In a world full of influencers, some women are just born to influence the industry — Parul Gulati is one of them. The actress-turned-entrepreneur, best known as the dynamic founder of Nish Hair, joined for a chat over Zoom, fresh off the high of her Cannes debut. Known fondly as the ‘Malkin’ of the hair game, Parul’s journey from struggling actress to full-blown beauty boss is as real as it is inspiring — and trust us, it came with its fair share of twists, turns, and tangles.
Taking Control of the Script — and the Strands
“I just wanted control,” Parul begins, candidly. “As an actress, especially when you’re not from a film family, you’re constantly dependent on people to give you work — and usually, what’s leftover. I got tired of waiting for the roles I wanted. I thought: Why not create something of my own? If I couldn’t choose my scripts, I could at least choose my products.”
That idea became Nish Hair — a brand born from necessity but built with a whole lot of heart and hustle. “Honestly, I wanted to create the best product possible and make enough money to become a producer and cast myself opposite SRK,” she laughs. Manifestation, but make it Malkin-style.
From Haircuts to Hustle
The seeds for Nish Hair were sown back in 2016 when Parul made what seemed like a simple decision – chopping her hair short. But the consequences were real. “People were like, heroines should have long hair! I tried finding extensions, but they were expensive, and my production house refused to sponsor them. I even lost out on a role because of it. It broke my heart.”
Then came a lightbulb moment — oddly enough, while watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians. “They talk about hair extensions all the time. That opened my mind. I couldn’t find quality extensions easily in India, and I knew I wasn’t the only one. I just wanted to help someone, fulfill that basic beauty need — and that became the goal.”
“What people don’t always know is that a Nish Hair piece can last you over 10 years. They’re that durable. I’m pretty sure my products will outlive some of my red carpet looks!”
Starting Small, Thinking Big
One thing Parul wants every budding entrepreneur to know is ‘don’t wait for perfection.’ “People want everything to be perfect before they launch. That’s not how business works. I started with Nish Hair with just ₹5,000 — around 200 dirhams. You don’t need funding from day one unless your business absolutely requires it. Start scrappy, start real.”
When it comes to advice, Parul doesn’t mince words. “People will always try to tell you what to do. Don’t listen. I started with one product. There are no rules in beauty anymore. Just listen to your gut — and if you must listen to someone, talk to ChatGPT,” she adds with a wink. “At least you’ll get rational advice.”
Why Dubai Was Her Dream Launchpad
Opening shop in Dubai wasn’t just a business move — it was a cultural masterstroke. “Dubai is like a better version of home,” she smiles. “My brother lives here, so free housing helped! But honestly, it’s such a diverse market. I can reach Indian and Pakistani clients I couldn’t access from India — and now, I also cater to Egyptians, Arabs, you name it. It’s this beautiful mix of cultures, and I learn so much every day.”
Hair as Purpose, Not Just Product
Parul’s most moving moment was a woman with severe scalp scaling during a trial session. “I was helping her, and for the first time, I felt this deep clarity. This is why I’m here — to give people hair and see that smile. It sounds dramatic, but that day, I knew this was my purpose. It completes me.”
Beauty Myths? She’s Busting Them
Don’t expect magical hair growth from oils and shampoos, she says. “They don’t grow your hair. It’s like using home remedies for under-eye circles when what you need is a filler. Similarly, semi-permanent extensions have pros and cons, and if you wash your hair with them in, it reduces their lifespan. It’s all about informed choices.”
What’s Next?
Parul’s got a hot new product in the works — Hair SPF, made especially for the UAE market. “Just like your skin, your hair needs sun protection too,” she explains. “It’s a serum — UV-tested, super effective. Perfect for everyone, whether your hairs always exposed or covered.
There are even clip-ins with curtain bangs for hijabi women – she says this as she explains how a beautiful lady had come up to the store the other day and asked for curtain bangs to feel good. Beauty should be inclusive — and fun.
A Little Love and A Gift
As we wrapped our conversation, Parul left me with a huge smile and a promise. “I’m sending you a little something from Nish Hair — you’re really cute!” she said with a cheeky grin. That’s the thing about Parul Gulati — she doesn’t just sell products, she spreads joy, purpose, and yes, enviable volume.
(Contributed by Wajeeha Syed)