“There should be a body to examine and licence the practice in this industry.”

The Professional Beauty & Hairdressers Journal India magazine has really helped in changing the optics of the beauty and wellness industry. For me, based in Ludhiana, it has made me aware of what’s happening around the globe. Sometimes, the smaller towns miss on the new trends and product launches but the journal is absolutely useful in keeping everyone updated.

Indra Ahluwalia, Master Bridal Makeup Artist and Founder, Grace Salon and Academy, Ludhiana, talks about how she has imbibed innovation in her salon business, the salon on wheels concept, her experience of attending to over 100 brides in a day, and much more…

IN THE BEAUTY BUSINESS, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR ONE TO BE INNOVATIVE? HOW HAVE YOU IMBIBED INNOVATION IN YOUR SALON BUSINESS, AND HOW HAS IT HELPED IN BUSINESS GROWTH?

‘Innovation’ is in fact the first word of Grace’s motto – Innovation, Experience, and Quality.

I still remember the time we used to do permanent hair straightening using ‘white flour’, and look at us today! With technology taking leaps of advancements, we now get products which not only look cool but are actually more effective. The brand manufacturers have transformed their products from Keratin to Cysteine to Biotine shots now! In skin treatments, we can even formulate creams targeting multiple problems at the same time rather than just picking facial kits off the shelf. We even try to get inspired from the west nd innovate them according to the Indian market, especially in makeup. It is not only he need of the salons, it is the demand of he customers to experience something ew after a while and this excitement of setting new trends helps us to retain the client base.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, YOU INTRODUCED THE ‘SALON ON HEELS’ CONCEPT. WHAT WAS HE THOUGHT BEHIND THIS, AND HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS IT FOR YOU ESPECIALLY DURING THE TOUGH PANDEMIC MONTHS?

The concept of ‘Salon on Wheels’ was y son Yuvraj’s idea while he was attending is friend’s destination wedding. This is where it all started when the bride had issues while getting her makeup. ‘Salon on wheels’ has been a tremendous success specially at destination weddings where we take the best artists along with salon like environment comprising of a shampoo station, professional chairs, proper lighting, toilet, and power generator, and most importantly, the comfort for bride.

During the pandemic, the concept touched its peak when our clients were hesitant to visit the salons and vice-versa. We catered to their needs by providing services in ‘salon on wheels’ which prohibited crowding and gave personal space to the clients.

YOU HAVE SET A RECORD OF GIVING 100 BRIDES THEIR BIG DAY LOOK IN 1 SINGLE DAY. GOING BACK IN THE DAY, WHAT DID IT TAKE FOR YOU TO CREATE THIS RECORD? WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO THE BUDDING AND EMERGING MAKEUP ARTISTS?

What a day it was! Keeping the record part aside, it was so overwhelming to know that so many people trust you for their big day! To be honest, more than the art, it takes a strong system to cater to 104 makeups in a day. We had to switch our system of multitasking to ‘division of labour’, which made the process smooth and effective. Working from 4:00 am till 10:00 pm is obviously exhausting but the energy of my team and myself never dipped. This is what I expect from the budding artists – to showcase that zeal while providing services and making every customer feel special.

AT PRESENT, WHAT ARE THE KEY GAPS/CHALLENGES THAT IN YOUR OPINION EXIST WITHIN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY AND HOW CAN THE BEAUTY EXPERTS MAKE EACH OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS O IMPROVING THESE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CAPACITIES?

I strongly believe that there should be a body to examine and licence the practice n the beauty and wellness industry. Majority f salons have changed their signages o ‘salon and academy’ but it takes a lot ore changes to operate an academy. here needs to be a proper infrastructure, qualified tutors, and systemised syllabus, which in turn would produce trained professionals. We ought to understand that e are working on somebody’s hair, skin nd personality, and we simply cannot work with half knowledge.

WHAT IS GOING TO BE EXCITING OR THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY IN THE YEAR 2022?

Because of salons being shut due to the Pandemic, the beauty and wellness industry as seen a slight shift from salon services to IY. It will be both exciting and challenging o see how businesses change their strategies in providing innovative services o getting their customers walking into the salons again. Brands are coming up with ew products which are formulated and used only by the professionals to help salons retain their customers. I am sure, the year 022 will bring in a positive change and e may notice the salon industry adapting rom traditional to more modern ways of providing services.