Home Beauty MAKE-UP MAVENS NATASHA KHALID & HINA DURRANI

MAKE-UP MAVENS NATASHA KHALID & HINA DURRANI

OK! Pakistan gets up close and personal with the hugely successful mother-daughter duo to talk about how they set up their salon, being related to the iconic Madam Noor Jehan plus beauty secrets

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Natasha and Hina Khalid, the make-up and hair maestros behind Natasha’s Salon, have taken the industry by storm in a very short span of time. Being Madam Noor Jehan’s granddaughter and daughter, respectively, it comes as no surprise that they have excelled in their field. Natasha, her mother and sister Sabrina have produced millions of beautiful brides over the years as well as made a mark in the world of fashion with their much-acclaimed editorials.

How did you begin your career as a make-up artist?
Natasha Khalid: I went to high school here for five years but have predominately been in Dubai and London. I did my make-up course in London from Gemma Kerr who is a huge celebrity and make-up artist (Jodie Kerr’s sister). She herself was good, not the best but she had employed some of the best in the business like David Horne who was my teacher; he was the head of MAC UK in Germany as well and one of the most talented make-up artists I have ever come across. I was with them for 8 weeks and then I went to Dubai and joined MAC initially as a make-up artist and carried on to be a trainer for them. After that, I worked for Bobbi Brown but then chose to go freelance and do my own thing. I used to say that I would always stay away from typical desi make-up and never do any of that since it wasn’t my style so I was kind of never on the radar when it came to the bridal make-up industry but my sister’s persistence kicked in and then my mum had done her course in hair so it all kind of just came together. Now I sometimes sit and think that we were so quick to act and like what if it backfired or didn’t do that well? [Laughs] I think sometimes just burning your bridges and starting fresh is key, and also my mother put that responsibility on us that we had started something and now it was down to us to make it something. It was interesting to be young and doing something spontaneous so it would hit us that oh wait, this has to work.

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What is Sabrina’s role to play?
NK: Sabrina is the brainchild behind the salon. She’s actually a barrister but when mum was doing her hair course and I was doing a make-up course – not to start up a salon but just to brush up my skills – it was Sabrina who really insisted that we come back and start a salon. From opening the salon to all the business planning to setting it up, Sabrina literally put the whole thing together. She has recently gone to advance her hair course. Our staff is very different to other salon staff because Sabrina and my mother have properly trained them. She now does on-going consulting and we’ve just started master’s classes in Lahore and Karachi and an online blog too. Sabrina’s the planner and the consultant behind everything. She’s an integral part but since she’s moved to Dubai now, she’s between Karachi and Dubai.

Is this what you always wanted to do since you were a child? Has your mother proven to be an inspiration for you in terms of what you do?
NK: Always! As a child or a teen I was very unlike what my mother used to represent. She was very disciplined, ambitious and she likes to do things a certain way. I, on the other hand, was the laziest child you’d ever meet – not disciplined at all. But it’s surprising how you watch your parents growing up and one day you realise that you’re becoming just like them. You watch and follow. From the way she always looked to seeing her do her make-up, I was always grasping something or the other from my mother. Now all those traits, like ethics and discipline, that I was so far from at one point are what make me who I am today. I’m exactly like her now and not only have I embodied her traits but also learnt to admire them. You inculcate it.

What does a day in the life of Natasha Khalid look like?
NK: Usually it’s waking up and with my recent turn to the health and nutritional lifestyle, I work out my meal plan for the day – juicing and exercising or attending any classes I’ve signed up for. There’s a lot of online social media work that happens in the day since I handle my account myself. I’m off to the salon by 10:30 AM and done by 7 PM. The whole day is filled with appointments. In the first two years when I moved back, I used to be working till 2-3 am every single night. I worked seven days a week non-stop till Natasha Salon took off after six months of hard work. I single handedly did everything. Now everyone is doing social media but when I started off, I was the only one posting on Facebook and Instagram. Also, now that I’m engaged I have a bit of a life other than work and commitments to cater to so I try to balance my day and give my fiancé time as well. Either Ali will come over or we’ll head out for a meal or sometimes I’ll go to a friends but most nights, I’m a home body – don’t really care much about being out and about. I’ve realised over time, the more still you are, the more you’re in your own space, the more balanced you end up being.

