Words | Sandhya Chipalkatti
In a multifaceted career of 25+ years, she has played the roles of the Hairdresser, Educator, Salon Chain Founder (twice over) and Product innovator. Respected for her creative skills, her commercial work in Bollywood is known to all.
Meet Adhuna Bhabani, the face behind well-known brands Juice, BBlunt, and Gutsy. Fresh out of her three-year sabbatical, she’s ready for her next entrepreneurial adventure!
Here in an exclusive one-on-one, she speaks about her plans for the future.
Sandhya Chipalkatti: You’ve had a fantastic professional journey, starting in the UK and then in India. What led you to India?
Adhuna Bhabani: I was working with Wella in the UK for three years as a technical specialist when I was headhunted by Toni & Guy. I came to India on a vacation between these jobs with just a backpack, a pair of scissors and £500. I never went back!
SC: How did your career in India begin?
AB: I started meeting people from the hairdressing industry in Mumbai and working in the Oberoi Salon. There, I met people who introduced me to the advertising and television industry. I started working with L’Oréal when they launched their professional division in India. That period gave me exposure to hairdressers across the country.
SC: How did you come to launch your salon Juice, and then BBlunt?
AB: Yes, Osh (my brother) and I opened Juice in 1998. I had finished working with L’Oreal when I started the salon. We launched BBlunt in 2004. We built not just salons but also academies. We always train all our own stylists – that’s something very close to my heart, given my background in education.
Creating the BBlunt product line was something I always wanted to do. I had always admired Vidal Sassoon, his work and his global product line, and I wanted to emulate that. Partnering with Godrej to launch BBlunt products was a dream realized.
“When you’re in business, you spend so much time giving yourself. But I feel you also need to get to a point able to keep giving”
SC: How did it feel to hand over your brainchild to Mamaearth?
AB: I think it was time. Before COVID, we were making plans, but then it became a matter of survival. But six months post-lockdown, we had two offers on the table. The fact that we had a product line that could sell online during lockdown made us an attractive acquisition. The handover was bittersweet. But also, a feeling of moving on, so I’m happy.
SC: So what’s next for Adhuna Bhabani?
AB: The three-year no-compete clause was tough. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t in the salon daily. I said to myself, “Let me see what I can do now…maybe even a rest. It is good for me”.
So in these three years, I created another brand, which is not connected to hairdressing at all, Gutsy Greek Yoghurt, with my partner Nicolo. I’m pleasantly surprised to realize how much of my business knowledge I could apply to creating another brand. It’s been a really good learning experience.
But I’m an experienced hairdresser to the core, and I want to now be able to share that. So, after many years. I did a very inspiring training session with Gianni Scumaci in Italy, whom I respect and admire for his work and business. My three-day experience recharged and enriched my thinking about the craft.
SC: So, is it education that you are heading to?
AB: Over the years that I have been training, I have noticed a gap in the market. New hairdressers entering the industry have lots of training and job opportunities, helping them grow.
But for hairdressers who are 5-7 years in the industry, e.g. salon owners, senior stylists or trainers, there are few options. Big brands do bring in guest stylists occasionally, but that exposure is limited.
I want to have an in-depth conversation about hairdressing, for people to understand the intricacies, what it’s all about, and where it’s from. I think people who have put their heart and soul into their career want to have these conversations.
“Not about scaling up, but scaling inward, creating real impact for individuals, excites me far more today.”
SC: How will your new initiative make a difference?
AB: I want to create an experience as well as the learning, centred around different, unique experiences; design immersive programs – intense and inspiring.
I just did a trial session at Osh’s farm near Karjat, a beautiful property just two hours outside Mumbai in a gorgeous, lush green valley. It’s a place where I can replicate my Italian experience for busy hairdressers. Close enough to the city but still away from it. A retreat where one can reconnect with the craft. It’s a model I can recreate almost anywhere.
SC: What excites you most about this new chapter?
AB: The chance to connect deeply with hairdressers who are as passionate as I am. To create a space where craft, creativity, and community come together. I feel like this is the right time—not about scaling up with more salons or products, but about scaling inward, creating real impact for individuals. That excites me far more today.
