 |
Model: | Mireille Liong |
| Haircut: | Twist Out | |
| Used/Recommended Hair Products: | Silky Shea Hair Butter , Scalp Conditioning Spray | |
| Hair Salon/Stylist: | Self done | |
| Time required: | 4 hours | |
| Shelf life: | 5 days | |
| Price: | Another 5 euros if you do it yourself. | |
| Hair type: | 4B | |
| Hair Length: | Shoulder/neck length | |
| Hair Texture: | Normal | |
| Suitable for: | For every occasion | |
| Photographer | Keston Duke | |
I have received emails from visitors who think it is not a good example if I wear my hair in a bun. According to them, wearing extensions is contrary to promoting wearing natural frizzy hair because too many women do it mainly out of shame for their own hair.
As a kinky hair specialist, I understand their point of view like no other, but it would be hypocritical of me to speak out against extensions or to keep quiet about the fact that I wear them myself. My transformation period from relaxed to kinky hair is mainly characterized by wearing braids. Partly because of that, I learned to deal with my own hair. For that reason alone, I understand that some women, just like me, also need time to make the transition.
But even now that I can handle frizzy hair quite well and prefer to wear my own hair, I simply cannot deny that extensions are a real godsend every now and then. For me, they are ideal for super busy periods or holidays. I don't have to think of hairstyles or pay attention to whether my hair is in the right place. No, it's just getup and go. Nothing is easier.
Now that I have hardly had time to catch my breath with all the work that had piled up due to the recent move, it was time for extensions again. The fact that Trini Braids are really very unique made me look forward to my new hairdo even more.
There are only a few people who have the technique to make loose kwie-kwie-ba braids. They are also called Fishtails and the braids really look like the scales of the kwie-kwie fish that we know in Suriname.
Another advantage is that this type of braid is a bit bigger. That means that you don't have to sit in the salon for so long. It doesn't matter what type of salon it is, I just don't have the patience to sit at the hairdresser for hours. Not when I relaxed my hair and not now that my hair is frizzy. Frizzy hair apparently hasn't really changed my personality.
Although I loved trying out a new easy everyday style, I had to get used to the extensions in my hair again. The disadvantage of Trini Braids is that you need a lot of hair. Khamit Kinks has a special hair type for that and it looks nice, but the braids are also heavier than normal and certainly in the beginning, a bit stiff. That makes it look nice, it just doesn't feel that nice.
That it looked beautiful was confirmed almost immediately after my visit to the salon. On my way home, I stopped at the local greengrocer to get some fruit, when I noticed that a tall, good-looking man with very beautiful dreadlocks was looking at me. But do you know that feeling when you just got your period? Your legs feel like lead, your stomach pulls a little and your back feels like you slept on a wooden plank. That's how I felt at that moment.
So I had no idea why this guy was staring at me like that, but I didn’t really care. All I wanted was to get home as soon as possible and let me tell you, I felt anything but attractive at that moment. My face, a good indicator of how I feel, must have looked pretty sour. However, when this man said “I love your plaits” in a super friendly way with a warm Jamaican accent, I felt my sour expression disappear and make way for a smile.
I immediately came out of my zone because it was so surprising. Besides the fact that it is nice to receive a sincere compliment, I did not expect a man with real dreadlocks to appreciate my fake braids, let alone compliment them. His well-groomed long hair was artfully tied up in a colorful scarf, which gave me the impression that he was a culturally aware man who probably did not want to have anything to do with fake braids or weaves. Without him knowing, I was caught in my own stereotypical thinking.
Before I even spoke to this man, I had already typed him out at a glance, mainly because of his hairstyle, and wrongly too. That was a good lesson for me. Don't take the man by the look sounds corny, but it is so true. Especially when it comes to frizzy hair.
