Starting A New Business? 7 Key Points To Keep In Mind.
I admit, the glitz and glamour attract me. Pictures of hot models, slick hairstyles—ah!I see all that and enter, feeling totally good about myself, my “beautification” guaranteed, after all, I had just forgotten my vow to myself, that of never entering a beauty parlour ever again!
I admit, the glitz and glamour attract me. Pictures of hot models, slick hairstyles—ah!
Life at its best.
I see all that and enter, feeling totally good about myself, my “beautification” guaranteed, after all, I had just forgotten my vow to myself, that of never entering a beauty parlour ever again!
Now brews trouble.
“How may I help you?”
Help is not the word, dear, it is condescension. In any case, “I am looking for a haircut. Just a haircut.”
“Of course Ma’am. Are you looking for a change in style?”
“Well, perhaps—”
So far, so good.
I am taken to a plush recliner for a hair wash. My back sinks in. I relax, ready to be pampered. As the shampoo soaks, my eyes close, I hear a voice.
“Your hair is so rough, Ma’am, do you want to try one of our hair packs?”I appreciate your business acumen, love, but did you really have to burst my bubble that way?
The voice continues, “And an exfoliation for the whiteheads on your face.”Yes, it’s the whiteheads now, after the blackheads. Wonder how they exfoliate purpleheads?
“The pollution has wreaked havoc on your skin. The pores are all clogged. Would you like a facial?”
Of course. Pollution. Lack of care. Clogged pores. Wonder why I never seem to find anything wrong when I get dressed each morning?
“Um— No. JUST a haircut.”
I don’t feel all that good now. Was it just me, or do all beauty salons work hard to rob you of all good feelings about your hair/skin/body?
It would be so nice to have a parlour with some lovely quotes on beauty all over— and a lady who says, “Wow, such beautiful skin, ma’am. I’d definitely recommend a facial to retain this glow!” would win my heart any day, rather than the one who circles and labels my pimples like an anatomy diagram!
Perhaps it’s vanity— or that I am easily flattered, but hey, I would leave the place feeling on top of the world! Isn’t that what beauty is all about, ultimately?
Sigh, I vow, for the umpteenth time, to never step into another beauty salon again!
This piece was first published here.
Image Source: Still from Sketch Comedy Every Girl In Beauty Parlour Ft. Tena Jaiin by Paayal Jain
Vaidehi is a teacher and mentor who is extremely passionate about pedagogy, writing and the arts. read more...
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There are many mountains I need to climb just to be, just to live my life, just to have my say... because they are mountains you've built to oppress women.
Trigger Warning: This deals with various kinds of violence against women including rape, and may be triggering for survivors.
I haven’t climbed a literal mountain yet Was busy with the metaphorical ones – born a woman Fighting for the air that should have come free And I am one of the privileged ones, I realize that
Yet, if I get passionate, just like you do I will pay for it – with burden, shame, – and possibly a life to carry So, my mountains are the laws you overturn My mountains are the empty shelves where there should have been pills
When people picked my dadi to place her on the floor, the sheet on why she lay tore. The caretaker came to me and said, ‘Just because you touched her, one of the men carrying her lost his balance.’
The death of my grandmother shattered me. We shared a special bond – she made me feel like I was the best in the world, perfect in every respect.
Apart from losing a person who I loved, her death was also a rude awakening for me about the discrimination women face when it comes to performing the last rites of their loved ones.
On January 23 this year, I lost my 95 year old grandmother (dadi) Nirmala Devi to cardiac arrest. She was that one person who unabashedly praised me. The evening before her death she praised the tea I had made and said that I make better tea than my brother (my brother and I are always competing about who makes the best chai).
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