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You shot to fame very early in your career, do you reckon your family name had anything to do with your early success or was it all you?
NK: I think I’m very lucky to be Noor Jehan’s granddaughter and I’m glad that people associate me with her. Initially when we came there was a lot of curiosity in the masses regarding my roots. Often people try to find her in us in some way or the other. Initially, people even thought that being Noor Jehan’s granddaughter, I would have lines outside the salon but for the first six months nothing of that sort happened. So, as much as people love you for being Noor Jehan’s offspring, if you’re not doing a good job at what you do, no one cares about you. While some supported us, others would say, we’ll see how long they’ll last, they’ll probably go back in no time. I think if I was in a similar field to that of my grandmother’s, I would’ve understood her influence on my career but since I chose to be in a field so different to hers, I had to garner my own clientele based on my work. But having said that of course having a legend like her as my grandmother definitely helped us come back into a new city back then, settle in and be recognised. By default, we have so many cousins and family members in the limelight that it cannot not help. I’m sure it opens ten doors for me daily and helps me get a lot respect from her name but to be successful, your work needs to speak for itself.

Being Noor Jehan’s granddaughter, would you say you have inherited certain qualities or skills?
NK: Absolutely. The whole family has. A lot of talents are just inborn. I see girls who are so pretty but there’s no understanding of how to put things together like we do. I feel like we’re all born with a certain sense of style, which is even inculcated in my six-year-old cousins. I can’t think of anyone in my family who doesn’t have an eye for style and fashion. You give my six-year-old niece Mahe red lipstick and watch her put it on – it’s perfect! So you see, in my family I’m not a big deal – everyone does impeccable make-up and styling. You’d think they’ve all been to Natasha’s Salon because they’re so immaculately dressed but they’ve done it themselves.

Is there a certain market you target?
NK: We target a lot of markets. One thing I noticed when I came was that there is a big difference between a bridal make-up artist and fashion related make-up artist. What we wanted to come in and do was to combine the two and that’s what we did. I think I’m the only professional bridal make-up artist who has also been nominated for the best make-up award at the LUX style awards in the fashion category. That was an achievement for me because I really wanted to make that breakthrough and show the industry that I wasn’t just a bridal make-up artist. In bridals, we target everyone and the glittery eye with the red lipstick seems to a favourite amongst most of our clients. It really kills my soul to be honest because now I do twenty of them a day. [Laughs] There’s actually a very limited scope for experimenting with bridals because if a bride is coming to me on her special day, she’s not going to want to experiment, she just wants to look beautiful. The shoots however, I target a completely different market. You’ll never see me do a standard pretty shoot; I always try to do something creative and crazy. Just for my own satisfaction as a creative individual I like to commission a few shoots a year which we like to do in our own creative style – go over the top and do something different according to the theme. I don’t want anyone to look down at me from the fashion market and think that ‘oh she’s just a bridal make-up artist’. Hence, after building my fashion make-up portfolio, no one can disregard my work as just that of a bridal make-up artist. The respect I got from the fashion arena is great and I really appreciate it because usually they don’t care about a bridal make-up artist no matter how good you are. That respect came later as my covers came later.

