Meet Yasmeen Dahdoul | Curly Hair & Hijab Hair Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yasmeen Dahdoul and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yasmeen, how does your business help the community?
In a world where we as women are constantly being told we’re not enough or we’re too much, I’ve created a safe space for women whether they wear the hijab or not.

As a Palestinian hairstylist with thick curly hair myself, while specializing in curly hair and knowing the ins and outs of the diaspora and muslim communities it makes the experience for my clients more personal. I understand the impact that wearing a hijab has on hair and scalp health. My goal is to give my clients the education and tools to love their hair.

Before I opened my studio, most women I met had never had a positive hair salon experience. Whether it was because they were unable to find a stylist willing to give them the privacy during a hair service or just not understanding what their hair type needs, these women felt they could exhale coming into my studio knowing that I know their hair type and the culture.

I got into hair at 14 years old when my mama was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. During this time I had dropped out of high school to care for my mama. Seeing my mama still prioritizing her self care when she was sick with an IV of medication attached to her was inspiring.

One of my first memories of hair was watching my mama’s friend Hanan blow dry and style her hair regardless if anyone was going to see my mama that day. Instantly seeing my mama glow with excitement after a fresh blow out. I knew from then I wanted to create that excitement of great hair and be a safe space for women.

What should our readers know about your business?
Nothing is easy in life especially building a brand in a digital age and all while cultivating personal relationships with clients. Whether they are in my chair every 6 weeks or once a year.

I am a Palestinian hijabi woman and curly hair specialist. I didn’t even realize that there was such a huge gap for modest women hair care until I moved back to the states from living in the West Bank in 2015.

I landed on a Tuesday and by that following Friday I opened my studio with no clients. Looking back that was insane but my motto in life is “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Thank God for word of mouth because that’s how I have been blessed with some of the best and most interesting people to sit in my chair through the years.

Have I made mistakes? ABSOLUTELY but I didn’t let those mistakes take away from my goals. It’s all about learning and moving on.

Especially in an industry of constant trends are changing. I have had to not only bring their hair inspiration to reality but also learn when to tell a client no and a trend is not for them. I am still surprised by how many hijabis I talk out of bangs.

On average a person is sitting in my chair for an hour and half. Thats a lot of time to get to know someone and their needs. Sometimes it is my client requesting to have a quiet appointment because they need to recharge. Though most of the time it is lots of stories, advice, and laughter come from those long sessions with clients.

I wouldn’t have the business I have today without the trust and love of my clientele. I’ve been blessed to work throughout the Middle East, multiple New York Fashion Weeks with Ted Gibson and team. LA Fashion Weeks with Redken.

All of these experiences have built my brand to be the gold standard for self care for modest women.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First item on the agenda would have to be Qamaria Coffee in Fullerton. They’re a Yemeni coffee shop that makes the most amazing Aden tea and honeycomb bread. It’s full of life and people gathering just to spend time without any phones, and it’s so rare to see in public spaces.

Next, we’d stop at Sababa Falafel in Anaheim to get their incredible falafel sandwiches. It’s as close to tasting and feeling like you’re eating in Ramallah without being in Ramallah.

Then we’d go to Crystal Cove Park to get away from the world. I love it a lot, it’s my favorite place to escape from the noise. I also love experiencing life through my children’s eyes. I’ve gone to this beach thousands of times in my life, but going with them and seeing how they play in their surroundings just makes everything an adventure.

If it’s a Friday night, I’d take you to the Santa Fe Springs Swapmeet. to take you down my memory lane, I grew up working different swapmeets with my family on the weekends, most swapmeets are gone now but Santa Fe Springs is still there.

The live bands and seeing that hustle is what I grew up around. I love going shopping to see what vendors are selling that night.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my success to my parents, my faith, my husband and kids. They are incredibly important parts of my success in their own ways.

My daddy taught me how to approach business and my mama taught me how to approach life. I would call her my north star. When I was 18 years old, everyone tried to talk me out of being a hairstylist. In true Palestinian parents tough love and supportive way, they told everyone if I wanted to be a hairstylist then that’s is what I was going to become.

My entire life my parents have been my number one supporters. Until the day my mama passed, she supported me. My mama was my best friend, my cheerleader, my everything. I miss her more than words can describe. Without her unwavering love for me, I wouldn’t have the career or life I have now.

My husband Rodrigo is always the first one I am trying new products or techniques on. He isn’t in my industry at all but he is as supportive and kind as they come.

There have been days when I was extremely pregnant and unable to bend over, but I still got up everyday and did hair. My kids are my inspiration to keep going and be the supportive mama to them as my mama was to me. I make the joke that my kids are soothed by the sound of a blowdryer from when they were in the womb.

Website: https://yasmeendahdoul.glossgenius.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasmeendahdoul/?hl=en

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yasmeen-dahdoul-studio-brea