Q1. What inspired you to pursue a career in your field, and how have your experiences shaped your professional identity ?
It all happened very organically. I’m actually a chartered accountant by profession and there was no plan to pursue a career of makeup or anything related to beauty but it was something I was inspired by since a child when I would see my mom’s dresser full of makeup ; I was so fascinated by it that instead of playing with dolls I would play with her makeup products. Post my marriage I decided to take a break from CA for a bit and while I was still figuring out what life had to offer me; I just decided to run a beauty blog for fun. I had a lot of time in hand so I started doing makeup for friends and family and started posting that on my page and next thing I knew people started reaching out to me asking me for my makeup charges. So that’s how makeup happened for me. And there’s been no looking back ever since then.
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Q2. Have you ever faced challenges in maintaining a healthy balance between your personal life and professional commitments? If so, how did you overcome them ?
Yes it’s quite a task maintaining a healthy balance between the personal life and professional commitments. In our profession we just have a few months of the peak wedding season and you literally don’t even have a moment to breathe those months . I have 3 to 4 brides a day so I start work around 6am and end only around 10 p.m. As a result I’m not able to give enough time at home with family. You end up missing out on so many personal events so that definitely does bother you. No doubt is very important to prioritize your personal life but then how I look at it is that it’s just a matter of a few months and I make sure that I take a month off in the summer and spend enough quality time at home. And of course, your health also does get affected in process. Sometimes you’re running high fever but you can’t cancel a bride at the last minute. It is a struggle for sure but then my passion for my work doesn’t make me regret this even for a second.
Q3. How do your personal values align with your professional goals, and how does this alignment influence your decision-making ?
If I have committed to something I have to make sure that I do it and fulfill my commitment. As a professional you have to be committed and sincere to your work. And if you can’t be then there is no point looking at this as a profession because a lot of people think that makeup industry is all about glamour but it’s not that way. When you have a booking and you have committed to it you have to be there for your bride. So come hail come storm you have to show up. And if you don’t then definitely you are ethically wrong somewhere. The last thing I’d want is for my bride to feel stressed because I’m not showing up.
Q4. Can you share some highlights of your current projects or work that you find particularly fulfilling or challenging ?
I think each bride is equally special to me. The happiness on her face is what keeps me going. And that is something I think which is the most fulfilling part of my work; when I see that joy on her face. There can’t be a better feeling than that when I’m being able to empower another girl. And that too on the most special day of her life. The challenging part would be that I only have 24 hours a day. And because of that I have to decline a lot of opportunitie and say no to a lot of brides.
“As a professional you have to be committed and sincere to your work. And if you can’t be then there is no point looking at this as a profession because a lot of people think that makeup industry is all about glamour but it’s not that way.”
Q5. What accomplishments in your career do you feel most proud of, and how have they contributed to your professional growth ?
When I started about five years back, I didn’t know how this is going to be as a career. I hadn’t taken any professional training and I started out as a self-taught artist. And today’s date I am conducting my own classes and helping girls start their career in makeup. Definitely feels like I have come a long way. Everytime I start a new batch I think it’s a great revision for me as well . And in fact makeup is such a profession that you’re learning every day hence I often find myself learning things from my students as well.
Q6. Where do you see yourself professionally in the next five years, and what steps are you taking to work towards that vision ?
Unfortunately I have only two hands and only 24 hours a day which makes me say no to a lot of work . And I hate saying no to brides. I’m trying to establish a team so when I’m not able to take up an assignment at least my team is there. And I’m teaching them exactly what I know and how I like to do my brides. I’m inculcating the same kind of ethics and values as I have in my students as well . This way my clients will have at least some Saaba Arora touch to her makeup.
Q7. Are there specific skills or areas of expertise you aim to develop over the next ten years to enhance your life trajectory ?
To stay at the forefront of the industry it’s important to continually educate yourself about the latest developments and the latest trends because makeup is an ever evolving industry. And also it’s not just about being good at your artistry; you also need to be a good finance manager, you need to strengthen your business and marketing skills, be a good photographer, good social media manager etc. And the aim is not to just be a good artist but also to be able to successfully manage and expand your own business.
