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Rave styles for raven locks!
By Uma Nair, Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) Having a healthy mane, giving it an extra sheen or an ultra chic bob has become a major fad across Indian cities. Hair care is in, with infinite styles - curls, plain, twisted, permed or even straightened.

Hair couture is big business - scissor sculptors equipped with an array of styling products, an assortment of gels and therapy that will give your locks a fabulous look and make the head stand apart. 

From Loreal to herbal, Shahnaz to Garnier, hair styling, therapy and coiffure have come of age in India with both men and women enjoying all the attention that their hair can get.

"Hair care is about giving an electric sheen to the mane in a fashion-dominated world," says celebrity stylist Sylvie in Delhi, who charges anything upwards of Rs.1,000 for a swell cut that could mean either chopping, trimming or subtly manicuring hair to set it into a chic hairdo.

Apart from haircuts, perms, bleaches and colouring also lend that svelte look. "Highlights and streaks are the in thing," says Sylvie who happily does the makeover for all ages and sizes.

And the length of hair waxes and wanes according to fashion. "It is amusing to watch the trends in hair colour and contour, but, give me an orthodox Rapunzel any day," said eminent economist Prof Amartya Sen at a party hosted in Washington, while admiring a young Indian with hair that dropped to her knees and was a gorgeous raven black. "Short hair gives you just a momentary kick," says Prof Sen.

But short hair is the in thing, and in India salons are catering to more highlighting and streaking jobs, not just the simple trim or cut and chains like Habib's, Khubsoorat and VLCC are changing the hair story and becoming parlours with international brands in everything conceivable.

"Loreal has a cream base that does not damage hair follicles, so most Mumbaiites have a preference for it," says Spa Director Miriam Mathews who supervises the saloon spa at Grand Central and Grand Maratha in Mumbai.

"A bit of hair colour adds a chic chocolate strain to the hair and actresses like Kareena and Priyanka are showing off this style," says Miriam.

Of course, yuppies want that punk look that helps them have an extra swagger. "My barber who lives in Greater Kailash is a simple guy who gives rave haircuts," says Suchit Ray who wanted a cartoon look. "He gave me a cartoonish coif straight out of the Kirsten Dunst bob that I had asked for. I just showed him the picture and it was there.

Sylvie, however, cautions and says: "You have to be sure what you want. Hair care is all about how to avoid the wrong cut that makes you look like a creature from outer space, but it is fun." Obviously yuppies now want to experience more of trendy tresses and achieve mane magnificence, no matter what the length.

And while knowing what you want is certainly important, many stylists say they work best with clients who listen to their professional advice. "Sometimes people have too much say about their hair, and it may not work for them," says Sylvie.