Publications
Partners
- Fans of Kenyan comedian Elsa are celebrating a popular hairstyle on Instagram, calling it the "Majimbo style".
- This growing community of fans caught Elsa's attention when they started tagging her on their posts.
- The comedian loves her followers because they are helping her grow and love to see her win.
Elsa Majimbo has taken social media by storm as she provides bursts of energy and laughter for her social media fans during what would have otherwise been a very somber time.
And it helps that she's as relatable as it gets.
If you haven’t seen Elsa's videos – firstly, what rock are you living under? Her style is characterised by her infectious laughter, occasional munching of potato crisps and a demeanor so at ease you want to have her perspective on life’s challenges.
READ MORE: Channel you inner Sho Madjozi and braid your own hair at home - 5 easy styles to try
But besides her “It’s not!” phrase, what her fans have increasingly been enjoying – particularly on Instagram - is the hairstyle that has featured in her videos.
If you plait your hair before you go to sleep as a protective style or to stretch your hair overnight, you probably know the hairstyle that has now experienced what I call the Elsa Effect.
The hairstyle I’m referring to is the small to medium-sized short twists or braids that many with natural hair go to sleep with.
It's also likely that some may have this style on a more permanent basis, day and night, since it’s lockdown.
READ MORE: It's not ideal, but if you intend to colour your hair at home, here are tips from a colourist
Black women have many protective styles that they do but one of the most prevailing is these short braids that have been spotted on Elsa enough times that they have now been dubbed the “Majimbo hair”.
Women have been posting on their Instagram stories daily, sharing their go-to hairstyle they have in common with this internet sensation.
“People just used to make fun of my hairstyle in videos and some started posting it and calling it ‘the Majimbo hair’,” Elsa says.
That’s when she caught wind of the fact that she'd started a trend. “People just constantly posted about it and tagging me so it caught my attention.”
But the 18-year-old comedian says her hair has nothing to do with her comedy, “Not in the slightest. I do what feels right”. Nonetheless, she loves that her fans are celebrating her in this way.
“I like that my followers and fans are able to do things that make me feel more in touch with myself. Connecting with them really warms my heart,” she adds.
If you were wondering about her hair routine or how she’s been treating it of late, while laughing she says, “My hair is fine. It’s grown. Keeps on growing but I need it to grow faster.”
Her hair routine is quite simple. “Sometimes I want to re-plait it and when I get to the afro I’m just so tired so I leave it like that,” she says.
Since going viral and landing the status of a social media sensation, Elsa has spoken about working with MAC cosmetics in Kenya, being on Comedy Central and being interviewed by a number of magazines.
It seems her career is set to skyrocket but she keeps a special place for the support of her followers.
READ MORE: 5 hair care mistakes to avoid when you have braids
“I LOVE MY FOLLOWERS! They are so amazing and have really supported me with everything. They’re helping me grow and love to see me win and that kind of love is something you can never buy at any store,” she says.
Being the social media darling at the moment, Elsa says, “Social media has definitely helped me reach a way greater crowd than I would have been able to. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”
What has been your go-to lockdown hairstyle? Share your story with us here.
Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Sign up to W24’s newsletters so you don't miss out on any of our stories and giveaway.
