199: 11.4 Feeling pampered

It is a gross falsity to think that because we wear the headscarf, Muslim hijabis do not take pride in their hair. Because the truth couldn't be further than that statement. In high school dormitories and homes nationwide, there are millions of Muslim girls who are unravelling their headscarves after coming home from school or work to let out their well groomed hair. From hair of different colours and styles to those that are straightened or permed. Our lovely locks are ours, and we take great care in maintaining them.

Sadly because of the lack of many adequate hair facilities catering for Muslim women in the West, I normally save my sessions of expert hair care for my trips back to Malaysia. This time back I ventured into a women's only salon located in the outskirts of the city. There, customers walk in and can confidently shed of their hijabs for a couple of hours of hair sprucing whilst still adhering to our faith. This trip alone I have gone to the salon twice for multiple hair treatments. Every year, I would try something new and this year was no exception.

Similar to massages, there is something so relaxing when at the salon, a person is washing your hair for you. Having their fingers slowly massage one's scalp whilst detangling one's straggly locks under the soft pulsations of warm water, it is heavenly! And after the hair wash, there is the soothing blow dry. Where the hair stylists would warmly blow out the once neglected hair to reveal a bouncy spirit in one's threads that has not been visible for a long period of time.

Sometimes I wonder whether I go to spas and hair salons not for any particular reason except to pamper myself. And although alot of money has been spent doing just that, I feel that as it is a once-a-year affair, every cent is ultimately worth it.

So for now my hair has been reunited with its youthful inner soul albeit temporarily - until the annual trip to the hair salon.