Shahnaz Husain Interview

---

Read more

Shahnaz Husain Interview Read the full Yogalaya Feb/March 2026 edition

---

different level that provides them with luxurious cosmetic care in relevance to modern demand of holistic lifestyle and wellness driven beauty market. With all this my brand stands strong and relevant to the modern demands making it a global phenomenon. 

The day I began my herbal salon, the ideology behind establishing it was providing herbal solutions that would be focused on enhancing and restoring hair and skin health. Customization of services and with emphasis on tailor made solutions with focus on individual needs and concerns made it a path-breaking concept. With the formulation of plant-based ingredients and formulations of botanical extracts, it became a breakthrough in the beauty industry laying the very foundation of wellness as we see it today.  

Extending the Ayurvedic spa treatments and converting salons into day spas, the core provision is with relation to revitalisation, rejuvenation and stress-reduction, upholding the Ayurvedic principles of holistic care. We have introduced an entire new repertoire of salon and spa treatments, using traditional and exotic ingredients. We are also popularizing the traditional Ayurvedic treatments, which are ideally suited to spas. We will continue extending the Shahnaz Signature Salons and Spas, based on our franchise system. According to Cosmetic News, we are the largest chain of franchise herbal salons in the world. 

The Shahnaz Herbal Range continues to be popular and we have been adding to the range over the last five decades. It includes lines of therapeutic products for the treatment of specific skin and hair problems, like acne, hyperpigmentation, scar removal, premature ageing, dandruff, hair loss, etc. The Flower Power range, which contains flower extracts combined with herbal extracts, is extremely popular in the international markets in the West. Among the other fast-moving ranges, both in the domestic and international markets, are our premium ranges, like 24 Carat Gold range, Pearl Concepts, and Diamond Collection.

If we talk about product sales, it is especially with regard to the exports, which generates a major chunk of revenue. However, looking at the business model that comprises of both product sales, as well as our salon / spa treatments, these have continued to perform extremely well. It is all due to the fact that even during downturn people come looking for genuine products and treatments that actually provide a “feel good” factor during difficult times. 

---

“While the western world promoted “colour and cover” -I stood up and sold “care and cure”! And the concept worked like a miracle. According to India Today, we hold 80% of the Indian cosmetic market – starting in 1970!”

---

Q2. Let us discuss about your significant Tesco tie up, plans for the US, and expansion in Korea, Saudi Arabia and the other countries. I would like to know your expansion plans for these countries, which country has been the most profitable, which products have worked best where? 

Ans. We have a well-established product base in the U.K., with 13 franchise salons, including the Shahnaz Ayurveda Aesthetic Clinic on Harley Street, in London. We also have a Shahnaz Beauty Institute in London. Successful forays in the international market culminated with an Ayurvedic coup, when we opened the Harley Street clinic for incorporating our Ayurvedic treatments. You must be aware of the Harley Street that is synonymous with the finest medical care in the U.K. 

With this I like to highlight the fact that there is increasing demand for our products and treatments in the U.K., it is the basis of our arrangement with Tesco, to our mutual business pact. Thus, our products are made available throughout the U.K. that is significant to our profits. 

The Tesco alliance is of tremendous importance to us, with respect to reach and accessibility. Our alliance with Tesco is all about reaching out to and connecting to a larger section of society in the U.K. it helps create Ayurveda and Brand India available to more countries. 

The Group also plans to tap the niche segment in the U.S., where there is an increasing interest in alternative therapies. Our products have been selling online in the USA for years. We have also appointed distributors in the USA, who are identifying chains of retail stores. Several salons in the USA are also carrying out the Shahnaz Herbal specialized treatments, after having trained in our beauty institute in Delhi. 

---

“If chemical products can go into outer space, why not Ayurveda? When in space, the astronauts are under stressful conditions. Why carry chemicals into space, polluting other planets? I created Shaspace for use in outer space and a great deal of research has gone into it.”

---

We have a strong presence in South Korea that is bound by exclusive contract agreement ensuring significant number of profits inviting millions of purchases from Shahnaz Herbals. Ever since the advent of Ayurveda and the wave of wellness catching up, our herbal cosmetics are gaining lot of traction and acceptance by consumers of Korea. 

