Belle and Beau, one of a kind salon for your child in Nairobi

In a hair salon located in the upmarket residence of Lavington, a child bobs her head in time with the beats of a preschool song she is watching on a tablet.

The video’s amusement has completely distracted her from what a hairdresser is doing to her hair. Meanwhile just next to her is an 18-month-old who is getting a funky hairdo with not so much as a squirm.

This is a sight to marvel as children are known to resist and get agitated during grooming sessions.
Belle and Beau Salon has unlocked the secret of managing these little young ones. The kids-only salon was established in 2020 to provide specialised hair services to children.

The interior of the salon has been designed with the child in mind; from car-themed seats to rainbow-colored walls and a well-supplied playing area giving the impression of a playpark.

“This salon was opened because there is still a gap in children’s hair specialists. With children, you have to be patient and learn what works for them and what does not,” Stacey Swakala, an executive at Belle and Beau, says.

She says providing tablets, colouring activities, toys and other child friendly entertainment serves as an essential distraction that allows hairstylists to accomplish their work and the children to have an enjoyable and positive hair experience.

Friendly staff

Stacey adds that one of their unique selling points is their dedicated and committed staff. “Our staff know how to handle children. They do not tire when the child keeps wandering out of their seat,” she shares.
“Instead, they allow them time to catch a breath before wooing them back,” she explains.

She adds that the salon policies around hygiene and cleanliness follow international standards – all staff are Barbacide certified – meaning they are aware of the best standards around salon hygiene, sterilisation and cleanliness.

Linda Oudia, an entrepreneur and a mom of two used to do her eldest’s hair at home. It was convenient and easy. But soon her daughter outgrew the monotony of her home. Her mother began scouting for a salon.

“My eldest daughter had a bad experience in one adult salon. The heat used on her was too much,” she shares.

She discovered Belle and Beau online and once she brought her two daughters they were immediately sold. “My eldest daughter loves playing with the tablet while the youngest loves hanging out with her sister,” she says with a grin.

Since the unpleasant experience, Linda vowed never to use heat on her children opting for hair products with an abundance of moisture and softening properties.

Margaret Mbugua says gone are the days when children would go to salons and bring the roof down by crying.” The staff handling the children need to know the temperament of the child so that they can win them over,” Margaret says.

“My daughter loves box braids. When we do them, they stay for 2-3 weeks before we undo them,” the medical doctor said.

Margaret says it is commendable when niche businesses stick to priority areas as that gives clients confidence and trust in their services.

Hair products and hair typing

Stacey affirms that the salon’s selection of hair and nail products is child friendly. “At the heart of our salon is the celebration of children’s natural beauty and natural hair textures. As a result, we encourage children to embrace the beauty of their natural hair and so we only utilise and provide the very best natural hair and natural nail products which have been specifically produced for children,” she explains.

She adds; “We do not provide any chemical service at our salon. We maintain this strict policy in order to guarantee a clean and healthy, chemical free environment for children. However, this is not to say that we don’t deal with previously relaxed or coloured hair – we very much do, not only do we regularly style and braid relaxed hair, we also provide parents with information on how to maintain the hair or how to transition – we very much meet the parents and children wherever they are on their hair journey – which is different for everyone.”

At Belle and Beau, parents are advised on suitable hair products for their children’s hair.

“Many parents struggle with what products to use or purchase for their child, so we often advise them on this, we also advise those parents who like to make their own products themselves at home!! For us, it starts with understanding your child’s hair type. Once you know this, you will be better able to identify the right or most suited products to use,” she says.

Generally, hair typing classification ranges from straight hair types to curly hair types and the different hair types are: type 2 (wavy), type 3 (curly) and type 4 (coily). The subclassifications from a-c are based on the width of your wave, curl or coil pattern. Belle and Beau staff are able to assess your child’s hair type and recommend the products that they feel would be best suited.

My first haircut

The salon really aims to create memories and enjoyable experiences for children and their families.

“One service of ours that I think really brings this out is our ‘my first haircut’ service. Getting your child’s hair cut for the first time is such a special moment for any family – so we treat it that way. Under this service, we create a special certificate for a child that includes: a picture and the locks of hair. It's really very fulfilling to see both the families and the child experience this service!!,” Stacey explains.

Nail services

Belle and Beau also offer nail services which are available to both girls and boys.
“We offer the sprinkle fingers manicure experience and the twinkle toes pedicure and children love it! Because our salon is for children only, we don’t offer mummy and me or daddy and me experiences at the salon – but we do offer it through our at-home service. Under this service we come to your home, set up a spa-like atmosphere and pamper parent and child together at home,” Stacey discloses.

Birthday pamper parties

“Our birthday party pamper parties have been so exciting and wonderful to participate in. We really tailor this to what the parents and children want.

For example, some parents request us to plug into the bigger birthday party where we have a pop-up stand and provide nail and hair services, some centre the birthday around our service and of course, some come to the salon for an hour and a half to enjoy our salon birthday pamper experience at the salon,” she says.

Pricing

Pricing of the different hair services at Belle and Beau salon is based on two things: the hair type of the child and the product that will be used where applicable, and the prices are transparent and clearly indicated on the price menu.

Prices generally range from Ksh1500 to Ksh2400 for a wash (which includes undo, wash and blow dry), while a wash and treatment will cost you between Ksh2000 and Ksh3000 (which includes undo, wash and blow dry. Hair styling (which includes braiding or dreadlocks) ranges from Ksh2320. The highest-priced hairstyle is Ksh4500 for dreadlocks.

Barbering services include boys’ hair cut which range from Ksh1000 and Ksh1500 and girls’ hair cut which range from Ksh2000 and Ksh2500.

Nail services will cost parents between Ksh1200 and Ksh1900 depending on the product range selected.
Stacey’s parting hair tip – don’t keep your child’s braids in for too long

While you may want your child’s hair to stay a little longer, getting a tight braid to achieve this will set you on the path to a receding hairline.

“It is not advisable that you pull the baby hairs when plaiting. Long ago, people thought that you must pull everything, but if you do this, your child’s hairline will suffer in the long run,” Stacey says.
She also advises parents to ensure they wash and moisturize their children’s hair at home.

Washing a child’s hair is one of the practical ways parents can familiarize children with people touching their hair and to encourage them to be part of their own hair regime.