The Touch: Wearing locks

Dreadlocks, a hairstyle that was once associated to reggae artists and their fans seems to have hit Kigali by storm. The hairstyle is the newest most popular style among Kigali women. Depite the hairstyle being a hit people who keep this hairdo are often regarded with suspicion or coded degenerates. The style however seems to be rising way above the existing misconceptions. Dreadlocks are here to revolutionalise hair and to bring more possibility to those whose hair chemicals just don’t work. The hair styles’ lovers are however haunted by questions on how to wear their locks and how to accommodate the ragged outlook locks seem to bring out. People are faced with the question of whether the love for locks can make them the sudden leap from neat to not so neat. But who said locks can’t be neat and cool at the same time? We all agree that having that great hair that makes heads turn is damn worth all the hassle that comes with it. However it is not great when your hair spells outright career death just because your organisation regards a style a bit too out of place for their employees. Simple and neat hair styles are typically acceptable in most workplaces but wild or strangely coloured styles are not. Unfortunately for most careers, dreadlocks fall in the sloppy wild category making them a no go zone. But this doesn’t have to mean you need to give up your dream to lock your hair. Dreadlocks can be acceptable in most professions so long as they’re well kept and neat. It’s a misconception to believe that locks have to be dirty and unkempt for them to look great. Depending on their length, one can style them in a simple fashion to create that professional look that your job demands. Dreadlocks can be braided, curled, gelled up, or pulled into a fashionable pony tail. Wash them regularly and cover and tie them up before going to bed so that they can maintain that smooth look. A regular visit to the saloon will also ensure that the locks are neat even as they continue to grow. You can slip on different coloured beads to decorate your dreadlocks. Crocheted hats and scarves are ideal for holding dreadlocks; they look cool and keep dreads out of the way.Any hair style calls for commitment and creativity. Dreads might not be as easy to pull out but with the right maintenance regime they can be that great hairstyle we all admire and wish on ourselves. Email pgathoni@gmail.com