KEEP IT NEAT AND NATURAL

Three ways to style your afro

ACCESSORISE

Hair accessories have dominated the SS19 runways. Jazz up your afro with hairbands, hair clips, or metallic beads. Accessories tend to pull the hair and lead to breakage, so ensure that you aren’t wearing them for too long. Keep your tresses nourished with a hydrating mask and a conditioning spray. “Condition your hair so that it is soft and manageable when inserting accessories,” says Zola Ngejane, a natural hair stylist at Urban Zulu Hair Salon in downtown Jozi.

TIED UP

Pigtails and knots are no longer for kids. Ciara rocked afro pigtails at the 2019 Met Gala, and models sported big knots at the runway shows for Moschino and Dior. For this look, use a styling gel to flatten your natural hair, and a holding mist to maintain your hairline. Smangele Sibisi, founder of Indalo Nubian Naturals says,“Ensure your afro is soft and tangle-free before tying it up, by using a softening spray or coconut oil to make it easy to style.”

UPDOS & EXTENSIONS

An updo is the perfect way to show off your afro for a glamorous or formal event. Style it like influencer Nelly Silby or media darling, Zola Nombona, by adding hair extensions. Ngejane says,“When creating an updo, don’t pull your hair too tight as this might cause breakage. Instead, use a detangling brush to take out the knots before styling.”