Mumbai girl Nisha Popat from Team BBLUNT was in Calcutta for the first time at the salon’s city stop at 35 Supra Court, Lansdowne Terrace, off Sarat Bose Road. “It is such a warm city to visit. I am very much an open personality. I love my work and sharing my knowledge,” said Nisha, who has been with BBLUNT for more than 10 years. Starting off as a junior hairstylist, she is now a manager of a salon, plus a salon director. “Slowly and gradually, BBLUNT helped me grow. I have really grown as a person and as a stylist. We don’t believe in perfection and we just try to enhance your natural beauty,” she said. The Telegraph chatted with Nisha on her career so far, summer tips and hair dreams.
Have you always been passionate about hair?
My mother is a hairstylist and I have grown up in a salon. Initially I didn’t want to become one though, but then I couldn’t resist. I was doing my BCom... a very studious person. Slowly, hair kept pulling me towards it. (Laughs) I had to follow my passion.
What does a good hairstyle add to the personality?
Hair plays an important role. We do a lot of things to our skin, but when it comes to hair, we are the first to criticise that it doesn’t sit well... but we actually don’t take care of it. In terms of shampoo and conditioning, we just pick up anything and use it. I feel everyone needs to use a little bit of product. People feel using products dries their hair off or damages it, but that is not right. We need to protect our hair from pollution. Every individual’s hair has a natural texture and we just like to define that. Everyone’s hair is different. You just need to know the right way to handle it.
You yourself have curly hair and your lockdown video on curly hairstyles was a lot fun! Is straight hair easier to maintain than curly hair?
I love curly hair and I think I am one of the most lucky ones to have curly hair. Even if your hair texture is fine or you have less hair, curly hair will never make you feel that way. I want to tell those who have curly hair or wavy hair and are cribbing about it, let me tell you it is the best hair that you have got. There is a way of handling it by using products and it is no rocket science.
What can we do to keep our hair less greasy and sweaty during summers?
Keep your scalp clean. We have an amazing product called dry shampoo. Though it is definitely not a substitute for a shampoo, but it is an alternative when you are running short of time. It gives you a fresh look and sheen. Also, obviously, if you eat healthy, your hair will be healthy.
What are great summer hairstyles and colours?
You can have a nice messy bun. It’s an all-time favourite. Or, plaiting your hair. If you are going to a wedding, accessorise with fresh flowers. Keep it simple. Length is a personal choice. I feel an individual should try all kinds of haircuts in their life. So, if they are waiting to go short, summer is the best time.
Browns are beautiful. They look nice and cool. You can try a caramelised brown or chocolate brown or mixture of both. Balayage is a beautiful technique that we have. People who haven’t tried colour before, it is the right way to get introduced.
Is there a summer no-no?
Do not over-oil your hair in summers because you attract a lot of dirt.
Adhuna Bhabani and Avan Contractor, the two pillars of BBLUNT, make a great team. What have your learned from them over the years?
There is a lot that I have learned from them. The passion that they have for hairdressing and their contribution towards the hairdressing industry, I am so glad that I work with them. We don’t oversell and just say the truth and believe less is more.
What is your favourite movie from what BBLUNT has styled?
The movie that changed the hair industry was Dil Chahta Hai and it is my all-time favourite.
