Kanekalon Pitches Haircare Solutions for Nigerian Stylists, Beauticians

In the dynamic landscape of Nigeria’s beauty and hair industry, Japanese fibre manufacturer Kanekalon has shifted its focus over the past four years from simply producing high-quality synthetic fibres to actively supporting and empowering local hairdressers and stylists. This evolution places Kanekalon not just as a supplier, but as a partner in shaping contemporary hair trends and business practices across Nigeria and West Africa.

At a recent workshop event series in Port Harcourt, which brought together members of the HAIRSTYLIST & BEAUTY EXPERT ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HABEAN), Kanekalon’s representative, Mr. Poku, shared insight into the company’s new mission. According to Poku, Kanekalon has conducted wide-ranging research in the Nigerian market, aiming to fine-tune its products so they better meet the practical and creative demands of local hair professionals. These efforts, he explained, are designed to arm stylists with the latest business skills and advanced tools, ensuring they can deliver on their clients’ diverse expectations in an ever-changing beauty landscape.

During the workshop, Poku showcased “Darling Duchess,” a notable product within Kanekalon’s line, describing it as an ultra-lightweight fibre that boasts enduring shine and enhanced durability. Poku asserted that “Darling Duchess” is formulated to meet the needs of every woman, regardless of her preferred hair style, providing longevity and brilliance that grows more appealing over time.

Kanekalon ready to provide solutions to Nigerian hair stylists & beauticians

Poku explained that Kanekalon fibres stand out in the market due to six signature qualities attributed to its original fibre technology. These are:

Soft touch: Designed to be gentle on the fingers, reducing discomfort for braiders and stylists.
Easy to braid: The fibre is simple to lock and manipulate, so even trainees can pick up braiding techniques with ease.
Time saving: Innovations in the fibre make for faster turnaround, improving productivity in salons.
Hot water set: Stylists can achieve lasting curls without spending much time boiling water, streamlining the styling process.
Flame retardant: The product features self-extinguishing properties which add an extra layer of safety for users and clients.
Globally loved: Kanekalon fibres have enjoyed strong loyalty and patronage worldwide for over 65 years.

Representing the Darling Brand, Mrs Biola Yaqub delivered a compelling presentation that highlighted the vibrant artiste’s role of Nigerian stylists—described as “hair creatives”—who use Darling products to reveal the unique beauty of Nigerian and African women. Darling’s brand motto, “Find Your Beautiful,” was showcased as a philosophy empowering women to be confident, expressive, and entrepreneurial.

Mrs Yaqub emphasised that products like Darling are helping Nigerian women build confidence and achieve financial freedom, not only through their distinctive appearance but also by creating job opportunities within the beauty sector. With a spectrum of offered colours—including the standard shades of 1, 2, 4, and 33, plus innovative tones like purple, ginger, turmeric, silver, white, and yellow—Darling enables stylists to offer more personalised and creative options to their clients. According to Mrs Yaqub, “Our wide variety of colours and premium quality materials give beauticians the chance to set trends and expand their business portfolios.”

Describing the unique characteristics of the “Darling Duchess” braid, Yaqub noted that it is available both in regular cut and pre-stretched options, responding to local feedback. Its features include an ultra-light feel, flame retardance, easy braiding, hot water setting, a comfortable texture, tangle-resistance, minimal waste, effortless curling, natural-looking shine, and, crucially, its fabrication entirely from premium Kanekalon fibre.

She further explained that the array of colours available with “Darling Duchess” enables stylists to blend shades and offer clients fresh, trend-driven alternative looks instead of always opting for conventional tones. This aligns with a rising desire among Nigerian women and their stylists to experiment with colour and texture—a reflection of global influences meeting local taste.

The founder of HABEAN, Mrs Beauty Okeku, acknowledged the fruitful collaboration established with Kanekalon, Darling, and African Hair & Beauty Magazine, noting that these partnerships have enriched the professional lives of countless braiders and stylists across Nigeria. Okeku stated, “Kanekalon’s workshops have provided invaluable knowledge, building both confidence and technical skills among our members.”

According to Okeku, the positive impact of past workshops is evident in the improved professionalism and creativity observed among participants. She urged those present to remain committed to learning and to leverage the new insights for the benefit of both their businesses and the clients they serve. “Continuous learning is key,” Okeku said, “and we’re already seeing the rewards in the form of higher client satisfaction and career growth for our members.”

At the Port Harcourt event, industry representatives from Kanekalon, Darling, African Hair & Beauty Magazine, and HABEAN came together with other stakeholders in the region’s hair and beauty business. Such gatherings signal the increasing formalisation and professionalisation of the sector, and stand as testament to the role of collaboration in driving innovation and higher standards throughout the West African beauty ecosystem.

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As the hair and beauty sector in Nigeria and West Africa continues to evolve, collaborations like these between manufacturers and local professionals are reshaping not just styles but livelihoods. What innovative trends or improvements would you like to see in your local hair or beauty salon? Share your ideas and stories in the comments—and don’t forget to follow us for more industry updates!

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