Don't Let Hair be a Scare: Hair Maintenance in the UAE"

"A hair divides what is false and true"

*Omar Khayyam

                                                             "They don't understand

                                                               What it means to me
                                                               Where we chose to go
                                                               Where we've been to know
                                                 {I will repeat it for the people in the back}
                                                               They don't understand
                                                               What it means to me
                                                               Where we chose to go
                                                               Where we've been to know"
                                                                       * Solange Knowles

So the initial excitement wore off as I prepared to partake in a journey unknown to me.  There was so much to do and so little time to do it. So many things to figure out; but I think the one thing on my mind, especially as a BLACK woman, was "WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT MY HAIR?!?!?"

I never realized the conveniences of maintaining my natural hair UNTIL I came to the middle east.  Those days of going down the street to the neighborHOOD beauty supply store to get braiding hair packs or hair bundles, weaving glue and hair grease, plastic shower caps and hot oil treatments, or even oil sheen and edge control seemed officially over once I removed my faux afro puff  (attached to my head with a hair comb and bobby pins) that  I came here with.

You see, with me starting my job in January, my main focus was just getting my golden ticket, flying over that water, and getting over here to start work.  I figured I could worry about my hair once I get there; no worries.  But that was an easy assumption made with wishful thinking and blind eyes.

I had decided the weekend I got there that I wanted to wash and condition my hair; a simple task

right? Wrong. Lol. I went to the Co-op (a store that is like Kroger which sells food and everyday living necessities)  up the street from our accommodations and while grocery shopping, decided to pick up some shampoo and conditioner.  Finding something to use alone was overwhelming. Nothing seemed to appeal to me or these kinks that needed to be treated with love and care. However, a decision was finally made with this hair care product here called "Vatika".  I purchased the shampoo and conditioner of course, but I also jumped for joy when I seen a product that had coconut hair oil in it.  I thought "This has coconut oil in it. that is the cure for any and every hair care need. It must work!" I also purchased what seemed to be a leave in moisturizer cream.  I felt confident walking out of that store that I could return to my flat and do something to my hair.

The process begins and I soon find out that these particular products are not really natural hair friendly; at least for me.  I was able to clean my hair for the time being, but I wasn't satisfied, especially with this heat and humidity! My official first week was starting soon and I wanted to look and feel my best; my hair just wasn't cooperating with me and because of it, I made a really rash decision that at then end of it all, I wish I could take back. 

I asked around via Facebook and searched googled (google becomes your best friend overseas when word of mouth just won't do) for different areas here in Sharjah and Dubai and ended up finding a hair salon that had a hair stylist who could work on the regular schemegular black girl magic's natural head. It was after my initial research that I decided to get a perm. EEEEEKKKK! YES! A PERM! I wanted my hair cut and felt the only way for my hair texture to rock a cute cut style would be to perm it; this way it would be lighter on  my head and easier to comb, I wouldn't have to worry about the humidity, and it would be easier to just get up and go.  I had it all figured out when I made the decision to cut and perm my hair.  Boy was I end for a rude awakening.

So one of the rules of hair maintenance is getting to where your hair stylist is located.  I've really (for the most part) only had two professional stylist in all the years of getting my hair done work on my hair, so traveling any time they moved to a new shop was no issue because these tresses are loyal, appreciative, and picky ones; plus I had a car, so I was mobile. However, it became quite different living abroad and with no car though.  The salon I picked (which has also been used by others I connected with on Facebook) just so happened to be really far away from where I lived in Sharjah. It was located in what seemed to be the outskirts of Dubai from what I could see from my taxi ride; so much sand and many open roads free from traffic. I was thinking on the ride there that with costs, from Sharjah to Silicon Oasis in Dubai would be a an expensive trip to make every 2 weeks by cab.  Nevertheless, I pursued this hair conquest.

I arrived to Brown Sugar Hair Salon.  The decorating was beautiful and the demeanor of the staff was very professional and welcoming.

