by Faika Farzana

“My vision of beauty is one that encapsulates confidence,” says Farzana Shakil, one of the most renowned makeup stylists in Bangladesh. After opening up a beauty salon in January 2003, Farzana Shakil’s latest endeavor is a coffee table book on makeovers titled “Looks” which was launched earlier this year.  

An interest in beauty and fashion had always been present with Farzana. She had a fascination for makeup and had experimented on friends and relatives while growing up. While a career in this field seems rather tangential from her original studies in international relations at Dhaka University, Farzana felt she needed a greater form of expression for her creativity. She set up her first boutique in Dhaka which was well received and encouraged her in her pursuit of makeup and beauty.

Farzana dwells strongly on the role that her husband, Shakil played in inspiring and encouraging her in her endeavors. Such encouragement enabled her to start up “Farzana Shakil Hair and Beauty” in January 2003. Subtle, sophisticated and sensual, that’s the trademark of a Farzana Shakil bride. It is a look that is quite recognizable around the country especially due to Farzana’s ongoing fascination and attention to the eyes of the brides.

Make-up by Farzana Shakil

It is not just her husband but also her children who have helped Farzana become who she is. In the introduction to her book, Farzana acknowledges that her son and daughter are indeed her sternest critics. She would not be where she is today if they had not given her the time and space to carry on her work.

Adhunika caught up with Farzana for a quick chat on her life and Bangladesh’s prospects in fashion and beauty.  

A: How would you define the modern woman and her role in society as an individual, daughter, wife and mother? 

FZ: I have felt that confidence is always the key. Being financially independent is also a part of being confident bout oneself. Bangladeshi women have progressed far not just in terms of education but in terms of capacity. The skills that Bangladeshi women have gained along the way have added onto their confidence.

A: How do you balance your personal and professional life?

FZ: For me, it’s a matter of setting priorities and then trying to achieve those priorities to the best of my ability.  

A: Who has influenced you the most in your life?

FZ: Kevyn Aucoin is a makeup artist whom I admire him greatly. Kevyn passed away in 2002 at a very young age. I have also noted Kevyn’s influence in my book. Kevyn was immensely talented, whenever I saw Kevyn’s work, it made me feel that he has magical hands.

My husband, Shakil has been integral in giving me the freedom and the space to establish myself. While I did have the knack for creativity, Shakil has helped me harness that knack through studying and learning about this industry.  

A: What is your typical day?

FZ: My typical day consists of getting up early, talking to my husband about my day’s activities. After I have lunch at home with my daughter, I go to the salon for the various bridal makeup appointments. Evenings are often taken up by invitations but I prefer to spend time at home with my daughter.

A: If someone wanted to get involved in this field, what advice would you offer them?

FZ: Study. What is often missing in Bangladesh is the right education and training before going into the field. The prospective makeup stylists need to know what they are doing. They have to know the business in order to succeed. It is not merely a matter of making money. In order to make such an endeavor into a viable concern, there is a need to know the business really well before starting. There are many opportunities available to be a beautician. It is not necessary that someone should open up a beauty salon to do so. One can be a free lance beautician or a makeup artist. There is a tremendous demand for freelancing in the beauty industry and we always need people.

Make-up by Farzana Shakil

Farzana is quite hopeful about the beauty industry in this country. She stressed the role that electronic media has especially played in making the Bangladeshi women aware and interested in ongoing beauty trends around the world. It has increased their demand for such beauty treatments and products in Bangladesh.  

Farzana’s latest endeavor is truly innovative. “Looks” encapsulates the makeup trends that were seen in South Asia over the past decades from the pencil thin eyebrows of the forties, the bouffant of the fifties to the flower power of the seventies to the makeup trends of this millennium. “Looks” also gives us a glimpse of the celebrities in Bangladesh highlighting their beauty and elegance enhanced by Farzana’s work and capturing them for posterity.  When asked about the book, Farzana told Adhunika that:  

"Bangladesh is a small country. More often than not there is a lack of a positive image about this country. But if we look at our burgeoning fashion and beauty industry, we see that there is good work being done here. There are great photographers, good models, exceptional makeup artists. While I was developing the book, not many people really understood what I was doing. This book is a means for me to show that there is good work being done in this country and that it is possible for us to compete as equals at the international level".

Dhaka, Bangladesh, December, 2005