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At the intersection of beauty, wellness, and soulful ambition stands Saima Salma — a visionary who redefines what it means to glow from within. As the founder of Glam & Gains, she has built more than a brand — she’s shaped a movement rooted in authenticity, power, and personal transformation. Through her voice, her rituals, and her unshakable sense of purpose, Saima invites women to reclaim their space, heal from the inside out, and rise — unapologetically. In this conversation, she opens up about her evolution, her values, and the kind of beauty that lingers long after the glam fades.
You’ve said that true luxury includes wellness — how did you come to see beauty and wellness as one, and how do you express that through your brand?
To me, wellness is beauty. While society often reduces beauty to an external image — a curated mask for validation or acceptance — I see it as something far more holistic. True beauty radiates from within. When we nurture our inner world — our health, our peace, our character — that glow naturally extends outward.
Beauty and wellness are inextricably linked. They are both forms of self-respect and self-expression. In my brand, I express this fusion by focusing on what truly makes me feel vibrant and magnetic. Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about the elevated experience of being aligned with your highest self.
Just like couture, where the process is private and intentional, wellness is a journey that often unfolds in silence. But the final result — your radiance, your glow — is what inspires others. I don’t believe in showcasing myself unless I’m truly shining from the inside out. That’s what makes the beauty feel real, and that’s the kind of luxury I aim to embody.
Outer beauty isn’t about constantly editing your face or chasing trends — it’s about healing within so the most authentic version of you can emerge. That kind of beauty is timeless, and that’s what I stand for.
Empowerment is a central theme in your journey. What does personal power look like to you today, compared to when you first started?
Personal power today is rooted in impact and intention — not just possibility. When I first began, empowerment felt like this idealistic vision: a beautiful sphere of dreams and inspiration, full of what could be. But much of it felt distant, like something I admired rather than embodied.
Now, I understand that empowerment isn’t abstract — it’s accessible. It’s found in the decisions we make daily, in how we choose to show up for ourselves, and in how we protect our energy. Personal power is about clarity, focus, and the boundaries that keep you aligned with your purpose.
I’ve learned that true empowerment comes from self-belief and deep self-love. It’s about staying connected to your own path — not getting lost in external noise or diluted by others’ expectations. You don’t have to wait for permission to be powerful. When you trust yourself and move with conviction, that’s when real transformation — and impact — begins.
Compared to when I started, I no longer chase power through performance or perfection — I create it from within. That shift has changed everything.
Your lifestyle blends ambition with mindfulness. What are some non-negotiables in your routine that help you stay balanced and grounded?
My first non-negotiable is giving thanks to God the moment I open my eyes. That quiet moment of gratitude sets the tone for everything — it reminds me who I am and what I’m rooted in.
Staying well-groomed, even on my slowest days, is another sacred ritual. Something as simple as perfume or styled hair reminds me that beauty is a frequency — it’s how I show up, not just how I look. My makeup routine is also meditative: it’s not about perfection; it’s about preparing myself to face the world with intention and power.
I listen to my body daily. Some days that means strength training, other days it’s a walk or a good stretch. Movement keeps me aligned with my purpose, not just my goals.
And if I can’t access a full meal, I still honor my body — with lemon water, a quick yogurt, or something nourishing enough to remind myself that I matter.
I drink RYZE superfood coffee every morning — the Reishi and Lion’s Mane have supported my mood and sharpened my focus in a way that truly carries me. And perhaps most importantly, I make space to listen. Whether it’s to a book, a friend, or my own intuition — I’ve learned that presence is a superpower.
For me, balance isn’t about doing it all — it’s about doing what feels aligned. Rituals don’t have to be grand to be grounding. They just have to be real. And in that quiet commitment to myself, I glow.
You lead with purpose and authenticity — how do you stay true to yourself while also growing as a public figure and entrepreneur?
It’s not always easy to stay true to yourself as you grow publicly — especially when there are constant pressures to conform or become a version of yourself that feels more digestible. But that’s the beauty of entrepreneurship: it forces you to reconnect with your purpose and show up for it with intention.
What’s kept me grounded is remembering how far I’ve come just by being me. There have been moments when I didn’t get the credit I deserved or the recognition I worked for — but I kept going, because my journey is mine alone. I’ve learned to honor the uniqueness of my path as a Pakistani-American woman who never fully fit into one box or community.
That outsider perspective became a strength — it gave me the clarity to advocate for myself and build something that speaks to other women who feel just as independent, complex, and multifaceted. That’s what inspired
Glam & Gains — a space where beauty, wellness, and self-worth could all coexist, rooted in integrity.
Authenticity isn’t always the easiest route, but it’s the most sustainable. And when your brand is built from that place, it doesn’t just grow — it resonates.
From makeup to fitness to mindset, your brand keeps evolving. What has surprised you most about your own transformation?
What’s surprised me most is the versatility within myself — the ability to wear many hats, move through different lanes, and still stay aligned with a deeper purpose. I’ve learned how to grow while giving back, and that balance continues to inspire me.
But above all, I’m most proud of my tenacity — the ability to stay soft yet strong, flexible yet focused, even when I have a lot on my plate. What once felt like pressure now feels like power. It’s not a burden; it’s a blessing.
The greatest gift has been discovering how to transform, even in your darkest season, and become the brightest light — not just for yourself, but for others. It’s like embodying the siren within: powerful, graceful, and ever-evolving. And that’s what keeps me going — knowing that my journey doesn’t just speak, it roars.
What do you hope women feel when they interact with your content, your products, or your message?
I want them to feel activated — like something inside them just woke up. My content, my glam, my energy… it’s never surface-level. I want women to feel seen in ways they didn’t even know they craved — powerful, beautiful, and deeply capable.
There’s an intensity to what I do because it comes from purpose. I’ve had people try to imitate it, but the truth is — energy like mine can’t be copied. It’s felt. It lingers. It calls in the right ones and quietly filters out the rest.
If a woman walks away from my world feeling more aligned, more aware of her own beauty, and more willing to take up space — then I’ve done what I came here to do. My work is a mirror. And if she’s ready, it reflects back the highest version of herself.
What’s next for the “Glam & Gains” philosophy — how do you see it expanding in the wellness and beauty space?
While I prefer to keep some elements of my business vision protected — because mystique is a form of power — I can share this: Glam & Gains was never meant to be just an event. It’s a philosophy. A lifestyle.
A redefinition of what it means to be well, to be beautiful, and to live boldly as a woman in today’s world.
My vision is to build Glam & Gains into a global enterprise — rooted in New York City, but resonating internationally. I want women from every background to see it as a movement: where luxury meets real life, where transformation is accessible, and where your glow comes from within first.
Whether through elevated wellness experiences, beauty innovation, or digital content that inspires and empowers, Glam & Gains will continue to evolve — but its mission remains timeless: to help women step fully into their power, their radiance, and their joy.
