turning heads

"I've always had my hair cut in the streets or at a local barber in my neighbourhood. The experience is always similar and the process of getting my hair cut is almost always the same - paging through a fashion magazine while waiting for my turn, getting seated on a swivel chair or if I'm in the street, it's most likely to be a small colourful plastic chair.

I’ve always had my hair cut in the streets or at a local barber in my neighbourhood. The experience is always similar and the process of getting my hair cut is almost always the same - paging through a fashion magazine while waiting for my turn, getting seated on a swivel chair or if I’m in the street, it’s most likely to be a small colourful plastic chair. Once it’s my turn, the barber would first throw a protective sheet over my shoulders before he proceeds to clean the clippers with methylated spirit and a tooth brush. He would then begin to cut my hair, I usually go for a chiskop. When he is done, he would hand me a small mirror so I can look at myself and see if I’m satisfied with his work. This is just my experience with cutting hair. A lot of people go through different experiences when grooming themselves in street salons. Some go to have their hair straightened with a relaxer cream such as Sofn’free, some to get braids/wigs, others to just wash their hair and the process is always different for what you’re getting treated for, but the result tends to always be the same - when you’re done, you leave feeling good about yourself and chances are you might Turn Heads along the way.” Neto explains. Street salons, characterised by a single chair on the pavement, have tucked themselves into the fabric of the city of Johannesburg. On pavements, grooming machines hum, playing a part in the chaotic orchestra of the city. Hair extensions flap in the wind— dancers of beauty — a hand frantically weaving a pattern of hair — the hairdresser’s eyes scanning the crowds — hunting for another customer. Hair patterns are weaved into heads, to the soothing touch of the rays of the sun, and the mix of conversations.