Mother’s Day is around the corner and this week, for our beauty section, we have featured the multi-talented Nadia Hussain.....
beauty
Mother’s Day is around the corner and this week, for our beauty section, we have featured the multi-talented Nadia Hussain - a model, host, actor, beautician and entrepreneur. And above all, she is a doting mom. So, what has Nadia’s journey been like - from modelling and acting to becoming an entrepreneur and launching her own cosmetic brand and what sort of relationship she enjoys with her children? In an exclusive interview with You! magazine, Nadia shares her experiences with our readers. Read on...
On being a model/actor...
Tall, slim and beautiful Nadia did not plan to become a model. She was more inclined towards completing her education and becoming a dentist. However, when she finished her A-levels, she had some free time in her hand, so she started a job at Frobels as assistant teacher. Around that time, she got a modelling offer from an advertising agency through a friend who was doing internship there. “I was bored, I was free, so I accepted the offer to earn some extra bucks. My first modelling assignment was for Lakhani Silk who were looking for a new model for their winter campaign. Then one of our family friends, Shamail Ansari, booked me for her show, followed by Imran Kureishi, Frieha Altaf and Deepak Perwani who persuaded me to do their shows as a model. Initially, I started modelling as a hobby but then unknowingly I was getting involved in it wholeheartedly,” tells Nadia.
While comparing between yesteryear models and today’s models Nadia reflects, “When I started modelling, it was a different era. There were a handful of models, 12-15, but it was the best breed in terms of standard and professionalism. I had the privilege to work with models like Tania Shafi, Z.Q, Iraj, Bibi, Zoella, and Vinny. All of us were educated and like-minded and were a one big happy family. I really enjoyed working with them and learned a lot from them especially Vinny.”
“But then once fashion weeks started, the entire scene of modelling changed. Normally there are two pools in a fashion week and you need at least 20 models in each pool which means you need 40 models in a fashion week to walk on the ramp. This transformation has led to the inclusion of all types of models in the field. While it’s good to see an influx of models, it is sad to see that generally today’s models don’t follow the same values and professionalism which their senior lot used to carry,” she observes.
At the same time, Nadia, who is also an actor, encourages the trend of models turning into actresses. “Sadly, our fashion industry is very limited; there are not many opportunities for models getting work on regular basis. Unlike the west, there are no model agencies as such which guarantee work. Since models need to earn money, they look for other opportunities. Our media industry is expanding, there are so many media houses and TV channels and actors are now earning well, so it becomes an automatic transition for models to start acting and if they are well spoken, they start hosting as well.”
Nadia, whose famous dramas include ‘Sarmaya’, ‘Phir Yuun Howa’, ‘Mithu Aur Apa’, ‘Ladies Park’, feels that though modelling and acting are related to showbiz, there are no similarities as such between the two. “I have enjoyed acting more as it gives you a chance to perform. There is creativity in acting whereas in modelling you have to do what the choreographer says.”
Nadia is an inspiration for so many upcoming and aspiring models as she has gracefully maintained her status of super model for years. “With your status comes a certain kind of responsibility too. I think a super model has to maintain her dignity, her grace, her position through her personality. I think that’s where family background and education come in. How you deal with people also says a lot about your background,” enunciates Nadia.
“But don’t be duped by the glitz and glamour of showbiz world,” warns Nadia. “No doubt, there is a lot of glamour attached to modelling but there is lot of hard work involved too. For instance, if you are called for shoot at 11am, then you are on your toes till midnight. We don’t always get our shoots done in studios, sometimes we have to do our shoots on streets, under the scorching sun etc. So, this field demands tough girls with lots of guts and attitude. So, my advice to aspiring models is to critically evaluate yourself before coming into this profession. Being beautiful is not important, you have to have the potential, right kind of attitude and right physique to be a model,” advises Nadia.
On being an entrepreneur
Nadia has proved that a model can be as sharp and intelligent as anyone else by showing her entrepreneur skills to the world. She has been successfully running her own salon in Defence, Karachi, since the past four years. The idea of opening a salon came up much later when Nadia was looking for a place to actually open up her aesthetic clinic. “I basically felt, for a long time, that I was wasting my education. I was a dentist, so I wanted to do something apart from modelling to secure my future as I knew that I could not continue modelling for the rest of my life. I wanted to get into aesthetics business. I went to Singapore and did courses in aesthetics. I came back and then I started clinic with Dr Mabroor Bhatty. I ran it for six to eight months but by then I had my third baby and it became very difficult for me to manage my work. Then for some time I ran my clinic from Sabs salon. Saba Ansari graciously offered her place with flexible hours which I really needed at that time. But I knew that I had to get my own place for my own clinic. So, in the process of looking around I got this place which was so spacious that we decided to set up a clinic as well as a salon in this location,” narrates Nadia.
Currently, Nadia is working on another branch at Lucky One Mall, Karachi.