What are the do’s and don’ts in your particular field?
NK: We have made our own rules. Initially when we came to Karachi, people would tell me ‘You must meet this one and that one does this so build a good rapport with them and you must show your face at this event’, but surprisingly I’ve done none of that and still gotten where I have today. I chose to do nothing by the book; we came in, we worked hard, put in the hours, put good work out there and that’s pretty much all you need to get noticed. I don’t really socialise much, nor am I seen at all the social events or in magazines too often. Anytime I have been applauded or talked about even I’m surprised because I’ve never really tried to be the social butterfly. I’ve always believed that you need to focus on your own work, applaud other people’s hard work as well and have a sense of well being all around which we as a society really lack. That’s one of the reasons I interact very little with people here because there’s way too much animosity in the equation, too many camps and we never joined a camp, rather made one of our own and remained within that. Social media is what I’m big on. I think it’s the most effective form of putting your work out there and like I said when we initially came no one was really that aggressively working or present on social media while we were.

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Who do you consider competition? How do you feel you have an edge over other make-up artists?
NK: Firstly, I never look at anyone and aspire to be like him or her. I am always and forever re-evaluating my own work and trying to improve it rather than comparing myself to others. If ever I like someone’s work I appreciate it instead of considering him or her competition. Everyone has their own forte so if anything, I compete with myself and my own portfolio. I believe that as soon as you think someone is competition, animosity is bred and that’s what I’m against.

You, Sabrina and your mother work in a trio; tell us a little about what their areas of interest entail.

NK: Sabrina is the planner. She’s a lot into yoga and into living a healthy life and that’s something we as a salon are starting to get into as well. My mother is actually the backbone of the salon and primarily runs it. She oversees the daily affairs, from the rates of services to the product stocking; I have no idea whatsoever about any of that – I’m completely creative. My mother is the owner who manages the salon and even my life to a great extent. [Laughs] Honestly, when people call it Natasha’s Salon I want to laugh because it should be called Hina’s Salon. All the make-up is done by me and mum together. She used to do hair as well but she chooses to do make-up more now. My mother is a better make-up artist than I am and I don’t think I say that enough.

Coming from a family of achievers, do you feel or have you ever felt an extra burden on your shoulders to prove yourself?

NK: Never! Since I have been young I live in my own head, which now I realise is so precious because when I was young I would often wonder why I am like this. Even when people tell me that I am successful, I never consider myself successful or unsuccessful because I just live in my own space and do my thing regardless of people’s opinions. My mother or family never exerted that kind of pressure on me either – to be something. Naturally in my family everyone wants to do something; especially the females in the family I think are very ambitious/hardworking and go-getters by default. Success comes and goes and it shouldn’t really matter as long as you’re doing what you’re passionate about.

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How demanding is your job?
NK: Very demanding! More than the make-up, it’s the constant client dealing which is very tough. It’s a lot of energy being exchanged on a daily basis. Someone’s necklace breaks, someone’s duppatta is not there on time, someone’s lehenga came late etc. In a busy season, we all stand from 10 AM till 10 PM which is not easy. We’ve had to train our clients over time because initially when we came, women would be extremely difficult so we had to make our own rules even though people in Pakistan don’t like rules. We were far too flexible in our payment process and then we realised we’d be chasing them for months and still not receive the payments. Now it’s running smoothly because people have understood our rules unlike before when they would come five hours late and we couldn’t cater to that since all we get between our appointments is 15 minutes. We actually have a contract or terms and conditions for them to sign now.

If you were to compare your work or yourself as a make-up professional to any international artist, who would it be and why?
NK: The international make-up artists I look up to are like gods to me, like Val Garland, Pat Mcgrath, David Horne, Gucci Westman, Lisa Elbridge, so I wouldn’t compare myself to them. What you see in my make-up, especially a lot of my fashion portfolio, is what it is because I’m such a huge fan of such great make-up artists. I have always looked up to the greatest and thought to myself, ‘Wow I want to do work like that’! Recently Val Garland came to my page and liked something and I thought that was a great achievement for me.

