When it comes to the intricate creativity of hair art, which is the process of sculpting and moulding hair into different shapes, shades and sizes, South Africa is relatively a new player.
However, as showcased in the recent Sofnfree HairXpert Masters Challenge Competition 2019, this art form is gradually blooming in the hairstyling industry, and it's most certainly a welcome one.
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Hair technicians and designers each play an important and often underappreciated role in any production, from fashion, to movies and the entertainment industry as a whole. This is why Sofnfree marketing manager Noeleen Burger, says "designing hair in a way that is appropriate to the characters and any production is what we aim to nurture through the HairXperts Challenge."
"As a fast growing hair brand, Sofnfree is constantly pursuing ways that can allow hairstylists to evolve with the needs of the industry,” stated," she adds.
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Like costume and makeup designers, hairstylists must regularly create hairstyles appropriate to the era, setting, and trend. From utilising ornaments, spray paint and hairpieces to create towering ferns of hair variations, altering hair to meet the demands of the current trends is a way of setting yourself apart as a recognisable talent not only in South Africa, but across the globe too.
These skills were therefore put to the test at the HairXperts grand finale event, where finalists were tasked to create and design hair around two themes; avant-garde and wedding fantasy.
Through the extravagant showcase that dug deep into the creativity and skill that our local hair technicians have, this delicate art form was exceptionally portrayed as a growing and possibly lucrative skill in the country’s maturing hair and beauty industry.
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Here are the looks that wowed us:
Lefa Moshoabile
John Mongaguzi
Jesse Gallant
Pretty Zuma
Images: Supplied
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