Lifestyle

Meet Rafi Kouyoumjian, the Abu-Dhabi-based Hair Stylist Making Major Makeovers in the Industry

Published

6 years ago

January 27, 2020

Hair isn’t a simple term. Hair is representation, history, culture, symbolism, a conversation starter, and a form of expression. In today’s time, hair has transformed into a powerful source of pride that is featured in advertisements, movies, and mainstream media. The credit for this goes to hairstylists for leading the conversation forward – especially hair makeover experts who never turn down a moment to experiment and showcase the unexplored, thereby paving the way for new trends. One such hairstylist and makeover artist who is making the ‘cut’ and contributing significantly to the Middle East’s hair scene is Rafi Kouyoumjian.

There aren’t many leading ladies and bosses in Abu Dhabi whose tresses haven’t undergone a makeover by Kouyoumjian. In the world of hair makeovers and styling, Kouyoumjian has done it all. From television actors, runway models, Instagram influencers, YouTube vloggers, to Arab celebrities, Kouyoumjian has managed to make his way to the top. Kouyoumjian, a 15-year-experienced hair designer, is mostly known and coveted for his classical techniques, all while integrating a touch of modern trends taking place before his eyes. His brainchild, which also happens to be his creative hub – Beautyspot Salon – is considered one of the finest in the country where major haircuts, styling, and makeovers take place.

As the demand for his unique hairstyles and makeovers increased, Kouyoumjian was drawn to the world of social media by his fans to showcase his expertise and share insights on the hair care and overall beauty segment. Today, Kouyoumjian is no less than an Instagram influencer himself, with thousands of followers who look up to him and are inspired to walk the same path as him. Through the means of Instagram features like stories, highlights, posts, and videos, he engages with his virtual family on a day-to-day basis. The result of this is hundreds of thousands of admirers who fly down to Abu Dhabi from world-over to seek hair consultation or to undergo makeover from him. His social media pages exude the right blend of art, fun, work, and myriad visual appeals.

Though precise and careful in his approach, hair makeovers are dependant on both, the one who carries it and how he or she wears it, according to Kouyoumjian. It comes with appreciating one’s natural hair texture, face cut, volume, and overall personality, all of which bake into his signature style: low-maintenance, edgy, and most importantly, chic. A calming and friendly presence who garners compliments as he transforms his clients’ hair, Kouyoumjian is now fondly called as the ‘hair magician’ by his fellow hairstylists, clients, and virtual followers. Right from balayage to hair streaks, curling to straightening, low buns to French haircuts, there’s nothing Kouyoumjian can’t do! Having witnessed several transformations in the hair trends, he now lives by the mantra, less is more.

For the self-proclaimed “hair maven,” every client’s hair is a canvas on which he lets loose his creativity. From blonde bobs, wavy tresses, rainbow dyes, highlighted head, green tips, to bubble buns, Kouyoumjian has created a world of makeovers and styles around him that have not only earned him fans and clients from all over the world but also a positive tag of being the hair and beauty pioneer.

While speaking on his favorite hair trend in the current time, he said, “French braids, updo’s, and Senegalese twists are the hairstyles I prefer. They are not only chic and elegant but also timeless. In terms of hair colour, a blend of lighter blonde with darker brown or a combination of cool metallic ash tones is something I love executing on my clients.”

With regard to his creative process, from the rough initial concept to final image, Kouyoumjian relies on his intuition, judgement, and requirement of the client. “A subtle error in terms of hair colour, hair styles, or cuts, can totally take months off of someone’s life – it’s not something I’d ever want to mess up with. Over the years, after meeting clients from different parts of the world, I have realized that learning in this industry never stops. There’s always a change in the trends, demands, and techniques, and unless we embrace it all, there’ll be no growth – without which an artist is absolutely nothing. My passion for hair makeovers and styling has helped me stay focused towards my craft and disconnect from momentary pleasures gained through fame, money, and wealth,” Kouyoumjian added.

The response on his work from his clients, reviews on his social media handles, and a forever-occupied salon is a proof that Kouyoumjian is indeed the hair magician of the ‘desert.’

Lifestyle

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

3 days ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.