How did you meet your fiancé and at what point did you feel like he was the one?
NK: I met at him at the Sindh Club Ball. I know, how common, right? [Laughs] We looked at each other and looked away and when I came home, without even talking to me, my sister said she knew I liked him. I did immediately like him but nothing happened after that for a year. He was a friend’s friend and I met him again at the same friend’s anniversary and things just took off. From the minute I saw him, I honestly knew that something would happen between us. I think it was just meant to be because at the time I met him, I wasn’t planning on getting married or settling down but it just hit like boom – like we were magnets. Everything rolled very quickly and he’s amazing! I’m quite lucky!

What is your own personal style statement?
NK: It’s glamorous but I have my own way of dressing – I like what I like. You’ll never see me in a bad condition even if I’m stepping out to get groceries. It runs in the family actually because even my nani applied lipstick right before going for dialysis which was hilarious. I love jewellery and shopping. I would like to define my style as more classic glamorous than anything. I prefer to buy things I can wear even ten years down the line instead of investing in what’s trending or the ‘it’ bag or shoe of the season. Recently black and white have been my thing and much to my mother’s horror, even my wedding outfits aren’t red or in standard bridal colours, they’re pretty subtle and neutral.

What advice would you give to aspiring make-up artists?
NK: Be yourself, put your work out there and do something to shake it up! Do something different. Without sounding arrogant, I believe when we came in we really shook up the scene here. People had all sorts of opinions and things to say about what we were doing. They’d tell us ‘Her face is too shiny, make it matte’ because that’s what was popular at that time and now everyone comes and asks for our 100-watt dewy-skin look which we’ve become famous for. Also using quality products really matters. All of our stock is from Dubai. My mother travels every two to three weeks and we use the best products – we refuse to compromise on that even if we are preparing a model for a shoot. We spend way more on make-up than most others who use a lot of local products.

Have you had any association with make-up artists internationally?
NK: Yes, when I was working for MAC there was Tony Roberio and Vimmy Joshi who was one of the head make-up artists. David Horne is huge now and I have worked with him very closely. My dream is that I can work under one of the make-up artists I look up to because there was a point when I had the opportunity to do that or open my own salon and chose to do the latter so I hope to be able to fulfill my dream as well. Working in India is on the cards too since I have assisted with Bollywood actors getting ready for the Aifa Awards happening in Dubai. That was fun!

You’re a true representative of what you specialise in – beauty. Tell us the secret to your beauty and youthful look.
NK: Now it’s become a lot about health and nutrition. You can use the best make-up but beauty has to come from within. If you don’t take care of yourself I’m sorry, nothing can help you. There was a certain point in my life when I had gained a lot of weight, 45 kilograms more than what I am today and I can proudly say that I have lost all that today. Slowly I came towards the healthy side and now I’m big on vegetable juicing. Like my sister, I’m pretty much vegan now; still seem to keep going back to eggs and fish though. I don’t take gluten, sugar or rice in my diet either, and dairy very rarely. This is a part of my lifestyle now, not so much my diet so it’s not temporary at all. When skin and hair is concerned the first thing to consider to look youthful or beautiful is to watch your diet and lifestyle. The biggest problem I face with many brides is that they come with horrible skin conditions, dry lips, pimples and ask for 100-watt-skin, and that’s impossible. They need to understand the outer beauty, make-up and all comes much later, first it’s about inner beauty. Make-up can only enhance your existing features and face. Clients bring pictures of gorgeous celebrities and want me to make them look like that but I’m a make-up artist, I don’t have a magic wand.

What do you consider your area of expertise – fashion/creative make-up or bridal/traditional make-up?
NK: Both. I think I’ve proven myself in both sectors. My aim was to make my mark in all areas of make-up, I’ve been distinctive and no one can ignore my fashion portfolio because I did it for the love of fashion and then I have my bridal portfolio which is different so I think I’ve done well in both arenas.

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What tips would you give girls who want to improve their daily make-up skills?
NK: Less is more. Firstly people use a lighter shade of foundation than what they should be using because of the mindset here that a fair girl is pretty. Secondly, basic hygiene needs to be taken care of. There are girls with dirt on their necks when they come in, dry skin, chapped lips and lice in their hair. So girls please, before even getting to make-up, think about general grooming like washing your face, moisturising your skin and using Vaseline. Even in my classes, first day I tell them to wake up and wash their face! Once you take care of your hair and skin there’s not much left for you to do to look good.
Hina, what was it like growing up as Madam Noor Jehan’s daughter?

