Johannesburg – The biggest hairstylist competition to ever hit Mzansi is underway and needless to say, hairs are flying – literally!
The Sofn’Free HairXperts Masters Challenge competition kicked off after a nationwide search for the best hairstylists in the land – and the 18 of the best are duking it out for the main prize.
With R250 000 on the line, as well as the title of the Ultimate HairXperts’ Master, stylists from across the country have brought their A-game to the table to ensure that they claim that coveted prize, and to ensure that they would not have the curtain closing on their dreams.
But, that is the nature of the game, and every week one or more talented stylists will be asked to pack their hairbrushes and scissors.
The competition kicked off with a Pre Style-Offs workshop led by the Sofn’free creative team, which consisted of hairstyling heavyweights in the industry – the likes of Isaac Letele and Xoli Ntshingila – giving the stylists some vital basics to keep in mind, such as how to properly drape a client with a towel, and to always be prepared for what a client wants.
The stylists left the workshop feeling knowledgeable and confident about tackling their first task – which was all about relaxing hair.
With Sofn’Free being one of the biggest, leading hair brands in Southern Africa, the pressure was on.
Stylists had to showcase their technical skills in relaxing different types of hair, as well as their styling creativity to create an overall look that would wow the judges.
Overall, most contestants did well and impressed the esteemed panel of judges, spearheaded by the incomparable Disce Mamabolo, and it was the Western Cape stylist Lucretia Philander who was chosen as having created the most unique, fresh and standout creation, earning her a win for week 1.
On to Challenge 2, which was to showcase their curling and blowout skills on mostly male models, a challenge some stylists found daunting. Ultimately it was Treavor Mokoaledi from the Free State who earned himself a win by creating the most impressive overall look.
The eliminated contestants are still in the running to claim the Viewers’ Choice award though, which will see the contestant with the most votes as decide by the public, walking away with a R30 000 grand prize. So keep voting for your favourite contestant, and they may just claim that prize!
Other prizes in this year’s competition include the Technical Excellence Award, which will be awarded to the stylist who will master the knowledge and functionality of the Sofn’Free product range, as well as a new award that has been introduced to the competition; the Young Xperts Award, which will be awarded to the student hairstylist who will outshine their peers.
Last Tuesday 18th April, the contestants took on Challenge 3, which was won by Pietermaritzburg’s Khe Zondi. The Challenge on Naturals the stylists were expected to show their skill in styling natural hair which included dreadlocks and Afro.
Who will be the next stylist to impress the tough panel of judges? Who will ultimately be asked to pack their bags? Stay tuned to eTV between 18:30 and 20:00 every Tuesday or on Sofn’Free’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK5qz_kLB-jjD6edgPUNgRQ for the Sofn’Free HairXperts Masters Challenge 2017.
The eighteen Sofn’Free HairXperts Masters Challenge contestants representing seven provinces are: Western Cape-Lucretia Philander, Khonaye Nkohla and Mpho Dineso); Eastern Cape – Vuyokazi Mangali and Arthur Tlhatsi;KwaZulu-Natal – Khe Zondi and Abner Hlatshwayo; Free State – Treavor Mokoaleli and Lydia Makhajane, Gauteng – Maggie Makhethi, Doctor Sithole and Tony Masangu; Mpumalanga – Cosmos Seema and Londiwe Mdluli; North West– Rachel Modibedi, Keorapetse Mabaso and Jeanette Slambert.
For media inquiries and interviews with contestants and judges please contact: Email: [email protected], 084 824 0848 Website: www.sofnfree.mobi
Facebook: @sofnfreehairxpertsmasterschallenge
Twitter: @moshito_music
Instagram: @sofnfree_hairxperts
ABOUT SOFN’FREE HAIRXPERTS (THE MASTERS CHALLENGE) 2016/17 COMPETITION:
The nationwide Sofn’free HairXperts Masters Challenge started in 2014. Set to discover extraordinary talent in the South African black hair industry, the Sofn’free HairXperts Masters Challenge is open to stylists from all walks of life. This is the third year that the competition has been running. Stylists entered the preliminary stages around the country. A national panel of experts judges comb through the finest hairstylists across the country, identifying just eighteen contestants to endure seven weeks of intense challenges in the Style-Off phase.