Hakim’s Aalim (Hyderabad) haircut review – Two thumbs down

Posted on May 26, 2008 by Chaitanya Reddy

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

134 thoughts on “Hakim’s Aalim (Hyderabad) haircut review – Two thumbs down”

Chaitanya Reddy on May 15, 2011 at 10:08 am said:

Hi Aryan

You can try Sanyo, it is definitely pocket friendly.

Other options around that area are Latitude, Naturals (Sindhi Colony, and I guess one in the same building as Naturals as well – Rainbow Mall Karkhana) –these are all comparatively cheaper that Aalims or Snippers. Although Jawed Habib is also closeby, would not recommend it.

Check the prices for the cut’s at Manea’ by Loreal (they have branch’s in Banjara and Madhapur, you can get the contact and other details from their site : http://www.manea.in/contact.html ).

Hope this helps ..
Chaitanya Reddy on May 15, 2011 at 10:10 am said:

That’s awesome Latha
Aryan on May 19, 2011 at 10:51 am said:

thanks a ton..bt i dint feel sanyo dat useful…coz he tottaly messed up wid ma hair! wel mah last hope is snippers for nw! hmmmm raly ur blog is v.useful man! thanx a ton!
Chaitanya Reddy on May 19, 2011 at 10:53 am said:

So sorry to hear abt the Sanyo experience .. hope u only have good hair days from now on .. cheers
sravya on June 19, 2011 at 7:47 am said:

Hi Chaitanya

I just got a superb hair cut from dev at snippers
wow wow wow
i just love it

all thanks 2 u
Chaitanya Reddy on June 20, 2011 at 2:32 am said:

Hey Sravya glad to know.
Your comment made me smile cheek to cheek .
sravya on June 20, 2011 at 12:47 pm said:
Shilpa on July 6, 2011 at 12:25 pm said:

Hey Chaitanya..thanks a ton for providing this info.have been looking for a good salon since a long time. Grapes in Himayat Nagar is also good.The prices are reasonable and also the stylist knows what she’s talking about.
Sunitha Thakur on July 15, 2011 at 5:19 am said:

Hey I read all ur comments … going to get myself a haircut done soon for my bday … Planning togo to Snippers … heard a lot on the blog abt Dev ..hope will not b dissappointed
Chaitanya Reddy on July 16, 2011 at 1:13 am said:

A very happy birthday in advance Sunitha, I am sure Dev would live up to reputation, do let us know your feedback .
Sunitha Thakur on July 23, 2011 at 2:51 am said:

Hey thanks Chaitanya …I did get my hair cut done from Dev in Hyerabad atleast form wherever i have tried….But its very pricy ..They charged me Rs. 1200 yaar
Sunitha Thakur on July 23, 2011 at 2:52 am said:

**I meant he is better than other saloons … atleast from whereever i have tried in Hyderabad
Sunitha Thakur on July 23, 2011 at 2:59 am said:

Hey any idea about leave in conditioners … Actually i have curly hair and Dev suggested me that i use Leave in Conditioner …So can any one suggest me some good brand and place from wer i can buy the same
Chaitanya Reddy on July 25, 2011 at 1:56 am said:

Hi Sunitha, most of the well known salons charge approximately the same, so I guess there is no escaping that :-/.

Regarding the leave-in conditioners, you can ask Dev for the same and he will advice.

I also have curly hair and use the Label M (leave in) conditioner, you can probably check at Snippers if they stock the same for sale and pick it up during your next visit .

Let me know if you need any other information. Also if you find any other brand of conditioner that you like do tell me, I would like to give it a try too .
abhishek on July 29, 2011 at 1:27 pm said:

Iam looking suitable hair style for my curly & dry hair.every body sugessted me to go for spy,but iam unable to maintain,can any hair stylist sugest me for better one.9700000644
Chaitanya Reddy on July 30, 2011 at 1:06 am said:

Hi Abhishek

Spa is pretty effective, but you need to continue it and I must say it is not so easy on the pocket too.

Do speak to the Snippers team and fix an appointment, maybe they can help.

Scroll through the comments to get their contact details.

Cheers!
pamela on July 31, 2011 at 8:08 am said:

I am looking for hair smoothing treatment. Where should i go Hakim Aalim/Manea/Snipers/any other. My concern is quality than price. so frenz pls help me?
Sunitha Thakur on August 1, 2011 at 2:36 am said:

Hey thanks …. but can i get it some where else too apart from Snippers?
Chaitanya Reddy on August 1, 2011 at 10:35 am said:

Hi Pamela,

Personal preference Snippers over Hakims Aalim.
Never been to Manea.

