Woman shares honest review of her $55 hair salon experience as ‘blonde American visiting India’

Monique, a US content creator, documented her hair care experience in India, where she received a three-hour treatment at a leading salon for around ₹5,220.

For many travellers, navigating beauty standards and hair care in a foreign climate can be a daunting task. For US-based content creator Monique, a trip to India turned into an unexpected lesson in luxury and hair care when she documented her experience at a local salon for her Instagram followers.

'I had no idea how to take care of my hair in India'

In a March 19 video, Monique — who described herself as a 'blonde American visiting India' — gave a candid look at her three-hour hair journey that cost her $55 (approximately ₹5,220). Monique admitted that the Indian weather had taken a toll on her hair, leaving it feeling 'dry and brittle'.

Fearing for the health of her long locks, she sought out Geetanjali Salon for what she hoped would be a quick fix. What she received instead was what she dubbed her 'soft girl era' moment. "I had no idea how to take care of my hair in India, and I desperately needed some advice," Monique shared in the video. "This was not just a hair appointment. It was an experience," she added.

She explained in her caption, "The weather here in India had my hair feeling so dry and brittle, and honestly, I was scared it was going to ruin the hair I worked so hard to grow. So I decided to visit Geetanjali Salon for a full reset, deep conditioning, consultation, and a fresh cut. Wow… this was not just a hair appointment. It was an experience."

The salon experience

The video highlighted a level of service that Monique described as 'elevated' and "pure care." The process included a detailed consultation: stylists identified her hair as brittle and breaking, and recommended a moisture-rich plan. It was followed by deep conditioning: a multi-step treatment involving specialised oils and products. While the products worked, Monique was treated to a tea break with snacks, followed by an intensive scalp and face massage.

The creator praised the 'unmatched' precision of the stylist’s scissors during the haircut and the 'epic' final blowout. "The precision of this haircut was absolutely amazing," Monique said, beaming at the camera in the video. "I would probably fly to India just for this experience," she added.

For many in the west, a three-hour session that includes a deep conditioning treatment, a haircut, a blowout, and a massage would easily run $200–$300. Monique’s total for the service — $55 —highlighted the high-quality professional services available in India at a fraction of US prices.

‘My hair feels softer, healthier, alive again’

Beyond the physical transformation, she shared that the stylists provided her with a sustainable routine to maintain her hair while travelling: wash with cold water to preserve moisture, use deep conditioners regularly, avoid daily washing to prevent stripping natural oils.

Monique concluded her review with a glowing five-star rating, noting that the experience left her feeling more confident and 'alive again'. She wrote in her caption, "A little self-care moment I didn’t know I needed. My soft girl era... three hours of pure care, attention, and intention. From the products to the service, everything felt so elevated, as if they truly understood that beauty is a form of self-love. My hair feels softer, healthier, alive again, but more than that, I feel more confident. Sometimes the smallest acts of self-care create the biggest shifts."

Her experience serves as a reminder to fellow travellers that sometimes the best way to connect with a new culture is through the universal language of a really good hair day.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

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