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Presto! You are pretty!
Stay a step ahead of the competition
Hair to stay
If you love giving people a makeover, the career of a hairdresser could be just right for you — and if you are really good at it, you might literally rub shoulders with the rich and famous.
Meet Zakir Khan, who earns a handsome salary working as a hairstylist with Hakim Aalim, a famous Bollywood hairstylist. “I am happy in the profession. It has given me a chance to work with famous people, and gives direction to my creative skills,” says Khan, who has run his scissors through the locks of such celebs as Irrfan Khan and Ishant Sharma.
But Khan rues that though the times have changed, there are still some people who snobbishly think of a hairstylist as a barber. “I guess, that’s why I am finding it difficult to get a bride.”
Aalim, who has styled the tresses of superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, started playing with hair at the age of 16. His father, also a hairstylist, encouraged him to take up the trade. “With absolutely no formal training, I gave my first haircut when I was in Class X,” recalls Aalim. “I borrowed a pair of scissors from my dad to cut a friend’s hair. I gave him a really short, trendy cut. I didn’t like the way it turned out, but he loved it, and so did his family and friends.
“My first haircut was all about fun, experimentation and fashion… I guess some things never change!”
Over the past five years, Aalim has established himself as the first choice of many actors. “The first star whose hair I styled was Vivek Oberoi. We are college friends and used to act in plays together. I now do his hair all the time,” says Aalim.
He feels that 21st century parents should give their children “complete creative freedom”. Hairstyling as a profession is not looked down upon anymore, and there is good money in it, he points out. “In fact, you can earn more money in it than most other professions. Parents should understand that one can grow in life with name, fame and money.” However, Aalim advises against doing this work only for the fame and the money. “It’s all about hard work and passion. If you want to be famous you need to be creative,” he says.
Most ‘branded’ hairstylists recruit trained people. “One should start by joining a professional academy and then get attached to a noted hairstylist for a year or so. After that, one needs to decide whether to stay or go solo,” says Aalim.
Generally, a hairstyling course includes lessons in shampooing and scalp treatment, roller-setting, braiding, curling, finger-waving and sectioning of hair, haircutting techniques using clippers, razors, shears etc, colouring, perming, waving and straightening.
A trained hairstylist can work for TV channels, ad agencies, and in theatre and films. Fashion houses and photography agencies also 
require their services. Some of the major parlours are Habib’s, Elle Passion Academy, Big Boss, etc.
Recounting memorable moments, Aalim says, “Tendulkar gave me his personal bat, and Amitabh Bachchan sent me a letter of appreciation. These are the things that matter and motivate you in life.”
So, if you think you have the knack of transforming people, head for an academy and prepare to turn heads.
Author: HT Horizons
Source: 28th Oct., 2009
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