The Mirror Beauty Parlor

At The Mirror, they brush out the dust, polish away the contours, clean the crevices and make a sparkling diamond out of you. All the time assuring you that the diamond is the deepest part of you.

Humility and customer service is The Mirror's forte. And their ultimate honor is that their clients have stuck with them for 15-20 years. "Of course," adds Chandra Kanth, the owner, with a warm smile, "this does not mean that new customers are not welcome."

The interiors reflect the name - and not just figuratively either, for they have gargantuan mirrors that make you want to drown into your own reflection. If you do manage to take your eyes away from yourself, you will also notice the pretty wrought-iron stands that patiently take the weight of your beauty-paraphernalia.

I do suggest, though, that until you arrive at their dressing rooms, you remain prudently oblivious to all that is around you. And this includes the corridor leading to their beauty parlor, their sign boards and their little reception (especially the one for the gents' parlor). Also, do carry along your own bottle of drinking water, for the fumes exuding from their glass of water are enough to make you forget your thirst and start worrying about your life.

But these snags become inconsequential once you realize that they are good at what they do. Chandra Kanth has been in the profession for 24 years, and has worked in Salon de Beaute (Taj Krishna) for 7 years. He is a hair specialist, and his wife, Kumari, who heads the ladies parlor, is a skin specialist. They make a fine team, the two - one all courtesy, and the other, all smiles.

After they have performed their treatment on you, still courteous and smiling, they hand you a bill whose weight could drag you down the three floors in a scurry. A haircut for ladies will wipe you clean of Rs. 350 - Rs. 400, and one for men, Rs. 125 - Rs. 150. Their facials cost Rs. 450 - Rs. 1,500. And all you can do at that point of time is swallow that lump in your throat, return the smile and pay up. And this time when you are walking out the parlor, you will not be able to help but notice the exteriors. For, you will suddenly know who is funding it all.