Hina Durrani: A lot of pressure. I remember even going to kindergarten I always stood out because everyone in class knew it and my teachers would often point it out throughout my school life as well so you always feel like people are watching you.

Did you feel an added responsibility to fill her shoes?
HD: Always, because she set such high standards for all of us that I think till today we all are trying to excel at everything. Till she died she made sure she was perfectly groomed; even when she went for dialysis she looked beautiful. We didn’t realise then but we realise it now that it takes a lot of effort to be like her. She was an extremely strong willed woman and she achieved everything she set out to achieve.

Tell us about Natasha as a child and teenager. What kind of a relationship did you two share?
HD: Natasha was a very well behaved, beautiful and amazing child. I didn’t even know I had Natasha around, that’s how well behaved she was! And I shared a very strong bond with my kids as I never kept a maid. She was very obedient and never any trouble. Natasha, like my sister Huma, has the kindest and most giving heart towards everyone. Natasha has always been into music as well; it’s in her blood after all. Then I had my little one, which was the best thing ever because they are just a year apart and they’re very close. She was a rather creative child but never troublesome. When she became a teenager however she flipped; she just wanted to exert herself and her personality started coming out which is when I realised she has a will of her own. I tried pushing her into a box but she wanted do things differently. We’ve both always been close to the extent I don’t think we have been or ever will be able to cut that umbilical cord. Now that she’s about to get married in a few months, every day is full of separation anxiety and crying! [Laughs]

NK: I’ve always resisted everything she says at first. So in a way by standing up against doing something she also pushes me towards doing that certain something. The resistances actually made me a stronger person and helped me grow a lot.

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Both your daughters are into the beauty business, do you ever feel an element of competition between the two sisters?
HD: Not at all! Sabrina is a barrister by profession so they’re in different occupations altogether plus they’re both like twins; they’re so close that sometimes Sabrina is like Natasha’s little child who she spoils more than I do. They can sit together and they don’t need anybody; they’re each other’s best friends and company to the extent I feel like an outsider sometimes.

NK: Lock me and my sister in a room together and we can entertain each other for days.

How was it bringing up two daughters? What sacrifices did you have to make as a parent?
NK: The fact that you have to live your life a certain way in order to be a good example for your kids takes effort. Children follow what they see. With my mum, she always had a schedule.

HD: I was a very proper mother since I had my kids at such a young age. I didn’t entertain anyone at my house after 8:30pm; my girls were growing up so I made sure they were always secure in every way. I didn’t have parties or go out much since I got married at 18 and had Natasha when I was 19. I was also divorced pretty early so there were some sacrifices on my part but I loved every bit of them. The most important role for me in life has been that of a mother, so more than a sacrifice my entire life till date has been based around my kids. When they moved to London to go to university, I didn’t let them go alone, I moved with them. My life has always ben entwined with my kids. We’re more like best friends, so we literally have no secrets between us. I also always gave them the freedom to do what they want to do, never restricted them, I was very liberal.

Tell us a little about your aspirations and do you feel like you have accomplished your career goals?
HD: My first and foremost goal has always been to be a mother and I placed myself second. I am ambitious but now that Sabrina is settled and Natasha is getting married soon, I feel now it’s my time to explore myself and see what I want to do next. One thing I really want to do is work with mothers and children to give back to society. I did my FAC first year since I wanted to be a doctor, but then I got married.

What is your relationship with your siblings like? You have a long line of achievers in your family tree as well so did that add any pressure on you to live up to the family name?
HD: We’re super duper closely knit. We’re always there to love and support one another. If someone even sneezes, we run to them. We are each other’s strength and that’s what the next generation has learned from us as well. Our entire family has grown up seeing all the fame and achievements so we’re all happy to see each other’s accomplishments without any rivalry or pressure.

