Give Us An Insight Into The Fashion And Beauty Industry In India, And What Are The Changes That You Have Seen In The Last Five Years?

The biggest change fashion and beauty as an industry has seen in the recent years is becoming more inclusive than it traditionally was. There’s big conversation around body-positivity which has made brands re-assess the stereotypes they’ve created over the years. And, there’s also more open-mindedness to being gender-inclusive towards people with diverse sexual preferences. As a result, we are no more catering to “traditionally devised” market segments. We are creating fashion and beauty for all body types, skin, genders, and beyond.

Another big change is the movement towards slow and sustainable fashion and beauty. Within the next five years, fast fashion and beauty is going to disappear from the face of the Earth. Brands who cannot think out-of-the-box will either succumb or be pressurized to do so. We are dealing with conscious consumers with access to information and social media. They know EXACTLY what they are investing in and are demanding sustainable products and practices, and rightfully so! Brands need to become more responsible to align with consumers who are seeing sustainability not just as a trend, but a way of life.

Take Us Through The Journey That Eventually Led You To Come Up With Boss Lady Cosmetic. What Was The Primary Idea Behind Starting The Brand?

As a child, makeup was always a hobby. I enjoyed doing makeup on myself and others. But my professional journey was never related to makeup. I wanted to be a lawyer, and I was on my way to being part of a think tank. My mother saw how happy I was around makeup, and was the one to identify that glimmer. She encouraged me to pursue a career in it, if that’s what I wanted. It felt like I chased a childhood dream, and got my professional degree in makeup. Post that, I got involved with a makeup studio and thereafter, in several workshops. At that time, makeup was beginning to boom in India. I realised one thing-a lot of these brands need to do better. The focus was on idealising fair-skinned beauty which I didn’t feel was right. That’s when it struck: When you don’t find something, create it! BLC, as an idea, was essentially born here. Starting my own makeup brand that represents everything I stand for seemed like the perfect idea. However, making sure it truly celebrated beauty and people irrespective of their gender, size, colour or shape, and the planet through caring for our oceans, forests, furry friends and beyond was really important to me.

“What Differentiates Boss Lady Cosmetic From The Other Products Out There Is That We Are Ready For Our Melanin-Rich Beauties As Much As For Any Other Skin Colour”

Please Take Us Through The Range Of Products Offered At Boss Lady Cosmetic. How Do The Products Differentiate Themselves In The Market?

At the moment, we have 12 Love Pens which is the lipstick range, 1 Eyeflick which is the eyeliner, and two Poplighters that is the highlighter range in golden and pink. Before launching the Love Pens, we conducted a three-month-long research to come up with a versatile swatch range. With the Eyeflick and Poplighters, we wanted them to work as vanity staples.

What differentiates Boss Lady Cosmetic from the other products out there is that we are ready for our melanin-rich beauties as much as for any other skin colour. Ethically-sourced ingredients, vigorously tested formulas that are nourishing, vegan, cruelty-free, and safe is a given at BLC. Even our packaging is 100% recyclable.

Tell Us About The Expansion Plans Lined Up For The Future At Boss Lady Cosmetic. Where Do You See The Company Evolving In The Next Few Years?

We have a new collection in the pipeline. It’s been under works for nearly a year because we spend a lot of time doing extensive research and then, pandemic pushed back a few things. But that gave us the time to refine the range and do everything to make sure it’s nothing short of top-notch when it reaches our consumers. I've been personally using this product in my day-to-day makeup routine recently, and I am so excited for people to see it.

For our short-term goals, we want to have a wider reach with the customers. We have a solid online and offline presence, and we want to expand this with interesting online platforms that are aligned with our ethos. We want to be present across platforms that have eco-friendly practices. In the next few months, you’ll see a lot more brand collaborations, new ranges, merchandise launches and beyond from us.

Kajol Bafna, Founder, Boss Lady Cosmetic

Kajol Bafna, a passionate makeup enthusiast-turned-makeup artist-turned-entrepreneur, is on a mission to shatter the barriers set by the Indian beauty industry, influenced by the West, through her brand Boss Lady Cosmetic. BLC, as it’s fondly called, champions inclusivity, defying stereotypes across gender, skin colour, and size. Kajol’s ideology takes the brand beyond this to deliver a range of cosmetics that are not just inclusive but also vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable. Recently, WE Magazine got an opportunity to speak with Kajol where she took us through her offbeat journey in the makeup segment. She also gave us insight into what makes Boss Lady Cosmetic different, and the new and exciting things to look forward to in the near future.