Tianshannet-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Yu Mengfan) news:

“What kind of look do you want?”

“A natural look will be perfect.”

“Alright, I’ll give you a refreshing look, designing the hairstyle based on your face shape so that you look young and adorable.” On November 16, at the Meili Beauty Salon of the Qianjin Village, Nezerbagh Town, Kashi City, Buayixiamu Abudureyimu started hairstyling, makeup, and personalized styling for a customer.

The 36-year-old woman is a famous hairdresser and make-up artist at the Nezerbagh Town. With the help of the local women’s federation, she has not only made success in her career, but also motivated other women around her to improve their lives by developing skills. At present, she is a delegate to the 12^th Congress of the Women’s Federation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and serves concurrently as vice-chair of the Women’s Federation of Kashi City.

A journey of unexpected achievements

As the old saying goes, “The desire for beauty is universal.” When recalling her business startup, Buayixiamu said, “I think it is a great achievement to make the villagers look more attractive.”

Buayixiamu, who has enjoyed dressing up since childhood, has a special interest in beauty and hair-styling. After graduating from high school, she studied cosmetic and hairstyling techniques at the Rehanguli Beauty Salon in Kashi for two years.

After getting married, she searched for her own path while taking care of her family. As a mother of two children, she helped neighbors with makeup and hair-styling at home.

At the end of 2016, she gained support from Zhang Na, an official of the Organization Department of the Women’s Federation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, through a pairing-up program. Of the same age, the two soon became intimate friends. After learning that Buayixiamu wanted to establish a beauty salon, Zhang helped her apply at the Women Cadres’ School of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for studying makeup and hair-styling techniques.

Buayixiamu Abudureyimu (first from left) shaves a customer’s eyebrows at the Meili Beauty Salon in Qianjin Village, Nezerbagh Town, Kashi City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Han Qinyan)

“I never thought before that I would have the opportunity to pursue professional studies, let alone turn my dreams into reality,” said Buayixiamu gratefully.

However, after completion of the study, she was persuaded by her relatives and friends to give up the idea of opening a beauty salon. Her mother objected to her engagement in cosmetics and hair-styling, saying that “our life is fine and we do not need to earn the money.” Fortunately, her husband was very supportive of her and then she began to start her business with the help of the work team in the village.

“I opened the first beauty salon in the village. It covers only 15 square meters but I was very happy.” Looking at the furniture and equipment at the shop, she felt warm in the heart. “Through the ‘Sharing Beauty Program’ – The Program of Building Over a Thousand Beauty Salons for Rural Women, the Women’s Federation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has provided me with many things such as tables, shampoo chairs, and disinfection cabinets.”

Hard work pays off. She has accumulated more and more regular customers by virtue of her superb technique and enthusiastic attitude.

Make more women in rural areas look more attractive

“Look at my face. I look much better with the makeup,” Atikaimu Bake told me with a smile.

The villagers who became richer have higher aspirations for the quality of life and are willing to invest in their appearances. Following new fashion trends, they purchase cosmetics and indulge in beauty and hair-styling.

“Beauty is not exclusive to urban women,” said Buayixiamu, “I want to make women in rural areas look attractive, too.”

In the past, the village did not have a beauty salon, leading many beauty-conscious rural women to spend considerable time and effort traveling to the city for makeup and hair-styling services. Now, they often visit Buayixiamu’s beauty salon in holidays and festivals.

All the customers of the beauty salon are women at the village and neighboring villages. Buayixiamu provides considerate services at a reasonable price. That’s also why she can have a secured income.

Buayixiamu Abudureyimu (second from right) cuts a customer’s hair at the Meili Beauty Salon in Qianjin Village, Nezerbagh Town, Kashi City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Han Qinyan)

“I earn money every day, and my life is full of joy. I have my own career of beauty,” said Buayixiamu with a smile on her face.

In order to keep up with the fashion, whenever she has time, she will take an active part in various training sessions on hair-styling, makeup and dressing organized at the village and township levels, and learn from online resources.

Make all women happy and confident

Now, the Meili Beauty Salon has expanded from the original 15 square meters to 95 square meters. “Do things with love, and live with a grateful heart” remains her motto. From the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey, she set a goal to help her fellow villagers embark on the path to prosperity.

Buayixiamu offers hands-on instructions on makeup and hair-styling skills. Over the years, she has trained 10 apprentices, of whom eight have opened their own shops.

Buayixiamu Abudureyimu teaches hair braiding techniques at the Meili Beauty Salon in Qianjin Village, Nezerbagh Town, Kashi City, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Han Qinyan)

“It was the beauty salon program that helped me realize my dream of starting a business. I am willing to provide free training for those who are interested in hair-styling techniques, and I will do my best to help the people around me,” said Buayixiamu.

“She taught me the techniques without any reservation. Now I have opened my own shop. I am very thankful to her,” said Patiguli Tulake, who had learned from Buayixiamu for free for three years.

Buayixiamu has been broadening her path of embracing, creating, and promoting beauty. Now, she also offers wedding and evening dress rental services in addition to wedding makeup services.

“Through my beauty salon, I will encourage more women to change their mindset and live a better life,” said Buayixiamu.

Buayixiamu has turned from an ordinary rural woman to one who leads others on a path to prosperity. What she did exemplifies the confidence and self-reliance of rural women in the new era.