Nadia Lotia – Hair She Comes

Real success is not rated by the amount of money you make but with the satisfaction of your clients. Nina Lotia is a charming, young and experienced hair stylist who radiates positive energy round the clock. Her salon speaks of her unparalleled success, which is always packed with her clients. Clients who are not only satisfied with her work but are overjoyed with her ever welcoming and friendly nature. Read ahead to learn about the secret formula, straight from the horse’s mouth.

How did you step into hair cut and styling?
I went to Robert Fielding in 1987, in London. I did my initial training from there. In the beginning it was just for fun. I used to cut hair of my family members and friends and then gradually by the word of mouth it spread and today I am here. Since then every year I go to Tony & Guy for my refresher courses. I have also been working with Vidal Sassoon in London. I specialize in haircut and color. I don’t do makeup. It’s just more of a passion for me now. I started from a garage and now I have a salon on Zamzama.

Yeah one that is the most well known in the city for cut and color? What is the secret, may we know too?
It’s basically a lot of hard work. I have a very dedicated staff. I train them myself and sometimes I have students who are trained by Vidal Sassoon

Why is hair an ignored part of our look?
We could have said these ten years from now but now anymore because people have now become very aware of their hair. And now they have realized that no matter what they wear it won’t make them look good if their hair is not looking good.

So you always have consultation with the client.
Oh of course with every client we have a consultation first then a lot of clients even have budget issues. We try and do it in their budget too. To be very honest with you I am not a very commercial person. I am not interested in doing one cut a day or two and act snooty that this is it for the day. I am not like that. My clients are welcome to come any time.

It must be very tough getting the right look for the clients as far as the cut is concerned.
Not really. My haircut is divided into two parts, first wash and a cut and then a blow-dry. After every blow dry the cut is rechecked by me personally because the biggest issue here is the length of the hair. When I have given the right length then the client is very happy. But it not then I’m in a lot of trouble. So we normally play safe. But once the hair is cut, they can’t be replaced. And I even tell my clients that after your first wash at home dry your hair and come and show it to me. And most of my clients do that. The first important thing is that I ask is what erase that part totally.

What do your clients mean to you?
I treat them as friends I make them so comfortable. The thing is you should always be true and honest with your clients. We give every client personal attention and we deal with them at a very personal level. It’s not just professional and mechanical; we share a very emotional and personal bond with our clients. And I believe it should be like this.

What is fashion for you?
Fashion for me is what I create for my client. If at the end of the day the clients are looking fabulous, that’s fashion. It can be a braid or a very simple blow-dry.

What kind of clientele do you cater to?
I feel we cater all classes. I don’t care how many mills do they have or how many houses. We are one of the cheapest right now. Considering what level Mashallah we have reached still our prices are very affordable, only for the reason that I want my work to be seen on the streets rather than just making a statement in the magazine.

Why don’t you venture in fashion shows?
I am very happy and very content with what I m doing. I don’t even have the time. I don’t believe in the philosophy that doing shoots and shows can make you famous. I think just by showing your work around and the growth by just the word of mouth is the real expansion.

How far do you think Pakistani women are ware about personal hygiene?
I think the people I deal with are very aware.

Okay, the recent trend of coloring the hair, doesn’t that damage them?
Frankly we do not use bleach. Our color is popular just because of the fact that I was trained in this way and my experience and love for color. You can ask any of my clients. It takes longer but the result is so fantastic and if you lowlight or highlight your hair, they will grow out naturally.

What should one do with one’s hair in a hot weather like that of our country to feel a little cooler?
When you are washing your hair, you are stimulating glands in your head to secrete more oil which is not good. For frizzy hair, try using an anti frizz serum. There was a time when products were not available, but now they are, and are very affordable so you just get the product that is good for your hair and use it.

I guess it’s all about the time that you give to your hair.
Yeah obviously.

What do you think about the Pakistani fashion industry?
Fantastic.

Doesn’t the glamour of the fashion industry really attract you?
No. it doesn’t though I have done some shoots with visage. I believe in having a low profile. I like to move slowly and gradually. If your work is good it will eventually show and take you to newer heights. People ask me a lot about why do I avoid media but it’s not that. I’m happy and free, and if I am given more opportunities I would face them. But the thing is if you go in a very height way you start neglecting your work and your job. And you start depending on your staff. This often becomes the beginning of your downfall. And why all this just to see your name ten times in a magazine I mean it doesn’t really matter.

What are the important components of your job?
Patience. I think the amount of patience a stylist has, no one else has it. We have to deal with things with a very cool mind and head.

What are the products you use?
For colors, we deal with certain companies. I always recommend products which are easily available and affordable.

How do you mange your family?
Mashallah I am a very organized person. I have two kids, a daughter and a son. I go home at 6:30 in the evening and spend time with my family. I even cook for my kids. We often go out on weekends.

What are your plans for expanding your business?
Actually I am one of those who don’t make plans. I have complete faith in God and whatever is in my fate will get to me. I have never build castles in the sky. I take everyday as it comes and I thank God for it. But recently, I have started going to Lahore, and am working with Madiha in her make-up salon.

So we see your salon in Lahore soon.
If God wishes then soon. But what my problem is that I like to be where I am working. I can’t trust people with my work. We work as a family here. My staff is very loyal to me and when I’m away, they take extra care of my clients and work. Lahore has a fantastic market. Its bigger than Karachi. I am waiting for children to grow up

Being a successful working woman did you face any problems initially?
None. When I entered this field. I was very young and after my training, I got married. My family always supported me.

That’s how everyone should be.
I feel that every girl should have a career. In fact recently I started a session with my girls in rural areas, to spread awareness amongst females about how they should utilize their life and their talents, so that girls come out of their homes.

Any special advice for the readers?
Don’t tie your hair when it’s wet.

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