When it comes to competitions in the beauty and barbering industry, few names command the respect and influence that Seema V Jerajani does. A seasoned educator, competition curator and international jury member, she brings a rare combination of global exposure, technical precision and artistic sensitivity to every role she plays. Today, as the Chief Competition Curator at Professional Beauty India (PBI) and jury for marquee events like the Modern Barber (MB) India Challenge and SNAP! India competitions, she is redefining the realm of artistic competitions.
THE GLOBAL JURY EXPERIENCE
Jerajani’s journey to the OMC jury panel was nothing short of extraordinary. “It has been a great honour to be a jury at the OMC,” she recalls. She underwent rigorous online testing and training in her chosen subject area before stepping onto the global stage.
The responsibility was immense. Every mark awarded was scrutinised against international standards, with deviations risking yellow or even red cards that could jeopardise not just her jury career but her country’s reputation. “It was overwhelming to see the size of the competition, but once on the floor, it was all about being in the now and focused,” she shares. Watching talent from across the world, she realised just how transformative competitions can be for Indian artists and the entire beauty community in our country.
SETTING HIGH BENCHMARKS
As Chief Curator of PBI competitions, Jerajani’s vision is clear – to bring international-level rigour and opportunity to Indian platforms. “Having seen various championships as both a participant and jury, I wanted to share my knowledge and raise the standards of skills by defining what is required,” she says.
By creating multiple categories for participants to showcase their strongest skills, Jerajani ensures fairness and inclusivity. She also emphasises preparation, guiding competitors on everything from mood boards and practice sessions to client care and hygiene, aspects often overlooked but critical in global competitions.
GOOD VS GREAT COMPETITORS
What sets a competitor apart? For Jerajani, it’s an instinctive recognition. “It’s one or two looks from what is presented, and you know the work stands out from the rest,” she says. Precision and creativity must work hand-in-hand, a philosophy she applies both as an educator and jury.
“COMPETITIONS
are not just about winning
TROPHIES,
they are about
PROGRESS
, pushing limits and setting
NEW BENCHMARKS.”
— Seema V Jerajani
ADVICE TO ASPIRING COMPETITORS
Jerajani believes preparation is everything. Competitors must research trends, sketch their ideas, test them, refine and practice until execution becomes muscle memory. She insists that rehearsing under timed conditions is key to developing ease and confidence on the day. “And never forget,” she cautions, “client care and hygiene are as important as artistry, marks can be lost otherwise.”
BUILDING A SOLID TOOLKIT
Winning Mantras for Competitors
• Choose your category wisely, play to your strengths.
• Research trends locally and internationally.
• Create mood boards, notes and sketches.
• Test and refine your look, practice under time limits.
• Maintain hygiene and client care at all times.
• Improvise when needed but stay consistent with your vision.
• Build muscle memory through repetition, it breeds confidence.
When asked about her own go-to tools, she named her trusted Jowel scissors, Sassoon comb, ETI hair dryer and Bio Ionic square brush. But for her, barbering is not merely about the tools used, it’s about communication. “If the barber does not understand what the client wants, even the best haircut will not work,” she stresses. Listening with empathy is as vital as your technical skills.
DREAMING BIG
Jerajani is unequivocal about the talent she sees in India. “We have the skill; it needs to be channelised in the right direction and groomed to be at par with the best globally,” she asserts. Her message to the community is both empowering and challenging: “Don’t just follow trends but set them. It’s time to move from being seen as a ‘naai’ to being recognised as a new-age stylist.”
For Jerajani, competitions are more than platforms, they are catalysts of change. They push individuals to refine their craft, inspire industries to evolve and create a ripple effect that lifts standards across the board. With her leadership at PBI and experience on the world stage, she is setting the roadmap for Indian barbers and stylists to claim their rightful place globally.
In her own words, competitions mean one thing above all:
Progress. And under her stewardship, progress is exactly what the Indian barbering community can look forward to.