BEAUTY: Start the press!

Hot-comb your natural hair the modern, safe, stylish way. PHOTO| MARTIN MUKANGU 

In Summary

• First, the hair is shampooed and treated. It is then towel-dried before being coated with a light film of protective oil.
• “This is very important in order to ensure all the hair slips through. Without oil, the hair will burn and cut,” Nelly says.

Hair pressing – also known as hot-combing – is back and rising in popularity as a way to style natural hair. This is one of the oldest afro hair styling methods, discovered in the 19th century by Madame C.J. Walker.

It involves using direct heat and oil to comb kinky hair to give it a silky texture within minutes.

The latest method involves temperature-controlled combs and tongs. The heat is measured carefully to avoid singeing the hair strands. Nelly Owiro, a hair stylist at Queens, demonstrated the procedure to show how natural hair can be styled to appear relaxed.

First, the hair is shampooed and treated. It is then towel-dried before being coated with a light film of protective oil.

“This is very important in order to ensure all the hair slips through. Without oil, the hair will burn and cut,” Nelly says.

The hair is then straightened and curled into a sassy flip. It is sprayed with sheen spray and finally, holding spray. The style can last for one week as long as it is protected from moisture. It is not advisable to hot comb your hair all the time, as this will weaken it gradually.

Caution: Do not attempt to hot press at home using an iron comb and uncontrolled heat sources as this can cause serious burns on hair and scalp.

PHOTOS: MARTIN MUKANGU. Hair pressing courtesy of Nelly at Queens Salon, Riverside Drive, Nairobi. Tel: 0722 726 959. Model supplied by Diane’s Agency.