This year, hair and makeup expert Nabila celebrates a remarkable milestone — four decades in the beauty industry. Known for her trendsetting and innovative approach, Nabila, along with her brands ZERO Makeup and NGents, proudly returns as the official Hair and Makeup Partner for IIFA 2024 for the fourth consecutive year. In addition to her successful Zero Makeup line and the groundbreaking Blurring Pen, Nabila has recently introduced a new hair care line, reflecting her unwavering commitment to excellence.
Nabila champions the concept of the “decade jump,” encouraging individuals to redefine themselves every ten years. This philosophy deeply resonates with her own journey and inspires others to embrace change and growth. Over the years, Nabila has continuously expanded her product line and influence within the industry. As she gears up for the IIFA awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi, City Times had the opportunity to interview her about her long association with IIFA, her latest hair care line, and tips for the upcoming red carpet.
This marks Nabila’s fourth year with IIFA. What does it take to replace a global makeup brand and become the go-to choice for such a prestigious event? ZERO Makeup has been part of IIFA since its inception, designed to meet the specific needs of the South Asian complexion. It’s a synergistic backstage partner for IIFA, representing the South Asian brown skin diaspora worldwide. Nabila considers it an honor to be part of this prestigious award show.
Has there been any creative conflict with superstars regarding the looks she envisions versus their own ideas? Nabila always listens to her clients, understanding their vision and negotiating until they co-create a perfect balance that both the client and Nabila are comfortable with.
Nabila introduced the concept of image consulting over two decades ago at Pakistan’s Lux Style Awards. If given the chance, who at IIFA would she like to give an image makeover to, and why? Nabila firmly believes in managing one’s image and constantly reinventing it. She would love to work with Nawazuddin Siddiqui one day.
Her ZERO Makeup Palette has become a staple for many stars. How has it been received internationally, and how does it compare to other products? ZERO Makeup specializes in all complexions of the subcontinent and is extremely well received by this diaspora worldwide. The product is made with four decades of Nabila’s knowledge and experience, using world-class ingredients, and can be compared to the best.
From Beyoncé to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, many celebrities have launched their own hair care lines. Is Nabila’s expansion driven by personal passion or the increasing demand for hair care in today’s polluted world? Nabila’s hair care line is the essence of her four decades in the industry. The solutions come from the experience and knowledge of hair and its unique requirements. It’s definitely not because she’s famous, has followers, or is looking for a money-making gig.
Was it a long journey to perfect the formula for her hair care line, and what were some of the key challenges? There is no shortcut to hard work. The transition from service to product is super exciting but has its own challenges. Research, formula development, packaging, design, communication, e-commerce, distribution, sales, finances, and more. Nabila is learning on the job.
There’s a notion that we no longer have style icons because everyone is trying to do everything, and there’s a lack of signature styles. What’s Nabila’s take on this trend? Nabila thinks this notion is 100 percent correct. She sees very little individuality — everyone looks the same.
Can Nabila share any memorable interactions or friendships she’s made during her time at IIFA that have had a lasting impact? Nabila became very fond of Farah Khan as she sees a lot of commonalities. Farah has an amazing sense of humor. She is also one of the OGs and a kingmaker in her industry. Of course, the IIFA organizers have become like family and are a very special part of her support system.
Sustainability and ethical production have become central to many beauty brands. How does Nabila’s hair care line incorporate these elements, and how does she plan to keep up with these global trends? Nabila’s kids are very particular about these causes and constantly keep her in check. Luckily, she has always been inclusive, diverse, and sustainable in her practices long before it became a trend. Her products are not tested on animals, the supply chain is audited to be free of child and forced labor, the packaging materials are recyclable, and the formulas are mostly vegan, paraben-free, and made with the best ingredients. She constantly refines her benchmarks by removing and replacing ingredients that become controversial globally, keeping them up to par.
In Nabila’s opinion, what should be the top dos and don'ts on the red carpet? The red carpet is always larger than life. Bold colors, striking silhouettes, and a strong presence keep one from getting lost in the glitz and glamour.
