Cover Annie Tan and R. Gunavathy
Annie Tan and R. Gunavathy
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Back from a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, L'Oreal Malaysia's Beauty for a Better Life programme is making the world a better place, one lady at time
Launched by L’Oréal Malaysia in 2016, the Beauty for a Better Life programme aims to empower women with the skills and know-how for a thriving career in the hairdressing and beauty industry. Through a months-long intensive training at L’Oréal Academy, participants (the majority of whom have limited or no access to higher education opportunities) are equipped with highly sought-after skills to thrive in the beauty industry.
Since it started the programme has helped over 120 women. The latest edition kicked off in late December 2022 in partnership with local non-profit Women:Girls, with 30 participants successfully completing the intensive hairdressing training at the L’Oréal Academy and Bambang Soteto’s Faculty of Hairtistry Academy.
Related: How WOMEN:girls' Izza Izelan Fights for Gender Equality
Annie Tan, 43, was among the 30 graduates. “I entered the course with zero knowledge about hairdressing and three months later, I’ve managed to complete a whole cut, wash and blow dry session all on my own,” she says, adding that she plans to provide free haircuts to an old folks’ home in her area.
Tatler catches up with Tan and R.Gunavathy, another graduate from the latest cohort, on their experiences and how they have changed their lives for the better.
Above Annie Tan
Above R. Gunavathy
Annie Tan
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Have you always wanted to have a career in the hairdressing industry?
Annie Tan (AT): I used to work in finance and accounting, and currently work as an interpreter. [Hairdressing] was never on my career list before I was introduced to this programme. I never thought that I would have an opportunity to join a hairdressing programme, especially coming from the corporate world. I found that hairdressing could be an alternative opportunity to earn a side income. Since I have learned new skills from Beauty for a Better Life, I will definitely venture into the hairdressing industry.
R. Gunavathy (RG): I had a job at Western Digital as a machine operator for 14 years and attained an engineering certificate there. In 2017, it closed down in Malaysia and I was jobless for many months. Since I'm a mother of two, I wanted a job which was more flexible and so I decided to learn beauty and make-up. I was looking for a niche skill to learn in the beauty industry, and since practices like threading and waxing come from the Indian culture, I thought this was something I could learn to do. Honestly, hairdressing was never in my mind as I started freelancing as a beautician and make-up artist.
Before the Beauty for a Better Life programme, what were your biggest barriers to entering the beauty industry?
AT: I wouldn't say there was a barrier; it's just that I never had the interest to really learn or the opportunity to explore the hairdressing industry as a career move.
RG: No experience in beauty was challenging, and financial constraints did not allow me to pursue beauty school. After being retrenched, I worked up the courage to get a government loan to learn beauty skills and soon worked in a beauty salon. After graduating, I worked as a freelance make-up artist. Soon my husband was convinced that I had the capacity to open a salon and I used all my savings to start my business. Covid-19 was ruthless to the beauty industry, and as a result, I suffered huge losses, just barely scraping to keep my salon business open. I was very discouraged and depressed. So I was looking to improve myself.
Above The 2022 graduation ceremony of the Beauty for a Better Life programme
The 2022 graduation ceremony of the Beauty for a Better Life programme
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How has this programme met your needs and improved your life?
AT: Knowledge and skills are things that can never be taken away from you. Besides that, attitude, enthusiasm, responsibility, focus, interaction, communication, personality, trust, teamwork and character are the keys that helped me finish the project with good grades, even if it is only a short programme. I am really grateful that this programme helped me become stronger inside and out, and gave me the opportunity to be a professional hairdresser.
RG: I am grateful to have been able to join this programme. I was looking for a new skill set and joining a hairdressing academy sponsored by L’Oreal was a dream come true. I learned a lot from this three-month programme and met many women with similar life stories. I am grateful to WOMEN:Girls who were very supportive from the beginning. I would not have graduated if not for the support of all the participants as well. In addition to learning hair styling, I also learned money and business management which gave me the confidence to open a hair salon called Reshwani Beauty SPA, opening soon at Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.
Above Annie Tan and R.Gunavathy during a training session at L'Oreal Malaysia's Beauty for a Better Life programme
Annie Tan and R.Gunavathy during a training session at L'Oreal Malaysia's Beauty for a Better Life programme
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Tell us more about your plans to give back to the community. Why is doing this so important to you?
AT: I love volunteering and doing charity work. I’m happier helping underprivileged communities, as well as orphanages and old folks homes by providing them free haircuts. Volunteering is not just about helping others, it also makes me feel better. I feel happier, healthier and stronger mentally and physically when I am helping others. Interacting or just putting a smile on their faces makes me so fulfilled and happy.
RG: I employ inexperienced and underprivileged women and teach them skills in beauty and hairdressing. I also encourage them to take up beauty courses under government programmes. I have employed five women so far whom I personally train in massage, waxing, and threading skills. They are interning at my salon, and two of them are continuing their courses under Sistem Latihan Dual National.
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
