When expensive shampoos failed to stop her daughter’s hair from falling out, Arifat didn’t accept defeat. She went to school, studied the science of herbs, and built a business that’s changing how Kashmiris think about beauty.
The Worry That Sparked Everything
Arifat had built a calm and steady life. With a B Ed degree, she taught at a private school in Srinagar, guiding young students and earning quiet regard in her neighbourhood. Her home in Iqbalabad in Bemina rested in the stillness of the Kashmir valley, where days moved in a gentle rhythm. Marriage brought new happiness and the pleasure of raising children. As her family grew, her duties changed, and she chose to leave teaching to care for her home. It felt right. She could be present for every small moment her children faced.
Motherhood also brought worries she had never expected. When she first saw her younger daughter’s hair thinning, a sudden fear rose within her. She hoped it would pass, yet it continued until she could no longer ignore it. She searched for help in the ways she knew. She bought well-known products and tried expensive treatments that offered comfort on their labels. None helped. Some made no difference, and others deepened her concern.
One quiet afternoon, she paused at a video on social media. It showed how to prepare herbal shampoo at home through a straightforward method. She gathered a few ingredients and followed the steps with care. The process caught her interest, though one thought remained. Was this truly safe for her child? That single doubt slowly shaped a new direction in her life.
The Decision to Learn Properly
Many people would have given up or kept buying new products with diminishing hope. Arifat chose a different road. If she wished to make something safe for her daughter, she wanted to understand every step with certainty. She needed a proper study rooted in explicit knowledge. During her search, she found Siraj Cosmetic and its six-month herbal cosmetics course. Enrolling was simple. Attending each class was not.
She cared for two young children, managed her home, prepared meals and still made room for lessons. Some mornings felt overwhelming. She rose early, arranged her day for her family, reached her classes on time, gathered as much as she could during long sessions, and then returned home to finish her work. At times, quitting seemed practical, yet she continued. Her daughter’s worry remained with her, and she also felt a quiet interest growing within her.
The course slowly widened her understanding. She learned that herbal care required more than collecting natural ingredients. Each one had its own role. Shikakai cleans gently and protects natural oils. Reetha created a mild lather. Amla strengthened the roots. Fenugreek supported growth. Rosemary refreshed the scalp. She learned correct proportions, methods of extraction and the value of patient preparation. She practised slow boiling and studied how to blend each extract into a steady base. By the end of her training, she felt ready and confident. She now holds knowledge that could bring genuine change.
Building Something From Nothing
After finishing her course, Arifat set up a small workspace at home. Her kitchen slowly became a place of quiet experiment where familiar traditions met careful learning. She prepared her first products with steady patience. She selected good herbs, made long extracts and mixed each batch with close attention. Some mixtures took an entire day to finish. Her early creations were simple. Herbal shampoos, gentle oils and plain soaps. All were free from harsh chemicals. She tested everything on herself and her family. When her daughter’s hair began to improve, she felt sure that her work carried real value.
She named her venture Silk and Shine Natural Beauty. Soon she realised that creating good products was only the first step. Gaining trust was far more difficult. In a crowded market shaped by big brands, few believed in items made by a woman working from her own kitchen in Bemina. She participated in local exhibitions and set up small stalls. The first events were disheartening. People glanced at her bottles, asked the price and moved on. Her simple packaging could not compete with polished displays.
She decided to speak directly to those who paused. She explained every ingredient and its purpose. She shared her own story and the reason she turned to natural care. These conversations often lasted several minutes. Others considered it impractical. She believed it necessary. She encouraged people to try one product and return only if they noticed a change. This quiet honesty slowly earned their trust.
When Results Started Speaking
Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, things began to change. A customer who had tried her hair oil returned to buy more. Then she brought her sister. Someone who had purchased a small shampoo bottle came back asking for the larger size. Word spread through neighbourhoods the old-fashioned way, through genuine recommendations rather than paid promotions. People appreciated that Arifat never exaggerated or made false promises. She told them exactly what to expect, how long results might take, and what their hair or skin might need.
This honesty created loyalty. Her customer base grew steadily. The income started small, but it was real, earned through quality and integrity. She reinvested everything back into the business, buying better equipment, sourcing superior ingredients, and expanding her product line. Silk and Shine Natural Beauty was no longer just a hopeful name. It was becoming a recognised brand in Srinagar. But for Arifat, success was never just about money or recognition. It was about something deeper, something that connected to her core beliefs about health and community.
A Vision Beyond Personal Success
Arifat notices a worrying shift around her. Children show early greying. Teenagers struggle with damaged skin. Many women spend large amounts on products that promise quick change yet cause deeper harm. Modern cosmetics often deliver fast results that mask underlying damage. Convenience is mistaken for quality, and few pause to consider what they apply each day. She believes Kashmir must return to older practices once standard in local homes, when care came from gardens rather than factories.
Her purpose now reaches beyond selling items. She hopes to build a small herbal cosmetics unit in Kashmir where local women can work with dignity and learn skills that last. She wishes to teach others as she was trained and to share knowledge that strengthens their independence. Her message to women, especially homemakers who feel limited, carries quiet force. Fear is the actual barrier. If she could learn while raising two children and managing a household, others can attempt the same path. She offers support to anyone willing to learn. She asks only that people question chemical-based products and give natural care a fair chance. Her story is steady rather than dramatic. It began with a mother’s concern and grew through patient work. From her home in Srinagar, she shows that lasting change often starts with personal courage and simple care.
Also Read: Nazir Ahmad Rather:Connecting Kashmir’s Apple Orchards to the World
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