October 31st 2024.
On her days off, Kristie Rahal has a unique way of spending her time. She straps on her leather shear holder, filled with clippers and combs, and makes her way to Beirut's beautiful waterfront, known as Corniche. However, her intentions are not for leisurely activities, but rather to bring a sense of happiness and normalcy to the dozens of displaced Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian families who have sought refuge there.
Unfortunately, their displacement was a result of Israel's bombing of Lebanon's capital and subsequent ground invasion as part of their war on Hezbollah. The devastation caused by these attacks has left many families without homes and struggling to find a sense of stability. But Kristie believes that even in the midst of such chaos, it takes very little to make someone happy.
As she expertly shaves a thin line in the eyebrow of a young boy, Kristie reflects on the past seven months and how she left her job as a dental technician to pursue her dream as a barber. She now operates a salon at Barbell House, a powerlifting gym in the neighborhood of Gemmayze. When the war escalated and the attacks on Beirut intensified, Kristie knew she had to do something to help those in need. So she began visiting shelters, schools, and Corniche, bringing her skills and equipment with her.
She has seen firsthand the positive impact of her work on the displaced people. "I can see that people feel amazing afterwards, their whole face changes," she says. "Children are smiling and I can see that they are happy." In a country where taking pride in one's appearance is a common practice, Kristie recognizes the importance of her role as a barber. She explains, "Us Lebanese like to look after our looks so much, so before the war everyone had a beauty routine they followed. People would go to their barber a few times every month, get a cut and a shave, and get their face and head oiled."
But after the war started, everything changed. Kristie notes that not only have many people been displaced, but many barber salons have been destroyed by bombs and some barbers have even been killed. As she continues to provide haircuts to those in need, she is met with gratitude and appreciation. "After I cut their hair, many thank me and tell me that they finally feel beautiful."
Kristie has been documenting her work on Instagram, sharing videos of her haircuts and the reactions of her clients. One particular post shows her shaving slits in the eyebrows of a group of young boys, who are clearly thrilled with their new, trendy look. Despite losing count of the number of people she has helped in the past month, Kristie emphasizes that her goal is not to give haircuts to as many people as possible, but rather to make them feel cared for and to bring smiles to their faces.
In the first few weeks of her travels to Corniche, Kristie would often receive curious stares from passers-by. Being a female barber in a Middle Eastern country is not a common sight, but she is determined to break the stigma attached to it. She sets up her chair and kit, and as people start to approach her, she is met with questions about her services and whether she cuts children's hair. But as soon as she begins cutting someone's hair, more and more people stop to watch and eventually line up for their turn. As Kristie puts it, "People get used to it."
The situation in Lebanon is dire, with over 2,600 people killed and more than 1.2 million displaced. Many of these displaced people have sought refuge in Beirut, particularly in the city center and near the seafront, as well as around the Blue Mosque. The shelters are overcrowded, and many families have resorted to sleeping in makeshift tents or on the streets. Left to fend for themselves, they rely on the support of charities, as the government's aid has been minimal.
Despite the challenges and devastation, Kristie remains dedicated to bringing a sense of joy and normalcy to those affected by the war. Her simple act of giving haircuts may seem small, but to those who have lost everything, it means so much more. As she continues to spread happiness one haircut at a time, Kristie is a shining example of the resilience and kindness of the Lebanese people.
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