Zaba's guide to...Zaba's hair

So...I work in a team where I am surrounded by males, white males specifically and every time I have a new hairdo they are intrigued by how easily I can change up my hair.

Now, before you bite my head off, I specifically say white males because the majority of black males grew up in homes where they witnessed their mothers and sisters change up their hair, that to them, "the black females hairdo change" is no longer a phenomenon.

So whilst chatting to Abi, I thought I should write a small piece on the difference between braids, cornrows, weave, lace wigs and dreadlocks, and hopefully shed some light on this topic.

Braids are my current hairstyle. This particular set took two days to put in and 15 packs of Kinky Budget Braid fibre. Braids are when a hair extension is added to a segment of hair and then braided (or twisted) into various lengths. At the end, you will have a head full of little braids that are as versitile as hair.

Cornrows, or more commonly known as "isnoppy" in the townships, are braids which are flat on the head. One can have them patterned into circles, zig zags etc. if you like. Think of them like lots of tiny french briads.

Weaves are the most common hairstyle (lately) amongst women. They first put your hair in cornrows (see above) and then "weave" or sew in tracks of hair. The hair is then styled to the client's liking.

Lace wigs are a type of wig which come with a perimeter of lace. The lace is then cut off, and the hair is glued, yes, I said glued, onto the hairline. This creates a flawless look where one can't tell the difference between the forehead and hairline.

AND FINALLY

Dreadlocks East Coast Radio's very own Nelisa Kala wears dreadlocks. The hair is twisted with a bees wax (although there are many different ways to start a dread) and then allowed to grow out. Think of them as the hairstyle Rastafarians wear.

PHEW!!! Well that was a lot...feel free to ask any questions...oh and Damon, if I ever hear you confuse weaves and wig and braids again...$#%^&%$#%^%$%@

Take a look at the various styles below!

- Zaba