Beauty for good

When Lavanya Vikram, Founder, Blush N Curls Salon & Spa, decided to offer free luxury pampering services to house-helps across UAE, she had quite a task ahead of her. Still, she took on it with conviction to give them some time to recharge. “Many ladies come to the salon with their domestic help, and at times I would see the helpers come in and check on charges for services and silently watch their owners enjoy getting pampered,” Lavanya shares. The initiative allows anyone who has house help to nominate them, send them in with their ID, and they can choose any one of the four luxury services (Spa mani-pedi, haircut, full-body massage, luxury facial) listed for them.

When she came up with the idea, she checked in with the team whether they would be game for it. “I’m not the one doing the service, so I wanted to ensure they do it willingly, and they all were too happy to oblige,” Lavanya reminisces. The initiative might have fetched various accolades like the ‘Women Empowerment Award’ and recognition on leading radio channels, but what was most rewarding for her was watching the domestic helps’ savor every moment of the gesture. “Seeing those smiles is a different feeling altogether,” Lavanya softly exclaims as tears well up her eyes.