as basic cornrows or form a countless variety of artistic patterns. Mohawks are really sought-after hairstyles this season, especially among young women.

Other services offered at Pambo Beauty Salon include relaxing, blow-dry besides others.

The salon is equipped with relaxers to cater to kinky hair which they get locally and abroad. They include TCB, Motion, Affirm, Dark & Lovely and Beautiful Beginning among others, Wanyika said adding that the “prices here are affordable.” Jeanne, a hair dresser, at Franka Salon, the first Afro-hair salon operated by Cameroonians that was opened over fifteen years ago said they offer various products and services for Afro-hair including braiding, weaving, treatment, relaxing, extensions besides others.

“We cater to all nationalities with Afro-hair at affordable prices. For example, we do braiding at QR600 if we provide the extensions. For every extra extension, it is QR75 more. Treating the hair is QR120 with customer product but if we use ours it is QR150. We also add volume to your hair at affordable prices,” she said.

Jeanne further said, “The rates for these services have gone down.

Earlier on braids and weave-on was priced at QR1,000,” said the hair dresser who has been working at the salon for ten years now.

Brigitte, a hair dresser in the same salon said that the prices have gone down in order to attract clients who are taking up jobs in Qatar. Since a majority of people could not afford the high costs charged at the parlours, they used to manage their hair at home causing hair breakages.

Jeanne advised that allowing someone who is not a professional to handle your hair is dangerous.

“Its always advisable to go to a professional hair dresser. She knows what to do to your hair and not to do. That’s why you see some people losing their hair due to poor application of a relaxer,” she said.

Brigette said, “It takes about six hours to do braids. Sometimes it takes less depending on the size and thickness of the hair. Sometimes, it can be done in three hours,” she said Bola, a Nigerian client at the Pambo Beauty Salon said, “I come here because it’s an African Salon.

They provide services for kinky hair and so far I am happy with my hair,” she said.

Pambo Beauty Salon is open from Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 7 pm and Fridays from 2 pm to 7 pm. To contact the salon you can call 55158903, 777416119 or 44437640.

Franka Salon is open from Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm.

Friday at 3.30pm to 8pm and Sunday, from 4 to 9pm. To contact the salon you can call 4443255.

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