Herbal cosmetics diva and Lucknowite Shahnaz Husain to set up a beauty academy in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Reconnecting with her roots in Lucknow, the President of Shahnaz Husain Herbals, Nelofar Currimbhoy said that they plan to open a Beauty Academy in the state capital. Currimbhoy, who is the daughter of the famous Lucknow girl Shahnaz Husain who took Indian herbal cosmetics international, said that their family felt the need to contribute to the city of Lucknow to which they belong and spent many years during the 1960-70's.

She said that Shahnaz Husain group of companies operates two manufacturing units in Okhla and one in NOIDA which falls in UP besides one each in Rooreke and Dehradun.

Currimbhoy said that they now want to set up a Beauty Academy in Lucknow to train beauticians and also researchers. "My mother took up a job in Lucknow in the 1970's and that is where the fire to do something of her was kindled. Despite leaving the city many years back, we still identify ourselves with it as we have lived and studied here during our formative years. My mother wanted to give back something to the city and so we propose to set up a Beauty Academy here by next year" said Currimbhoy.

Shahnaz Hussain whose eponymous beauty label earned internal fame and famous clients is credited with taking the ancient Indian beauty treatments global. A Padma Shri awardee, Shahnaz Husain has 400 franchised beauty salons in India and abroad. With over 250 cosmetic products much of which is exported, the Shahnaz Husain label is also on the shelves of leading up market retail chains globally.

Nelofar Currimbhoy said that the thrust of the company is on R&D for which they have set up a 25 acre farm cum research centre near New Delhi to bring out new herbal products.

She has come out with a biography of her mother called Flame which in its third print run now.