Some hair stylists in Abuja have decried the low patronage they are experiencing, and blamed the situation on the increase in the prices of hair making materials.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the situation has forced many women to resort to wearing ready-made wigs.
A NAN check in Abuja and environs revealed that many salons have increased their service charges with some blaming it on the harsh economic situation.
They said that the country’s economic down turn has scared customers away to cheaper alternatives that are found in ready-made wigs.
A hair vendor, Miss Peace Oluwatobiloba, however, said that a lot of people still buy hair extensions and weaves, in spite of the increase in prices.
“I sell two to three cartons of hair extensions every week at the wholesale price of N2,500 per packet.
“Yesterday, I sold a hair extension for N85,000 and a lady bought it without haggling,” she said.
Oluwatobiloba added that it was up to the buyer to go for what her budget could afford.
A stylist in Nyanya, Miss Janet Daniel, said the increase in the price of hair extensions, especially human hair, is extremely ridiculous.
“How can human hair be sold for N200,000?”, she asked, rhetorically.
A house wife, Mrs. Ayomide Jesuloba, said she would buy hair extension “even if the price increases to N5,000”.
She added that those with really thin hair understand the struggle of trying to achieve volume on their hair; so for them, hair extensions are almost like a necessity.
Another stylists, Miss Esther Oluwatosin, told NAN that in the past, a big packet of hair extension was sold for N1,500 while the small packet sold for N1,200.
Oluwatosin said that the prices of both have increased by well over 100 per cent.
Oluwatosin added that the quantity and quality of the hair extensions had also dropped.
Hair attachments – both human and synthetic made – are witnessing increased patronage in the market.
A variety of these products are available in the forms of clip-ins, tape-ins, weave-on, among others.
– NAN