In the past, she had two successful ventures with Shakil Zindani and Shariq Textiles as their brand ambassador. “A few years ago, Shakil Zindani, a businessman, approached me. He had started his shoe business and wanted me to work for him. Then Shakil decided to do lawn too so I did lawn with him for next two years, after that I did lawn with Shariq Textiles. I am happy that they trusted me and invested money in my name,” shares Nadia.
On her latest cosmetics venture - Bling
Nadia never rests on her laurels. She has recently launched her own cosmetic brand ‘Bling’. “Makeup is something which I have always been interested in. I came to know about the biggest Makeup Expo that was being held in China. It triggered my interest in cosmetics. I went to China to attend that Expo. It was a great learning experience. People from all over the world were there including Korea, Dubai, and Turkey. My medical background also helped me a lot in understanding of the products and formulations. Luckily, I found an investor and we struck a deal. I got in touch with a couple of suppliers from Far East side and together we launched this product. I have put a lot of hard work bringing this brand into the market today, and this would have not been possible without the immense support and guidance from my partner, Mr. Waqas,” explains Nadia.
Talking about her brand, Nadia says, “I’ve always been known for my jazzy personality, hence, my first makeup brand, ‘NH Bling’. Also, a lot of it got to do with the kind of makeup I use. Now I am happy that I am giving the same kind of shiny product to my customers. There are only two variants at the moment - Lip Bling and Eye Bling. Lip Bling is matte liquid glitter lipsticks and Eye Bling is matte glitter liquid eyeshadows. We have only introduced six lip and eye colours. I kept all the necessary conditions in mind for the Pakistani girls, making it waterproof, affordable and a certified Halal product. Moreover, it falls under the international standards. It’s available at Scentsation outlets in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and online at Daraz. I am also working on expanding my brand.”
On being a mom
In our society it is normally perceived that working women are not good mothers. Well this is not true. In fact, it has been proven that working moms are more conscious about their kids’ upbringing and put in lot of effort in raising their children. Nadia Hussain is one doting mom, who despite her busy schedule, always gives priority to her kids. Upon how she keeps balance between her work and family, she enunciates, “I have four children, Shadal (14), Shanzay (12), Sasha (6) and Sherdad (4). They all go to Grammar school and I always make sure to be around them. Balance between work and home comes with prioritising with what needs to be done at a particular point in time. Like when my kids are having their tests or exams, I try my best that in those days I should be available by taking minimum salon appointments and oversee what they are doing. My eldest feels that he needs my support in his studies, so I sit with him, revise with him. When I have other engagements like attending a red carpet or hosting an event, I make sure that my husband is around them. I really live by my calendar on my phone to be able to plan my day.”
Nadia firmly believes that a husband’s support - morally, physically, financially - is very important if you want a hassle-free life. “My husband, Atif Khan, is an investment banker. He runs his own brokerage house. Atif has been very supportive since day one - from taking care of children to taking important decisions in life. Since I had his support, I didn’t take any stress about anything and I went with the flow.”
So, what does a typical day look like for Nadia? To this end, she says, “I get up at 6:30 am and oversee that kids get ready for school (Thanks to domestic help) then I go back to sleep. Then I get up again around 10 am, quickly have my breakfast and go to gym from 11 to noon. Then I pick up my kids from school and have lunch with them. Generally, my appointments are in afternoon. There are no fixed timings for salon. When there are no appointments, I am with my kids or run some errands.”
“It’s a constant struggle and challenge dealing with your kids on a daily basis. The real challenge is to inculcate discipline in them. With my little ones I have to manage their sleep and play routine. With my older ones, I really have to manage their study routine and see that they should not spend too much time on their laptops and gadgets. So, challenges are there with growing children. Good thing is that they are under control as they all are still very young to go out with friends independently,” elaborates Nadia.
While describing her relationship with her kids, Nadia tells, “I am very much involved with my kids. I am very friendly and they know they can talk to me about everything. We also do fun activities together like going out for movies, ice cream, crabbing etc. I play football, cricket even carom board and Ludo with my kids. But at the same time, I am strict when it comes to discipline. It is very important for kids to learn basic manners. I make sure that my older ones make their own beds and don’t clutter. My husband and my mother-in-law are lenient with kids, so I am the bad cop. Parenting is all about keeping balance. I think in some ways I am old fashioned and in some I am very modern. It has to be a mix of both.”
“But, yes, at times it becomes difficult for me to take out time for my kids. Like I cannot accompany my kids to every birthday party and I send them with the maid. I want to be a perfectionist but I can’t. I have to let go of many things. I am not an OCD mom.”
“My message to all the overwhelmed moms out there is to stop worrying about being a perfect mom, as you unknowingly add stress to your life. There are so many things which are not in your control, so learn to let go. If you are a working mom, just do whatever you can do easily for your kids. None of us have super powers to do everything perfectly. So, enjoy your kids instead of taking extra stress,” smiles Nadia.
