His And Hers

Salons may have become unisex but treatments and products are fast becoming gender-specific.

- Anupama Bijur

It was not so long ago that women and men went to separate salons. With the arrival of the unisex salon, men and women started getting some services in the same section of the salon, sometimes sitting next to or in close proximity of each other. But while the salon space became common, products have grown highly specialised and gender-specific. Along with different products for men and women, salons are also crafting treatment menus with different procedures, with men increasingly asking for treatments that go beyond a haircut and a shave.

Vandana Luthra, founder, VLCC, says “With an improvement in individual lifestyle, an increased awareness of grooming, and the ready availability of a slew of products for men (like moisturisers, face washes, scrubs, lip balms, body washes and hair gels), men are increasingly embracing skincare, and even shopping for their own products. While cleansing and moisturising continue to be primary in facial skincare, the male grooming market has definitely evolved beyond the soap, deodorant and shaving products category. Sunscreen and products that reduce under-eye fatigue and dark circles are catching on.”

Deepak Praveen, COO, Green Trends Unisex Hair and Style Salon, says, “Beauty is not confined to women alone. Men want to look clean, groomed and presentable as well. Though beauty needs are similar for men and women, their requirements are different and we must accept and understand this fact. Unlike women, men focus more on styling products for hair. That is why we offer a range of them at Green Trends that are exclusively for men, apart from unisex beauty home- care products for both sexes, like Moroccanoil and L’Oréal haircare products, and the Jannsen and Cheryls skincare range.”