Nila Thana, professionally known as Nila Haran, is a Canadian makeup artist and entrepreneur who was born on March 16, 1986. She is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and is Canadian by nationality with Sri Lankan Tamil ethnicity. She speaks English and Tamil and has built her career around celebrating the beauty of diverse South Asian cultures through makeup artistry. Nila developed a passion for makeup at the age of 16 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science while specializing in Autism and Behaviour Science. Although she pursued higher education in a different field, her passion for beauty inspired her to establish her own business while still attending university. She is married to wedding and portrait photographer Siva Haran, and together they have two sons. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys abstract painting, miniature sculpting, listening to independent music, nature, and other creative artistic pursuits. Her Instagram username is @nila_thana, where she has over 110K+ followers, while her professional artistry page is @nilathana_artistry.
Nila Thana is the founder of Beauty By Nila Cosmetics and has spent more than a decade building one of Canada’s recognized South Asian bridal beauty brands. As an international makeup artist and hairstylist, she specializes in Indian, South Indian, and Sri Lankan bridal makeup while also offering editorial, runway, commercial, everyday makeup, airbrush makeup application, personal makeup lessons, hairstyling, and saree draping services. Her work is known for enhancing natural beauty while adapting to different skin tones, facial features, bridal traditions, and cultural preferences. She regularly provides on-location bridal services throughout the Greater Toronto Area and travels internationally for destination weddings and special events. Nila’s artistry has been featured in several respected bridal publications, including Jodi Bridal Magazine in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2018, South Asian Bride Magazine Spring/Summer 2014, Vivah Bridal Magazine 2014, Wedding Essentials Magazine Summer/Fall 2014, and Samyukta Magazine in 2017. Her excellence was recognized when she was ranked the number one makeup artist in Toronto at the Wedding Industry Experts Awards 2013. Beyond bridal beauty, Nila has been featured in interviews discussing entrepreneurship, beauty, and career development, including appearances with TVI Crossroads, Tamil Girl Blog, and Tamil Culture. Through Beauty By Nila Cosmetics and her educational services, she has also mentored aspiring makeup artists, teaching both technical skills and business knowledge while continuing to influence the South Asian beauty industry in Canada.
Outside her professional career, Nila Thana places great importance on family, creativity, and personal expression. She often shares moments with her husband and children while maintaining a lifestyle that balances business with family life. She enjoys spending time outdoors, appreciates art in many forms, and frequently explores painting, sculpting, music, and creative projects beyond makeup. Her social media reflects thoughtful conversations about self-expression, creativity, mental well-being, and personal growth alongside beauty content. Nila views makeup as a form of artistic expression that helps individuals feel confident while embracing their unique identities, and this philosophy continues to shape both her personal and professional life.