According to our Korea distributor, “There is a huge demand of Ayurvedic beauty products in Korea. As Shahnaz Herbal enjoys a strong presence in the European and other global markets, and the formulations have received worldwide recognition, it was an obvious choice for us.” In the Asia-Pacific region, South Korea is the most promising cosmetic market after China.

I would like to highlight the fact that gaining FDA approved certification in USA is not an easy task as there are stringent rules and regulations with regard to it. The quality testing at every level has been cleared by my brand.

In Saudi Arabia too, the Shahnaz Husain Group is the only company to pass the country’s stringent tests and norms. Saudi Arabia has the Middle East’s largest economy and, as a result, the biggest market for cosmetics, toiletries and fragrance. Changes in the retail environment are boosting sales, with a move away from local pharmacies to drugstores and chains. The first-year projection by Shahnaz Husain Group for the Saudi Arabian market is estimated at USD 3,00,000. The Group has tied up with direct selling agents to market its products in Saudi Arabia. 

We have significant presence in the market in Israel, with the distribution of Shahnaz Diamond collection. Students from Israel attended our beauty institute in Delhi, to study our specialized treatments. They have returned to Israel, to start Shahnaz Herbal salons and carry out our treatments.

I have been a Chief Guest and inaugurated Cosmexpo back in year 2009 in Cairo, Egypt, organized by Chemexcil and the Indian Embassy in Egypt, under the auspices of the Government of India. At the press conference in Egypt, I spoke on Ayurvedic beauty care, receiving a standing ovation and overwhelming response. It resulted in a Question – Answer session, which lasted for over three hours, and also ended with a standing ovation. This itself is an indication of the growing popularity of Ayurveda and holistic beauty care. The Shahnaz Husain Group received countless enquiries for distributorship before finalizing the deal with one of them. We are proud to venture into the huge untapped market in Egypt, with our exhaustive range! 

Fully aware of the market potential of Ayurvedic beauty products worldwide, the Shahnaz Husain Group also showcased its products in Bologna, Italy at the prestigious Cosmoprof 2009 exposition. It became a notable achievement, a milestone for the brand due to the fact that for more than 40 years, Cosmoprof has been the world’s most important international event in the beauty and cosmetics sector. Cosmoprof stood out to be as one of the most important business development opportunities and a proof of immensely successful track record with the mega event held in Bologna. 

The Shahnaz Husain Group continues to pursue its strategy of international expansion and is showcasing its wide ranges of Ayurvedic formulations and expertise. It is a giant step forward for the Group towards consolidating and strengthening its international presence, in terms of franchising and distributorship of products and services. 

Currently, the Shahnaz Husain Group operates in more than 100 countries, where it has franchise salons, direct product distributors and beauty institutes. Some of the countries where Shahnaz Husain products and services have performed well are the U.K., Russia, South Korea, Middle East, Far East, Saudia Arabia, South Africa, Korea, Malaysia, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. We are the first herbal cosmetic company to enter Bruneii, where I went personally for a press conference. From Russia and many of the CIS countries, qualified beauty therapists came to our beauty institute in Delhi to acquire further training in our specialized treatments, as well as the traditional Ayurvedic treatments. They then returned to their own countries and converted their salons to Shahnaz Husain franchise salons, to carry out our treatments. Our chain of salons is performing well in the U.K., while product sales continue to perform well in the U.K., Middle East.  

Q3. What new products have come out in the past year or are coming out as a result of the company’s R&D and/or advances in ayurveda? 

Ans. R & D is a part and parcel of our innovation, expansion and product upgrade ever since the inception of The Shahnaz Husain Group with the core ideology of staying relevant to current demands and concerns of consumers at large. Being in the beauty industry we have always ensured that innovation be at helm of our production process. Talking about the latest range there is significant expansion in the Pearl range with premium skincare added to its selection to benefit the consumers addressing their need to flawlessly beautiful skin, achieving brighter skin tone, significantly reducing and enhancing the skin quality, texture all due to the fact that the formulation comprises Powder of real Pearls. 

