Finally a Salon that does not ....

Salons in Bombay as they are usually small and cramped, have very low or no standards of hygene and the staff is just untrained, uncouth and incompetent. When you go to a salon in any other country (I have even been to one in Egypt) you are treated like a queen and the ambience and atmosphere is so relaxing or cool and funkey you want to linger there for ages.

My salon experiences in Bombay have been horrific. I have walked out of salons as their sterilisation facilities were just not upto the mark and the staff did not even know that you can get AIDS from a mini-pedi kit if its not sterilised properly! I have left less then a minute into a facial as my very highly recommended facialist had decided to eat a curry and onion based lunch 3 hours before I came in. The issue was not just something that could have been resolved with a stick of mint chewing gum as she had decided to eat her lunch the Indian way, with their hands!!! Apart from the hygene aspect just imagine the odiferous fingers being waived around your face for 45 miinuites!

I have also been burnt with tongs when having my hair strightened when pregnant which was very scary. And I have been burnt with hot wax meant for someone else's waxing session which just had to be ferried scorching hot across the room and spilled on me in the process.What really got me angry was the shoddy way in which I was apologised to. If I start to name and shame saloons in South Bombay I think I can go an and on and on. So I will only write about my top 3 preferences here. Do note that I did not attempt to go to the Taj, Oberoi or President Hotel's as I have a limited amount of time and did not want to waste time with security checks and the entire drama that goes along with it.

My first choice and really only all round recommendation is the mini heaven in the guise of the new Jean Claude Beginie salon off Colaba. I saw it from the street and walked in to see if the interiors were as nice form the outside. It did not disappoint. It was wonderfully decorated the ambiance was super and the inside was a neat freak's heaven. It was white and looked so clean it could have sparkled. All of the staff I came into contact with were articulate spoke great English, understood what I wanted and were really extremely gracious and obliging.

From the second I set foot in the salon I knew I was in the right place. The ladies who were at the counter were superbly groomed very well versed on the services the saloon offered, confident and very professional. I actually was able to converse with them and that convinced me to have a complete make-over there that very second. On entering most of the other salon's that are supposed to be "super" (which I would barely classify as decent) be prepared to be assaulted by bad mix of attitude, body oder and incompetence I for once am never enticed to even take an appointment let alone insist on an instant one.

As I was prepared to make a drastic change to my look I insisted on their top stylist. They told me she was totally booked but they understood that I needed a lot of guidance so they had a chat with her and she told them she would see me in 5 minutes. As soon as she finished with her clients with no drama Florence heard me out, sympathised with my concerns to dramatically alter my hair in every way and advised me what to do in a very professional manner. She vetoed the cut I wanted as it would not suit my face and the colour I wanted would do little for my skin tone. She also very graciously agreed to squeeze me in between two clients to cut my hair myself as she could feel my apprehension.

Now I had my 6 month old with my that day the staff was outstanding manuvering about her pram and they even took time out to entertain her. I was very pleased Divya the stylist who coloured my hair and also with Vinayak who gave me a nice paraffin mani-pedi. I was thrilled to discover a salon in Bombay with ergonomic seats which could be adjusted around the client. The fact that the chair also had a massage option for one's back was icing on the cake.

I have to say the most impressive thing about my cut was that before Florance began as busy as she was she waited for me to understand and agree to what she would do before proceeding. She did have to repeat herself twice not because of her French but because I was so very comfortable I zoned out. The fact Florance discussed aftercare in the form of tips on how to look after and style my hair was appreciated. I could not find fault with anything at all on any account at the Beguine salon and that something that does not happen often to me.

Some other options for anyone who does not want to go all the way to Colaba is to try the two more Beguine salons nestled somewhere in the suburbs. If that is not convenient then try Anees at the Moksh gym saloon on Breach Candy with a salon. He gives excellent cuts and does a very good colour. The one thing I can say for sure about Anees's cuts is that he has a magic touch all his haircuts grow our beautifully. He is really an artist at creating a hairstyle but had a tendency to cut hair shorter then one intends to go. The main drawback apart from getting an appointment with Anees as he is always booked, is that the salon he is with is miniscule. It is very, very small and I was not keen on their blow dry's or any other services.

Suzie at Touch of Joy is gives a decent cut and colour if you can put up with the fish market ambiance of the salon. Another thing about Touch of Joy is that you really need to know people who go there to guide you as to which stylist and therapist to go for what or you will end up with disasterous results.

A good place for a blowdry and wax is Beyond the Fringe its tucked away in Altermount Road across the standard Chartered ATM. I cannot remember the name of the man who used to do my hair or the girl who waxed my arms as it was over 6 months ago but I was happy with the service, and again do not expect too much from the salon per se.

Salon Des Amis is an option for those who are scattered around Napien Sea Road and Malabar Hill.It is a small mum and pop type place but far more expensive then the other little salons scattered in the area. The staff is warm and gracious and they are very competent at what they do. Khursheed who pops in there form time to time gives good cuts and does a great job with colour too.

The last place I care to mention in Bombay is a place in Worli called Sizzors over Comb that I had been to over a decade ago. One of the perks about it was parking right by the salon which is huge in Bombay. I do not know the saloon still exists. I recently admired a friend's hair and discovered Anu Yousef, who owned or still owns Sizzors over Comb cut it so that may be an option worth checking out.

Although I love my hair, nails and the new salon I discovered I missed having my hair done by the coolest hair personality in the world Ms. Josephene Sattout in all her Lebanese-Aussie awesomeness. I missed being spoiled and treated like a queen at her just opened the Pastels saloon in the Mercato Mall in Dubai. Josie thank you for teaching me what to expect from a saloon and how to just chill out and appreciate .... so this blog is dedicated for you...