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Abel Dzobo Lifestyle Writer
THE world plays host to famous couples plying the same trade, and doing so with great success. Victoria, a singer-cum-model, inspired her footballer husband David Beckham to become a model. From hairstyles to underwear and even interior car décor, the couple continues to scale dizzy heights. They are the “queen” and “king” of fashion. In music it would be naïve not to talk of the power couple “BeyJ” – Beyonce Knowles and Jay Z. The couple has won Grammy Awards together while their tour, “Drunk in Love”, was the most talked about in the industry.

South African actress Connie Ferguson of “Generations” fame changed the face of television in the late 90s and still continues to shine. It is believed that she met her husband, Aaron Shona Ferguson, on the soapie. Both actors have reached milestones and raked in thousands in endorsement deals across Africa.

Back home pastors Olivia and Charles Charamba have churned out hit after hit, effectively spreading the gospel through music as a couple.

Then there is this hairdressing “power” couple. Freddie and Moreblessing Musekiwa, who are the latest fad to enter the scene as the owners and operators of Scandals Hair Salon, where there are literally no scandals!

Located at the upmarket Travel Plaza Mall in the Avenues area, Scandals Hair Salon is a place for the society’s well-heeled, and besides the top-of-the range services offered, the attraction is also on the unique couple that runs it, and also works in it.

Moreblessing says she met her husband, who was already in the hairdressing industry, in 2008 when she was on attachment after completing her cosmetology diploma at the Harare Polytechnic.

“I met my husband in 2008 at Kris International Hair Salon where I was doing my attachment and he was already working there. We became the best of friends, and later on started dating. We started Scandals Hair Salon in 2009 and initially there were only two of us. We were still boyfriend and girlfriend then, and we got married in December that year,” Moreblessing said.

She says her husband Freddie really inspired her.

“Freddie is a hairdressing guru and I have learnt a lot from him,” she says.

Scandals Hair Salon caters for both male and female hair maintenance as well as manicures and pedicures.

“For short hairstyles it’s cut and tong, and we sometimes use colouring. Different shades are used, including blonde, reds and coppers, among others. For ladies, reds are the most popular with shorts, followed by part blonde, though some daring ones can use blonde on the whole head. For short hairstyles there are some commonly known as ‘Rihanna’ and they are the rage in town,” More- blessing said.

Short hair is also easy to maintain.

“Short hair needs tonging once or twice in two weeks. You first shampoo, put conditioner and then mousse. You can tie your head and in the morning and you are good to go, or you can use serum,” she said.

Moreblessing, who is also proficient with haircuts, says that schoolboys during school holidays prefer mohawks with blonde colouring.

Freddie says that men have also embraced colouring and S-curls.

“Men prefer mainly English and French cuts, and also colouring, especially black colouring,” he said.

“For ladies with own long hair we do highlights, where we use foil paper for a great finish,” Moreblessing says.

And while the salon offers many hairstyles, Freddie is of the belief that one’s natural hair is the best.

“What we advise our clients at Scandals is for them to love their hair. Women are losing their hair because they are more preoccupied with artificial products. Some now even sleep wearing wigs because their hairline is receding. One’s own hair boosts confidence,” he said.

Moreblessing, who wears her short natural hair, concurs, adding that fake hair is very expensive.

“Women should keep their natural hair, it is great to look natural. And fake hair is expensive, for example, Peruvian 18-inch for one hair-do costs US$400, and bonding becomes an extra cost. Brazilian is also expensive, so why go to all these expenses?” she said.

But a hair salon, according to Freddie, is not only about hair.

“A hair salon is a place that is therapeutic, and you end up being a counsellor. As a man in a salon the ambience is right; it is easy for women to open up to a man than another woman. I put myself into my fellow menfolk’s shoes, and think, ‘If it were me, what would I do?’” he said.

But also interesting is how the hairdressing couple deals with strains that come with working together.

On jealousy: “Yes, here and there, I feel some pangs. But communication is key, and after work we then talk about it,” Moreblessing said.

Freddie says: “People get jealousy because their relationship is not grounded. Men should stop owning their wives, but rather, treat them as equal partners in marriage,” he says.

On being together all day at work, Moreblessing says it’s an advantage.

“A man who works with his wife beside him is pumped up and works so hard. While others are in long distance relationships or work different shifts, we are always together, inspiring each other and we have more time to plan our lives,” she said.

“At work I take my husband as a business partner. And at home I am his wife, I cook for him, do his laundry and even make him sandwiches in the morning,” she said.

The couple is blessed with two daughters – Freida (4) and Zara (2).

Freddie styles his wife’s hair, and his wife takes care of his when it needs colouring.

And Moreblessing’s parting advice to men is: “Make sure the clippers are sterilised or you could develop scalp pimples,” she says.