Jawed Habib, the doyen of hair care and style, has released a new book — Beautiful Hair Beautiful You! It is a comprehensive manual that answers all questions related to hair care and styling. Whether you are in your 20s or in your 40s, male or female, have short or long hair or have coloured your tresses, the book answers all questions on upkeep, styling and offers solutions to keep your mane healthy and enviable. A chat with Habib who is on a mission to educate all on healthy hair.
Most of your published books talk about your area of expertise, hair. How is Beautiful Hair Beautiful You! different?
This book talks a lot about right hair care — what is right for your hair and not what you like. Beautiful Hair Beautiful You! is a detailed book on how to take care of different types of hair in different conditions.
Do you think people’s hair needs have changed in the last one or two decades?
Yes, a lot. People are extensively using chemicals for styling, which is giving their hair a lot of problems. Also, their hair is exposed to pollution, which is affecting the hair health. People need more products and treatments to take care of it, like hair spa, masks, special conditioners and so on. It’s not like old days where soap was enough to keep the hair clean. Chemicals make hair dry and rough with time. The best solution for chemically styled hair is to do preconditioning — use oil before every wash and reduce the use of hot styling tools if possible. It is very important to give more effort and attention to hair care regimen at this point, which is mostly ignored.
Don’t you think that people are more aware and educated about their hair need and health?
Not much according to me, especially in the small towns. They are more concerned about the look of the hair and not the health of it. Slowly things are changing and hopefully people will understand the value of the health of their hair too. We have been trying our best to teach people through social media, seminars, masterclasses and other events. Our salons are a great help in spreading right education about hair health.
The pandemic saw a boom in homegrown brands offering customised and bespoke products (shampoos, styling gels, colours). Do you think this further creates confusion as they offer a gamut of choices or it’s a boon?
I can’t call it confusion but there is so much that sometimes people do more than it is required. There are a deluge of products, so many treatments and yet so little knowledge of what is actually required for a specific hair type and condition. Not everything is for everyone.... Right hair care is missing even when there is so much available!
What are your plans for 2023 for your brand?
I want to spread education about good and healthy hair among all.
Do you have any specific plans for the Calcutta market?
I have been doing a lot of shows and classes in Calcutta. My salons are running there well already and we are planning to open more soon. We also plan to tie up with NGOs/social organisations working in West Bengal to create awareness about hair hygiene and hair health.
What is your hair care routine now, at your age?
It is very simple — oil, shampoo and henna. Clean hair is healthy hair! I wash my hair every day and everyone should do that too.