Celeste Tema

BRAND COMMUNICATION MANAGER FOR L’ORÉAL SOUTH AFRICA

‘I consider my hair an accessory, so nothing is ever permanent. This was the easiest and most dramatic change I could make while keeping it natural.’

‘OF all the hairstyles and colours I have ever had, this has been my absolute favourite to date. My father also started to go grey at a young age, so I think he really likes it – I am his only daughter, after all!

‘Before I took the plunge, I experimented with grey braids to see if the colour would suit me. I love the look – I love that the colour is dramatic, and that it’s extremely short and manageable. Although, I must say, I’m still not quite used to it: every time I see myself in the mirror it’s a surprise! It’s also good to know that you always have the option of reapplying hair colour if you decide that the grey isn’t working for you. It doesn’t have to be a permanent commitment.

‘Whenever I want to do something drastic that involves serious cutting, I go to Brian Warfield at Tanaz Hair in Illovo, Johannesburg. He’s my go-to guy for cutting and I know he will give me his honest opinion when I want to do something really dramatic – like when I first decided to go back to my natural afro or recently, when I decided to cut my big afro and embrace my teeny-weeny grey afro.

‘The natural hair movement that’s swept South Africa over the past few years will continue into 2018 as more black women embrace their curls, coils and kinks. I’m not sure I would call it a trend per se; it’s a movement of black women who are unapologetically reclaiming and celebrating their natural beauty.

‘I find that younger people see grey hair as trendy and they are more likely to try it out. Older people still colour their hair, and rightfully so: if it’s not looked after properly, grey hair can age you – you can easily look tired and washed out if you don’t make it part of your overall style. Without effort, proper maintenance and guidance, it might seem like you’re letting yourself go, which is the opposite of what you want to achieve.’

MAINTAINING THE LOOK ‘One of the perks of my job is having access to some of the best hair products in the business! I wash my hair with Dark and Lovely’s Au Naturale 3-in-1 Cleansing Conditioner, followed by their Au Naturale KnotOut Conditioner. I also use L’Oréal Paris’s Elvive Curl Nourishment Oil-in-Balm and Garnier Ultimate Blends The Sleek Perfector Oil to style my hair, as well as Mizani True Textures 25 Miracle Milk to rejuvenate my curls. And every two weeks I deep-condition with Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Curl Defining Mask.

‘I used to work in a hair salon when I was at high school and during my varsity days, and I was pretty good at it so I’m very comfortable doing my own hair. I wash, treat, colour and even trim it, as well as my daughters’ hair.’