Women frequent upmarket spas and salons for some pampering and quality me-time, writes RESHMA KRISHNAMURTHY SHARMA

Looking good has been a priority since forever. Didn’t Cleopatra bathe in ass milk and drink pearls to look a knockout? And didn’t Hamlet rudely tell his mum to paint an inch thick but yet come to poor Yorrick’s state?

The trend, however, to pamper oneself at an upmarket salon or spa, is relatively new.

Be it a homemaker or a working professional most people are heading for branded up market salons rather than the smaller ones in the neighbourhood. Whether it is unisex parlours, or a salon that also doubles up as a spa, beauty studios are pulling all stops to have the millennial woman destress and pamper herself.

Plush interiors, exotic and soothing aromas, well-mannered staff, soft lights, the latest magazines make all the difference. Such pampering comes with a price, but customers believe it is worth their while.

Manjul Gupta, who owns Body Craft says: “At our salon we give importance to personal attention. Hard work pays. The feedback we receive proves that clients want to quality and we believe that we are offering what every customer wants. We have specialised staff for each area like hair or skin, which also translates to value addition for the clients.”

Anita Mithra, a marketing consultant, a regular at a swanky salon says: “It is not that I do not visit smaller salons, but it is limited for mundane stuff like a quick manicure or change of nail polish. For something like hair or a facial I need to be sure of quality as well. Lighter on the pocket, could also mean lighter on service.”

There is a belief that a branded parlour comes with the inbuilt parameters of ambience, hygiene, well trained staff and skilled professionals who are certified from authentic sources and will not be running a shoddy outlet.

Says Prarthna Pradutt of Peaches, “People are aware of global trends and they want the person running the salon not to be just anyone who is there to manage cash but someone who is thoroughly skilled in all facets of the beauty business. People look to the person running the parlour for efficiency of the person to offer the right solutions and products as after all they are paying for it.”

Undeniably the rise of disposable income is also contributing to the choice.

This factor with the awareness and pressure to be well groomed is making urbanites spend on beauty services either as a necessity, a stress buster or as an affordable indulgence.

With a daily bombardment from all kinds of media, younger and younger people are visiting salons and spas for a feel good experience.

Nandini Hirianniah, an entrepreneur with Morpheus Ventures says: “I go to Spratt Studio. It works marvellously well as my three-hour getaway. Apart from the perfect ambience and being looked after by experts, little things like clean floors and towels make this a perfect choice for me.”

Call it a fad or a need the modern women is leaving no stone unturned to look good and have fun while getting it done.

Why would you choose

• Plush interiors, exotic and soothing aromas, well-mannered and highly-trained staff
• Cleanliness and hygiene
• The extra cost is worth it
• A visit to the spa is a perfect stress buster
• Increase in disposable income is a factor as well

People are experimenting with bright colours for the exteriors of their homes, writes RESHMA KRISHNAMURTHY SHARMA

The last couple of years have seen a riot of colours when it comes to painting homes. Each home is getting bolder with colours and vibrancy is the key. Bright hues for exteriors are also catching on with homes daring to sport bright tinges that stand out from the rest of the neighbourhood.

Earlier, sober and neutral wall colours were the preferred option and they were believed to soothe the senses. However all has changed and people are flaunting their vibrant personality on the walls as well.

While it is important to ensure colours do not overpower architectural details; yet going by the shocking blues, bright oranges or overstated mauves, it seems like the trend is here to stay.

With websites of paint companies sharing information for people thinking of painting a their homes, the possibilities are endless. Whether it is as a contrast or as solo bright tinges, one can be exploratory, imaginative and adventurous. Daring to go in for a rather in-the-face bright yellow, Indu Sridhar, a home maker says: “We got our home repainted for my son’s wedding a few months ago. Initially I had reservations of using such a bright colour on the exteriors, today I am more comfortable with it. It was by husband’s idea to use a colour that would make our home stand out. We are receiving varied feedback.”

Krishna Kumar, an interior designer who owns Design Euphoria says: “Whether it is clothes or lifestyle, people are getting lively and experimental. One reading could be bold colours reflects a youthful mind.

Even if people do not go in for a bright shade on all the walls, the trend of using a bright shade on one wall is increasing.

This is called a feature wall and it brings out a home’s aesthetic element.

Like any other industry, paint companies regularly conduct research on emerging colour trends. This year after India-specific research, Asian Paints has unveiled colours like Shocking Pink, Emerald Gold, Hot Shot amongst an array of neutral colours. Colour trends and preferences are cutting across a range of products like clothing, wall paints and automobiles.

What goes on clothes also goes on walls and home furnishings with practically no time lag.

Srikanth S.K., Group Brand Manager, Asian Paints says: “With changing lifestyle, people today are far more exposed to décor trends and are aware of the happening colours thanks to dedicated interior décor magazines. Also we find many Indian home owners have a strong reason to believe that their home should stand out from the rest and the home should look attractive at least for four to five years.

“One more critical reason is that young people now have more money. They can afford to invest in homes and that reflects in the colours they choose.”

While colours on walls take the imagination of the home owner and reflects an attitude that may shock or surprise others for a using a bright tinge, yet the increasing number of homes that are going in for bright colours speaks of new-age preferences. However, one should be cautious think the idea through about whether one would be comfortable with the colour in the long term.

If until now bedrooms or living rooms started the trend of a vivid colour on one wall, today it is the turn of the exteriors to sport bright, cheery colours to liven up the urban landscape.

Technicolour dream houses

• Bold colours reflects a youthful mind
• Using a bright shade for one wall, is called a feature wall and it brings out a home’s aesthetic element
• Colour trends and preferences are cutting across products
• What goes on clothes is soon seen on walls and home furnishings