On a listless-locks day, Shubhra Krishan headed to a hair spa... you will want to too

It's a sunny spring morning, but I'm feeling blue. You know how it is, when your strands decide to do the stuck-to-the-scalp, oil-oozing act. Yikes.

But there's something to look forward to. I'm heading for a first-of-its- kind hair-pampering experience at New Delhi's spanking new salon Affinity.

The first floor houses the Kerastase Hair Studio, Affinity, a calm, compact retreat for tired locks. The décor is understated, and the photograph of a lovely woman with flowing wavy tresses adorns a wall inspiringly.

First things first, a very articulate and well-informed therapist (enchantingly called a hair ambassador) takes me around the place, telling me about the four-step treatment I'm about to receive.

Here's what the four steps are going to be:

Perfect

Products that give an extra dimension to the natural beauty of the hair by adding smoothness, body and shine come in here to perfect your look.

First Hand Experience

My hour-long experience of Kerastase's total hair pampering was a truly heady one. First, the therapist sat across from me and asked me a few basic questions about my hair. Is it limp? Does it get frizzy? Have I ever coloured it? Based on my replies, she jotted down her observations on what my hair needs. This in itself was wonderful, because very few salons or spas in the country really care to spend time assessing your hair's quality and deeper needs.

Next, I headed for a hair bath. The product chosen for me was a gentle cleansing shampoo, which promised to lift and bodify my limp hair. Along with the bath, I received a totally relaxing head massage. The therapist knew exactly which pressure points to please, and by the time she was done, I was already feeling wonderfully healed.

After getting a shot of nourishing conditioner, I was put under a steam-dispensing nebuliser that helped the products penetrate deep into the roots. Lastly, my hair was dried and styled using products that would give it the lift and sheen it needed.

And voila! I looked into the mirror and swayed - I couldn't believe the bounce my hair now enjoyed! What's more, the lift lasted until my next shampoo.