In conversation with Masarrat Misbah
MASARRAT MISBAH, entrepreneur and social activist talks to SANEELA JAWAD, about her life, beauty and commitment to her NGO.
Masarrat Misbah is one of the most popular names in the Pakistani fashion and media industry. A veteran beautician turned philanthropist, she is one of the first to introduce the trend of professional beauty salons in Pakistan. Following which she started the Depilex Insititute which became one of the leading beauty institutes in Pakistan.
While known for its internationally qualified staff, what makes Depilex stand out from other institutions is perhaps the launch of the Depilex Smile Again Foundation in 2003, set up to help acid burn victims live a normal life, free of strife and stigma. The Foundation was considered as an NGO in 2005.
We got a chance to speak to the beautician herself at her Depilex Head Office in Lahore where she takes us through her life as a beautician and a philanthropist.
Tell us about your journey in the beauty industry?
I started back in Karachi during the 1980s, where I opened my own salon at Tariq Road at a time when the concept of a beautician was not considered noble in our society.
Being a single parent, I knew I had to fight all odds to stand for what I believed in; the concept of empowering women.
I got my professional training from London after which I returned and with the help of my family and a British friend, we started the Depilex Beauty Clinic.
We had a team of doctors, dermatologists, psychologists and skin specialists, as there are many skin related problems that a beautician alone cannot solve.
Clients with dermalogical issues were referred to the doctors, whereas minor problems like facials and early ageing signs, would be treated by our team at Depilex.
Following the success of the clinic, the concept of an institute came into existence.
This was because I realised that not everyone gets a chance to finish their education or get a qualification in our country. Thus, it seemed like the perfect idea for girls who wanted to become beauticians.
At that point, mostly girls from the middle classes, or upper middle classes wanted to work.
Now, things have changed. Today, the beauty industry has become profitable. This might be the only industry where women feel empowered.
It not only empowers them but gives them an economical stand on the ground, the right of opinions and the role of a leadership in a family.
37 years down the lane, Depilex has more than 52 branches over Pakistan. It is one of the most recognised beauty salons with qualified professionals, good equipment, and top-notch services.
What is ‘beauty’ for you?
It is a balance in life. It is taking care of yourself. Keeping a good diet, taking enough rest, and using good and unprocessed products.
Basically, health is beauty.
When I first started the Smile Again Foundation, I thought I will help a few girls, but only later I realised it was not just a few girls who needed help.
Tell us about your work philosophy.
My philosophy is that whatever responsibility you take on, you have to be dedicated. If you aren’t working with the right intention or you aren’t honest with it, things will never work out.
Do well for yourself, and for others.
You should also have faith in God. Give your 100 per cent as you work. If you have belief in yourself, you will succeed.
How do you implement ethics and values into your business?
We carry out regular meetings with our staff.
These meetings are separate from training. They help us connect with the staff on a personal level.
The idea is to find a solution and send out a positive vibe to the team. There is a need for decorum at the workplace, but there should be enough flexibility for guidance between the boss and the employee.
What are the major milestones of your career?
The major milestones have to be the ladies salons, the men’s salons, the Depilex Foundation and the MM Makeup line.
As of now, we are working on a mask for different skin types, which will allow women to get immediate and effective results after the first application.
We are also increasing the range of our MM Makeup line by adding a more diverse colour range to our lipsticks.
What is the most challenging obstacle that you have faced in your career so far?
In the beauty field, it has to be the change in perception of the beauty business from a luxury to a necessity.
Apart from that, it is the Smile Again Foundation. It is a challenge as women are still getting victimised to such heinous acts. I want women to know their rights, so they can stand up for themselves.
Why was it vital to spearhead philanthropy through your widely successful brand?
I think it comes naturally. Once you count your blessings, only then you are able to see others’ agony.
When I first started the Smile Again Foundation, I thought I will help a few girls, but only later I realised it was not just a few girls who needed help.
Right now, we have 766 girls registered with us. There are much more whom we have not been able to reach or vice versa. Even today there are tragedies being faced by women and we have to help them.
How does it feel being recognised?
It is not about being recognised, it is about doing what we do with good intentions. Starting the Depilex Smile Again Foundation changed my perspective.
Keeping the foundation in mind, it is our corporate social responsibility, to look after women who have been burnt, mutilated and want help.
What was the inspiration to start your own makeup line and then the halal makeup line?
Makeup is something that every woman endorses worldwide. Even in the toughest of times, a woman will surely be equipped with “Kajal” or a hairbrush. That’s how the makeup line started.
Eventually, when I was looking to expand and diversify my business, I realised that there are no natural products.
Thus, we started the MM Halal Makeup line, which does not have any harmful ingredient that could affect any consumer.
Not only that, the products are reasonably priced, are of high quality and most importantly are halal.
Our products are manufactured and certified in Turkey by an authentic organisation.
Furthermore, labelling the product as halal is not enough. It is also about a Shariah compliant process which the manufacturers have to follow in order for it to be halal certified.
During the process, I learnt that this is not easy, even if it is just a lipstick. If the product contains pig fat, which is not halal in Islam, it would not be permissible for use.
There were things like these which needed to be considered. This is also another reason why I don’t have a big colour range. However, what I have is halal and permissible.
Usually, the process of deciding my colour range is difficult because if we use ingredients that are not permissible, it wouldn’t be fair and so it takes time.
It is not about being recognised, it is about doing what we do with good intentions. Starting the Depilex Smile Again Foundation changed my perspective.
What are the new trends of 2017 according to you?
Since summers are starting, we would be looking at softer colours with tied back hair.
If it is an evening out, the makeup should be soft, a dark lip colour or even use glitter on the eyes, if you are a fan. The basic concept of makeup is to enhance your beauty, not to make you look older. All you have to do is just go with the flow and do what suits you.
What is the one essential beauty product that you use?
A lip colour.
Men are sometimes belittled for investing in personal care, what are your thoughts on that?
We need to break the stereotype that salons are only for girls. Our men’s salon has been running successfully for the past ten years.
Furthermore, boys and men should be allowed to pamper themselves, whether it’s a grooming advice or skin treatment or just styling for any occasion. Men need to know that there is no harm in learning how to groom themselves.
What is your advice for the newbies in this field?
Learn to master your skill. Get some education, then your training and you will be good to go.
Masarrat Misbah advises everyone to avoid using white formula creams. They contain mercury that not only harms the skin but also damages the organs.
