Gleam Esthetika: Our Story

Gleam Esthetika was established in 2024 by Tahirah Razak, whose passion for skin, nutrition, and helping others began long before she formally pursued her education in esthetics. Her early influences came from her late paternal grandmother and the wise older women she encountered growing up in her home country, Malaysia.

Among Malaysian Malay women, there is a rich and time-honored tradition of beauty and women’s wellness practices — often lesser-known globally compared to Korean beauty, yet deeply rooted in natural remedies. From an early age, young girls are introduced to the healing power of herbs and spices, especially around puberty, based on the understanding that a woman’s health and overall well-being are intricately connected to her endocrine and reproductive system.

One such tradition is Jamu, a time-honored herbal wellness practice deeply rooted in Indonesian and Malaysian culture. Tahirah was inspired by the generational wisdom of using plants and adaptogens to support beauty, vitality, and overall well-being. What was once passed down through oral tradition is now supported by modern science — showcasing the powerful connection between nature and skin health. Today, Jamu continues to influence holistic skincare, reminding us that radiant skin starts from within.

In 1999, while living in Manhattan, Tahirah briefly worked with a star esthetician whose clientele included celebrities such as Cyndi Lauper and Phylicia Rashad (“Mrs. Huxtable” from The Cosby Show). Although it was a brief experience, It was during this time that she first learned about the Oxygen Facial — unaware that life would eventually bring her full circle into the world of skin and beauty herself.

After dedicating many years to her family, Tahirah felt a deep calling to return to her passions. With her son now more independent, she embraced a new chapter in life. She enrolled at Premiere Aesthetics Institute to earn her esthetics license, while simultaneously beginning a Nutrition Certification with AFPA. Her philosophy is grounded in a 360-degree approach to beauty — one where internal wellness and external glow are equally important and cannot be separated.

Tahirah's mission is to provide deeply personalized care for her clients and to empower women in achieving well-rounded beauty and wellness goals. She is committed to lifelong learning, continually expanding her expertise by learning from industry leaders and pioneers.