Hair Stylists and Customers in Calabar lament rising costs of hair products and services

MERCY  IGWE

The removal of fuel subsidy has led to a surge, which has affected hair stylists in Calabar, forcing salon owners to increase prices of braiding services and leaving customers with lighter pockets.

 Hair care professionals and braiders are feeling the heat as the increase in transportation, food, rent and mostly the cost of the necessities used in braiding has forced them to increase the price of their braiding services.

A visit to several salons in Calabar revealed that the prices of braiding services have increased by an average of 20-30% since the fuel subsidy removal. For instance, boho braids that previously cost N5,000 now costs N8000.

A manager of a beauty salon, Mr Etim Francis, said: "I had to increase the prices of my braids because the cost of transportation has skyrocketed. I used to pay N500 from my home to the shop but now I pay N1800. So I have to pass on this cost to my customers. The necessities used in braiding hair, like hair cream, attachments, combs, shampoo, hair conditioner, beads and hair bands are now costly.”  

Customers are also feeling the pinch, as Mrs. Okorie Chioma said: “I used to get my hair braided for N3,000 but now it costs N6,000. It's becoming too expensive, and I'm not sure how much longer I can afford it."

Also, a braided in Watt market, Miss Comfort James, lamented on the high cost and how it has driven away her customers. She said: "I've been braiding for over 10 years, and I've never seen things this bad. I'm struggling to feed my family and the increase in price is making it even tougher. Even things in the market are very costly to the extent that we hardly see people to braid. The hike in price has chased our customers away and with the rising cost of things in the market, people would rather spend their money on food than on braiding”.

Another hairstylist in Watt market, Miss Uduak John said: "Before, I normally charged N2,500 to N3,000 for a Bob Marley hairstyle, but now I charge N6,000. Personally, I used to charge N500 for hair weaving, but now I charge N1,500 to N2,000. Kinky hair was normally sold for N2,000 before, but now it costs N4,500 to N5,000. I had no other choice but to increase my prices, as everything in the market has become costly.”

  Moreover, a hairstylist at Watt market, Mrs Bassey Martha said: “The price of attachments for braiding has spiked from N2,000 to N5,000-N6,000. I used to charge N2,000 for a coco twist, but now have to charge N5,000".

Another braider, Miss Akpan Blessings echoed similar sentiments. She stated: "Before the fuel subsidy removal, the big attachment cost N2,000 and the small one cost N1,800. Now, they cost N5,000 and N6,000, respectively. Even the hair cream has become costly increasing from N1,400 to N3,500, with reduced quality and size".

A customer at a salon, Miss Okeke Jessica, complained on the high cost of braiding supplies. She said: "Even braiding hair is no longer affordable. I had to cut my children’s hair because it has become expensive ."

An owner of a beauty salon, Miss Obi Chidimma, expressed sadness on the devastating impact of the fuel subsidy removal on her business. She said: "Previously, I bought Jerry curls human hair for N40,000 and sold it for N60,000. However, I now buy it for N58,000 and sell it for N70,000. Additionally, human hair fringe bob wigs that was previously N30,000 are now N52,000. This has led to loss of some of my customers in the hair business as they no longer purchase as much as they did before."

A saloon owner, Miss Choima Jude, said, "I used to braid long knotless hair for N8,000, but now it costs N15,000. I am now struggling to stock up on braiding supplies in my shop because prices are rising rapidly in the market. With prices increasing daily, the cost of items changes from one day to the next. Unfortunately, I had to lay off my staff because I can no longer afford to pay them."

Hair stylists and customers are calling on the government to reduce fuel prices, which they believe will help stabilise the economy and reduce the burden on businesses and citizens.