Other products are Shahnaz Husain Saffron Skin Serum, other Diamond premium product range with Diamond Dust. I have even formulated Diamond Hair Serum to nourish the hair, shield it against environmental stressors and enhance the beauty of the hair. The Shacover BB Cream SPF-20 is designed to provide a foundation base like smooth finish and nourish the skin. It is suitable for either gender as I believe that products should be all inclusive given the fact that today modern men are chasing aesthetics and like to be visually pleasing too just like women. 

All these products have been formulated with plant ingredients (vegetables, flowers and precious herbs), botanical extracts, and essential oil blends. The Shahnaz Husain Group is a dynamic group of companies that continues to influence global beauty markets and consumer minds. In fact, the Shahnaz Husain formulations have actually created an international market for Ayurvedic beauty care. New products are always on the anvil and in R & D. 

In fact, there is no doubt that herbal beauty care is fashioned after the Shahnaz Husain products, treatments and innovations. We first started formulating our herbal beauty products in 1970. In 1995 the first herbal product range entered the market. With Fifty years of excellence and counting, we were like a beacon that lights the way. The biggest compliment to the original is the copies that follow and they did – by the hundreds!! But the cosmetic treatment business is totally dependent on efficacy and results. Today, the Shahnaz Husain brand name has become synonymous with the most exclusive and the finest herbal beauty care that is result oriented with a proven track record of providing solutions that address the root cause of skin or hair concern. 

Q4. How has your brand been throughout these years of transition in consumer demands?  How do you foresee the upcoming months and year going for Shahnaz Herbals? Also why does cosmetic sector go well even with numerous socio-economic fluctuations?

Ans. The beauty and wellness business continues to thrive as ever, it is regardless of any fluctuations whether socially or economically as it is a psychological fact that no matter what people always dwell upon their wellbeing that includes focus on purchasing products that support their wellness and personal care. It is backed up with the deep psychological need of humans that state whether it is a crisis situation or the times of economic fluctuations, people are always vying for beauty products and cosmetics that are significantly low in investment as compared to other high-end luxury items even if they are required. The fact that looking good provides a feel-good factor and a sense of inner- security that strokes the mind into living with the positivity even at times when there is economic unrest. As per a report the beauty market in India is booming, valued around $28-$31 billion in 2023-2025, and projected to hit $34-$48 billion by 2028-2034, growing at a strong 10-11% CAGR, it is all due to the rising incomes, e-commerce, and rising consumer awareness towards achieving aesthetics that pleases the society at large. With this the Ayurveda business is booming, thanks to the miracles of Ayurveda and the worldwide movement towards nature and plant power, with very positive results. 

We are mostly in the premium product segment. The high-end segment customers have higher disposable income and higher savings. Also, Ayurvedic products, with their therapeutic values, gain priority over other products, with the “total well-being” concept and holistic systems graining ground. 

Our salon and spa services are doing very well despite of any economic fluctuations or transitions, it is all due to the stress-relieving, revitalisation and rejuvenation benefits. Premium product ranges, like the Diamond and Gold Collection, continue to register high sales both in domestic and international markets. So does our range of therapeutic products, which have become well known worldwide, due to our specialized treatments. 

Q5. Tell us more about your specialized spa treatments? How is it relevant to modern day demand for holistic lifestyle and wellness driven era of consumerism?

Ans. Our specialized and targeted spa treatments, like Diamond Body Polish, which makes use of the real Diamond Dust. We are also making use of exotic ingredients in our new repertoire of spa and salon treatments. We have introduced treatments like the Mughal Facial, Timeless Grace treatments, making use of sea shell, ashwagandha (winter cherry) and marigold, traditional Ayurvedic treatments of Dhara and Kerala Massage, Head Spa treatments and rejuvenating scalp therapy, Radiant Renewal and Serenity Package to pamper both body and mind. 

The carefully selected herbal ingredients that are used in the spa treatments not only have potent therapeutic properties, but help to create the ideal conditions which are conducive to complete relaxation. Essential oils and herbal extracts have been delicately blended to provide a complete revitalizing, refreshing and rejuvenation programme. 

