Sun Mar 09 12:07:00 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Woman Opens Pop-Up Salon Amidst Rubble, Offering Self-Care to War-Weary Women

**Gaza City, Palestine** – In the rubble-strewn streets of al-Shujaeya, east of Gaza City, a small blue tent stands as a beacon of hope and self-care. Inside, Noor al-Ghamari runs “Noor’s Salon,” a makeshift beauty haven offering essential services to women grappling with the aftermath of war.

Al-Ghamari, a former nursing student, abandoned her studies to pursue her passion for hair and makeup, establishing her salon just three weeks ago amidst the devastation. Using salvaged materials and basic tools, she provides eyebrow shaping, sugaring, and makeup application to women displaced and traumatized by the ongoing conflict.

Clients like Amani Dweima, who came with her 16-year-old daughter, Aya, for pre-wedding pampering, testify to the importance of the service. Dweima, who recently returned to her home after displacement, explains that the salon offers a much-needed escape from the horrors of war and a chance to regain a sense of normalcy. “Looking after myself changes my mood,” she says, adding that the salon provides a small reprieve from the surrounding hardships.

Al-Ghamari highlights the unique challenges faced by women in Gaza. Many have suffered sunburns from living in tents, and lack privacy and resources for self-care. Yet, despite the grim realities, her clients, regardless of age or background, consistently emphasize the importance of self-care, even in the midst of war. Al-Ghamari recounts the story of one client who, having lost her entire family in an air raid, found solace and renewed hope through a full beauty treatment at the salon.

While her prices are kept low due to the community’s economic situation, the salon has become a vital source of income for al-Ghamari and her family. Despite limited resources—no running water prevents services like hair dyeing—she strives to offer a moment of comfort and happiness, helping women leave feeling “a little lighter, a little happier.”

Al-Ghamari’s dream is to expand her business and open a proper salon once the war ends, but her message to the women of Gaza is clear: “Take care of yourselves, no matter what. Life is short.” Her small tent, amidst the destruction, serves as a powerful symbol of resilience, reminding women of their self-worth and the importance of self-care in the face of unimaginable hardship.

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