Hair, Beauty, & Culture | Cabello, Belleza, & Cultura
Growing up as the daughter of a hairdresser, I was always drawn to the atmosphere that exists in beauty salons. I admit that as a young teen, I was never attracted to the idea of spending hours there just to wash my hair. For me, it was incredible that something so simple as doing hair was supposed to be –so I believed– could be of such importance for some people.
As I grew older I understood that those types of businesses could offer safe spaces to build identity, and femininity, and to promote culture. Even more so, witnessing the birth of emotional and lasting friendships.
That is why, for this project, I decided to document in a more intimate space different beauty centers aimed at Hispanic communities in New Jersey. State where the beauty industry, according to Statista Research projected to generate revenue of $1.86 billion in 2024.
These images show the delicacy and dedication that businesses of this type require to build safe spaces where users can find and express beauty on their terms.