Sunny chat in Lisbon with Shabnam: Hair, identity, and life

Tell us about who you are and your family?

I’m Shabnam, born in Iran but grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden. I’ve lived in Lisbon for the past four years with my husband Mikael and our two kids, Leon and Lee.

What do you enjoy most in life?

That’s a big question! I have so many passions, but if I had to pick one, I’d say meeting people from different backgrounds and forming meaningful relationships—it gives me so much energy.

What do you do for work?

Hmm. I feel the term “entrepreneur” is overused, but I guess that’s what I am. Right now, I’m involved in three projects. I run a company called Studioteket, where we represent international lifestyle brands in Scandinavia, like Taschen books and Trudon candles. I’m also working with Female Fund, which helps women invest in the financial market to promote gender equality. My third project is a tech startup focused on making B2B networking more fun.

What does your hair mean to you, and can you tell us about your hair story?

Hair is a big part of how you look and your identity. I went through many phases with my hair. In high school, I was known as “the hair” because it was such a prominent feature of me.
In Persian culture, hair is important, especially for women—it’s common to spend a lot of time on it, going to the salon not only for a cut but to wash and fix your hair, it’s a place for conversation between women and lots of laughter. Going to Tehran on vacation I would always treat myself with going to the salon and try out new things.

Growing up, I had thick, straight hair, and I always hated that my mom kept it short with bangs. I wanted long hair like my friends. But then, during puberty, my hair suddenly became super curly, and that was a game-changer. I embraced the volume and kept it long. Now, after having kids, my hair is less curly. I think it both has to do with hormones, but I also did Brazilian blowouts a couple of times to make my hair more manageable. Right now, I am in a period where I like it sleek and, in a ponytail, but using lots of products to get there!

When do you have happy hair days?

I love when I come out of the shower after washing my hair. Conditioner is my best friend—as it makes my hair feel so soft.

What about your kids' hair? Do they manage their hair themselves, or do you help them?

My husband has curly hair, and so does our 5-year-old son, Lee. We used to struggle with his tangles, especially since he’s very tender-headed and doesn’t want to brush his hair. So, the Rufs detangler has been magic to us. As it’s so gentle he can use it himself and it really does detangle his hair quickly. Currently he wants to take a bath and play with his toys almost every day, and even if we don’t wash the hair every time, it gets wet and needs to be detangled.

Two final questions:

What upsets you, and what do you want to change?

I care about gender equality, and I want to help more women get involved in investing and starting businesses. Mental health, especially the increasing stress girls and women face, is another issue that concerns me. And of course, I feel for the women in Iran and wish the situation there would improve.

What are you curious about?

I’ve always been interested in psychology. The human brain fascinates me. I’m always trying to learn new things, for good or bad!

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About Shabnam Aslani:

Lives in Lisbon with her family: husband Mikael and two kids, Leon (8) and Lee (5).
Dream hairstyle: "I would love to try Halle Berry's short haircut one day."
Best hair tip: "I only wash my hair once a week, but I refresh it with conditioner in between washes. It helps manage the volume without shampoo."
Favorite Rufs product: "I love the conditioner for how soft it makes my hair. My number two is the leave-in conditioner, it is my daily go-to for hydration and a sleek look without the frizz."