CHI brings Hollywood's hair products to Egypt CAIRO: The flow of Jennifer Aniston s hair, the elegance of Laura Bush s and the changing hairstyles of Madonna, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Claudia Schiffer, Jessica Simpson, Uma Thurman, Salma Hayek and Halle Berry all have one thing in common: Farouk Shami. With more than 1500 hair specialists across more than 65 countries, the founder and chairman of Farouk Systems Co. enjoys a well-earned place within the competitive world of fashion and beauty. Responsible for the White-house Beauty Center, the Farouk products are used in various screen hits including American Dreams, Sex and the City and ER and the Austin Powers Trilogy. This is besides the numerous beauty pageants. The good news is that this brilliant hairstylist and his exclusive products are now available in the Middle East and as of this month in Egypt too. "I felt sad for sharing my beauty techniques with the West without sharing it with my countries, says Shami, referring to his Arab origins. Shami is a Palestinian American. In the year 1965, Shami and his three brothers came to the United States to pursue a university degree. He joined a beauty college for nine months and decided to drop out of university. "Instead of spending my money on girls, they were spending their money on me to cut their hair, Shami says jokingly. At the time, Shami's family did not share his passion; his father sent him a discouraging letter, urging him to quit his new-found profession. Ever since, Shami was determent to prove to his dad that he made the right choice. "If I to become a hair dresser, I'll become the best in the world, said Shami. According to Shami; at the time, a doctor earnt an average of $75 (LE 430) per patient, whereas a professional educated hairdresser could earn up $300 (LE 1,700) per client. "My brothers graduated with their PhDs and I graduated with my scissors and dyes, says Shami. In 1980, Shami opened his first salon, "Le Salon Farouk, in Houston Texas. His first obstacle was an almost fatal allergy triggered by ammonia, a cancerous ingredient found in most dyes. "My doctor told me that I am losing my immune system, explains Shami, "There was not enough oxygen entering my lungs and my doctor warned if I don't stop using dyes my lungs can collapse. But gradually what began as an obstacle ended up a turning point in his life that eventually led him to where he is now. Shami couldn t stop using hair dyes, which accounted for 99 percent of his work, or he would suffer major financial losses. Refusing to give up, Shami began studying hair dying using natural herbs and elements. Ultimately, this led to his invention of an ammonia-free and environmentally friendly dye under the name of CHI products. "CHI means center of energy in the Chinese language. Shami did not stop there. He realized the importance of "natural silk for hair that generates three times the reflection of light giving the hair a natural shine. Farouk Systems invented an advanced technology that transfers silk from its raw form to liquid and powder used in CHI "Bio Silk products. Shami even ventured into hairstyling equipment. For hair irons and blow dryers, Farouk Systems introduced negative ions, infrared-low-electromagnetic-field blow dryers. Shami explains that a cellular phone produces 2.5 electromagnetic waves and is considered cancerous, while a normal blow dryer produces 1000-6000 electromagnetic waves. "After a normal working day, an actor can feel nervous and exhausted without a reason, says Shami, "it's all because the harmful electromagnetic field he is exposed to. He explains that his hair products were designed to suite all types of hair including the Arabs . "CHI is made for the American multi-racial society, says Shami, "[CHI] is made to suite the African, Asian, Latin, and European hair. He says that his mission and dream is to bring the Egyptian and Arab hair artists to a higher level. "My dream is to provide my fellow hair artists with a safer workplace environment, free of harsh chemicals, he adds. For more information: Please contact Systems Egypt 69 Addres: Abdel Moniem Riad St. Mohaniseenn, Giza, Egypt Tel: 302 3848 Or visit their Web Site: www.farouk.com
