A groundbreaking national platform puts the spotlight on India’s skilled skincare professionals
In a beauty industry often focused on makeup and hairstyling, Raaga Professional has launched a groundbreaking initiative, “The SkinExpert of India,” to spotlight the artistry of skincare professionals. This national platform aims to acknowledge, educate, and elevate India’s talented skin therapists and beauty experts.
Launched in April 2025, with an overwhelming response from the West Zone, garnering 2,088 entries from cities like Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Indore. After rigorous shortlisting in May, 10 finalists competed at the regional finale in Mumbai on June 10th.
Driven by the philosophy, “Every skin has a story… now, it’s time to spotlight the authors,” the initiative sets a new benchmark in India’s professional beauty landscape. Raaga Professional’s Pro-Edge Academy provided hands-on training to lakhs of professionals for over 12 years.
The Mumbai finale was judged by an esteemed panel, including Chief Expert Neha Joshi, India’s first gold medalist in Skin & Wellness, and other prominent experts. West Zone’s top three Winners—Nisha Vishal Patel, Anjali Mishra, and Falguni Thakkar advanced to the Grand Finale. The National Winner will receive INR 3,00,000 cash, INR 1,00,000 in products, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Thailand for a Beauty Course Certification.
The North Zone finale on July 2nd, East Zone registrations opening July 15th, and South Zone on August 18th. StyleSpeak interviewed Ashrit Pattanaik, Business Head-Professional Products Division, CavinKare on ‘The SkinExpert of India’ initiative.
What sales and marketing strategies did Raaga Professional implement to achieve broad reach and engagement across diverse cities like Mumbai, Jaipur, and Indore?
Over the past 12 years, Raaga Professional has executed what we term the “Triple-E Framework” – Expansion, Education, and Engagement – under the visionary leadership of Mr. C.K. Ranganathan, CMD of CavinKare Pvt. Ltd. This helped establish our presence across these diverse markets.
Our approach centers on creating city-specific activations and collaborative workshops with premier salons and academies, positioning ourselves as solution partners rather than mere product suppliers. We’ve architected an integrated ecosystem where our sales force synergizes with distributors and education teams, ensuring seamless availability of both products and application expertise.
How do you plan to leverage the success stories of these finalists and winners?
The Raaga Professional SkinExpert of India platform represents far more than a competition – it’s a celebration of excellence in the Indian beauty industry. These success stories serve as powerful catalysts, inspiring millions of beauty professionals nationwide to pursue their aspirations with renewed vigor.
We’re strategically documenting and disseminating these narratives through multiple channels – from professional publications to digital platforms – creating a repository of inspiration and best practices.
With the other Zonal finales approaching, how will Raaga Professional tailor its marketing and sales approach to resonate with the characteristics and professional landscapes of these different regions?
For the upcoming North, East, and South zone finales, we’re implementing region-specific strategies that acknowledge unique skin concerns, service preferences, and professional dynamics.
Our regional customization encompasses several dimensions: premiumization emphasis aligned with local market maturity, focus on advanced services tailored to regional demand patterns, and addressing seasonal concerns such as pigmentation management in high-exposure areas. We’re strategically balancing our presence across tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
How do you plan to communicate opportunities associated with winning The SkinExpert of India to attract top talent and solidify the platform’s position as the premier competition for skin professionals in India?
We’re elevating The SkinExpert of India as the definitive career milestone for skin professionals in the Indian salon industry. While numerous accolades exist for hair professionals, this platform stands alone in its scale and pan-India participation for skincare excellence.
Tthis represents a gateway to national recognition, accelerated professional development, and prestigious brand associations. Winners gain exclusive access to mentorship programs, strategic product partnerships, collaboration opportunities at premier industry events, and VIP access to Raaga’s innovation centers and product launch previews.
What is the positive outcome of competitions like this one?
The SkinExpert of India transcends traditional competition frameworks – it’s a movement celebrating excellence in professional skincare. This initiative cultivates a profound sense of community belonging among salon professionals while challenging them to expand their creative and technical boundaries.
For Raaga Professional, it serves as a vital connection point with passionate professionals, providing invaluable insights into market realities and enabling co-creation of relevant, outcome-driven solutions.
For further information, visit: www.raagaprofessional.com, follow @raagaprofessional on Instagram
