KARACHI: Some may think that the city is overflowing with salons and spas, but finding a clean place with state of the art equipment and trained professionals, is the real challenge. Maria’s Salon and Institute is just that. With eight years of experience on her resume, this down-to-earth stylist is ready to start her own practice. Friday witnessed the launch of her salon on Khayaban-e-Seher.
Maria Durrani, who has done Textile Designing from the National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore, loves make-up and hair. “I have a passion and it’s this,” she says, pointing to her models as they got ready for the make-up presentation. “I’ve been doing this for a while now. I realised it was time for me to start my own thing.” This venture will be co-run by Durrani’s sister Khadija Saleem who will be looking after the managing side while Durrani will look after the services.
Durrani is a professional and has received training from salons such as Pivot Point and Toni&Guy. And now, she wants to build her own clientele as well as teach them how to groom themselves. “This is not just a salon — it’s an institute, as well,” she continues. “It’s important to know how to groom yourself. Some like heavy make-up and some like it subtle so I will train people keeping individual needs in mind.”
The grooming classes will maintain their focus on make-up and hairdos. “A suitable hairdo that goes with your make-up is very important — so this needs to be emphasised,” she adds. Durrani will be giving the classes herself for now. She feels this is an art working women specifically need to have. “They just need to know how to groom themselves,” she says simply. A grooming course is priced at Rs12,000 and a professional make-up course at Rs30,000.
“Our forte is make-up and hair for sure, but I would call this place a one-stop shop,” says the friendly Durrani. While pedicures and manicures in this area are normally priced around Rs700 to Rs1000, Durrani will be offering basic ones for Rs450 and Rs500 respectively (and spa manicures and pedicures can go up to Rs650 and Rs700). The prices at Maria’s Salon and Institute are definitely reasonable but should not be associated with low quality. This woman is trained and knows what she is doing.
The ambience, lighting, furniture and whole set up, was very warm, comfortable and welcoming — just how a salon needs to be. Durrani admits that the parlour is not catering to a specific segment of society and is for everyone.
The launch included a make-up presentation, where models including Abeer, Fouzia and many more donned flowy outfits by designer Zaheer Abbas. “The look we wanted to reveal through this presentation is of the glitz and glamour of the red carpet,” says Durrani.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2013.
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