Call of beauty

Make-up artist and salon owner Janie Liang reveals some top skincare tips and shares her insight into running a beauty parlour

What can you tell us about your salon?

The Janie Liang Salon is a ladies only establishment and we are in our fourth year running in the UAE. We provide bridal packages for special brides including make-up, hair styling and colouring, nail services and many other beauty treatments. We also provide professional photo shoots. Considering I opened the salon during a time when the entire world was heading towards a financial crisis, I am proud we have survived, and with so much competition in this city; every day is a challenge to do better.

What brought you to the city in the first place?

I moved to Dubai from Pakistan shortly after marriage, almost 10 years ago. And since I was already working as a make-up artist and hair stylist in Pakistan for 15 years, my family, my husband and friends encouraged me to open an outlet here.

How long have you been in the beauty business? What made you take up this as a profession?

My mother has been in the same business for 35 years, so I was only 13 when I made-up three brides for the first time. My mother is my mentor and I was guided by her and encouraged by my father. It’s what I have always wanted to do.

You’ve had many famous clients including Pakistani ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and British ex-Prime Minister Margret Thatcher. Who has been the most enjoyable to make up and why?

Every client to me is special, it’s the outcome and satisfaction of each individual client that I cherish the most.

What are your ambitions? What is the most difficult aspect of running a beauty business and what do you most enjoy?

One must treat every business like a baby. You have to dedicate love, passion and complete devotion. If you drift away from it, it will not survive. Here in Dubai, the most difficult aspect is the process and procedures, as I need to be present at departments personally. Having been spoiled in Pakistan, where everything is given to you on a golden plate, it was very tough for me to begin with. But now, four years on, I feel everything is running smoothly. The satisfying feeling when a bride walks out looking a million dollars makes it all worth it.

What have you got planned for the future?

I have recently started designing bridal and formal wear. Encouraged by my clients, friends and brides-to-be, I have gone into creating garments. My next move, therefore, would be to have my own fashion house, along with branching out into different parts of the emirate and hopefully worldwide.