‘Horrendous’ wedding make up at her own wedding got Nilam Kenia interested in hair and makeup!
When asked what got her interested in the field, she said, “My makeup during my wedding was horrendous from that time I thought if I had a little knowledge about hair and makeup it could have been different, and that’s’ how I got interested in this field. Once I started learning the interest grew and I always wanted brides to look fabulous on their important day but when I started to learn I saw endless possibilities of hair and makeup artists than only bridal.”
Born and brought up in Mumbai, Nilam used to do bridals on a freelance basis, and started her career in Bollywood by assisting celebrity hair and makeup and stylist Florian Hurel. Talking about the courses she pursued before reaching where she is, she said, “I have done hairdressing from Franck Provost, makeup from Marvie Ann Beck Academy of Makeup, and The London School of Makeup. I have also learned bridal hairstyling from Seema V. Jerajani and I want to study more in this field. Then I started assisting Florian and got into the industry and that’s how my interest grew.”
She is currently busy with Madhuri Dixit’s Netflix web series “The Actress” where she is doing the legendary actress’ hair. But sharing her first big Bollywood break, she said, “My first break in Bollywood happened when I started assisting Florian. The first celebrity I styled while working with Florian was Priyanka Chopra for the movie ‘The Sky is Pink’ and the first celebrity I styled independently is Madhuri Dixit Nene.”
Nilam feels that the hair and makeup industry is booming in India, and said, “I feel the hair and makeup industry in India is vast and has artists on all levels. It is growing fast and I feel there is enough work for everyone if you are good with your skills.”