Mae Cornes
Photo by Nilima Lakhani
With the demand for low-maintenance beauty solutions becoming more popular, beauty business players must provide services that merge technical skills with empathy to stand out from competitors. This is what Nilima Lakhani, award-winning cosmetic artist and founder of O’some Brows, is doing precisely with her Nano Scalp Hair Stroke technique. Her advanced techniques and uncompromising dedication to inclusivity allowed her to change beauty standards and transform lives.
Expanding her business across two continents, Nilima Lakhani believes beauty should empower people, especially those who have endured physical and emotional hardships. “Every day, I feel the same happiness and contentment that I felt on Day 1 of my career,” she says. This passion drives her desire to make beauty accessible to everyone.
A Breakthrough in Cosmetic Tattooing
Nilima Lakhani began working as a henna artist when she was 17 in her hometown of Gujarat. Inspired by her mother, a beauty therapist specializing in bridal art, she developed a deep appreciation for the transformative impact of beauty. Over the years, she expanded her expertise to include hair, makeup, and eventually semi-permanent makeup.
“It was my mother’s work that sparked my interest,” she recalls. “Watching her make brides look their best on their big day instilled in me a passion for helping people feel beautiful.”
In 2013, Nilima Lakhani migrated to Australia, where she founded O’some Brows, her first beauty studio. With two initial locations in Melbourne, she quickly earned a reputation for her skills in brow shaping and lash extensions. Her career really took off in 2018 after she switched her focus to cosmetic tattooing.
Armed with international certifications and a hunger for learning new techniques, she immersed herself in microblading, nano brows, and scalp micro pigmentation, ultimately developing her signature Nano Scalp Hair Stroke technique.
With a combination of excellent PMU skills, strong business acumen, and the ability to manage and inspire a growing team. Nilima Lakhani expanded her business to five locations—three in Australia and two in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her techniques have earned her numerous accolades as a permanent makeup (PMU) artist, including the Six Figures Earning Artist Award at the World PMU Conference 2024 in Miami, BRONZE GLOBEE® Women in Business award at 17th Annual 2024 Globee® Awards for Women Helping Women category and an invitation to judge a national PMU championship in Australia in 2025.
From Art to Empowerment
Nilima Lakhani’s Nano Scalp Hair Stroke technique offers a noninvasive solution for both men and women facing hair loss. It creates fuller hair with carefully placed pigment deposits. Unlike traditional scalp micropigmentation, which mimics the appearance of short, shaved hair with dot-like effects, this technique uses fine, hair-like strokes to blend seamlessly with the client’s natural hair, creating a three-dimensional density.
“Scalp micropigmentation is transformative for many people, but I felt there was room for improvement in how we create the appearance of real hair,” Nilima Lakhani explains. “Nano Scalp Hair Stroke allows us to go beyond the typical dot-effect of traditional SMP and deliver a more natural, lifelike result.”
This technique resonates strongly with clients facing thinning hair, receding hairlines, or small patches of hair loss. It provides them with a low-maintenance, semi-permanent solution requiring minimal upkeep. The emotional impact is profound, with clients leaving Nilima Lakhani’s studio rejuvenated and confident.
“Our clients leave the studio feeling more confident and empowered,” she adds. “That’s the most rewarding part of what I do.”
Empowering the Next Generation of Artists
Nilima Lakhani is also deeply committed to education and mentorship. In 2021, she launched O’some Academy, offering courses in cosmetic tattooing, nano brows, and her patented Nano Scalp Hair Stroke technique. Her academy is distinct for both the quality of instruction and the post-course mentorship programs that ensure students receive continuous support.
“Education shouldn’t end after the course,” she says. “At O’some Academy, we provide ongoing support to help students build careers and even open their studios.”
Nilima Lakhani’s affiliation model is another unique aspect of her business. Rather than following a franchise model, she offers an affiliation program that allows students to leverage the O’some Brows brand while learning business development strategies. This model has already proven successful in Australia, with several former students opening their clinics and academies under the O’some brand.
“I want my students to succeed, not just as artists but as business owners,” she explains. “The beauty industry is competitive, but with the right support, there’s space for everyone to succeed.”
A Mission of Compassion
In 2024, Nilima Lakhani and her husband launched “Beauty with Love,” a non-profit organization that provides free, permanent makeup services to cancer survivors and individuals suffering from alopecia. The initiative offers eyebrow tattooing and three-dimensional areola reconstruction tattoos for breast cancer survivors, helping them regain confidence and feel whole again.
“This project is very close to my heart,” she says. “I’ve seen how beauty treatments can lift someone’s spirits after experiencing something as traumatic as cancer. Our goal with ‘Beauty with Love’ is to help people feel like themselves again.”
The non-profit has already attracted a network of PMU artists from around the world, including Canada, Australia, and the U.S., all volunteering their time to serve cancer survivors and those with alopecia in their regions. “It’s incredible to see how many artists are willing to give back,” she reflects. “Beauty doesn’t solely revolve around aesthetics; it also includes kindness and community.”
Global Expansion
Nilima Lakhani continues expanding her business in the U.S. Her next project involves developing online cosmetic tattooing courses in multiple languages, including Hindi, Gujarati, Afghani, and Persian. This initiative aims to make high-quality PMU education accessible to aspiring artists worldwide, regardless of language barriers.
“I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the best in the industry,” she says. “Now, it’s my turn to give others the same opportunity, no matter where they’re from or what language they speak.”
With plans to expand her studio presence in Atlanta, Nilima Lakhani aims to foster a global community of artists who share her passion for empowerment and compassion. Her dedication to education and philanthropy further proves her legacy as a compassionate leader in the beauty industry. She has shown that true beauty is found in the ability to uplift, inspire, and empower others.
“With the Nano Scalp Hair Stroke technique, my goal is not just to transform appearances, but to build a global network of artists who believe in the power of beauty to change lives,” Nilima Lakhani says. “Through education and compassion, we can create something truly meaningful—where every stroke is an act of empowerment, and every client walks away feeling renewed.”