When your feet tire after a day long shopping binge on Commercial Street, head to the sparkling new salon Fusion Hair n Care for a relaxing foot reflexology and more for prices that don't shock
When your feet tire after a day long shopping binge on Commercial Street, head to the sparkling new salon Fusion Hair n Care for a relaxing foot reflexology and more for prices that don't shock
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The uber swish, luxe salons in the city can intimidate the best of us with their art deco interiors and punk star-esque hairdressers. 
They are great for special occasions, but not for weekend jaunts when all you need is friendly, reassuring staff who sit you down and offer a hot cuppa while your nails get filed.u00a0 Of course, there are countless affordable, neighbourhood salons in the city, but it's quite a task to find one that delivers what it promises.
And so when you find one, the good news ought to be circulated. Fusion Hair n Care, the month-and-a-half old unisex salon on Commercial Street (the only salon in the area) is run by the husband wife duo of Usha and Kishore. The latter has spent 15 years in the beauty biz and Usha holds a diploma in Beauty and is an expert on skin care.
The Commercial Street branch is their third one, the most popular one being in Kamanahalli that have seen many a star footfall. Sandalwood star Shivarajkumar gets his mane trimmed there, actress Priya Mani visits them for skin treatments and Radhika Pandit goes there for a touch of blush before a glitzy evening affair.
Star treatment is not restricted to them. You feel a bit like Cleopatra when they soak your feet in lukewarm water with giant, red hybrid rose petals. The rose petal pedicure is a specialty here; the heady aroma and the soft feel of the petals are enough to banish stress.
The 45-minute pedicure culminates into a calming foot refloxology that might not match the ones in Bangkok, but activates the nerves and recharges the body nevertheless. "We use hybrid roses as they are more fragrant than the regular ones. The petals soften the skin," explains Usha.
The reflexology was necessary to soothe my frazzled nerves, for I was about to take a life altering (well, almost) decision post that - to colour my hair.
Not the whole lot (global, as it is called in salon parlance), but just a bit here and there so that I could bravely prove a point to friends who have called me names(sissy and boring, among others) and yet not shock the living daylights out of my meek self when I looked at the mirror.
Sensing that I was a clumsy lump of nerves at the prospect of colouring my hair, Usha suggested I think over my decision over a head and shoulder massage. Not sure if it was the fantastic massage, but I decided to go for a few Deep Burgundy streaks in my hair, which, I was promised, would be visible only against light.
Bliss, the soft spoken hairstylist from Manipur, also inspired me a wee bit, with her bold light blonde streaks. She took thin strands of hair from either side and sections from the crown and wrapped them in silver foil after coating them with colour.
After a 30-minute wait, made easier by the distracting Bollywood music at the salon, the result was satisfactory. And it was just what was promised. The strands shone against the bright lights, and yet, it wasn't too drastic, letting me cling on to my 'boring' image.
I had heard heaps about their green tea facial, a rare one in the city. And being a green tea addict myself, there was no way I was missing it, curious to find out how tea leaves are used for facial.
The green tea facial is one of Usha's signature facials, the rest being dry fruit and red wine facials. Green tea, as most know, is rich in anti oxidants, removes fine lines and tan and rejuvenates skin.
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The cleansing and scrubbing were done with lemon rind, tea and tulsi leaves. The latter acts as an antiseptic for acne and removes dead cells from the skin.
The toner was made of a green tea decoction and the massage was done with a cream mixed with green tea leaves which followed the application of a pack made of green tea leaves and fuller's earth for tightening the skin. "The green tea we use is sent by a friend from Darjeeling. We mix Ayurvedic herbs with it.
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It's all about instant results today. But organic facials have a long lasting effect on skin with zero side effects," says Usha.
Primped for the day, I headed out to attend to less exciting chores. But before leaving, Usha insisted that I have a cup of green tea with her. It felt like home.u00a0
Where 75/75 1st floor, Jansons Building Opposite Max
Commercial Street
Call 25583535
For Rs 30 to 5000
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