The hairstylists of Nakuru, often confused for twilight girls
Damaris Ng'endo a hair stylist in Nakuru city.
Ladies, as you walk along Gusii Road near Gituamba House it's not hard to miss women who stand along the street.
If you have not undone or you've just straightened your hair you become their target. The stylists’ persistent calls of "sista salon" highlight their proactive approach to customers.
Here is where, just like most hair stylists who go out searching for customers, the hair stylists also ‘hunt’ for customers due to the fierce competition here.
Compared to high-end salons where braiding can cost an arm and a leg, the lure of these braiding business ladies has to do with the speed with which one’s hair is done. The headache from all the pulling and tugging comes later.
“We ensure we are competitive. All our customers want quick, professional services and that is what keeps us ahead of others,” Damaris Ng'endo, a hair stylist says.
Ng'endo says that they charge braids, lines, and twist services according to the sizes the customer wants.
She adds that although they have regular customers, they have to compete for those coming for the first time, noting that the secret is to offer the customer a nice deal and before they know it, they become regular customers.
According to Ng’endo, most of her target customers are those who buy braids from a braid shop nearby and those who need their services urgently and don't have a salon to go to.
Alice Wambui has been a hair stylist in Nakuru city since 2019.
Alice Wambui, another hair stylist in Nakuru began the job in 2019 and notes that one of the biggest challenges they face is that some of the customers are very rude while others think that they don't know how to braid.
She adds that most of the time it's extremely difficult to convince the customers because some believe that the prices will be high but she notes that it depends on the negotiating skills one has.
Wambui says the job requires patience, dedication, and diligence to ensure more customers come back and give referrals.
Cynthia Awuor who is a hair stylist and a nail technician says that she wouldn't trade any job for this one though many might not see it as a rewarding job.
Cynthia Awuor, a hair stylist in Nakuru city.
However, she notes that in a day she can have four nail clients and three hair clients making an average of Sh 7,000.
Awuor attributes her increased income to the efforts she makes in calling for customers on the streets which most of the time pays off.
“I find fulfilment in my work despite common misconceptions that we are twilight girls since we stand on the streets calling for customers,” she says smiling.