God loved the flowers and invented soil.” — Jacques Deval

Kathmandu: She probably shares God’s passion for Nature’s little beauties and named it Petals. No, this is not the name of a new flower store but the name of the latest beauty parlour in Thamel. After a three-month certificate course at Habibs, Tshering Doma, an erstwhile businesswoman, opened Petals on January 15. She is from the first batch to have graduated from Habibs, Kathmandu. During the first Sunsilk Fashion Week that was held in the Valley in September, 2004 it was their batch that worked magic on models’ hair.

“Grooming has always been my passion,” shares Tshering, the sole proprietor of Petals. With beauty parlours mushrooming at the speed of lightning there has to be something different if you want to attract customers, some of who are “loyals” at other parlours. “Service here is very good and the rates are very reasonable,” Tshering volunteers in explanation. Besides that hygiene is a priority at Petals. “The instruments are sterilised after every use.” Now, that’s one thing that doesn’t happen in a majority of the salons. With the latest equipments that have been imported from China and the place as pretty as the name and the owner, Petals is definitely a class apart. If it’s a makeover you want this is the place to head to. With a staff of five, one a Shahnaz Hussain graduate, Petals offers a variety of beauty packages that will turn other women green with envy and cause the men to skip a few heartbeats. One such package comes for just Rs 1,500. Yes, that’s all you’ll have to pay for a Deluxe facial, manicure, pedicure, threading (eyebrow, forehead and upper lip), arms and legs waxing (half), shampoo, blow dry and no… that’s not all. The package also includes a hair oil massage.

Hairstyling, shampoo, cut and blow dry together comes for as cheap as Rs 350, which is peanuts in comparison to a lot of places that charge an approximate of Rs 400 for hairstyling, alone. It’s your friends birthday and you don’t know what to get her or you’re in a rush and haven’t had the time to buy your host a gift, don’t panic. Just head down to Petals at Keshar Mahal Marg and gift her something unique and wonderful — a beauty gift voucher, one that she can redeem at the parlour for any beauty service she fancies.

When asked why she chose Thamel to set up shop, so to say, Tshering says, “This place is frequented by an equal number of locals and foreigners. Besides, we have the advantage of a parking lot and we’re situated right behind a very popular coffee house.” There just might be one more reason for her choice of location — a party place has opened up just a stone’s throw away, and since Petals offers bridal makeup services as well, the chances of the guests not coming for a little grooming, before they head for the party, are nominal.

Shahnaz Hussain, Blossom Kochhar, Biotique are some of the products you can choose from to pamper yourself. With original products used in Gold, Pearl and Aromatherapy facials and the latest haircuts, streaking, fashion colouring, straightening, perming, hair and body massage… the choice is all yours, ladies. Petals is open seven days a week from 9:30 am to seven in the evening. For further information, call 2190388.