RAAGA PROFESSIONAL CROWNS INDIA’S TOP THREE SKIN EXPERTS
In a display of glamour and radiance, Raaga Professional, the professional skincare brand from CavinKare, hosted the grand finale of The SkinExpert of India 2025, at the JW Marriot, Sahar, Mumbai. The event brought together the country’s most promising skincare professionals for a celebration of artistry, education, and empowerment.
With over 1,000 entries from across 150+ cities, participants endured months of intense competition, comprising webinars, theory tests, and zonal contests. Ultimately, 12 professionals made it to the final round, representing cities like Gandhinagar, Bhopal, Surat, Patna, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Each finalist showcased a blend of technical mastery, creativity, and a deep knowledge of skincare science.
The grand finale was graced by Chief Guest, Monica Bahl, CEO, Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council, and Guest of Honour, Samir Srivastav, CEO, Looks Salon. Adding to the evening’s glitz was Roosh Sindhu, Miss India International, and Face of Raaga Professional. She was joined by Ashrit Pattanaik, Business Head, and Sareena Acharya, Education Head, Raaga Professional.
The distinguished jury members—Award-winning Beauty Educator and Consultant, Neha Joshi, International Educator & Cosmetologist and Managing Director - Beauness Beauty Academy, Arpita Das, Education Director, Probeauty, Harshada Takke, and Industry Pioneer, Beauty Therapy and Education, Leena Khandekar— announced the winners. Anjali Mishra of AD’s Makeover Salon & Academy, Bhopal, emerged as the national champion, with Shivam Singh of Groomed by Shivam, Patna, and Nisha Patel of Eden The Salon, Gandhinagar, named first and second runners-up respectively.
The winner received a trophy, certificate, ₹3,00,000 in cash, Raaga Professional products worth ₹1,00,000. The first runner-up was awarded ₹1,00,000 in cash and products worth ₹50,000, while the second runner-up took home ₹50,000 in cash, Raaga Professional products worth ₹50,000. All three won an exclusive Thailand trip and a beauty course certification.
Commenting on the occasion Mr Ashrit Pattanaik, Business Head, Raaga Professional said , “With The SkinExpert of India, our vision has always been to create a movement that truly celebrates and uplifts India’s beauty professionals. This celebration is about acknowledging hard work, fostering growth, and creating a community where excellence is nurtured and honored. As we witness such talented individuals showcase their craft, we are reminded of the potential that lies within each professional.”
Adding to this, Sareena Acharya, Education Head, Raaga Professional said, “Education is the cornerstone of excellence in the beauty and wellness sector. At Raaga Professional, we ensure talent is paired with expertise, and creativity, with knowledge. By recognizing and celebrating these achievements, we inspire others to pursue innovation, set higher standards, and shape the future of India’s beauty landscape.”
NYKAALAND 3.0 DELHI: KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM INDIA’S BEAUTY FESTIVAL
Nykaaland 3.0 made its Delhi debut at NSIC Grounds, Okhla, from November 8 to 10. Co-produced by Nykaa and BookMyShow Live, the three-day event brought together brands, creators, and consumers on one platform.
The event recorded participation from over 30,000 visitors, 60 beauty brands, and more than 3,000 creators and industry professionals. Following two editions in Mumbai, the Delhi chapter expanded the festival’s footprint and reached within the beauty industry.
Global brands such as YSL Beauty, Armani Beauty, Carolina Herrera, Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics, Supergoop!, and MILK Makeup showcased their products alongside Indian brands like Kay Beauty, ThriveCo, Minimalist, Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm, and Swiss Beauty. Korean brands including Laneige, Beauty of Joseon, Sulwhasoo, Ryo, and Mise En Scène also participated. Fashion partners H&M and Nykd by Nykaa added to the lifestyle lineup.
Day 1 featured Rasha Thadani’s “Chrome It Up” showcase and the India debut of Kylie Cosmetics.
Day 2 included masterclasses by Daniel Bauer, Mehak Oberoi, and Dr. Aparajita Lamba, along with a LovETC session featuring Ananya Birla and Aditya Roy Kapur. The day concluded with a live performance by Prateek Kuhad.
Day 3 hosted sessions by TIRTIR, L’Oréal Paris, and Kay Beauty, ending with performances by Dot., Panjabi MC, and Jonita Gandhi.
Nykaaland 3.0 Delhi reinforced the growing scale of India’s beauty and creator-led ecosystem, offering a collaborative space for education, engagement, and brand interaction.
MOROCCANOIL CONDUCTS TRAINING SESSION FOR MUMBAI STYLISTS
Moroccanoil hosted a technical training session in Mumbai as part of its ongoing education initiatives for salon professionals. The session focused on skill development for stylists working across leading chain salons and independent salons in the city.
