The recent curly hairstyle commonly known as hair-straws has been embraced by many Rwandan women mainly because it’s conducive for all seasons. This style can be set for all kinds of hair, whether natural or treated, and has been branded by many as easy and convenient to maintain. Claude Nshimiyimana a.k.a Brown, a hair stylist at Queen Salon in Rubagura’s building, said that the hair-straw style comes out best when a woman has some growth, especially with treated hair. “The style is appropriate for all hair as long as it’s long enough to curl around baby rollers or actual drinking straws while styling because they make better curls,” Nshimiyimana explains. The shy Nshimiyimana says he does not want to reveal the chemicals used to make the hair curly because even a great chef doesn’t reveal the ingredients of a specific recipe - but he can reveal the process. “After thoroughly washing the hair, some hair ingredients are applied and then the stylist uses the baby rollers or straws after which the client sits in the dryer for close to 40minutes. While removing the rollers or straws, with a little bit of hair spray, the curls come out naturally,” Nshimiyimana reveals. He further says that if kept neat, the hairstyle can be maintained for three weeks by applying hair spray only. “Advice to women with the hair-straws is that they should never comb their hair because it will automatically break. If you wish to remove the hairstyle, go to the salon and have the chemical washed out,” Nshimiyimana says. Jolly Iribagiza, a resident of Kimironko, says that the hair-straw style looks great on all hair types. “I like the hair style because you don’t have to comb all the time thus it is time saving. It’s also comfortable since it’s a style that makes your hair appear short even when it’s naturally long, hence good for all activities even the gym. The sweat will not ruin the hairstyle,” Iribagiza discloses.