Rare blends of the natural oils of almond, olive, sesame, sandalwood, mint, lavender, etc., are used in massages to tone the body and keep the skin firm and smooth. They have a soothing and rejuvenating effect on the entire system. Massage formulations, enriched with the natural oils of sandalwood and almond, help to protect and soften the skin. They also contain ashwagandha (winter cherry), turmeric and connessi bark, for a powerful age-defying and de-stressing effect, sealing in moisture and leaving an invisible protective film on the body. Essential oils and herbal extracts of sandalwood, manjishtha (Indian madder), rose, juniper and date are also included in the formulations, for a unique revitalizing and rejuvenating effect, improving blood circulation and leaving the body energized and glowing, with a tingling refreshing feeling. Scrubs containing walnut, date, apricot, neem extract, diamond ash are used to cleanse and purify the skin, removing toxins and leaving the body refined and refreshed. 

We also have a 30-acre herb and flower farm near Delhi, to grow our own herbs and medicinal plants, thus exercising quality control at the raw material stage. Our main factory is in Dehradun, at the foothills of the Himalayas.

With the international cosmetic empire pumping millions of dollars into a hysterically mad cosmetic industry, selling youth and dreams in bottled jars; there to sell a civilization in a jar was not easy. I was a very lone figure on a very overcrowded stage. But I pursued my obsession to promote Ayurveda with a crusader’s zeal. For me, beauty was never a career. It was a vocation and became the sole purpose of my existence. I pursued it the way a pilgrim performs a pilgrimage, with sanctity of the soul.

Today, an overall sense of well-being is considered to be all important. That is why spas are using various natural therapies. The practice of yoga and meditation have also become an integral part of spa treatments, to provide physical and psychological benefits. There is no doubt that spas have not only become relevant to modern needs, but have an exciting future. 

Strengthening the brand is foremost in our future plans. Over more than five decades and counting, the Shahnaz Husain brand name has established unquestioned and unwavering brand loyalty. In fact, no other brand has been able to keep the trust and faith of the consumer for the last five decades, the way the Shahnaz Husain brand has. This faith and brand loyalty have been instrumental in the extension of our franchise salons, spas and beauty institutes. The Shahnaz Husain Group has always had its finger on the pulse of market demands. Knowing and understanding the current demand of holistic lifestyle and wellness driven mind-set of consumers, it is where my brand stays relevant and serves the consumers as per their requirement, fulfilling their need to achieving flawless beauty without the use of harsh chemicals but making them switch to purely herbal ingredients that are genuinely vested in providing them with optimum product efficacy. The Shahnaz Husain brand has become known for its specialized treatments for specific skin, hair and body problems, as well as its therapeutic products and spa treatments. 

Q6. How essential is online presence in beauty market, what are your plans regarding e-commerce in relation to your brand presence and brand placement?

Ans. “Online is the word of tomorrow”, with this I keep my focus and plan of action regarding our e-commerce reach a robust tool in connecting with audience of different demographics. It is all about establishing our online presence that re-engages the young audience to our brand giving us the advantage of expansion through online brand presence and product placement. 

Ecommerce and social media platforms has made it easier to connect to, reach, gather consumer reactions, their likes- dislikes and creating an environment of reaching a significant understand where the demand actually lies. How a consumer psychology works with regard to the demographics that are pointing to something specific that beauty consumers are demanding these days. Consumers these days are armed with awareness towards what is good for their health, for this reason the whole concept of opting for products that are suitable not only for their health, but also provide complete solutions to their concerns is on the rise. Consumers are reading labels that means consumer of today is not only well-informed but is also well aware of what they introduce into their body and how till it impact their health on long term. All this is where our deep analysis, social media presence and online brand presence is made relevant to these very consumers driven towards achieving holistic lifestyle. We are the very influencers of Ayurveda beauty market and the pioneer who laid the foundation for holistic lifestyle and wellness retreats too. 

“My products have been tested by the most exacting 

test of all….the test of Time!”

By Pankaj Jha Feature Writer & Media Relations

Vol 2, Issue 2, Feb/March 2026, Rishikesh Yogalaya