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Ferial Scissorhands:
The Beauty Guru on Norouz Hair & Soul Makeovers
Ten years ago around the spring of 1999 I changed my profession from architect to hairstylist. I never thought in my wildest dreams that this is what I would end up doing.
As long as I can remember, in Iran, my mother was getting her hair done once a week by an Armenian guy (they were known to be the best stylists.). Once in a while, she would take me with her, and it was during my haircut with Mr. Rafik (God bless his soul) that he detected there was something wrong with my neck and posture while giving me a haircut.
Because of Agha Rafik’s suggestion to see a doctor, we were able to detect scoliosis at its early stage. Many years of physical therapy later, I owe a great deal of my good health today to my mom's hairdresser.
Mr. Rafik, my mother’s beauty guru, made me realize that a hairdresser’s role is not limited to friend, advisor, and confidante. We can have a great impact on the lives of those who come in to see us with our simple presence.
Today I am proud to be a hairdresser—and a damn good one, even if I am not Henry, Zareh or even Armenian, for that matter. But I’d like to impact all of you this Norouz by putting a smile on your faces. Living and working in Irvine, I have collected a good crowd of precious Iranian clients and that is why I feel qualified to lovingly share my knowledge and experience about the Persian Client.
How to Know if You Are Truly Persian:
1) You always arrive late for your appointments.
2) Instead of being sorry for being late, you need to get out on time too.
3) You’d like to be blonde but yellow and orange are hateful colors you’d rather have in your salad, not your hair.
4) You don't care much to share the name of your hairdresser and when given compliments on your hairstyle you simply say “merci !”
5) You barter for a discount and still forget that Tipping is not a city in China!
6) Long hair is always in as far as you are concerned.
7) You’d rather pay $21 on a t-shirt at Forever 21 than buy a good shampoo and conditioner.
8) You don't buy Christmas presents for your hairdresser nor do you tip for Norouz.
9) You hate to look like other Persians but if you look at a group photo, you look like all your other friends.
10) In Iran, you have to cover your hair in public, but in the U.S, thankfully, your hair is your biggest asset.
Ferial's Predictions for Norouz 2009
The New Year is a great time to out try new hair ideas. All through 2008, women's haircuts did one thing: they kept getting shorter. There was the bob trend, the pixie-crop hairdo, and others of the same type.
In 2009, what was a fashion-forward, shorter hairstyle last year is no longer unique. Jaanam, be daring. Instead of keeping the same old bob and blending in the crowd, stand out! Cut your hair even shorter, add a new twist to the old style, or let it grow long.
Options for Revamping the Locks
-Give new life to your bob with a new, more textured look and a shorter fringe.
-For long hair, there’s the Bohemian all-natural part in the middle, the classic straight and sleek, or the mermaid 1940's waves with a side part.
-As far as color: I predict 2009 will be all about the Peroxide Blonde again (see left, #3, “How to Know if You Are Truly Persian”).
No matter what you decide to do, move forward and try something new. I’d be happy to see your faces at my shop for a free consultation and a complimentary hair treatment.
On Inner-beauty
With the arrival of Norouz and the spring cleaning that inevitably comes with it, let’s cleanse our souls by being better and kinder to others and, more importantly, to ourselves. Real beauty does come from within, and all of us deserve pampering without guilt.
Wishing everyone a New Year and a life full of color, Ferial.
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