As my hair was getting long and my perm looked like overcooked spaghetti, I decided to go to a salon in Mumbai. One of the big challenges that many expat women face in living overseas is finding a right hair dresser after moving to a new city. To find a hair dresser outside of your country who can understand the hair that he/she is not familiar with is a difficult or impossible task.
Here in Mumbai, some of my Japanese friends go to SAKS for a short haircut. Apparently it is hard to find a hair dresser who can cut short hair because many Indian women like to keep their hair long. Since all of my friends’ short haircut looks great, I decided to try the same hair stylist. His name is Raja. One Japanese expat girl, A was the first one I knew who went to SAKS and had a hair cut by Raja. The word of mouth got around who saw her hair and now there are about 15 Japanese ladies who go to him thanks to her!
髪の毛が伸びっぱなしだし、パーマは伸びきった麺のようになってきていたので、ムンバイでヘアーサロンへ行く事にしました。海外に住んでいると、日本人スタイリストが居るサロンがあれば別ですが、日本人のサロンのようにカットをしてくれる人を探すのは至難の業です。
ムンバイでは、日本人の友人何人かが通っているサロンがあります。インドでは女性が髪を長くするのが人気なので、ショートカットが出来るスタイリストさんは少ないとか。同じサロンでショートカットをしてもらった日本人の友人の髪型が皆可愛いので、私も同じスタイリストさんにカットを頼む事にしました。名前はラジャさんとおっしゃいます。ラジャさんによると、友人Aさんがカットをした後、彼女の髪の毛を見て気に入った日本人女性が来てくれるようになり、今では15人程クライエントを抱えているとか。すごいですね!
I brought my old photos and explained that I wanted big waves like I used to have.
You can see more photos of my hair before here.
自分の昔の写真を持って行き、同じ様な大きなウェーブをお願いしました。
以前のパーマの写真はこちらにあります。
The hair stylist for perm brought these samples in the photo below, so I picked the far left one.
大きなウェーブをお願いしました。スタイリストさんがサンプルを持って来たので、一番左の様な感じ、とお願いしました。
At this salon, the stylist who cut my hair and the stylist who permed my hair were different. (In Japan, usually one person takes care of both a haircut and perm.)
After I got my hair permed, I learned that SAKS don’t have many clients who would ask for perm, which I think is true in general at many other salons in this city. Apparently many wealthy people go get their hair done at a salon in the morning when they go out, so many women wouldn’t need to perm their hair.
サックスでは、髪の毛を切ってくれる人と髪の毛をパーマしてくれる人が別でした。日本とは違い、仕事が専門別に別れているのかもしれないですね。
パーマをした後、実はサックスではパーマを希望されるお客さんはあまり居ないと知りました。多分インド全体で、髪の毛にパーマをかける女性が少ないのだと思います。お金持ちの女性は、お出かけする前にヘアーサロンでスタイリグをしてもらうのは一般的なので、パーマをしてもらう必要が無いのだと思います。
After the Haircut, Before the Perm.
ヘアカット後、パーマの前。
Price
I went to the salon three times in total for this time. The second time was to get the perm all over again because I had many patches of hair with no perm. The third time was to have the hair trimmed after the second perm as the haircut before perm needed some retouching.
I negotiated the price for perm with the salon. In the end, I paid 4500 Rs (US$75) for hair perm and 1800 Rs (US$30) for hair cut.
今回のカットとパーマのために、合計3回サロンへ行きました。2回目はパーマがちゃんとかかっていなかった箇所を直してもらうためだったのですが、結局パーマを掛け直す形となりました。3回目は、パーマ後の髪の毛を切ってもらうためでした。
ムンバイでも有名なサロンでのパーマの値段を元に、SAKSで言われたパーマ代金の値段を交渉しました。結局最終的に、パーマには4500ルピー(7500円くらい)とパーマに1800ルピー(3000円くらい)を払いました。
This is Raja, the hair stylist who is popular among expats and can cut short hair well.
駐在員奥様方に人気で、ショートカットもカットできるスタイリストのラジャさん。
AFTER
I was hoping for a big natural wavy hair style like I did before, but somehow ended up getting small spiral curls that look like I popped out of 80’s. It took me a while to take it in at first. Now I’m used to it. You know what? Hair grows. No big deal.
自然な大きいウェーブパーマを希望した所、サンプルを持って来てくれ、一番左のような感じで、とお願いをしました。それなのに、出来上がったらスパイラルで、まるで80年代のパーマ。今は見慣れましたが、希望していた髪型とは違い、慣れるまで時間がかかりました。でも髪の毛は伸びますからね。気にしない事にしました。
Would I go back to SAKS? Sure.
今回の体験で、またSAKSへ戻るかですか?また行きたいと思っています。
Joy says
Kaho, you are totally one of those people who can rock any hairstyle, no matter what it looks like! I know what you mean, though, a bad haircut and perm can bring me to tears. Although as you mentioned, even a bad hairstyle will grow out. Glad you found a place you like!
Kaho says
Hi, Joy! Really? Awww, thank you!!! When I got home and thought I had to look at myself and feel that I had a bad hair day everyday was painful. At first. Then, my eyes got used to the tight curls. Thanks for your encouraging words!
thediplomaticwife says
Dear Kaho, I can so relate. Curls are tricky aren’t they? I have natural waves and have tried a digi-perm before. I suggest Argan oil or some other smoothing sealant. If you put a little on while your hair is damp, it will give a more natural effect than mousse.
I also my first hair cut since I left Jakarta. I have to admit the salon looked like it came straight from the 80s haha. But it was within my budget and the friendly lady spoke english so I was happy. Though it wasn’t perfect, I am sure I can tell her to do something else next time. I love your positive attitude. Being an expat has definitely taught me not to be the raging perfectionist I used to be. It keeps us happier doesn’t it?
Kaho says
You’re lucky to have natural waves!! Budget is also another important factor, isn’t it? I agree with you on what keeps us happier. To compromise with everything is one way to happiness in my own experience! Thank you for your sweet comment!!
cindy says
Wow looks awesome 😀
Kaho says
Thanks, Cindy!!