Traveling is a break from routines but never a break from beauty. Hair care is always on my mind while I travel, and as a curly girl, I give my afro a vacation too with protective styles. On my journey through Thailand, I came across Lumiere Braidscape. This Afrocentric salon is located in the middle of Bangkok. It was created and founded by Doline Lumière, a Cameroonian entrepreneur who transformed the beauty of survival into the fruits of her gorgeous labor through her salon. Starting out in her apartment twelve years ago, she now has a cozy spot at Braidscape. With afro-beats and good vibes, I opted for beautiful French Curls this time around for my protective style.
What are French Curls?
French Curls, also known as “Nollywood Curls” in Nigeria, are regular knotless braids, but instead of a straight end, they have a silky curl at the end. They’re lightweight to wear and look pretty whether styled in a ponytail or cascading down your back. It can take about 3 to 8 hours to install, depending on the stylist. Maintenance can be as simple as spraying water on the ends and brushing them out. I’ve tried foam rods with some mousse to refresh my curls every couple of days while I slept. French Curls are perfect for warm weather or the holiday season with a few bows tied in the hair.
Lumiere Braidscape: The Atmosphere
Upon arrival at the salon, the energy was easy, colorful, and beautiful. Doline welcomed me with open arms and a warm smile. Her lineage from Cameroon shines through the tangerine walls, African print pillows, and emerald plants nesting on shelves. On the counters are the Lumiere Braid Care products: a protective line for braided styles. “I’ll be launching Lumiere Naturals, a 100% organic line for curly, coily, and wavy textures at the end of November,” Doline informs me before working on my hair. So far, the products are only sold in Thailand, but I hope to try them out sometime in the States!
Hair Time
Once in Doline’s chair, the magic began. She blow-dried my hair and swiftly worked on parting my mane. I have a lot of hair, and usually, it can take six to eight hours for a natural style. Not with Doline; I was done in three. Her co-braider and she got to separating the French Curl hairs onto a holder and started braiding.
The Process
Doline dabbed gel onto my strands before braiding them up in a few seconds flat. The parts were straight, neat, and sharp. During the braiding, I typed away on my laptop for school and researched my next moves in Thailand. Getting some work done while in the chair is priceless to me. They worked on my head, two at a time, and I did not feel overwhelmed or in pain. A huge plus as a curly girl because pain during braids can ruin the whole experience.
Final Results
After three hours, my new style was complete! I felt like a princess with bouncy curls and neat braids. Doline advised me to add some mousse to the ends and wrap up my hair with a silk scarf at night. We snapped some pics of my new do, and I hopped in the cab to my next adventure.
Afterthoughts
Lumiere Braidscape is a safe haven for all curls and coils to be pampered with love, respect, and dignity. I’ve been rocking my hair on the beach, on hikes, and at dinner with my boyfriend. If you find yourself in Bangkok and need a new look, Lumiere Braidscape has your back (and roots!).
Find them at @lumierebraidscape on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok and 39 Sukhumvit 97 Alley, Bang Chak, Phra Khanong, Bangkok 10260.
Check out my other protective style reviews from Knotless Braids to a Boho Knotless Bob!
