Anything that says ‘international’, becomes a hit in Bangalore. After top apparel brands, cosmetics and foodstuff, it’s now the turn of salon facials and bodycare treatments that are bringing the globe’s best to our City. Once popular gold and platinum facials are archaic in many high-end salons in cosmopolitan Bangalore. It’s the era of sea minerals, tea tree oils, exquisite body wraps, green tea facials accompanied by an array of international products.
“What is available in India really,” remarks fashion guru Prasad Bidapa (owner, Squeeze salon). “Indian facials are not laboratory tested. They are primarily home remedies, so much so that simply washing your skin can do you equally good. My salon has an exclusive tie-up with a French brand called Sothys. Each product has been researched and tested to suit individual skin. Once upon a time L’oreal and Clarins were considered expensive. But has it not become a part of our lives,” he asks.
The French facial at Squeeze uses products like grapefruit cleanser, camphor cleanser, tea tree toners and sea weed peels and masks. All have been specially created to suit Asian skin. Choose Hydra Optimale for dehydrated skin, Vitamin C facial for instant glow or Lift Defence for skin firming. Beautician Nayana Billings from Squeeze, explains, “We keep both Shehnaaz Hussian facials and Sothys. But 90 per cent of our clients request for French facials. Only the older women take up the herbal facial, which takes time and does not last long. If a fruit facial takes one-and-a-half hours, the French facial takes only 45 minutes. People today are stressed and want quick results.”
Manjul Gupta of Bodycraft is bringing down Dermalogica, a popular global chain from USA for skin treatments and claims Bodycraft is the only salon in India to have this clinic. She says, “An expert from London will be training our staff. And the client will have follow-up care as well. In case of Indian facials, clients don’t know what to do once they go home.”
Manjul too attributes the popularity of international treatments to the globe-trotting, rich new Bangalorean, who is aware and appearance conscious. “Lightening treatments like platinum facials are out. Gold facial still has a few clients. But oxygen, vitamin A and C facials, French anti-ageing serums, hair wraps are very advanced and 95 per cent of clients demand these treatments,” she explains, adding that they do approximately 30 specialised treatments per day.
For the men too
Some of the new treatments include coffee wraps, body soaks and body scrubs like seaweed and oatmeal exfoliation or lemon and green tea, among others. And it’s not only women who are flocking to salons. Men are pampering themselves too.
Nods Prasad, “Today I get as many male clients as women. The feel-good factor is high among them. Skin damage due to sun exposure brings them to the salon.” To which, Manjul adds, “Surprisingly, the spa and hair section is usually busier with male clients. They come for under eye and hair spa treatments. And ask for follow-up care religiously.”
Architect Akash swears by international treatments. He says, “Gold facials sound feminine. Moreover, the products are what my mom uses to cook or for a home-made facial. I cannot see myself asking for these at a salon. But international treatments are fabulous. I have tried the anti-tan pearl facial, something that’s appropriate and useful for us. At least, I don’t have turmeric being rubbed on to my skin, making it look yellow.”
Student Minal, a regular at salons for body scrubs and facials involving sea minerals, says, “I don’t like the strong smell of oils in Ayurvedic treatments. Indian facials do not last long. I only go to salons that use ingredients like sea minerals and soothing oils. Although expensive, they are very relaxing and effective.”
With Ayurveda and yoga heading the West and green tea and sea minerals foraying into India, looks like the new millennium may witness an interesting cultural swap.