KOCHI: Jawed Habib has an unusual legacy. His grandfather and father served as hairstylists to some of India’s who’s who, which included former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and also the former British Viceroy Lord Linlithgow.But, unlike his predecessors, Jawed took another route. Instead of only serving a select few, he is on a mission to popularise effective ways to style hair in the country.
Ask the man, who is currently one of India’s leading hairstylists, whether he is afraid that his trade secret will become public, Jawed dismisses it as a silly worry.
“Hairstyling is what defines the way people look today. However, what is worrisome is that the education on hair is much less today, despite the spurt in the hairstyling industry. I should say this education is especially low in Kerala, which is why seminars and workshops are important to address this issue,” says Jawed, who delivered a class to 250 beauticians on Tuesday as part of the 100th anniversary of City Collections in Kochi.
Jawed is quick to add that hairstyling is also one of the biggest money-minting businesses in the country now. Kerala is no different. “In Kerala, I should say that hair straightening continues to be the major trend among women. Every second woman has curly hair and in their bid to look better, they straighten it. This is what I was telling the beauticians here.”
People want straightened and bouncier hair. “However, from what I have seen, the techniques used are not effective, which has created a fear among the public that straightened hair is very risky,” says Jawed, who began his brand Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty Ltd business in Kochi many years ago.
So, are the hairstyle trends in the country influenced by Bollywood movies and stars?
“Not anymore,” says Jawed. “That era has passed. People now select a few professionals they think are good with their job and ask them to create a style most suitable for them.” A question pops out of the crowd. Who do you think is the most-styled Bollywood star? “All the women are good,” says Jawed. “Among the men, Salman is the most experimental, followed by Aamir.”
The trend in Kerala
Jawed says that men in Kerala, and especially Kochi, are influenced by the trends in the Middle East, whether it be the brand of hair and beard products they use. “I tell most of my Malayali clients to stick to thinner and lighter beards because it suits their face better,” he adds.
Hairstyling science
Jawed believes he is a hair scientist. “There are so many textures, quality and types of hair. In India, there are 1.8 billion heads with different hair types. “It is such a vast industry. I tell beauticians everywhere to romance with hair and to speak the language of the hands. Learn to be fragile yet quick with hair,” he says.
Bollywood connect
So, who are the Bollywood bigwigs he has styled over the years? It ranges from Aiswariya Rai to Priyanka Chopra to Salman Khan and the rest of Mumbai’s hot names.