Komala Seevathean: A sassy cosmetologist

Being gregarious and having a good rapport with the clientèle is the ultimate key to success. Komala Seevathean, a professional hairdresser, has had a great career and her skills were very much appreciated by Bollywood stars during the Zee Cine Awards held in Mauritius in 2006.

Komala Seevathean, 53, has known many ups and downs during her career in hairdressing. She has not only worked in Mauritius, but in South Africa and Australia as well. She currently works at Candy House at Plaine Verte. After her studies at the Bhujoharry College, Komala wanted to go abroad to study accounting. However, her life took a different turn with the demise of her mother at that time. “I was depressed and decided to stay. I then made up my mind to get into hairdressing, a field that I did not know anything about but that would mean so much to me at that time. I joined a course offered by a Canadian lady which lasted for six months. However, she passed away shortly before we were to sit for our exams. Nevertheless, the passion that I had for hairdressing was well alive. My friend and I started to practice this trade. Soon afterwards, her father offered us a space which we converted into a parlour,” Komala explains. At the same time, Komala was offered the opportunity to work part-time for two hair design parlours. “The owner was a Mauritian who has settled abroad. We were in charge of the shop. It was a high class parlour with A to Z relooking services,” she adds. Komala kept on embracing all the opportunities given to her and she worked with different shops. She then travelled to South Africa for a specialisation course in bridal hairdressing. Upon her return in 1985, she got married and now has three daughters. In 1992, she joined Krish Hairdressing for a diploma course. She came out 1st in the exams and familiarised herself with technical skills. After having built up a contact list, Komala opened her own hair dressing salon “Cheveux aux Quatre Vent” in Port-Louis and Grand-Bay. She attended courses by representatives of L’Oreal Professionnel & Keratase in cutting, styling, colouring and relaxing. About Candy House Created by Alim Mangalkhan, Candy House serves as a gallery, as a beauty parlour and offers optical concept. It is a new concept which provides these three services under one roof. Alim Mangalkhan is a key figure in the world of photography, something of a reference. “I wanted to do something different when I was about to open my gallery. So I came with the concept of marrying photography, cosmetics and optical services,” he says. In 2003, she was qualified as finalist in the Golden Scissor which was organised by Softsheen Carson Professionel. In 2006, she was among the few hairdressers whose services were retained for the Indian stars present at the Zee Cine Awards held in Mauritius. “They were very comfortable and it was a very quick process. I had to do their hair and make up touch in seconds after every performance. Working with them was an outstanding experience,” she points out. According to Komala Seevathean, hairdressing is field where one needs patience, creativity and hygiene. Hair style in this hot weather With this intense heat across the country, our hair tends to get damp. Komala advises the ladies out there to do some regular treatment and to opt for some dry shampoo. She talks about the GK treatment which is very effective. Concerning hair styles for those who are getting married, our hairdresser suggests ‘haute coiffure.’ “The actual trend is low hair bun or one sided. You must get the hair colour right because it impacts on the personality of the person,” she highlights.