Getty Images / Amaal Said
For many women, hair care is an integral part of their beauty routine.
Hijab-wearing Muslim women should not be excluded from this conversation.
Hijabis are often asked questions like:Do you not have hair?
Getty Images / Amaal Said
Do you wash or style your hair?
One of the most glaring examples of neglect is the lack of hijabi-friendly salons.
Like other women, hijabis desire to visit salons for regular hair maintenance.
However, this proves to be a struggle as hijabi-friendly salons are not quite the standard.
For Muslim women, Islam dictates that the use of hijab involves covering our awrah (i.e.
our entire body), excluding the face, hands, and arguably the feet, from non-mahrams.
Once I made this choice, I became cautious about exposing my hair and began seeking hijabi-friendly hair salons.
Many other hijabis face this struggle.
“One time, I explained to the stylist my wishes.
Although the area was closed off, people still came in to chat.
I don’t normally show my hair to women I’m unfamiliar with, so that was uncomfortable.
Additionally, her male assistant kept barging in.
I feel lucky I can do my hair, but I’m still looking for the right salon.”
Khairat Bashorun, a hijabi from Lagos, Nigeria, experienced a similar incident.
“I have a friend who went to get highlights,” Abdullah shares.
“She didn’t explain fully to the salon about privacy issues.
So, she sat there red as a beet while men came in and out.”
“I’ve hidden behind the stylist,” Abdullah says.
“I’ve tried lifting the cape to cover my hair, but that didn’t work.
These are anxious situations.”
BeautyZana founder Deborah Scalone, who became Muslim 24 years ago, shares a similar sentiment.
“Nowadays, I style and cut my hair with a private Muslim woman hairstylist.
It is more comfortable and relaxing in this environment.”
However, measures like these shouldn’t be the norm.
And thankfully, some salon professionals are taking steps to make the industry more inclusive.
“Upon opening, the demand was made clear to me mainly because of the inquiries we would get.
Several hijabi-friendly experiences salons have also opened up in the States.
InYasmeen Dahdoul’sCalifornia salon, providing privacy and comfort is a top priority.
She services one client at a time, making this an excellent option for hijabis.
“Hijabi-friendly hair salons should become the norm,” Khairat says.
