We need to transform our hair conversations: here are some of the beauty brands taking charge

I’ve long relegated wash day to a salon down the road from where I sometimes work. It’s been more convenient than doing it myself. Fortunately for my pocket, they’ll see a little less of me now that I have a power team of tools at home that work for a quick wash and blow dry. An extended break from braids (my scalp, skin, neck and shoulders can no longer bear the feel of the synthetic yarn and the weight it adds to my head) means that simpler afros, buns and plaits with the occasional silk press are my current look. Weaves and wigs (as a result of a personal challenge I have reconciling wearing another person’s keratin as my own crown) have also been packed away indefinitely. Added to that, on the whole, hair businesses in Joburg have a long way to go in terms of respect for their clients’ time and keeping up with innovations in natural hair care and styling so I keep things as simple as possible.

Our non-relaxed hair isn’t unmanageable or undesirable - we just haven’t had as many of the right tools and as much expertise as has been invested into other hair types. This is changing slowly.

Last year my sister Zodwa worked with the Laifen team to debut a really lightweight, compact and Apple designesque hair dryer that proves the point. As the launch event host, Mathahle Stofile reminded us of the need to reframe the language we use when talking about hair, which helps when products cater for our needs. I am grateful that generations after us can grow up with less dread and more pride for their hair than we did.

Before I talk about how the dryer has changed my wash day, I need to talk about two other brands that had already helped me fall deeper in love with my hair - Charlotte Mensah and Mizani. Besides her Manketti Oil products, Charlotte has designed a paddle brush that helps detangle your curls without tearing your hair out and Mizani’s Rose H2O hairdress conditions them so well. Both brands have worked hard not just on their formulations but also on the scent of their products.

Back to Laifen. It dries my hair fast without any heat damage because of high-performing ionic technology. I can choose between three heat settings (room temperature, medium and hot which doesn’t get hotter than 80°) or set on a cycle mode. These are helpfully displayed on the LED ring as three corresponding colours (blue, orange and red) at the back of the head of the barrel. Three magnetic nozzles (diffuser, smoother and concentrator) snap into the barrel so I can easily change them according to whether I am styling a bun or afro and won’t go flying across the room as I dry my hair. The swivel cord allows me to move the tool (which feels almost weightless) around with ease and the handy bag is great for travel.

I’m looking forward to seeing what other products they release in the future.