Hair is often referred to as your crown and women put in quite the investment in theirs.
It’s versatility, especially with Black hair, allows one to manipulate, style and extend in many fun and interesting ways. Wigs are a big part of Black women using protective styles to help maintain and grow their natural hair.
With a broader South African middle class booming over the last two decades and the recent surge of natural hair appreciation, millions of Rands are spent yearly on haircare products, wigs, extensions and protective styles.
While lengthy Brazilian extensions and Peruvian bobs are a staple, wigs that mimic the tight coils and thick mane only found in African hair are becoming more and more popular. Research has shown that tightly curled hair provides the best protection from solar heat and, in turn, reduces sweating on the scalp.
Locally, more beauty salons and hair extension manufacturers are including in their catalogue wigs, sew-ins and Afro ponytails that look more like the classic Afro many Black people are born with.
Wig makers like Phindi Mtyingizane and salons like Sima’s Creation, owned by Sima Dondashe, have been enthusiastic on creating tailor-made Afro textured wigs and providing installation services to local stars like Yolanda Vilakazi, for models posing for famed fashion labels like Malondié and to the public.
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Sima explains to TRUELOVE how people can determine the best quality of wigs that mimic natural hair.
“The texture of the wig needs to be close or similar to your natural hair to achieve that natural look. Also, the type of lace quality has an impact on achieving a natural look, I always advise clients to get a lace closure that’s suits best their skin tone.”
Sima has worked with and styled the crowns of well-known personalities like K Naomi, Pamela Mtanga, Mihlali Ndamase and Itumeleng Mokwatlo, who is known as Tumi Powerhouse.
The beauty salon owner shares some background on Sima’s Creations and her thoughts on why she believes natural hair wigs are becoming more of a go-to.
“I started Sima’s Creation around August 2022, and my goal was to beautify woman inside and out. Bringing back their confidence & providing them with excellent service. Sima’s Creation does offer hair installations for all wig types.
“Natural hair wigs really look good, and they boost a client’s confidence. Especially for clients that prefer a natural look.”
- Always store your wigs on wig stand or bag.
- Wash and condition your wigs every after use. Preferably take your wigs to a professional for treatment to avoid damaging the hair.
- Detangle your wigs using a wide tooth comb.
- Depending on the texture of your wig, always use a blow dryer and iron/ curler to maintain it. Use heat that the texture of the wig can withstand.
Much like with straight-haired wigs, the life span if an Afro-textured wig depends on how well you treat and care for it.
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The less manipulated the hair is, the longer it will last. It is always better to get a professional to style your wig in the way you desire it to avoid excessive combing and brushing.
Different types of Afro-textured wigs are made to suit the varying hair types found in Black and brown people, which follow the hair texture system that starts from type one that is typically completely straight, type two is wavy, type three is curly and type four, which is the tightly coiled.
The hair types and textures are further broken down into A, B and C categories, which is "based on the hair's curl pattern, density, porosity, width and length," according to medical author and ENT, head and neck surgeon Rohini Radhakrishnan.
These different hair types are important to keep in mind along with Sima's tips so that you choose the right Afro-textured wig for you.
