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THE WORKS OF BEAUTY

By M. Shirazi
Tue, 03, 17

This International Women’s Day (IWD), You! has chosen 5 pioneering stylists/beauticians who are a part and parcel of our indigenous beauty industry for more than 25 years now and are still going strong. Read on to find out their thoughts on Women’s Day and how they are making a difference...

beauty

This International Women’s Day (IWD), You! has chosen 5 pioneering stylists/beauticians who are a part and parcel of our indigenous beauty industry for more than 25 years now and are still going strong. Read on to find out their thoughts on Women’s Day and how they are making a difference...

Putting a smile on everyone’s faceThe works of beauty

Massarat MisbahThe works of beauty

It was in 1980 that she started Depilex Beauty Clinic in Karachi, as she felt that there was a need for quality beauty salons in Pakistan and thus the idea of Depilex was conceived. Massarat Misbah started her own business because she wanted to be independent. “My family supported me and I went abroad. Over there I found out that the beauty industry is not only related to makeup or hair dressing but it is a complete science. Hence, I took maximum training to become a cosmetologist and opened Depilex Beauty Clinic to put my training into practice,” she tells.

About two years ago, Massarat launched her own makeup range. According to her, “MM silk foundation is our best selling product of 2016 from Masarrat Misbah Makeup Range. It has created revolutionary standards in the usage due to the fact that it is totally halal certified makeup.”

Massarat believes that International Women’s Day should be celebrated every day with pride because a woman contributes the most to the well-being of her family and society. She advises would-be beauticians to bring quality in their work by taking professional courses.

She is also involved in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities big time. Through her Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF), founded in 2003, she has helped hundreds of burn victims to re-build their lives by providing them appropriate medical attention and reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, vocational training and job placement. Misbah is also tremendously involved in creating social awareness regarding crimes against women. “Our Foundation has undertaken the mission of helping women who are subjected to criminal assaults like disfigurement of face and body with acid attacks or by being set on fire with kerosene oil,” she informs.

“I want to make DSF into an international platform to raise voice against violent crimes against women,” she asserts.

Her work is her obsessionThe works of beauty

Rizwana KhanThe works of beauty

She opened her first salon Zara’s (named after her daughter) in North Nazimabad, Karachi in the ‘80s. She, then went to Baghdad (Iraq) for a few years to get professional training of hair, make-up, especially bridal make-up and skin. After returning home in 1990, she opened her second branch in Bahadurabad. And a few years ago she opened her latest branch at Zamzama

Being one of the pioneers in her field, Rizwana feels responsible to give back to the society and engages herself in CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities regularly and trains girls belonging from the lower strata so that they are able to earn respectfully.

Rizwana does not feel that IWD holds any importance. “For me it is just an ordinary day.” Her advice to young girls is, “Never look for shortcuts and most importantly, get professional training before getting into this field.”

Some of her favourite beauty products include Inglot makeup range, Wella and L’Oreal hair care products. She plans to work with similar passion and zeal in the years to come and we wish her all the best.

It runs in the family

The works of beautyAngie MarshallThe works of beauty

“I was in school when my mom started her salon in the mid ‘70s in PECHS, Karachi. I would come to the salon straight from school and would help around. In school I was good at art and of course beauty, be it hair, skin or makeup is a beautiful form of art, so I unintentionally got involved in my mom’s business. And by the time I turned 16, I was doing bridal makeup,” recalls Angie.                    

Although, for Angie every day is Women’s Day, she believes celebrating this day is about realizing our responsibility towards working to uplift the life of the less privileged by educating them and developing their skills. And for the past couple of years this is exactly what Angie has been doing. At her salon girls with little or no education are given proper training so that they can work in salons and support themselves and their families. “My advice to newcomers in this field is to be a professional and work with dedication. It is all about being patient, humble and honest not only with your clients but to yourself too.”                       

With each passing month there is something or the other that is better than the last, so, for Angie there is no specific thing as every beauty product tends to amaze her. “There are no plans as such, as I believe in letting the future unfold itself,” says Angie.

Art makes a glamorous impression on herThe works of beauty

Saeeda MandviwallaThe works of beauty

The way she came into hairdressing and beauty therapy industry was pure chance. At school she was good at art, but was confused as to what to choose as a career. Saeeda actually picked this profession through a career guidance book...she opened it, closed her eyes and put her finger on it. “That really is the story.” As a growing teenager in London, during the late 1970’s, fashion, music and art would make the most glamorous impression on her and as a young person that is what influenced her to take this career path and later brought Essensuals and TONI&GUY to Pakistan. When asked on how she perceives International Women’s Day, she says, “It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. For me, a Women’s Day is important. It is for people to know that the issue about the differences between women and men are still a problem.”

Wait there is more. She is a strong believer and supporter of women empowerment and feels that as a successful person it is her responsibility to encourage women to stand up on their own and work alongside their male counterparts. Saeeda is currently working with U.K and affiliated partners to develop women’s enterprise and entrepreneurship in Pakistan.  “Empower, Celebrate and Inspire - These are the words I want to say to any girl wanting to become a hair and beauty expert,” she advises. Regarding revolutionary beauty products, she states, “The Carol Joy Collagen Eye Mask that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles using pure collagen is a great product. For hair I love the dry shampoos and the root lift powders that work amazingly.” Saeeda’s future plans include establishing and enabling a vocational development programme based on enterprise standards.

The works of beautyThe first Chinese Malaysian beautician

Peng QureishiThe works of beauty

Peng came to Pakistan after getting married in 1979. Being a Chinese Malaysian it was quite challenging for her to move to a foreign country and start from scratch. The industry was nonexistent at that time, so she started working from home. She eventually opened her first salon in 1980 in Phase 1, DHA, Karachi.

Peng believes that women should be applauded for their efforts. “I feel that International Women’s Day is important in order to educate youth about the countless sacrifices women have made to bring about a change in the society. I come from a time where the word empowerment didn’t even exist. And today I am so proud of how far Pakistan has come. Of course, we have a long way to go but we are on the right path,” she shares.

 Peng is quite vocal about social issues. She strongly feels that education is the key to our country’s success. That’s why she equally gives importance to professional studies for aspiring beauticians. “One has to take professional beauty courses and seek guidance from people who have been in the industry,” she urges. About revolutionary beauty products that she uses on her clients, she states, “KeraStraight is one of my favourites, as it is the first formaldehyde free keratin straightening system in Pakistan.” Expanding Qureshi Group is what she plans to do in the future.