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Hairdressing is increasingly becoming a popular career choice in South Africa. Tatenda Sibanda, a 33-year-old senior hairstylist from the candi and co beauty salon in Randburg, Johannesburg, tells us more.
Tell us about yourself and your love for hair and beauty.
I am originally from Zimbabwe; that’s actually where my love and passion for hair started.
I started professionally in 2006, but started doing hair way before that, when I was in primary school.
I attended boarding school and, because there were no salons on campus or anybody who would do our hair, we were forced to do our own hair.
That’s where I discovered how much I loved doing people’s hair.
What does a hairstylist do?
Quite a number of things, but it all comes back to providing a proper consultation. The consultation is the fact-finding mission that concerns the client’s hair and lifestyle.
This is where I find out more about a client’s hair and scalp. Then I can provide proper recommendations, give clients my advice and discontinue certain products if I believe they are harmful.
What are the requirements for becoming a hairstylist?
You need to hold a matric certificate and a diploma or degree from a reputable hair institute or academy where you would have learnt more about hair. And have a love for everything hair.
What qualifications do you need to become a professional hairstylist?
I attended Tyrone’s Cosmetology Centre in Zimbabwe. It was a two-year course and I obtained a diploma in cosmetology.
When I came to South Africa, I went to the candiandamp;co training academy, a cosmetology centre.
I was given the option of studying make-up, hair, waxing or other beauty-related courses. I chose to study hair, which was a full-time three-month course. It was kind of in-house training to prepare me for work at the salon.
Are there specific hair grades a hairstylist should know?
We actually call it hair type. There are different hair types.
Hair is categorised by a combination of hair texture, which is the diameter of an individual’s hair strands, and the hair formation, which is the shape of the hair as it grows out of the hair follicle.
For instance, I have fine hair, which means that the diameter of each strand of my hair is thin.
The different types of hair are fine, medium and coarse. Hair-texture formation can fall into the straight, wavy, curly and tight-curl categories.
What are your biggest challenges with hair?
It is normally to do with the hair formation, which is the shape of the hair.
Mainly, with tight-curl (Afro-type hair) or highly textured types, it’s really quite tricky to deal with because it’s just so curly and needs a lot of attention and maintenance.
It can get really challenging but, fortunately for me, I’ve been in the industry for quite a long time and I’m familiar with the products that need to be used on that hair type.
Another challenge for me is when I have to really convince a difficult client that there is a way to deal with a specific hair texture, but that client is not prepared to listen.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Because it’s something I love to do, I enjoy everything – from styling and consultations to getting to know somebody.
I have a lot of people coming in every day so I get to form friendships. I get to know their backgrounds, their jobs and how they style their own hair at home, among other things.
I just love to be of service, and to be a blessing to somebody, just to give them that hope if they are really hopeless about their hair and don’t know what to do, I can help to make them feel and look good.
Most hairstylists have a long list of skills, but some specialise in processes and techniques. What’s your strength?
Actually, I can say I’m an all-rounder. Although I’ve worked more with African hair, I also have Caucasian clients.
When I joined candiandamp;co, we were taught to deracialise hair. We don’t say we only deal with Caucasian hair or African hair. That gave me a platform to work with every race and different hair types.
The specific hair type I’m known for would be weaves, pixie styles, closures, lace weaves, tap-ins ... basically any weaving technique. I’m an all-rounder with those.
Where else can a hairstylist work?
Through candiandamp;co, I have worked in the television industry. I was part of a BBC documentary on Afro-hair. I worked as a hairstylist on Vuzu’s 10 Over 10 show – I did their hair before they went on set. I have also worked on the My Perfect Proposal show as a stylist, and did the hair of the guests they brought in. I also worked at this year’s SA Music Awards.
What advice would you give aspiring hairstylists?
You really have to love and have a passion for the hair industry. If you get into it for money, but have no love for it, it won’t work out.
You need to have patience and be able to work with people. You need to be flexible in terms of working hours and hairstyling techniques. You can’t be confined to one thing; you need to be an all-rounder and, most importantly, need to be willing to learn.
» For more information, visit candiandco.co.za