My hair stylist was a Jamaican native.  She was friendly and very knowledgeable about the products she was using on my hair.  She cut most of my hair before applying the perm. I went with a Mizani relaxer; she was able to work it through without it burning my scalp at all. once washed and conditioned, instead of molding it down and me sitting under the hair dryer like I was use to in the states, she blew dry it straight, trimmed so more hair off, and began the actual curling process.

 My Hair turned out cute, but I had to get use to it.  I had been natural for 2+ years and hadn't had my hair like this in a long time. Yet, I felt better and was officially ready to start my work week with this new do.  They say when a woman cuts her hair, watch out!

Almost a month had past and I was realizing that trying to maintain this cut before my next hair appointment was becoming a hurdle of hassle.  Going running with this short hair was difficult due to sweating and preparations for work, I still hadn't found any hair care products that I liked, and I had to fork out money for a flat iron because the rollers I was using to set my hair instead of applying heat to it everyday were SUPER cheap. I'm livid at this point, ready to throw something at the mirror as I tried to keep the plastic rollers from snapping every time I went for a piece of my wet tresses.  Once again, the convenience of  going to your neighborHOOD beauty supply store or even Family Dollar for that matter was a distant memory, so I had to make do with what I could find. 

My issue about the flat iron was the plug; 1) I realized that without a converter, I wouldn't be able to take the one that I bought here home and 2) There are no outlets in my bathroom (which is where I am use to do my hair because the lightening is better), so I had to maneuver around my bedroom to find a place comfortable enough for the short cord.

I was OFFICIALLY over this short hair as I walked around for a week with different hair wraps trying to figure out what my next move would be.  Stylish and cute on the outside, but my hair was fussing at as I tried to fight the defeat of it all.

I remember going on my weekly one mile hike to the Carrefour Market and running into an African cashier whose braids were in beautiful black cornrows with a hint of purple.  I complimented her on her hair and asked her "who did your hair?"  We sparked up a conversation about my hair woes; I  explained to her how I didn't even know that braids were a possibility for me here, especially in Sharjah and how hard it was finding someone to do my hair.  I also showed her how short my hair was in the back an expressed my concerns about them being able to grip it.  She told me in her thick accent that her hair was short like mines and they were able to catch even the roots.  We laughed and  I immediately asked her to connect me with whomever braided her hair; we exchanged Whats App information and she texted me later with the information.

This was now ANOTHER cab ride outside of Sharjah to an area called Deira near Dubai and this time, traffic from the inner city was added to the mix.  However,  I wouldn't mind the trip this go around because it wouldn't be as often as needing to go get my hair washed and styled at brown Sugar.

Now, be for warned that just because this is Dubai, does not mean that the braiding shops are super expensive looking and glamours as say Brown Sugar Hair Salon.  It's the absolute opposite of the glitz and glam of Dubai; this area of town is very diverse and rich in culture and also very busy with both car and foot traffic. This place is just like any other typical braiding shop on the "urban" side of town in America; add African gospel music, a Nigerian that speaks French, biscuits (which are crackers here) and water as a snack, call in and delivery food orders from the local African restaurant allllllll located inside a small suite in a tower located smack in the middle of what resembles a street swap meet like area, and you have the braiding shop that I have grown accustomed to going to about every 2 months (with a touch up in between).

I was satisfied with my results.  So much so that I've gotten my hair done by them three times now; and referenced a colleague here who has gotten her hair braided by them as well..  I also had a henna tattoo done on my hands for the first time ever at their suite.  I love going to this shop because they are super friendly, funny, and have a desire to worship God through dance and song at any given moment all while accepting me, my country southern quick like dialog, and my knowledge and experiences of being American. 

 One thing I want to leave you with.....

Whether it's abroad to live or traveling in general, always bring with you the hair care products you simply can't do with out; be prepared be it natural, relaxed, braided, weaved, or pressed with those products that keep your hair looking fly.  Abroad living and/or traveling is not the time to go hunting for products to help with maintenance on your hair; you will end up frustrated and disappointed.  Save yourself the trouble and pack for the hair prep.