For Nagma Imtiaz, empowerment isn’t a slogan, it’s a lived reality. Growing up in a society where women often face restrictions on education, finances, and personal freedom, she saw firsthand how limited choices can dim potential. “I couldn’t just watch quietly,” she says. “I wanted to make a difference, not only for myself but for the women around me.”
That drive led her to social work, where she began helping women gain confidence, learn new skills, and find ways to support their families. Her most impactful work has been with L’Oréal India’s Beauty For A Better Life (BFBL) programme, an initiative dedicated to equipping women from underserved communities with professional beauty and wellness skills.
Over her seven years of experience, Nagma has seen countless women transform. One story that stands out for her is Anita’s, a young woman from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. “Anita grew up believing her options were limited to a government job,” Nagma recalls. “But through BFBL, she realised she could build a career on her own terms.”
Today, Anita works as a freelance beauty therapist, supporting her family after her father’s passing. For Nagma, stories like these are what fuel her purpose. “When I see a woman go from uncertainty to confidence, that’s when I know my work has meaning.”
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To Nagma, the connection between social work and the beauty industry is deeply human. “Learning a skill is one thing,” she says, “but having guidance and a safe space to use it, that’s where real empowerment begins.”
Through partnerships between L’Oréal India, Naandi Foundation, and several state governments, the Beauty For A Better Life programme has reached over 24,000 women in India. These women aren’t just learning makeup or skincare, they’re learning independence, financial literacy, and self-worth.
“It’s like clapping,” Nagma explains. “You need both hands to make a sound. Beauty training gives skills; social support gives confidence. Together, they change lives.”
Nagma’s goals go far beyond the 80-hour classroom training. She envisions a future where every woman has continued mentorship, financial guidance, and opportunities to build her own business. “Change doesn’t happen overnight,” she says. “But even if two women from a batch of fifty find their path, it creates a ripple effect that transforms entire families.”
As the eldest in her family, Nagma understands the power of responsibility and resilience. “My aim is simple,” she says with quiet conviction. “To keep helping women realise they’re capable of so much more than they’ve been told.”
Since its inception in India in 2014, Beauty For A Better Life has trained thousands of women in states like Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Globally, over 3,00,000 women have been empowered through the programme.
Beyond statistics, it’s the stories, like Anita’s and countless others, that define its impact. With every woman who finds her voice, confidence, and livelihood, Nagma Imtiaz’s belief grows stronger: beauty isn’t just about appearance, it’s about power, dignity, and the courage to stand tall.
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Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
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