How to choose the right salon for yourself

While all girls would maintain that a trip to a salon can be a great mood lifter, a salon service gone wrong could also turn into an unforgettable horror. So, before you head to a salon, it’s important that you keep in mind the following tips shared by hair and beauty experts.

While all girls would maintain that a trip to a salon can be a great mood lifter, a salon service gone wrong could also turn into an unforgettable horror. So, before you head to a salon, it’s important that you keep in mind the following tips shared by hair and beauty experts.

1. Experience counts: To cut out hair disasters from your life, always go to an experienced hair stylist. Avoid newbies whom you don’t know. Stick to a tried and tested name who won’t make you scream in horror after she is done with her scissor-flying job. Remember that experience counts a lot, and there are bleak chances that a seasoned stylist would mess up your hair.

2. Location: Go to a salon where the stylist will give you proper time and attention. Usually salons in a mall or a busy shopping area are overcrowded and end up rushing with their job, which could deflate your makeover dreams. Also don’t go to salons run by aunties who are themselves victims of style slump.

3. Prices: Don’t get carried away by hefty discounts being offered by salons. They could just be making up for their lack of skills or experience. Those with an insane price list are also not a good idea as they could be trying to create an impression of class which may have nothing to do with their expertise.

4. Hygiene: Look around and see how efficient is the cleaner of the salon. A clump of hair lying below a chair for a long time or used cotton wool thrown on the floor is not a good sign. Check if the styling equipments are spic and span and the beauty products displayed on the counter are fresh.

5. Read reviews: Find out about the salon on the Internet. Read what people have to say about the services provided by the salon. It will tell you a lot about its strengths and weaknesses.

6. Friend’s recommendation: A salon recommended by a friend is a good choice, as he/she knows your taste and prices you can afford and would suggest a place accordingly.

7. Look before you leap: Try out treatments such as a head message or a pedicure before going for a hair cut or hair colour. This would give you a fair idea about the quality of their service.

8. Go by your instincts: Listen to your gut. If you don’t like the stylist but can’t figure out why, or something about the place seems wrong, walk out the door.

Inputs by hair and beauty experts Ambica Pillai, Vishwashreshtha Shanti, Ashmeen Munjal, and Pammy Kaul

Vote for your favourite salon

A monthly visit to the salon is a ritual that most of us follow religiously to look our best. To acknowledge the best salons and services in the city, Hindustan Times and Clear Anti-Dandruff Shampoo bring to you Clear HT City People’s Choice Salon Awards.

The awards allow you to vote to pick your favourite salons. While the participating salons will be awarded the most prestigious salon award in Delhi, the Top 50 salons will be featured in a book released by Hindustan Times titles, HT CITY Clear People’s Choice Salon Guide Delhi 2011. So, show your love for your favourite salon by casting your vote.

Participating salons

Clipping Makeup Studio
P-34, West Patel Nagar
SMS Code:1

Admire salon
6A/ 5 WEA Chana Mkt, Karol Bagh
SMS Code:5

New Handsome
10173, East Park Road
SMS Code:3

Changes
8/11, East Patel Nagar
SMS Code:4

Mod’s
Shop 92, Old Rajender Nagar
SMS Code:2

Changes
Shop No 24, Old Rajender Nagar
SMS Code:6

Big Boss
West Patel Nagar, G-23
SMS Code:7

Cut Care
I43, West Patel Nagar
SMS Code:8

Menz
Shop No 61, Old Rajender Nagar
SMS Code:9

Hair scissors
H-475, New Rajender Nagar
SMS Code:10

Touch & Glow
Shop no 3, Rajender Nagar
SMS Code:11

A One
Shop No 7, New Rajender Ngr
SMS Code:12

Identity
B-5, Chana Market
SMS Code:13

Shrinagar Beauty Parlour
29/26, East Patel Nagar
SMS Code:14

Nice Hair Care & Beauty
26/1, East Patel Nagar
SMS Code:15

Femm Beauty salon
12/18, East Patel Nagar
SMS Code:16

Kritika's Beauty Parlour
23/2, East Patel Nagar
SMS Code:17

Excelsior Hair Dressers
23/8, East Patel Nagar
SMS Code:18

Cut & Style
152, Double Story, New Rajender Nagar
SMS Code:19

New scissors
33/B, Prahlad Mkt, Karol Bagh
SMS Code:20

Vinayak man salon
28/24, East Patel Nagar Market
SMS Code:21

Vikkies touch & glow
59/39, 1st Fl, New Rohtak Rd
SMS Code:22

Lakme beauty
109, Shankar Rd, Rajinder Ngr
SMS Code:23

He & She Salon
6 Ad, Gautam Nagar
SMS Code:99

Gents Salon
Ravi Complex, Mahindra Kunj
SMS Code:100

Personality salon
E 46/A, Chabra Complex, Munirka
SMS Code:101

A Gym Muscle Beach
383, Bank Street Munirka
SMS Code:102

Personality Beauty salon
Shop Rz 626, Gali 2, Raj Ngr
SMS Code:103

The mirror
Shopping Center, Ga DDA Mkt
SMS Code:104

The mirror
FAZ Shopping Complex, Super Bazar
SMS Code:105

Smart look hair Salon
F 130 / 6 Gautam Nagar
SMS Code:106

Raton Hair Dresser
Ber Saria 61 / A
SMS Code:107

New Look
Shop No 11, Pushp Vihar
SMS Code:108

Adams Beauty Salon
F 322, Shiv Market, Lado Sarai
SMS Code:109

Adams Beauty Salon
268 A-1 Hauz Rani, Malivya Ngr
SMS Code:110

Cut & Care
H-12 / 16 Shop no 3, Malivya Ngr
SMS Code:111

Celebrity Man Salon
G-13 / 12 Shop No 5, Near Mother Dairy, Malviya Nagar
SMS Code:112

Smart looks
L-13 A, LG Floor, Malviya Nagar
SMS Code:113

KND Q
D -76, Malivya Nagar
SMS Code:114

Unique Javed
7 B / 2C, Malviya Nagar
SMS Code:115

Hair Café
G-65, Gatum Nagar
SMS Code:116

Cut And Style
P - 34, West Patel Nagar
SMS Code:117

He & She Salon
C-82, Lajapt Nagar II
SMS Code:118

Hair and Shanti
C-10, LGF, Central Mkt, Lajpat Nagar Part II
SMS Code:119

Hair studio
E- 228, GF, Rampal Krishna Market Lajpat Nagar
SMS Code:120

Trendz Salon
E- 198, Ground Floor, Lajpat Ngr
SMS Code:121

Handsome Salon
D-11, Lajpat Nagar I
SMS Code:122

A la Mode
Block -1, House No 40, 41 Lajpat Nagar I
SMS Code:123

Beauty Passion
29 Krishna Mkt, Lajpat Ngr I
SMS Code:124

Bobby Image
A - 215, Lajpat Nagar I
SMS Code:125

Style FN
E 85, Krishna Market, Lajpat Nagar I
SMS Code:126

Kaaya Beauty Parlour
M-20, Kalkaji
SMS Code:127

HT Image