What is it like when the whole family gets together to relive old memories?
HD: Oh, it’s crazy. It’s a very colourful family because we all are very expressive, emotional and hilarious as individuals. Everybody has his or her own strong individual personality. Natasha has a brilliant sense of humour, she’s a brilliant mimic and she’s a lot like my mother and Huma ji – she’s gifted. When she is on a roll, she leaves everyone in fits. Even my sister Mina has a great sense of humour.

NK: If there were a Pakistani version of keeping up with the Kardashians, it would be based on our family!

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Where do you see Natasha and Sabrina in the next 10 years?
HD: I don’t say this because they’re my kids, but I see them excelling in anything and everything they ever choose to do because both my girls are so dedicated and really put their heart and soul into whatever they want to do so I have no doubt that they will excel in whatever they choose to do.

As her biggest critic, what do you consider Natasha’s flaws/weaknesses and strengths?
HD: Natasha reacts without thinking; she needs to be more calm and think before reacting.

Your mother continues to be an inspiration for many, how do you feel about that?
HD: Even today it’s her talent actually that people relate us to. People come and try to find her in us, and you realise how loved she was. I have met so many human beings in my life but have yet to meet anyone like her to date. The traits I saw in her, I don’t see in any one human being and now I appreciate all that. Her work was her life and she worshipped it; singing was her oxygen and nothing came above that and that’s why she is respected today. Abroad, you have Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, that’s what she was like for us.

Huma Durrani


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Words to live by?
Hard work, sincerity and family.

Your way to relax?
I read, exercise regularly, and read some more.

Three things you don’t leave the house without?
My diary, phone charger and spectacles.

Your personal style statement…
Casual and classic! Sneakers all the way!

A good day spent with your daughters would be…
Sitting on the sofa, eating and giggling away.

Your cutest childhood memory of Natasha?
When Natasha was a child, she would never cry for milk, she would just kiss me repeatedly and roll over to the other side and then kiss me again and keep kissing me till she would wake me up.

Your biggest fear?
I don’t think I have any.

What differentiates you from your siblings?
I’m quite methodical, routine oriented and regimental.

If you could change one thing about yourself, it would be?
I’d be less self critical – sometimes I’m very hard on myself.

If you could change one thing about Natasha, what would it be?
I wish she’d be less impulsive and think/breathe before she reacts.

If you could give your daughters one piece of advice, it would be?
Actions speak louder than words.

Your least favourite make-up trend?
When people do their nails funky but it doesn’t suit them or the way they’ve done it isn’t correct.

The one thing you can’t stand?
Disloyalty and lies.

Are you a foodie? Favourite dish?
Not a foodie but I love crispy aromatic duck.

One make-up product you swear by?
MAC Spike (for eye brows).

Sabrina or Natasha, who is the obedient child?
Sabrina.

Sabrina or Natasha, the naughty one?
Sabrina.

Sabrina or Natasha, who is the go-getter?
Natasha.

Your fondest memory shared with your parents?
I remember by mother had just been taken off the ventilator and my father had flown to be with us and while he stood inside the ICU, he was so sensitive that he didn’t speak to her out loud, instead he spoke to her in sign language. She started crying and he walked up to her and it was beautiful to see them relate to each other without even talking.

Which sibling are you closest to?
Huma ji – she was like my mother.

NASTASHA KHALID


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Three words to describe yourself?
Strong-willed, ambitious and creative.

Which actress would you compare yourself to?
Monica Belluci.

Your idea of beauty?
I’m more of a dark features, dark hair kind of looks person; never been a fan of blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin and all.

Your worst nightmare would be…
I’m petrified of flying and my worst nightmare would be a plane crash. One of my plane’s engines caught on fire and although this was eight years ago, I’m still petrified.

