THERE used to be a time when women fought harder to make it into any male dominated field.
Such was the time when men would also strive to maintain anything, muscular from the kind of beer they drank, to the food they ate, and the kind of jobs they did. .But gone are these days as men are also venturing into women dominated fields.
One such area is hairdressing, which some men have excelled in and are even better than some female hairdressers.
Well, in a survey conducted by FOCUS the lifestyle writer in Zimbabwe many women now prefer male hairdressers because of their patience and creativity.
Maria Sarajevo, a cashier at a local supermarket said her male hairdresser understands hairstyles and what goes into crafting them.
When you are styled by a male hairstylist you get many heads turning because the job would have been well executed. We were brought up believing that men only know about hammers, chisels and screwdrivers but the tide has turned. Male hairdressers are also patient when it comes to women. Maybe it Is the nature in them.
You know women chit chat and critic too much, but male hairdressers have the gift of listening. Female hairdressers may not be happy with being critiqued and are also easily irritated, explained the cashier.
James Tatirayi a hairdresser at Geo Right salon in Harare? Avenues area in zimbabua, has been in the business for more than seven years and has made a name for himself locally. His brother George is also a hairdresser and they each have female clients from all works of life.
It is a trade that has brought bread and butter to their table and Tatirayi is happy and enjoys styling hair.
I ventured into hairdressing in 2007 ?when I graduated from school and I could not find a job. My brother taught me how to plait hair. This was not by choice as I wanted to be a doctor, but had no option as I was just sitting at home, he said.
The 30-year-old, who is happily married and has one child, Tawana, said nothing will take him away from hairdressing, even some of the negative comments they sometimes get from people.
Society feels this is a women job but to me this is an art I enjoy. It is also a job just like any other occupation, he said.
Tatirayi said his best hairdos are short weaves as they shape the face of a woman
Sometimes I research on the internet and magazines to check what are some of the latest trends. I also take photographs of my clients after their new hairdos and store them in our salon laptops. Clients can view a slide show of the hairstyles and choose what they want, he said.
The dreadlocked hairstylist has worked with many local celebrities and prominent people whom he did
not want to disclose.
I did hair for Miss Tourism models 2009, local musicians and the current Miss Zimbabwe Bongani Dhlakama, he said.
It is not an easy road as the job comes with some temptations. Tatirayi said the greatest challenge he used to face was seduction from some women.Long back some women used to try and seduce me as I plaited their hair but I have never fallen victim. I am faithful to my wife and she understands my job very well, he explained.
He said locally there is a big hairdressing market.
Big hair or small hair is what I feel put me on the map. Working with women changed my life professionally and spiritually, said the devout Christian hairdresser.
The Tatirayi brothers are always busy especially during weekends and the festive season.
We are now in the wedding season and we do 10 different bridal styles each week, he explained.
Another male hairstylist who is causing a stir in the town is from Fabulous Hair Salon is Hlalani Sibanda. Zimbabwe
Sibanda who is well known as Spencer a top hairstylist in United States, a nickname he acquired while in South Africa.
He relocated to Zimbabwe with his friend who also taught him hairdressing.
I love hair and it is a talent within me. We have been working together with Previous Nyoni who has also perfected his skills in South Africa, he said.
Sibanda who grew up in Gwanda said he gets inspiration from international celebrity hairstylists Ted Gibson.
I started this business in 1998. Apart from Previous my friend who has helped me polish my skills, I draw inspiration from hairstylist who does Toni Braxton, Martin Lawrence and Beyonce, he revealed.
Sibanda (38) also highlighted appreciation and resources as major challenges.
Hairstyling is a technique and every hairdresser has his or her own perfect style. My best so far is bob cut and style, which is now a hit not locally but globally. I do all styles with weaves and normal hair but I prefer normal hair.
There were certain stereotypes attached to this job as society believed it is a women job. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. I enjoy my work and I know my personality, he said.
Sibanda said he is engaged to Cynthia Moyo of Tsholotsho.
Back in South Africa the hairstylist has managed to build a good rapport with his clients to the extent he sometimes flies back for work.
We have been in the country for the past two weeks and it is hard to get clients but we are catching up. I have worked with the late South African gospel Vuyo Mokoena, cutting his box cut every two weeks, he added.
Sibanda explained that there is nothing bad about this job as passion is all that is required.
In countries like the United States and United Kingdom among others, male hairdressers are one of the most sought after stylist. The likes of Rihaana, Usher and Jennifer Lopez have their own stylists and if you check they are men. It is a job that if taken seriously can sustain livelihoods, he noted.
He said his dream is to be an international hairstylist.
Tendai Maguranyanga (26) a braider and a barber from Warren Park said hairstyling is an easy job.
It is just cutting designing clothes, whereby you will be putting down your imaginations to someone s head. I can say it is both difficult and easy to work with women. Sometimes women talk too much while you are focusing on their hair and at the same time they understand easily when you explain your concept, he said.
With the world we are living in these days, hair is the crown to your look so make sure you have a person who works yours well.
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