Shahnaz Husain On What Makes Her Clean Beauty Legacy Endure - 50 Years On

As a little girl, I was fascinated by my mother's getting-ready ritual before going out. It was a no-fluff two-step routine: a thin layer of face cream and the jet-black herbal kajal she swore by on the waterline of her eyes. I would sneak her kajal and smear it on every time I played ghar ghar. Today, I am relishing a full-circle moment as I interview Shahnaz Husain, the beauty mogul whose creations once filled my mother's vanity drawers and defined my early notions of self-care in many ways. 

Shahnaz is a pioneer in the Indian beauty industry, having built an empire rooted in Ayurveda long before it became a global buzzword. Like me and many other women, she too was influenced by the beauty rituals passed down through the women in her family. This curiosity became the foundation of her eponymous brand.

"For me, something similar happened early on—watching my mother and grandmother carefully craft remedies from herbs, flowers, and oils," she recounted, speaking to SheThePeople. "Their deep respect for these natural traditions made me realise that true beauty comes from a genuine connection with nature."

Ahead of her time

Back in the 1970s, when business was dominated by men and when shelves were filled with synthetic formulae, Shahnaz took a radically different path. "I began advocating for Ayurveda, highlighting the fact that it has all the solutions to all the skin and hair concerns," she said. "After learning that it works on the root cause of the issues, I pioneered it and bottled it!"

Breaking into a market that was saturated with chemical-based products was not easy, Shahnaz admitted. "Through determination, passion, and my pure-hearted approach to helping humanity at large by pioneering Ayurveda, people got results that speak for themselves," she expressed, proudly reminiscing her resilience.

Shahnaz revealed how she has evolved as a businesswoman over 50 years. "Social media serves as a platform for trending news and self-expression. I ensure that I am always up-to-date with whatever is going on in the beauty market these days and how the consumers are making certain choices based on how a product is received online," she shared.

Today, herbal beauty is finding resonance across the world, as more people turn toward mindful living. Commenting on this, Shahnaz said, "Consumers today have gained awareness and are investing in purchasing clean beauty products... The West is now becoming more aware of [Ayurveda], when we as Indians have been using it since ancient times."

Beyond skin deep

While most beauty leaders sell the promise of perfection, Shahnaz maintains that beauty has never been just about appearance; it is a reflection of inner balance and integrity. "I have always said that good health and beauty are two sides of the same coin. For me, it's a combination of brain power, spirituality, and good health," she exclaimed. 

"My goal has always been to help people see beauty as something deeper—something sustainable, ethical, and truly transformative."

As the world chases one beauty trend after another, Shahnaz's personal wellness routine remains timeless, foolproof, and holistic. "I am a firm believer that what you consume is reflected on your skin... Eating a balanced diet of raw or sautéed vegetables, gluten-free food, seasonal foods, and fresh fruit juices has always been my lifestyle," she revealed.

Shahnaz also shared a simple yet powerful philosophy that guides her life.

"Another thing to keep a note of is never to ignore your body or yourself. Self-care is of utmost importance; if you look good, you feel good. You are shaping the perceptions of people around you and setting a tone for how people receive you. You should always take care of everything, right from the way you carry yourself, to the way you dress up, and the way you believe you are impacts your overall personality."

Lessons in leadership

Throughout her journey, Shahnaz has exemplified a kind of leadership rooted in supporting creativity. Speaking of her philosophy as a leader, she emphasised that true leadership is not about authority but about empowerment. For her, guiding and inspiring others means providing space for creativity, dialogue, and growth.

She expressed, "I have always [provided] a platform to people and their talent, a dais for self-expression, an open forum for discussing ideas. I believe that the mark of a true leader is someone who inspires you to become a better version of yourself rather than make you follow certain commands or expect you to adhere to the systematic way of subjugation."

Much like her vision for beauty, Shahnaz Husain's journey has been defined by authenticity and conviction. From making Ayurveda more accessible across the world to inspiring generations to value self-care, she continues to embody the principles she built her brand on. Even five decades on, she remains a symbol of timeless grace.