Shahiba Beauty Parlour

Sikandra is a busy part of Agra. Our shop is right in the main market where everyone shops for groceries and clothes. It’s usually loud outside with the rikshaws and people shouting. Inside, it’s a bit quieter, but not by much. We have these old blue chairs that are quite comfortable even if the fabric is worn at the edges. I started this place because I needed something to do, and now it’s been years. Most days it is just me and one other girl. We handle hair cutting and bridal makeup when the season is right. The market gets very dusty in the evenings, so I’m always wiping down the counters. People from the nearby colonies know us by name. We don't have a website or anything like that. If someone wants a haircut, they just walk in and wait their turn. Sometimes the wait is long on Sundays. We offer them water from the earthen pot we keep in the corner. It stays cool that way. The lighting isn't the best for photos, but it’s enough to see what we are doing. We just try to get the work done right so people come back next month. It’s hard work being on your feet all day, especially when the fans are just moving hot air around in June. But we like the routine of the market and seeing the same faces every day while we work here at Shahiba Beauty Parlour.