How AVEDA Went Out of Its Way to Accommodate My Hijab Privacy Needs, Thank You!

by Mariana Aguilera, @demureista

Hola chicas! This past New York Fashion Week in September was quite busy for me from attending fashion shows to a first--a little hair treat from AVEDA to help get ready for the shows. You are probably saying, "...but, you cover your hair??" Yes, I do chica! But, that doesn't mean I don't like to look my best when I don't cover my hair. Plus, like my favorite fashion lady Iris Apfel said one day, "It's not really about the party, but the process of getting ready for it". Exactly!  Bueno, getting back to our story, AVEDA decided to choose The Demureist along with other wonderful fashion bloggers to go behind the scenes during New York Fashion Week and see the magic happen before the shows--well, I should say the talent and hard work that happens. Yes, models naturally have gorgeous healthy looking skin and they dress the part! So how did I ended up in an AVEDA salon getting a complimentary hair treatment?

First of all, as a woman that lived most of her life not covering her hair for obvious reasons, getting the best hair treatments and haircuts in town to covering your hair to go a pair of years without a haircut because 1. Not finding a salon that can accomodate your hair privacy needs 2. Lack of quality hairstylists. Luckily for me before moving to New York, my cousin, who is an amazing and professional hairstylist would cut my hair at her salon and I didn't mind driving an hour to her. But, after moving away, my hair deteriorated so much for the reasons above. So, to have a top-level hair brand want to treat you, oh!, it's like hot sauce to my tacos! 

It all started after selecting the shows I wanted to go backstage to from a list AVEDA was doing hair and makeup for--more of that to come soon. The AVEDA public relations person then nicely offered a complimentary visit at Spoke & Weal hair salon. I already know from experience that salons in New York like those of AVEDA are not equipped to handle clients that 1. require a separate room for haircut 2. women-only and that is perfectly fine taking into account the majority of people. So, why even dream? I went ahead and declined. Womp, womp! She emailed me back encouraging me happily again. To this I went ahead and said, I will look into the salon. First, I wasn't sure if it would be an AVEDA salon, so I went and did a bit of research on the salon. I did this because this is my third year in a cleaner lifestyle and I am trying to avoid the best I can toxic chemicals in my shampoo. When, I found out it was AVEDA products and their cause, of course I was sold. By the way, I have been using them since my college years. So, I wrote back sure, let's do it! Now, to let her know my list of privacy requisites for my covered hair. I have to confess, I felt a bit nervous and said to myself, they most likely won't do it--that's ok! It took a pair of more emails for them to send me the game plan for my salon treat visit. I was like, for real?? It was super exciting! I can tell you that I was treated with a high level of respect throughout the entire process from the public relations to the hairstylist. AVEDA set aside one exclusive hour before opening at their salon just for me and after assigning a male hairstylist(my fault, completely forgot to run this one by them, couple more emails) changed it to a woman. Of course, I snapchatted(thedemureist) the experience and share with my close friends and family the fab job on my uncovered hair. They loved it!

This felt so liberating and empowering because the struggle is real to get a decent haircut and treatment. They really didn't have to do anything and could have said so, but they didn't and for them going out of their way to accommodate my hijab privacy needs is one more reason to love them aside their conscious hair and skin products. Not only that, but it's so tiring at times to always have to be on guard with people because you don't know who will attack our persona's culture and/or religion. So to get that welcoming feeling and having not to worry what people's reaction is going to be because you ask for a service in a particular way is somehow relieving! Although, this was only an exception and a wonderful one, I think it would be wonderful to see brands at this height of quality stylists and products somehow cater to communities of ladies that cover their hair. Thank you AVEDA! 

Written by Mariana Aguilera
Editor/Founder of The Demureist