Words by Shaiba Nimal

Owner of one of the most established and popular salons in Sri Lanka, Kess Salon, and with 25 years of experience, Mr. Vasantha is renowned not only for his artistry but for breaking the mold and creating new pathways for hairstyling in the small island nation of Sri Lanka. He sat with us to give an intimate look into his life as an entrepreneur, a hairstylist, and perhaps, one can even say, a revolutionizer – as he works to transform the beauty industry of Sri Lanka, breaking norms and rules that were once deemed set in stone.

When Mr. Vasantha arrived in his homeland after a tenure in Australia, he had a dream and a vision. He hoped to create his stamp in the Sri Lankan beauty community.

An international beauty school in Sri Lanka, to make sure the industry continues its growth by educating the next generation of hairstylists.

When I first arrived, hairdressers earned 150 rupees per haircut. They were not even respected and seen, forget being considered as artists with skills. Honestly, I would say they were treated by the owners and managers like “glorified slaves.” If a hairstyle costs 1500 rupees, the hairdresser earns a measly 10 percent of it. Now, haircuts can reach up to 10K rupees, depending on the experience and skill of the hairdresser. Hairdressers are now valued for their skills and talents. Not only do we cut hair, but we also help with shows in Colombo, photoshoots, and more.

I suppose you could say they have been inspired by me, but I am also quite impressed by some new and upcoming Salons in Sri Lanka as well. But I feel, as I said before, it is when I open the international school that I can really pass my knowledge and create even better and more skilled hairstylists in Sri Lanka. I want hairstylists in Sri Lanka to be able to show their skills not only in the motherland but any continent across the world, whether it be Australia or Europe. My goal is to produce hair stylists of international caliber. 

My ultimate belief in the shape of the client’s head is the most important for creation; how the hair falls, which section is where. It is not merely layering, as many others might believe. So, when we create a hairstyle, we personalize it and base it upon the client’s features.

Kevin Murphy, Charlotte Tilbury, and Mac

I definitely want to develop the fashion and beauty industry in Sri Lanka. In fact, not just Sri Lanka, but all over South-East Asia. I am passionate about the models in this region, in particular. I feel they deserve so many more opportunities to hone and develop their craft but are unfortunately limited in their prospects in this country.

First and foremost, you need to choose the right course from the right institute. You need to learn your craft very thoroughly. You have to learn the rules before you can break them.

With unbridled dedication, Mr. Vasantha continues to break the mold and strengthen and cement not only Sri Lanka’s current hair and makeup industry, but he hopes to pass the baton to the next generation. He is traveling down the road to giving future hairstylists and entrepreneurs’ the knowledge and skills essential to making a name for oneself in this competitive yet ardent trade.