The Hair and Beauty Show India 2023 in partnership with Godrej Professional was a two-day creative event held on June 5 and 6 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. The Hair and Beauty Show featured a 45-minute masterclass by celebrity hairstylist Sylvia Chen who drew upon her 23 years of expertise and showcased the mesmerising Ombreyage hair colour looks during the exclusive session. Godrej Professional is growing into a leading professional hair colour brand and was the key partner of the Hair and Beauty show, which featured their new Dimension-Ombreyage Collection. The event showcased the latest trends, techniques and innovations in the dynamic hair and beauty industry.
Godrej Professional’s Dimension-Ombreyage Collection represents a collab between the brand and hairstylists like Heena Dalvi, Ryan D’Rozario, Sylvia Chen and Najeeb Rehman, featuring four captivating looks titled Sandstone Ombreyage, Auburn Ombreyage, Crimson Ombreyage, and Pearl Square, each encompassing a wide array of tones and styles befitting every mood, style and individual identity. ‘Dimension’ by Godrej Professional is a campaign weaving beauty with the message of acceptance, inclusivity and self-expression. The initiative attempts to do this with something as colourful as hair colours. #Coloursareforall goes beyond gender, race, caste and creed.
Sylvia Chen is a distinguished professional in the industry with training from Vidal Sassoon Academy and Toni & Guy Academy in London and has established a prominent place in the hairstyling domain. She owns the renowned Butterfly Pond Salon in Mumbai and has styled celebrities including Vir Das, Nimrat Kaur, Swara Bhaskar and Mugdha Godse among others. t2 spoke to her and here’s what she had to say.
Can you tell us about the Dimension-Ombreyage collection? How does your creativity reflect in it?
Dimension-Obreyage is very interesting as the market was ready for something new. When we were brainstorming in the Godrej head office, we were wondering how to make the new range more 2023, more present, visually more interesting and yet, something suitable for our Indian clientele. That was the whole concept behind the Dimension-Ombreyage collection. Creativity-wise, we’ve extended the hair colour range and we are offering a no-ammonia pre-lightener. It is my favourite product that’s helping me create different colour palettes.
Tell us a little about your journey of 23 years in the industry.
I’ve been in this industry for 23 years. For the first six years, I worked with a multinational company, where I worked as a colour technician. So, my job was to teach how to use products in different salons. Then in 2005, I opened my own salon in South Mumbai called Butterfly Pond. And here I am today, a successful celebrity hairstylist!
Being a celebrity stylist, what’s that one thing you experiment with?I like to know what’s in the market. The trends have changed swiftly over the last 10 years with a boost in new products coming into the market. For me, it’s all about keeping up with the trend and using the best products there are.
What are your fave haircare hacks?
The second time I had Covid and had massive hairfall, I was using all-natural products — so onion juice and rice water are some natural products that helped my hair growth. Well, these days all brands use natural ingredients, so find a hairstylist you trust, consult them for the brand you can choose, trust it and your problem will be solved for sure.
How does hairstyling that you do break the notion of ‘typical beauty’. How does it stand apart?
In India, a lot of people want long hair. So, I feel experimenting with hairstyles, hair cuts and modern hair colours is a way to ensure that your beauty stands apart and isn’t so typical. Long hair isn’t the only typical beauty that makes sense anymore. Time has changed. Considering their lifestyle, looks, proper consultation is what the client is looking for. Proper conversation is my motto.
Pictures courtesy: Godrej Professional