The training was conducted by Michel Baltazar, Moroccanoil’s International Global Artist. The objective was to introduce participants to the brand’s latest trend collection and demonstrate techniques that can be incorporated into regular salon services. The session covered two haircuts and two styling methods. Each segment included step-by-step demonstrations, practical guidance, and application-based learning relevant to salon environments.
Nearly 100 stylists attended the session. Participants represented key salons across Mumbai, giving the brand an opportunity to engage directly with working professionals and understand ongoing technical requirements within the market. The format allowed stylists to observe techniques, ask operational questions, and understand how the looks can be adapted for different client categories.
Moroccanoil’s global education program focuses on building technical capability in color, cutting, and styling, supported by business-related insights for salon growth. The Mumbai training aligned with this structure by combining creative demonstrations with practical inputs aimed at improving day-to-day efficiency and service outcomes.
Through this initiative, Moroccanoil continued its effort to maintain regular engagement with the professional community in India. The session provided stylists with updated trend knowledge and reinforced the importance of continuous education in the salon industry. The brand plans to expand similar technical interactions across other markets, with the larger objective of supporting skill development and strengthening the connection between product education and service delivery.
The Mumbai session concluded with an open Q&A, allowing stylists to clarify technique-related queries and share observations on client preferences within their respective salons. The event marked another step in Moroccanoil’s ongoing collaboration with the Indian salon industry.
PLAY SALON LAUNCHES FLAGSHIP AVEDA STORE IN BENGALURU
Play Salon has unveiled its flagship AVEDA Store at Essensai 067, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s expansion within Bengaluru’s beauty and wellness landscape. The new space reflects Play Salon’s growing commitment to offering global-quality hair, beauty, and holistic wellness experiences to consumers in the city.
The store was inaugurated by Karnataka MLA Manjula Aravind Limbavali, who formally opened the space and commended Founder Neeru Radhakrishnan for her vision and contribution to elevating Bengaluru’s beauty industry, highlighting the brand’s role in making curated, international-standard self-care experiences more accessible to customers.
Designed as an elevated beauty and wellness destination, the flagship combines Play Salon’s premium service ethos with AVEDA’s globally acclaimed, plant-powered product formulations, aligned with AVEDA’s core philosophy of sustainability, nature, and mindful living. The space offers a full suite of high-end salon and spa services complemented by AVEDA’s botanical, high-performance beauty and haircare rituals. With the launch of this flagship, Play Salon strengthens its position as a leader in the premium beauty segment, bringing together global expertise, luxury service standards, and a wellness-centric approach.
Speaking at the event, Neeru Radhakrishnan shared, “We are thrilled to bring this flagship AVEDA experience to Essensai 067, Bengaluru. Our goal is to redefine beauty and wellness through expert services, high-performance botanical products, and an environment that encourages relaxation and rejuvenation.”
WORLD DIGITAL DETOX DAY 2025: GLOBAL CELEBRATION POST SHOW REPORT
World Digital Detox Day (WDDD), born in India and now active across 78 countries, marked its 2025 edition with a transformative global celebration on December 10. The movement, founded by Dr Rekha Chaudhari, once again inspired millions to disconnect from screens and reconnect with mindfulness, community, and emotional well-being.
This year’s celebrations were preceded by the WDDD Online Panel Discussion Series, featuring 11 expert-led sessions. Global ambassadors, psychologists, wellness leaders, and educators discussed digital boundaries, mindful usage, parenting challenges, workplace overload, and the growing need for attention awareness. Speakers from India, Maldives, Spain, Argentina, Qatar, France, Vietnam, and the UK contributed to a diverse global dialogue.
On-ground celebrations spanned continents. Schools and colleges across India observed Digital Fasting, taking pledges and organising yoga, pranayama, and awareness activities. Wellness events at JW Marriott Pune and Meghavi Wellness Spa in Mumbai reinforced the theme of balance. Internationally,ELENA Spa (Maldives), Hilton-led initiatives in France and Vietnam, community workshops in Qatar, and digital wellness sessions in Argentina and Spain amplified the message. Taj Hotels’ J Wellness Circle conducted Digital Detox experiences across 70 properties worldwide.
WDDD’s expanding impact was evident in India’s strong participation: over 10.5 lakh students joined school-based campaigns, 6 lakh individuals took the Digital Fasting Pledge, and thousands of children wrote letters advocating for national digital wellness policies.
The 2025 celebration reinforced WDDD’s mission of restoring human connection in an AI-driven world. With growing institutional support and a powerful global community, World Digital Detox Day continues to shape a more mindful, emotionally resilient future for generations ahead.