“Buy a Hairpiece Stand”: Braider Stunned by Client Refusing To Help Hold Hair Fibre, SA Advises

• A salon owner shared a video of a client refusing to hold her hair fibre, forcing the owner to find an alternative solution before starting the hairstyle
• The owner was shocked when the cheeky client blatantly refused and shared a video of the incident on TikTok, which sparked a huge debate
• Social media users flooded the comment section, telling her it was not the client's responsibility to hold the hair fibre, and advising her on what she could get to make her job easier
• Briefly News spoke with hairstylist and salon owner Lusanda Tyawana about requesting assistance from clients

Going to the salon for hair extensions such as braids can be taxing, as salon stylists sometimes make clients work by handing them the hair fibre and requiring them to assist during the process, all while paying the full amount.

A client was captured in a video shared on the TikTok handle @towerhairsalon, refusing to help the salon owner hold the fibre for her plaits, sparking a huge debate online.

The client refuses to help the stylists

In the clip, the salon owner hands the client the fibre, asking her to hold it as she is about to start. The client, however, refuses, shaking her head in disagreement while busy on her phone with both hands.

Shocked, the stylist pauses for a moment before deciding to divide the hair fibre into portions that she would need and places them on the counter before beginning the plaits, while the client remains unbothered, still concentrating on her phone.

Watch the TikTok video below:

Hairstylists requesting help from clients

We at Briefly News asked Lusanda Tyawana, a salon owner from Cape Town if it is normal to expect customers to assist by holding hair fibre during braiding, or if she prefers working solo. She said:

"Yes it is. I also ask clients to hold fibre during braiding, especially when I'm working alone and need to save time. But, I'm planning to invest in hairpiece stands soon. I've noticed that some clients feel uncomfortable when they can't use their phones or relax properly.

It also creates an awkward vibe when they don't want to help but feel forced. A stand would make things easier for both of us and keep the energy light in the salon."

The team asked if she understands when clients refuse to help during their session, or if she finds that disrespectful. Lusanda responded:

"I think it's understandable. Not everyone comes to the salon ready to assist. Some just want to chill, scroll on their phone, or nap while getting their hair done. It's not personal, it's just about how people want to enjoy their self-care time."

We asked if she thinks salons should adjust their service style to make clients feel more pampered and less involved. The stylist shared:

"Yes, definitely. Clients are paying for a service, so they should feel relaxed. Small things like using proper tools, offering water, and playing soft music can help. Making them feel like they're having a break rather than doing work makes a difference."

SA reacts to the salon owner's request

The clip attracted a flood of comments from social media users, many of whom said the client was not in the wrong. Several advised the owner to purchase a hairpiece stand, suggesting that it would be a good investment for her business.

Others mentioned that their salon time was meant to be about pampering themselves and taking a nap while the stylist worked on their hair, not helping them perform their job. Some were pleased to see someone standing their ground and refusing to do the draining work that clients often endure at salons for hours, all while paying for a service.

User @Bernice Beyea Nwaila said:

"Buy a hairpiece stand. she didn't come there to work, mxm."

User @Gladys Sethole shared:

"It's her right. She paid for the service. get a hairpiece stand."

TUser @iego Petra 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 added:

"I love her! Finally, someone fighting for us 🤣🤣🤣🤣Get a hairpiece stand, or get assistance."

User @AusiDee commented:

"Great, can we have more ladies refuse to hold the hairpiece? Yhoo e ya mbhora nna ntho ye (that thing bores me). Please invest in a hairpiece stand. We don’t like it and we pay after that. We need to get an R100 payment for it."

User @Phindile Yende shared:

"Salons should understand that going to the salon for women is their time off, it’s their pamper time. It’s wrong to expect a client to hold a hairpiece! Customers must refuse! Rather take your price up."

User @Julia Galaletsang Matjila said:

"This one time I had to go to the salon with an arm sling to avoid this coz why are we being abused mara😭😭?"

3 Briefly News articles about salons

• A young lady left the salon in tears after a hairdresser messed up the installation, forcing her to remove it after paying for her time.
• A bold client told the salon owner to remove the plaits while she was halfway through the hairstyle, and when the owner asked her why she kept quiet, she said she thought it would come together nicely.
• An eight-year-old boy showed off his talent, plaiting knotless braids for a client at her aunt's salon in Cape Town.

Source: Briefly News