Choosing the right salon

Before you decide to go for a particular salon service, pay attention to these small but vital things. While 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.

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 in run by

‘aunties’ who are themselves victims of style slump. How your stylist wears her own hair tells a lot about her taste.



3. Prices

Do not get carried away by hefty discounts and free services 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 a false impression of class. Look for a reasonably priced salon that is within your budget.



4. Hygiene

Look around and see how efficient the cleaner of the salon is. 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 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) HTC

Vote for your favourite salon
Monthly visit to the salon is a ritual that most of us follow religiously to look our best. To acknowledge the best salon services in the city, Hindustan Times and Clear Anti-Dandruff Shampoo bring to you Clear HT City People’s Choice Salon Awards, which give you a chance to pick your favourite salons. Out of the many salons in the city, we have picked up 205 best salons, and our readers will pick up 30 salons from the list. Later, the editorial team will visit these salons, and select the best among them.

While the winning salons will be awarded the most prestigious salon award in Delhi, the other salons will also be featured in a book released by Hindustan Times, titled, HT City Clear People’s Choice Salon Guide Delhi 2012. Also watch out for our list of participating salons that we will feature every week. So, hurry, cast your vote, and see you favourite salon walk away with the award.

First Published: Jan 28, 2012 19:55 IST