Chrissy Rozairo’s formula for success:

Natural beauty for a perfect look

Ruwini Jayawardana

The ability to unmask the ‘natural look’ is her phenomenal feat. Bridals, make up, hairstyles or clothes, well known hairdresser and beauty consultant Chrissy Rozairo has the inborn talent to detect what brings out the best in you.

“My philosophy has always been to create a look that suits the client irrespective of what the latest trend is. The style should bring the personality of the client as well as go along with his or her features. Hair type, body proportion and profession matter when we decide on a look. Some people are very introvert but they wish to be more outgoing in their looks. Appearance counts a lot today,” says the talented beautician who has over 20 years of experience in the field.

It is an unspoken rule that the bride is supposed to be the prettiest woman on her wedding day. When you look back on your bridal day, you want to see the beautiful bride for all time. The look should never be outdated.

Elegance to the fore	For a bubbly and outgoing look	Fashionable hair-do

“The best look for a bride is fresh and natural with a touch of glamour that emphasizes her best features. The make up should be flawless and last all day long. Her features, personality and family background should be considered. She needs advice as to how to look glamourous retaining her individuality on her wedding day. The sari should be tastefully done according to the budget. She has to look nice to suit the occasion, the bridegroom and the photographs. It is not easy to retain the natural look as well as to make her look good for the photo shoot. You need to study that to better your skills,” she notes.

According to Rozairo, the classy look is ‘in’ these days. More interest is focused on the fabric, jewellery, make-up and hairstyle. Brides are not going overboard in their outlook. Flowers like lilies are more in demand because they ooze simple elegance.

Rozairo traces her roots from a family of designers. Her aunt and sister Philo inspired her to take to the profession. After studying at the Morris School, London, Rozairo followed a course in advanced hair cutting from Vidal Sassoon, creative hair cutting techniques from Tony and Guy as well as the Bridal Hairdressing and Makeup course from the Ramani Fernando Academy.

She started her career with bridals, hairdressing and make up. Her salon was started as a part of the living area of her home before it expanded as a Hair Design Studio/Academy in Wattala. She also conducts classes on hairdressing at Delicare School, Kandana.

She believes it is important to learn theory as much as practicals.

Rozairo emphasizes: “Theory was not considered seriously in Sri Lanka in the past but now it is a different story. Though theory and skills go together you will value the knowledge you get out of your theory at a later date as new techniques and products enter the market. You need to know what type of skin and hair type the client has. If a look is the ‘in’ thing, they will try it out on everyone. You will not have a personalized service. You will encounter various types of individuals with various skin and hair problems. If you do not have theoretical knowledge you will have to follow someone else’s lead. Skills derive from practice.”

“Communication is very important for any profession. If you don’t possess effective communication - verbal and non-verbal skills, then you will have to employ another person to handle your public relations.”

She clinched the City and Guilds Award of Excellence recently. The award had been won by only two beauty salons in the country. She was also the former President of the Sri Lanka Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians (SLAHAB). She has also showcased her work at many fashion extravaganzas, designing bridals and exhibiting a wide variety of hairstyles.

She has a wide range of clients from celebrities to business tycoons. She adds that they have developed a trust in her and her ability to bring out the best in their looks.

She stresses that a hairdresser should inevitably like whoever sits in front of the mirror before them. If a person is envious of another’s looks then he or she would not be able to excel in this profession. It is a matter of liking people for what they are and how they look.

She hopes to reach out to more students by branching out of Colombo in the future.

“I have learnt a lot of patience and care through this profession. There are instances where I have started with the grandmother and now I am having her grandchildren among my clientele. That alone has been an achievement. I feel very satisfied that through my hard work I have reached an extent of being of service to seniors as well as youth. I have no regrets,” she concluded with a smile.