This year, hair and make-up expert Nabila has numerous reasons to celebrate as she marks an incredible milestone — four decades in the beauty industry. Renowned for her trendsetting and innovative approach, Nabila, along with her brands ZERO Makeup and NGents, is proud to return as the official Hair and Makeup Partner for IIFA 2024 for the fourth consecutive year.
In addition to her ongoing success with the Zero Makeup line and the pioneering Blurring Pen, Nabila has recently expanded her offerings to include a new hair care line, a testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence.
She champions the concept of the “decade jump”, a philosophy that encourages individuals to redefine themselves every ten years. This belief resonates deeply in her own journey and inspires those around her to embrace change and growth. Over the past few decades, Nabila has accelerated her evolution, consistently expanding her product line and influence within the industry.
As she prepares for the awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi this weekend, City Times had the opportunity to sit down with her to discuss her long association with IIFA, her latest hair care line, and the dos and don’ts for the upcoming awards red carpet.
This is your fourth year with IIFA. What does it take to replace a global make-up brand and become the go-to choice for an event as prestigious as IIFA?
ZERO Makeup has been part of IIFA since its inception. This make-up has been created to meet the specific needs of the South Asian complexion, whether fair, medium, or deep. It’s a synergistic backstage brand partner for IIFA as it strongly represents the South Asian brown skin diaspora worldwide. It’s my honour to be a part of this prestigious award show.
Has there been creative conflicts with superstars about embracing the looks you envision for them versus their own ideas about maintaining their image?
We always listen to our clients, as they have to wear the look. Whether they are celebrities or the girl or boy next door, we understand their vision and negotiate until we co-create a perfect balance that they are comfortable with, and we are proud to put the NABILA stamp on.
You introduced the concept of image consulting over two decades ago at Pakistan’s Lux Style Awards. If given the chance, who at IIFA would you like to give an image makeover to, and why?
I am a firm believer in managing one’s image and constantly reinventing it. While it’s sad to know we get judged by our cover, the good news is we can change the wrapper to our advantage. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is someone I would love to work with one day.
Your ZERO Makeup Palette has become a staple for many stars. How has it been received internationally, and how do you think it compares to other products?
ZERO Makeup specialises in all complexions of the subcontinent and is extremely well received by this diaspora worldwide. The product is made with four decades of my knowledge and experience, using world-class ingredients, and can be compared to the best.
From Beyoncé to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, many celebrities have launched their own hair care lines. Do you think this expansion of yours is driven by personal passion or the increasing demand for hair care in today’s polluted world?
My hair care line is the essence of my four decades in the industry. The solutions come from the experience and knowledge of our hair and its unique requirements. It’s definitely not because I’m famous, have followers, or am looking for a money-making gig.
Was it a long journey to perfect the formula for your hair care line, and what were some of the key challenges you faced?
There is no shortcut to hard work. The transition from service to product is super exciting but has its own challenges. Research, formula development, packaging, design, communication, e-commerce, distribution, sales, finances and so on. I’m learning on the job.
There’s a notion that we no longer have style icons because everyone is trying to do everything, and there’s a lack of signature styles. What’s your take on this trend?
I think this notion is 100 percent correct. I see very little individuality — everyone looks the same. Same wardrobe, hair, makeup —now even the same lips, nose, and lashes.
Can you share any memorable interactions or friendships you’ve made during your time at IIFA that have had a lasting impact?
I became very fond of [director-choreographer] Farah Khan as I see a lot of commonalities. She has an amazing sense of humour. She is also one of the OGs and a kingmaker in her industry. Of course, the IIFA organisers have become like family and are a very special part of my support system.
Sustainability and ethical production have become central to many beauty brands. How does your hair care line incorporate these elements, and how do you plan to keep up with these global trends?
My kids are very particular about these causes and constantly keep me in check should I ever falter. Luckily, I have always been inclusive, diverse, and sustainable in my practices long before it became a trend. Our products are not tested on animals, the supply chain is audited to be free of child and forced labour, the packaging materials are recyclable, and the formulas are mostly vegan, paraben-free, and made with the best ingredients. We constantly refine our benchmarks by removing and replacing ingredients that become controversial globally, keeping them up to par.
In your opinion, what should be the top dos and don’ts on the red carpet?
The red carpet is always larger than life. Bold colours, striking silhouettes, and a strong presence keeps one from getting lost in the glitz and glamour.
Sadiq Saleem is a UAE-based writer & can be contacted on his Instagram handle, @sadiqidas.