Back to listing

Celebrating South Asian Hair

#asian #hair #south

Hair care is a crucial part of many South Asians’ upbringing, with hair oiling and braiding practises being passed down from mother to daughter for generations. This project is about embracing and reflecting on how versatile, strong and beautiful South Asian hair is, much like the women from the community. It was Semira who reached out to Mathushaa about this idea, after having a conversation with her friend about how their hair type is not acknowledged. Semira says, “A friend once asked me what shampoo brand I used and they were surprised when I was naming Treseme and Garnier, expecting me to name some South Asian brands. It was only then I realised that there are no specific brands that cater for our hair in the UK (other than oil brands of course). Our hair is often thought to be the same as Caucasian hair, even among the South Asian community, despite big differences in hair density, thickness and texture”. Words by Mathushaa Sagthidas and Semira Badesha

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

Celebrating South Asian Hair by Mathushaa Sagthidas & Semira Badesha

Photography by Mathushaa Sagthidas ©

To report inappropriate content, an infringement of copyright, or to report a problem on the Portfolio platform, please contact the

Got an issue?

Thank you, your feedback has been received.