If there was one thing you could re-do in life, what would it be and why?
Nothing! Everything in my life has led up to where I am today. There have been some massive mistakes but it’s all part of the learning process.

The last lie you told someone?
I lie all the time [Laughs] but my lies are usually to make people feel better about themselves. The last lie I told someone was that they asked to send them a job description for something which I said I have sent but still haven’t.

Favourite holiday destination?
I’ve been to a lot of places but I am in love with the Amafi Coast. It’s like being inside a dream.

Your definition of a perfect Sunday?
Nice brunch with family and friends, in my pajamas watching some TV series I am hooked on to at that given point in time.

The most romantic thing your partner has ever done for you?
He randomly writes letters to me, which is a lost art now but I love it because he writes very well. He does romantic things all the time.

What annoys you most?
When people become vicious towards one another. Even in the salon I see women being that way and it really upsets me because I feel like we women don’t stand up for each other and rather pull each other down and I want to see less off that.

One make-up technique you have mastered?
I think the skin. Honestly if I was to put up before and after’s of the people that walk into the salon, I would be legendary. [Laughs]

Your greatest strength?
In people, my mum and my sister. I think I can’t even breathe without my mother; I’m such a toddler like that but in life, my ability to learn from my mistakes.

Who do you look up to?
My mother.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you choose that?
The ability to make people empathise a lot more with each other. I would myself like to empathise more.

The worst experience you’ve ever had preparing a bride for her big day?
The worst nightmare is when women come in with lice and then they fight with you to still prepare them and as a salon owner, I can’t cater to anyone that has a contagious condition but brides will stand there and cry, cuss and threaten to shut down the salon and what not. People don’t realise it’s not a personal decision but yes, over lice I’ve had some difficulties.

Three make-up must-haves?
I’m obsessed with the Giorgio Armani Illuminous Silk foundation right now, the L’Oreal Telescopic mascara and Rose lip pencil from Bobbi Brown along with my Ample Pink lip-gloss on top. Everyone loves that when I wear it.

The biggest mistake women make when it comes to make-up is …
Not using the right shade of foundation. So making yourself look fairer when the rest of you isn’t the same fair skin tone looks awful.

Words to live by?
Work hard, have faith, mind your own business and have goals in life.

Your personal favourite cosmetic brand would be?
Mac and Urban Decay for lipsticks, Georgio Armani, Chanel and Estee Lauder for skin products. Since I’ve worked with MAC for so long, I’m quite familiar with their whole range of products so naturally there is a love for MAC.

One fashion trend you refuse to follow?
I don’t like Ombre. Especially here, since they don’t do it the right way, it looks horrible. Women need to understand that blonde hair doesn’t compliment our skins tones so if you have blonde hair with dark roots you need to do something about it – its not Ombre!

The one line a customer said to you, which you will never forget…
I’ve had some very sweet clients who send me cards, chocolate boxes and posts thanking me, which I really appreciate. I have box where I collect all these little words of appreciation from these girls ‘Like you make everything sparkle, thank you for making me look like a princess’.

Any hidden talents you would like readers to know about?
Anything creative to be honest. Interiors and photography is on the high right now. Singing, dancing, sketching, painting and even combining healthy foods.

The most interesting glam-formation you have worked on till now?
There was this Ethiopian governess maid Mussi who used to come live with us here. I glam-formed her and she would always look beautiful whenever we did make-up on her and shot her. She also did a shoot with Ayyan and I loved that she defied the norms here because I love African skin. People found that shoot to be very interesting and I loved that glam-formation.

Your definition of success?
I have goals and I like to achieve them. When I came to Karachi I had a list and in the time I’ve been here, I’ve managed to tick them all off. You make things happen when you aim for them, so having the will and setting goals is key.

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INTERVIEW: FIZZA FURQAN
CONCEPT, COORDINATION & STYLING: FIZZA FURQAN
PHOTOGRAPHS: AYAZ ANIS
HAIR & MAKE-UP: NATASHA


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