By Rosa Soto
Beirut, Oct 30 (EFE).- In the bustling heart of Beirut, Kristie Rahal is more than a barber, turning her image makeover skills into a symbol of resilience.
Known as “The Barber of Beirut,” she spends her days on city streets to uplift those enduring the trials of a conflict, giving free haircuts to those forced to flee their homes due to Israeli bombings in southern Lebanon.
Accompanied by her assistant, Rahal sets up a barber stool in front of a shelter near Beirut’s port, where dozens of families have taken refuge after escaping deadly bombings.
“I started a month ago, when the war began. I saw a video of a man asking for donations, including a call for a barber. That is when I decided to bring my skills to the streets,” she told EFE, cutting the hair of an elderly man seated outside a shelter.
Restoring Self-Image in Times of Crisis
Rahal understands the impact of self-image on mental well-being. Amid the chaos of displacement, where survival takes precedence, a haircut may seem like a luxury.
But to Rahal, it is a vital service that provides comfort and dignity, counteracting the “negative image” often associated with those in hardship.
To bring this relief to the community, she balances her regular shop work with her mobile services three days a week, armed with a stool, apron, and her trusty tools—scissors, razors, combs, and foam.
Thanks to donations from generous locals, she has enough supplies to serve up to 30 men each day. “I’ve lost track of how many people have sat in my chair,” she said.
To achieve this goal, she combines her work in her barbershop, located in a well-known gym, with her mobile service, which she carries out three days a week carrying a stool, an apron, and her work tools: different types of scissors, razors, combs, foam cans, and other hair care products.
Breaking Gender Barriers
Rahal was already making waves in Beirut’s barber industry before she hit the streets. One of the few women to run a barbershop, she has built a loyal client base by knowing her clients’ tastes and delivering exceptional service.
After leaving her previous job as a dental technician seven months ago, she dedicated herself fully to her craft. “In the beginning, clients were hesitant, but slowly they came to trust me, and now I am never short of work,” she said with pride, carving a niche in a male-dominated field.
Her reputation continues to grow, and her Instagram posts share where she will be offering cuts each week, making it easier for displaced men to find her.
“What matters most to me is giving a good haircut and making people happy,” she said, packing up her tools for her next session. EFE
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