Breaking Beauty Barriers: London Salon Embraces Diversity with Hijab-Friendly Services

Hairstyling and beauty care is a significant part of many women’s lives. However, for some Muslim women, it can be difficult to find a salon that respects their religious beliefs and allows them the privacy they need when getting their hair done. Fortunately, more and more salons are offering hijab-friendly private styling areas. Groove Hair Lounge, owned by Tracy McCullough, is one of them.

Tracy’s motivation for creating a hijab-friendly private styling area stemmed from client demand. With an increasing number of Muslim women in search of a salon with a private room, she was inspired to do something to fill this void in the community. She converted an area at the back of the salon by putting up a half wall with a curtain that can be closed and installing a station with a chair. She also purchased a large screen on wheels to put between the sinks so they are able to provide a completely private shampoo experience for clients as well.

To announce the private room addition, she rented a roadside sign and wrote one side in English and one side in Arabic, to make the sign accessible for new Canadians as well. Word began to spread quickly among the Middle Eastern community and people started sending in their sisters and friends and bringing their mothers and daughters. The feedback was great, the referrals kept coming, and now their private room services make up about 25% of the services provided at the hair lounge. 

Tracy stated "It has been as wonderful for us as it has been for our clients. We have had the honour of making new friendships with a clientele we had never had experience with servicing previously. Many clients are new Canadians with fascinating stories to share about their journey to Canada. We treasure the relationships we have built with these women, and we truly enjoy their visits. It's been a huge win all around.”

Through her journey servicing this community, she has learned that “a good hair day is a good hair day, in any culture and any language.” It is wonderful to see more and more hairdressers providing services that respect the privacy and religious beliefs of Muslim women and creating more inclusive spaces for everyone.