As a landmark step, The Hair and Beauty Federation India National Conference 2026 sets the foundation for a unified, organised, and recognised hair and beauty industry through collective dialogue, structured boards, and actionable national and state-level initiatives. Vidhi Arya from Professional Beauty India highlights what the Manthan will be all about.
The Hair and Beauty Federation India (HBF India) will host its first-ever National Conference on January 7, 2026, in Udaipur. This landmark gathering aims to redefine how India’s hair, beauty, wellness, and cosmetics industry functions, collaborates, and progresses.
More than just a conference, this event marks the formal coming together of over 100 associations, 50+ celebrity artists, educators, and industry leaders under one unified national platform. It represents a shift from fragmented growth to collective action, accountability, and implementation.
Date: January 7, 2026
Venue: Hotel Inder Residency, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Why This Conference Matters: The Story Behind HBF India
The foundation of HBF India goes back to industry’s collective experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a time when salons and barbershops across the country were shut down and unfairly positioned as health risks.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, our industry was targeted as a source of spread. Salons were closed across India,” shared Mr Ashok Paliwal, President, Hair and Beauty Federation India. “That’s when we formed the Save Salon India movement. It was a nationwide initiative focused on public health, hygiene, and education.”
What began as a crisis-response movement has now evolved into a structured national federation with a long-term vision. It aims to unite the industry socially, professionally, and institutionally.
“This is the first conference where the purpose is not just discussion, but unity and implementation,” Paliwal emphasised.
A National Platform Backed by Associations, Artists, and Brands
Through this National Conference, HBF India brings together:
- 100+ regional and national associations
- 50+ celebrity hair and beauty artists
- Cosmetic and professional beauty brands
- Senior industry leaders and prominent experts from across India
“This is the first time we are not uniting only professionally,” said Paliwal. “We are uniting socially. It’s for the country and for the industry.”
What Will Happen at the Conference?
The one-day conference on January 7 will be structured, action-oriented, and future-focused. It will begin with an inaugural session followed by industry discussions and a curated hair and fashion presentation.
Post the inauguration:
- A hair and fashion showcase will highlight creativity and artistry
- Panel-led discussions will address key structural and regulatory challenges
- An advisory-led conference format will guide how ideas can realistically be implemented
“We have seen many conferences where discussions happen but nothing is implemented,” Paliwal noted candidly. “Everyone agrees on what should be done. But who will do it? This conference is about forming teams that will actually work on it.”
From Discussion to Action: The Implementation Framework
A key outcome of the conference will be the formation of a National Board of Directors, along with specialised boards, advisory teams, and state-level bodies.
These teams will:
- Take ownership of approved agendas
- Work beyond the conference
- Ensure follow-through at both national and state levels
State boards will have autonomy to address local challenges while remaining aligned with the national vision. This will create a balanced, decentralised but unified governance model.
Key Agendas That Will Shape the Industry’s Future
1. National and State-Level Hair Art Boards
- Formation of a National Hair Art Board and State Boards
- Each board chaired by professional hairdressers
- Budget allocation for development and operations
2. Education and Skill Development
- National roadmap for education in hair, skin, makeup, nails, and wellness
- Advanced training programs to prepare artists for global platforms and competitions
3. Cleanliness and Hygiene Movement
- Expansion of the Clean and Beautiful Salon Mission
- Reinforcing salons as safe, hygienic public spaces
- Protecting both consumers and professionals
4. Unity and Industry Development
- Creating a common framework to identify challenges
- Bridging gaps between small and large associations
- Building one national voice for the industry
“Till now, our industry has never been united,” said Paliwal. “Small and big associations work separately. This platform brings the whole of India together.”
5. Awareness Against Harmful and Counterfeit Products
- National campaigns against fake and unsafe cosmetics
- Consumer education to protect industry standards and public health
6. Government Recognition and National Honors
- Advocacy for official recognition of the profession
- Recommendations for Padma Awards for deserving artists and educators
7. Social Responsibility: ‘Social Work from Salons’
- National hair donation campaigns for cancer patients
- Encouraging salons to contribute beyond business
8. Welfare and Essential Services
- Proposal to classify salon services as essential services
- Demand for pension and welfare schemes for industry professionals
More Than a Conference, It’s a Movement
Hair and Beauty Federation India’s National Conference 2026 is not just a one-day event, but as the starting point of a long-term national movement.
“We will all sit together, discuss issues, form teams, and continue working,” Paliwal reiterated. “Unity and development goes hand in hand. That is the priority.”
With its focus on implementation, inclusivity, and social impact, the Udaipur conference aims to become a defining moment for India’s hair and beauty industry. It’ll be one that moves it closer to recognition, respect, and sustainable growth.
