Stepping into his new role as Creative Director at Streax Professional, Najeeb Ur Rehman brings with him not just legacy but lived experience. A third-generation hairdresser, his vision is shaped as much by time spent on the salon floor as by technical mastery. At the heart of his approach is a clear, unwavering focus on education, not as an add-on, but as the foundation for meaningful, long-term growth across India’s diverse and evolving salon landscape.
EDUCATION AS THE CORNERSTONE OF GROWTH
For Rehman, the most compelling opportunity lies in strengthening how the industry learns. “I think one important aspect is the education part of it. Wherever Streax is present and wherever we want to go, it is the education way that we need to take,” he says.
He is quick to clarify that this goes beyond routine training modules. “When I say good education, I don’t mean normal training. It is about basic hair education. There are so many people who are hairdressers on their own. It is an inbuilt skill, but to hone it, you need to learn step by step.”
CREATIVITY ROOTED IN SALON REALITY
His creative direction is informed by a rare duality: deep technical understanding paired with strong commercial awareness. Having spent the bulk of his career in working salons, he is acutely aware of the gap that often exists between theory and practice.
“When you combine the commercial aspect and the technical aspect for colours and other services, it makes more sense,” he explains. “Sometimes there is a mismatch. If you only focus on training, you don’t know what the client wants or how much time they have. But if you have salon experience, you can marry both and work better.”
ADAPTING TRENDS TO INDIAN HAIR
While global inspiration remains relevant, Rehman believes leadership lies in thoughtful adaptation rather than imitation. His approach centres on translating international trends into formats that resonate with Indian consumers.
“Trend collections are often inspired by European or blonde hair, but in India we need to target Indian hair majorly,” he notes. “We can take global inspiration but adapt it for Indian hair and skin tone.”
This extends to both colour and cut. “Globally, trends are often shorter, but here people prefer medium to longer lengths. We need to create longer versions of those trends. It is about adapting it to suit Indian hair.”
CONSULTATION AS A NON-NEGOTIABLE PRACTICE
A key gap Rehman identifies within salons is the lack of thorough consultation, a step he considers critical to both creative and commercial success. “In any service, whether it is a haircut, colour, or texture, consultation is extremely important. What we miss out on is understanding the person we are working on,” he says.
He highlights how lifestyle factors directly impact results. “If a client does not have time to maintain a technical haircut or colour, it reflects on the hairdresser. That is why consultation is the essence.”
BALANCING INNOVATION WITH ACCESSIBILITY
India’s salon market presents a unique challenge, where innovation must coexist with affordability and accessibility. Rehman sees this as a strength for Streax Professional. “It is one of the best brands in that value for money segment,” he says, while pointing to ongoing product innovation. “We are coming up with new line extensions like heat protectors and curl creams. These are innovations that are also widely available.”
He also underlines the importance of product usage in delivering results. “There is no product that damages hair. It is how you use it. When clients feel their hair is taken care of, they come back. That is how both technical and business growth happen.”
EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
Education, once again, becomes central when discussing long-term industry growth. For Rehman, it is the differentiator that separates average practice from true expertise. “The more you know, the more you grow,” he states. “There are shades and products people don’t even know about. How to mix, how to customise, how to choose between ammonia and no-ammonia, all of this comes from education.”
He also believes in extending this knowledge to clients. “When you go to a doctor, you don’t prescribe your own medicine. It is the professional’s responsibility to guide you. The same applies to hairdressers.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
Looking ahead, Rehman is clear about the legacy he hopes to build, one that democratises learning across the industry. “If I can make education easier and reach the last mile, especially those who have not been trained yet, it will be a great experience for me and for the brand,” he says.
At its core, his philosophy is simple yet powerful. “I am known for making hair education easier. I speak the hairdresser’s language. I want to be the hairdresser’s hairdresser.”