Shalu Ladies Parlour

Shalu Ladies Parlour is over in Ashiana Colony, right on the Ashiyana Road. We are directly opposite the Allahabad Bank, so it’s a landmark most people in the 226012 area recognize. Being on Jail Road Bangla Bazar means there is a lot of life around us. The shop is a cozy place. We have curtains for privacy and a few chairs for the customers. It’s mostly just us working here, taking care of hair and makeup for the local women. I like this part of Lucknow because it feels like a real community. You see the same people going to the bank or catching a rickshaw every day. The parlour has been here long enough that the walls have a few scuffs, but it feels lived in and comfortable. We don't go for the polished look of the big city salons. It is more about getting the job done right. Sometimes we have a lot of brides coming in during the wedding season, and then it gets really crowded and loud with all the chatter. Most days, though, it’s just a steady stream of regulars. I keep a small stove in the back for making chai when there is a break. The sounds from the Ashiyana Road never really stop, but inside we just focus on the work. It is a simple setup, but it works for us and the people who visit us. We are just a local shop.