Hakim’s Aalim (Hyderabad) haircut review – Two thumbs down
And that’s the lowest rating on my scale.
This hair and tattoo salon was opened in Hyderabad sometime in April 2008 amidst much publicity. After all it has given some of the Bollywood stars their defining locks. They claim- Everyone in the film industry right from Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi and Salman Khan, Adnan Sami, Kajol, Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Deol, Tanushree Datta and Anil Kapoor, have got a snip from Aalims magic scissors. I hope that they meant that literally because more than a snip and the bollywood stars would be reeling with bad hair days and a sure shot dive in their film careers.
With prices as high as this you would expect a brilliant haircut or atleast a superb experience, but do you get that? Nope, not even close.
My experience:
I called up the Hakim’s Aalim salon on 24th of May to fix an appointment for my friend and me, at 6 p.m on the same day. All went as expected, the lady fixed the appointment and told me she would give a call at 5:30 p.m to confirm the appointment.
I received a call at 5:30 p.m from Hakim’s Aalim to confirm the appointment. Nothing .. till then, could be questioned about the brand.
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 1:
After a few minutes of waiting on arrival one of the staff tells me that the stylist that I wanted is unavailable, however a senior stylist is free. This despite my appointment.
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 2:
The fact that I was not informed about the stylists (top, senior etc.) at any point during my call or on arrival. ( The details on the prices and stylists were known to me because I like researching the brands that I use and found out about this from their website, and from a friend who had visited the salon a week ago.)
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 3:
When I informed him that the appointment was with a top stylist, he looked slightly taken aback and mumbled “Yes yes, she is also the top stylist.”
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 4:
All this while they completely forgot that the appointment was for two people - WE had to remind them. Then the arrangements were made for my friend’s haircut!!!!
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 5:
Their so called “Top-Stylist” could only suggest a ‘step-cut’ – The reason given I had curly hair and her imagination couldn’t think beyond a step-cut.
Lady, if I wanted a step-cut I could have gone to Habib’s (which by the way is any day better) or Latitudes , or for that matter any neigbourhood parlour. Why claim yourself to be top-stylist if you offer exactly what the street parlour offers?? I mean what the hell are you the top-stylist for?
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 6:
I still had hope, thinking the execution may be better .. you know the final touches, removal of frizz , magical removal of split ends .. something!!
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 7:
You get a very ordinary haircut for a price that could ensure just the same or even a better haircut and money left for one more haircut!! My super normal haircut cost me a very unjustified Rs. 975/- and my friends cost Rs. 575/- .
Why not to visit Hakim’s Aalim Salon, Hyderabad Reason 8:
Better and more professional outlets available, with less hype and talk and more satisfactory results. Where you ask? Well you could try this , this or even the likes of this ( The first two recommended are from my personal experience, the third does come recommended – just not from me!).
Based on better experience, better hair and all that at a lesser price.
One plus point about the visit : I would have otherwise not known how crappy the place is.
June 15, 2009: The day I revisited Hakim’s Aalim after much thought, did this visit change the way I feel about this place? Read here.
Hakims Aalim Revisited
June 15, 2009
Comments
18 Responses to “Hakim’s Aalim (Hyderabad) haircut review – Two thumbs down”
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any reviews on the tattooists at Hakim’s Aalim, Hyderabad?
Nope, have never been there. Although I am unaware of are any other professional tattooists in Hyderabad.
do they pierce eye bro n what is the cost..of that
Am not sure about that Prachi, you can call them at 040-23305371(Hyderabad) or visit their website http://www.hakimsaalim.com/nodes/home . Cheers!
I was searching for Hyderabad blogs and read some of your posts. They are good.
Thanks
.. keep reading !!
[...] my first impressions (read post here), I did revisit this place as the quality and speed of growth of my hair showed visible improvement [...]
hi chaitanya,
Im new to hyderabad. I need a good hairstyle that would suit my face and some hair grooming. I am wandering where to go. Could not risk it. Do u know any place that u prefer which gives good service as well as in lesser price ??
Hi Ara
There are many options available. I have not tried anything else after getting a cut from Hakims Aalim. The prices are a little steep though.
I have also been told that ‘Naturals’ is good for styling. Though I have not been there yet.
Try visiting the sites, it may help.
–
Cheers!!
hi chaitanya! I went through yewr blog and was very upset aout yewr experience yew went through! as been in this prof frm last 15 yrs.. seems to b yew lost hope on hairdressers in hydrabad! just need one chance to do yewr hair! I assure yew dat it won’t repeat! I believe in action speak louder then words! lets proove it! mi name is sachin and I rock in mirror salon in jubilee hills! just one chance! thankz!
Hey Sachin
I have noted your number, will definitely consider your offer for my next haircut .
Cheers .
hi,i would love to get a tattoo in ur saloon can i know the costs
You really think it’s safe to tattoo and cut hair within the same vicinity? How disgusting! I only wish that people would realize what they were doing wrong….
@Tattoo_Mistress: That does sound positively repulsive and I get your concern there. Although, I would like to believe that proper hygiene is followed and separate sections exist for hair cutting and tattoo
. Will check when I go to next, meanwhile you can also check the official websites for more info and contact details ..Cheers !!
I had not be to Hakim’s however the stylist who worked at Hakim’s works in a different salon and I had a rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreallly reeeeeeeeeeeally good hairdo from him.
Only then I realised the worth of Hakim’s.
I had an hairdo that I never had got done in my life, I looked like a star.
Brand does matter, and the cost for feeling good about one’s own look is priceless.
I somehow disagree.
Talking about professionalism etc…you would never find in my country.Its not a ridicule but its a fact to be proud of sometimes, we aren’t formal to our family leave alone to the rest of our country fellowmen.
I forgot to mention, I got the haircut done in Mumbai
Hi Vie
What you say about brands and the cost of feeling good does hold a lot of merit. Perhaps you missed the last line of the post
.. which mentions my re-visit to Hakim Aalim.
That said, I would like to re-visit this place, truly based on merit and not primarily based on lack of options.
Cheers!!
Hey Chaitanya :
There are two saloons oh Hakim in hyderabad .. Right ???? which one are ypou talking abt Jubliee hills or BAnjara hills ?? Please let me know i realllyyy need to go