Q8. What would you say has been the most crucial aspect to you achieving this level of success ?
Needless to say you are nothing without support and you’re nothing without your family. So I feel that if my family hadn’t been supportive and encouraging I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this level of success. Because as I mentioned that my work requires me to be out and about all the time or out of town travelling for different destinations. And I feel that if they did not offer me that kind of support and didn’t encourage me to fly high then I don’t think I would be where I am. I would definitely say it is all thanks to them for letting me fly and for being the wind beneath my wings.
Q9. How do you recharge and find balance in your personal life, especially during particularly hectic or challenging periods in your career ?
I feel it’s very important to recharge yourself even during the most hectic days at work . Though sometimes you don’t get even a day off in a month . But I feel even I get one day to just go to the salon and pamper myself or go for a short weekend getaway; it’s something that helps me recoup . Makeup is my love but having said that I feel it is important to recharge yourself to be good at your art. Because if your mind is not feeling healthy and happy you can’t be excelling at work.
“Needless to say you are nothing without support and you’re nothing without your family. So I feel that if my family hadn’t been supportive and encouraging I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this level of success.”
Q10. What challenges do you face in balancing professional responsibilities with personal commitments, and how do you address them ?
I think this is one of the most challenging part of my job – maintaining a balance between my professional responsibilities and personal commitments because as I said if I have committed to a bride I don’t like to back out. But having said that there are so many important personal events that I need to reach for. And it’s important to sometimes prioritize family. But no denying I love the hustle. Like recently I had a very close wedding to attend and at the same time I also had a bride’s makeup to do. I attended my family wedding and in the same attire went and did my bride’s and then rushed back to attend the function. So you have to figure a way to work around it.
Q11. How do you maintain your own professional development while also maintaining your position at the pinnacle of your industry ?
Makeup is an ever evolving industry. There are so many new trends new techniques and you have to be up to date with everything because as an artist you need to be on top of your game. Know all the latest trends in Bollywood / Hollywood / Fashion Week’s all across the globe . Also I make sure that in my off season I attend online webinars or if possible attend in-person classes of the artists who I look up to, who inspire me from all over the world to get a global perspective.
Q12. What initiatives or projects have been close to your heart or compelled you to take action or raise your voice ?
Every bride is extremely special to me and I enjoy working on each and every bride. But yes there are certain girls who leave an impression and who are very close to my heart. Especially there are a few brides who would literally treat me like their own bridesmaid their own sister or their own friend. But of course sometimes you come across clients who forget that you also have a life of your own or you also need some downtime to rejuvenate especially at destination events. I make it a point to bring it to their notice for them to realise how important it is for my team and I to rest it out to do a good job.
Q13. Do you feel that you have used your position to advocate for gender equality and support other women in your industry ? If so, when ?
I can very proudly say that ours is a women dominated industry and I am so happy about that. And I’m so grateful to be part of such an industry where women can empower other women. For example if my colleague is not being able to turn up for her bride due to any unforeseen circumstances, I’m always there to cover up for her and vice versa. I feel that we’re a huge bunch of girls always trying to help each other, always trying to support each other and show up for each other.
Q14. In what ways do you strive to be a role model for future generations of women leaders ?
In today’s day and age it is so important for a woman to be independent financially , mentally and emotionally. When you wake up in the morning, you should wake up with an agenda and not with a self doubt. You should know that you are capable of doing a lot more than a man, because you are managing the house and you’re managing your work . I tell all my students to have a goal in life and If you are creative and passionate then you are in the right industry. I really appreciate when girls from underprivileged backgrounds approach me and they to make a career in makeup but can’t pay hefty amounts for classes. I’m happy to offer them at a very nominal cost or give classes from my side so that they’re able to make a great life for themselves and stand on their own feet.
Q15. How can society create a more supportive environment for women to thrive in positions of power or have access to equal opportunities as men ?
I think it’s very crucial to implement cultural shifts to challenge or stereotypes and to implement equality and pay policies and eradicating gender bias in promotions and in hiring. So I think this would be very important. And for also investing in education and mentorship programs and flexibility at work for women.
