The economic situation of Nigeria has meandered to the corridors of hairstylists and women who now air their displeasure over rising price tags.
In a series of interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Nigerian women and hairstylists voiced their distress over the escalating costs of hair attachments which are a crucial element of women’s fashion.
The interviews revealed a unanimous concern among consumers and stylists alike as prices surged relentlessly since 2023.
Hair attachment brands, such as X-pression, Darling, and Lush, which are instrumental in the creation of various hairstyles like Ghana weaving, Bob Marley, Twisting, Shuku, Knotless Braid, Pick and Drop, among others, have experienced significant price hikes.
Average hair attachments, once priced at N1,700, now cost N3,600, while those previously at N1,200 are now tagged at N2,500.
Faith Omije, a hairstylist at Crystal Beauty Salon, expressed urgency in addressing the situation, highlighting that the continual increments are burdensome for both hairstylists and their clientele.
Ms. Omije also mentioned adjusting her service charges to accommodate customers affected by the rising costs.
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The hairstylists interviewed unanimously conveyed their frustration at the manufacturers’ claims that increased production costs justified the surging prices.
Grace Akpan emphasized the need for government intervention to ensure overall price control in the market.
According to responses, one striking consequence of the soaring attachment prices is a shift in consumer behavior. Many customers are now opting for alternatives like weave-ons and wool due to their comparatively lower costs.
This shift is said to have also affected the demand for braided wigs, impacting the livelihoods of hairstylists who specialize in these services.
University student, Helen Arokoyo, shared her struggles, noting that the rising prices limited her ability to afford the desired fullness in her hairstyles. Similarly, Aminat Usman, a pharmacy sales representative, temporarily turned to alternative hairstyles until attachment prices are regulated.
Caroline Olatunji, a photographer, expressed the financial strain caused by the surging costs, contemplating the option of barbing her hair as an alternative.
The prevailing sentiment among the interviewed women and hairstylists is a plea for regulatory measures to control the rising prices of hair attachments, echoing a shared frustration over the economic impact on their businesses and personal grooming choices.
