Nothing to dread

THE days of the classic perm are numbered, with the latest boom to hit Australian hair salons known as ‘Conrad’.
Now Dandenong is catching the Conrad wave, better described as African hairstyling.
Sunset Hair and Beauty Salon opened last week in The Hub arcade to a wave of support from the City of Greater Dandenong and local traders.
The salon specialises in African hair styling, including dreadlocks, braiding, twists and weaves, and its owner and African hair stylist Genet Asfaha says the market is opening up.
The style is known colloquially as Conrad, and Ms Asfaha has had several years’ experience working at an upmarket Chapel Street hair salon, with some sessions taking up to seven hours.
But the lengthy hairstyles are fast becoming a rage, and Ms Asfaha said Dandenong’s multicultural community, and in particular migrants from African countries, had embraced her new salon. Ms Asfaha said the traditional list of hairstyles and cuts – even the perm – were available to customers, and the shop also functioned as a beauty salon.
Ms Asfaha said the business was her first, but she was prepared for the challenges.
“I know what I am doing, and I am a hard worker,” she said. “I have special products coming from America and England … extensions and everything.”
Sunset Hair and Beauty Salon is at Shop 28, The Hub Arcade, Dandenong. Ms Asfaha said she would welcome any inquiries on 9791 5635.