A man gets a haircut at a salon and (above) a girl receives a hair treatment in Patna. Pictures by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Oct. 5: Gone are the days when “beauticians” were thought to be wedding season experts who could transform young girls into beautiful brides with their magic brush.

Parlours and beauty treatments have become a part of the day-to-day life of Patna residents. From facial to body spa, Patnaites are learning to pamper themselves.

Expenditure takes a backseat when it comes to getting that perfect look or spending a relaxed evening at a salon.

Pooja Singh, creative director, L’oreal Salon, has been working as a beauty expert for over nine years now. She feels that trend has changed in the real sense.

She said: “When we had started, salon meant threading, hair cuts, sometimes waxing or bleach and facial. The situation has changed now. New-age women are beauty conscious. From hair oiling to luxury pedicures, they want the best beauty care for themselves.” She further said: “We have at least five to six manicure-pedicure clients on a daily basis.” At L’oreal, normal pedicure costs Rs 250, while luxury pedicure goes up to Rs 800.

Talking about hair styling, Pooja, who has been to places like the UK, Sri Lanka, said that working people opt for haircuts that would suit their profession.

According to Pooja: “A corporate professional wants a simple and formal look whereas a college girl demands trendy and fashionable hair style.” Hair cut starts at Rs 350 at bigger salons.

Trend change and craze for luxurious lifestyle can be imagined from the fact that the 9-to-9 L’oreal Salon, which stated with one parlour in 2006, has six branches in the capital today.

Even the number of staff has gone up from six to 55.

Priyanka, 32, corporate executive working for an MNC, said: “I visit the salon every Sunday since I need to relax fully on that day. Although I get facial done only after 25 to 28 days, pedicure has to be done every week since I am in the field most of the times.”

Shikha, a club member said: “It’s very important for people like us look our best always. Good looks gives you confidence and enhances your personality.”

Today’s Patna girls are ready to experiment with their looks, courtesy the big parlours coming up in the city.

Today, not only haircuts are given seeing the shape of face, but also colouring is done to suit the complexion of the customer. Hair colouring starts at Rs 1,500 at city salons.

Unlike before, now girls don’t go to the salons to cover grey hair but try different shades and get a stylish look.

Homemaker Mona Singh, 42, said: “My husband is working with an MNC and in order to attend parties with him, I have to be well-maintained.” Even my little daughter asks me to have a clean neck while going to her school on any occasion.”