Traditionally, Kenyan women have been known for their use of elaborate (and expensive) weaves in the creation of their curly hairstyles. Each woman strove to impress and outdo other women with braids and imported weaves.
Over the past few years, however, the tide appears to be shifting as more women are leaving their expensive weaves behind and embracing their naturally curly hair. Women in Kenya are explaining their desire to be free of weaves and braids and expressing a wish to embrace their own natural curls.
As in many countries around the world, Kenya is a major contributor to the beauty industry and employs a large amount of the working population. In addition to wanting to show off their own natural coils and textures, women are buckling under the crushing financial burden of maintaining their elaborate hairstyles and are giving up trips to the salon. Many women have found that maintaining natural hair is much more cost effective as opposed to chemical treatments, weaves and braids.
Additionally, as more women are becoming aware to the potential dangers posed by the overuse of chemical treatments such as relaxers, the sales of those products in salons is beginning to taper off. Women are becoming more self-aware about the dangers of chemicals, and are hopeful that natural curls will allow them to utilize less harmful products. On the other side, products to enhance natural curls such as styling creams, pomades and gels are seeing an uptick in sales.
See more here .