Beauty is in the nature of some persons, others strive hard to look beautiful, there are a few others who love prettifying other people. The 39-year-old Uma Jadhav is among the third kind of persons. Uma Jadhav's Cosmos The Brides Pride Beauty Care and Spa, on 13th main, fourth stage in T.K. Layout, has been a part of Mysore since Nov. 1999.
She was 27-year-old when she decided to become a beautician. She had a diploma in beauticians’ course from Government CPC Polytechnic in Mysore and trained at Waves Academy in Bangalore, Hima Bedi at Andheri in Mumbai and also at Cosmetic Studio in Austria. Uma has won many laurels for her skills.
She had won first prize in make-up, bridal make-up and creative make-up, third in fashion make-up and creative hairstyle, in the competitions conducted by State Beauty Parlours Association. In the year 2009 and 2008, she had won first prize in make-up and best performance-hair, and make-up and hairstyle respectively in the same contest, thus earning ‘Hattrick’ to her name.
In the year 2005, she had won first prize in make-up in a similar competition conducted by Mysore District Beauty Parlours’ Association. She had also participated in a competition conducted in Mumbai last year and was among the final 10 out of 400 contestants.
The latest feather in Uma's cap is the 'Bharat And Dorris Hair and Make-up Award' which she received at the National Bridal and Fashion Hair and Make-up Contest oragnised at Taj Lands End, Bandra, Mumbai on April 29. She has emerged as the first woman beautician to have represented Karnataka in a competition held outside the State.
Here is a tete-a-tete with the beautifying artiste:
Shwetha Halambi: Why did you decide to become a beautician?
Uma Jadhav: I have studied only upto 10th standard. Though I wanted to study further, I could not do so because of some health matters. And then I was married. After marriage, whenever I went to beauty parlours, I felt a strong urge to learn how to beautify others. Thus I took up the course and am working as a beautician in Mysore since 13 years.
Shwetha: What is your area of expertise?
Uma: Though I do all the basic beauty work at the parlour like eyebrow shaping, facial, waxing etc., I specialise in make-up and hair-styling. There are more than 500 types of hair-styling and about 40 types of make-up like fashion, beads, halo, carrots, ramp, mythology, wedding make-up etc. People who compete in fancy dress contests and act in films opt for halo (ghostly look) and mythology make-up. Carrot make-up is chosen to remove facial marks.
Shwetha: Have you dressed up film artistes?
Uma: Yes. I have also done make-up for film artistes but only if the shooting is done in Mysore, because travelling outside the city for months together along with the film crew is difficult.
Shwetha: You have won many awards for your skills in beautifying others. Does your family support you in your endeavours?
Uma: Absolutely. My husband Gopal Rao, who works in building construction, son Naveesh, who is a II PUC student at Vidhyaashrama, my brother, sister... all help me. Without their help, I would never be able to successfully participate in so many contests and win awards.
Shwetha: Many people believe that application of cosmetics for a longer duration is harmful to the skin — facial or other parts of the body. This can be seen when one looks at the faces of yesteryear actors. As a beautician, do you agree?
Uma: May be it was so in earlier days when there were no good quality creams or cosmetics available. People had less knowledge too about cosmetics. Nowadays, a lot of scientific research is going on in cosmetic industry and many quality products are available in a wide variety of brands.
Most people buy good cosmetics, keep them aside if no occasion arises to use them, and one day remember about them. They then take it out and use it even after its expiry date just so that it doesn't go waste. This harms the skin.
Mostly make-up artistes of actors other than stars don't get good remuneration. So they refrain from buying very good quality cosmetics for the actors and this results in the skin of actors losing their vitality after some time.
Shwetha: Do you teach others who are interested to become beauticians?
Uma: Yes. I have been teaching interested persons since many years. At present, four students are training under me. I conduct regular classes from 11 am to 1 pm. For economically backward students, I teach free of cost.
Shwetha: Keeping aside your profession for a moment, tell us what do you personally believe in — inner or outer beauty?
Uma: Of course, I believe in inner beauty. One's words, behaviour and attitude makes one look beautiful even though that person is without make-up. I remember that I had gone to attend a function recently where Dr. Dharanidevi Malagathi (Dy.SP and Karnataka Police Academy Director) had come as a guest. She was quite simple in her dress and with minimum of make-up. Yet, she was so beautiful. The words she spoke and the way she behaved made her attractive.
