A hair straightening treatment in progress at A.N. John. Picture by Pabitra Das

The Pujas are over, long live the look of the Pujas. As the Devi is immersed and the holidays get over, some experiments with trendy truths are here to stay. The Goodlife decided not to let the festive fashion die a sudden death and, instead, scouted around some beauty spots where the look-good-feel-great spirit rules the Puja period and beyond.

June Tomkyns

At this popular pit stop on Ballygunge Circular Road, the charge of the deck-up brigade began well before the Pujas. ?It was like a madhouse? This year was busier than the last few years. We have tried to accommodate the extra customers by keeping our salon open longer,? says owner Sharon Tomkyns. GenX was going in for everything ? streaking, hair extensions, nail art, application of crystals in the hair, blow-drying and ironing ? while the older gang was more caught up in make-up and sari draping towards the evenings.

Solace

From a range of hair treatments, exotic facials, exfoliating scrubs to rejuvenating massage therapies, everything on the look-feel ladder seemed to be high in demand at Sunny Park last week. ?With Durga puja, we have most certainly doubled our usual sales. While on a normal basis it would be our members who use the spa utilities, at this time they bring along so many of their guests,? says manager Rutu Tawade.

Habib?s

The response to the latest Habib?s hair and beauty salon, unveiled on Sashti at Short Street, has been ?tremendous?. The salon is focussed on hair styles and colouring techniques. The spirit of the season, proclaims Jawed Habib, is experimental and so refraining from the ?conventional route of using browns and golden?, and instead opting for a unique style statement was prescribed and practised.

A.N. John

Hair was definitely a big highlight this season. ?We have done extensive hair straightening and streaking this year. Blonde and mahogany streaks are what people keep asking for,? says Raman Bhardwaj.