You’re a renowned make-up artist and hairstylist who has spent years in the beauty business. Tell us about how you started out and got involved in this profession? All my life I had bad haircuts and ended up fixing them at home. By the age of 20, I realised I did a better job than others. Married, with two young kids then, I sold my wedding diamond set and enrolled myself in the best hair academy of London. I came back and opened a one-chair salon in my 8×8 staff quarters at home. Every penny I made went back into learning and reinvesting in the business. Three decades later, I pretty much still do the same. Who were some of your initial mentors and teachers in the industry? As I have never worked for any other salon, I don’t have mentors in this industry but Vidal Sassoon, Trevor Sorbie, Mark Hays and Annie Humphry have been my heroes. Do you think women should stop relying on cosmetics and focus on grooming their skin and hair instead? I believe in looking gorgeous when you step out of the shower. To reach that level of perfection requires a lot of hard work and discipline. What goes on top is a bonus. What are some of your daily beauty rituals? Yoga, meditation and a head stand. What is the one beauty product you never leave your home without? Which is your go-to cosmetic brand? No Make-up which again, I made for myself, is an all in one face perfecting palette, giving me invisible flawless results in a minute. I mastered the formula in one of the best European labs and produced it there. It took me 15 years to launch it in Pakistan last year. This year it’s going global as women love the form and function. It’s my all time favourite and I never leave home without it. “All my life I had bad haircuts and ended up fixing them at home. By the age of 20, I realised I did a better job than others” Name someone you’ve never done make-up on but would love to. I would love to work with Madonna and Lady Gaga. I love their vision and guts and I know we could create something amazing together. Who has the best hair and skin in our industry? Pakistani women are beautiful and have amazing skin, complexion and hair. Reema would be one of the first names to come to my mind. You are an award-winning make-up artist and hairstylist. What, according to you, has been your biggest achievement to date? How do you think your achievements have changed you? Building the brand name ‘Nabila’ which is credible and trustworthy, means a lot to me. My achievements have humbled me. I realise people look at me for image-related solutions. I’m investing a lot of time in research and development to come up with intelligent home care products. What is your vision for Pakistan? What does it mean to be Pakistani for you? I love Pakistan and I’m proud to hold a green passport. I was born, raised and educated in Karachi. I work and have homes in Karachi and Punjab. It may have its own issues and unrest but my focus is on how ‘I’ can make a difference rather than what others could do. In my frequent travel and international interactions, I represent Pakistan in a positive light and in doing so, hope to make my country proud. What else do you feel the most passionate about? I love learning, creating and breaking boundaries. “I love learning, creating and breaking boundaries” Are you a foodie? What is your fitness routine? I’m a recovering food addict. I love food but I try not to be near it. It takes a lot of discipline and therapy to do so. What are you currently working on other than your salon? Currently I’m working on launching No Make-up in the US. It’s been tested in Hollywood and had an immense response. We at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours? Abdul Sattar Edhi, General Raheel Sharif, Dr Adeeb Rizvi, Sadequain and Abida Parveen to name a few. Achievements Self-made Stylist At the age of 20, Nabila realised what she was best at, joined a London-based academy instead of a salon and as well as self-taught herself into becoming our country’s leading professional make-up and hair stylist. Super Mom One would think Nabila is an all-work, no play professional, but this lady has mastered the art of raising two children as well as learning and ultimately becoming the legend that she is. Successful Entrepreneur NPRO by Nabila is one of the most successful-running salons in the country right now, operating in the major cities, with a clientele that includes the top-notch and renowned faces of our industry. It’s a unisex salon. And now, Nabila has launched her signature make-up collection called No Make-up which is already a hit in the market. She plans on launching it in the US as well. It’s been tested in Hollywood and was met with an immense response.