I sure hope one of the readers can help with your query.
Chaitanya Reddy on August 1, 2011 at 10:38 am said:

Hi Sunitha

The Label M leave in conditioners you will get over the counter in most of the city Salons.

Let me know which area you frequent and perhaps I can give a more pointed location.

Further, you can try the hair serums also.. they do wonders for dry curly hair, but the effects are temporary
Sunitha Thakur on August 1, 2011 at 12:52 pm said:

Thanks Chaitanya ….Secunderabd is more convinient as i stay close to that but i dont mind if its in banjara hills or madhapur too as i work ther so that would also be convinient
Sunitha Thakur on August 1, 2011 at 12:53 pm said:

Hey nd yes i used to used Loreal Serum but dint really find any difference
Chaitanya Reddy on August 3, 2011 at 2:18 am said:

Hey Sunitha

In that case just check with Jawad habibs (located near AWHO colony diamond point, secunderabad) , or at Hakims Aalim/Manea to pick the Label M leave in conditioner.
You could just call them and check if they stock these.
Sreedevi on August 6, 2011 at 3:03 am said:

Hi Chaitanya – Any feedback/ reviews about “Hair Art by Chandrankanth”? I’ve heard about the place and I’m trying to choose between Dev and Ck – had a friend go to Dev’s recently and she wasn’t too happy with the results.

Thanks
Chaitanya Reddy on August 7, 2011 at 8:19 am said:

Hi Sreedevi
Sorry, no idea about Hair art by Chandrakanth, but must say not very impressed with their website.
Sreedevi on August 7, 2011 at 11:17 pm said:

Well, then will try Dev. Hopefully I’ll be happy with the results. Thanks a lot, Chaitanya
Chaitanya Reddy on August 8, 2011 at 10:59 pm said:

let us know how your session turns out Sreedevi.
Sari on August 26, 2011 at 4:07 am said:

Underwent hair cut as part of grooming session for an event at Hakim Aalims….. they changed my entire look with a wierd boyish hairstyle……so called posh i was shocked to see myself …i had wavy shoulder lever hair…..i received many compliments on my hair…….got many ads too….iam nowwaiting for my hair to grow I dont understand why this saloon is so famous? for changing the shape of your hair??…….not even bothered to see if that suits one or not…….crazy !!!!!i hate them i never suggest one to go “Hakim aalim’s” at Jubilee HIlls
Chaitanya Reddy on August 26, 2011 at 9:18 am said:

I can totally relate to what you say Sarita, I once had my waist length hair chopped off by a ‘hair stylist’ :-/. But the good news is hair will grow back sooner than you realize, I would say that you try and make the most of this new look.
And if you so wish just check in at Snippers and see if they suggest anything to make the look better.

Take care and let me know if you do try something else.

Cheers.
Indu on September 1, 2011 at 8:24 am said:

Hi Chaitanya,
I hv worst experience with Habib’s at suchitra.I just told their stylist to cut little bit length of my hair and i went there for simple “U” cut.but she chopped all my hair length and i dont knw which type of cut she made its not “U”.i cried for 2 weeks.after 12 months i got the same length and again i want a hair cut bcoz my hair cut shape is terrible so plz suggest me good parlor for my make over i am very depressed.I am the person who really needs ur HELP
Chaitanya Reddy on September 1, 2011 at 8:48 am said:

Hi Indu

First of all a ((hug)) .

We all have bad, terrible and disastrous hair days but trust me it is one of the easiest things about your look that can be fixed.

To be honest I am yet to come across someone as good as Dev or Ram at Snippers (atleast in the city of Hyderabad). Although many claim to meet similar standards they have failed to impress me.

But I have noticed that one advantage to getting my hair cut from Dev is that the hair grows back super fast, allowing me to experiment further.

Why don’t you take an appointment and seek their advice and tell them exactly everything you wrote here , am sure they will work out a style that is perfect.

Do tell me how you go about switching your days to good hair and happy days.

Much love
Chaitanya
Priyaanka on September 1, 2011 at 2:47 pm said:

Hey Chaitanya,

I see u doing sum good work out here mate

Dude, I jus wanted to know about “keratin treatment” apparently heard tat it’s good for frizzy hair n wavy hair..
N u know very well now the permanent straightening is totally cliche…

Wat is ur opinion on this treatment.. N who does it the best in hyderabad????

Hoping for a speedy n helpful suggestion:)
Chaitanya Reddy on September 1, 2011 at 10:35 pm said:

Hey Priyaanka

Thank you and glad that the review is helping many make a choice .

To be fair and honest about your query most treatments do work wonders for your hair, but the results may not be permanent and you need to go for the same on a regular basis.

I had once taken a treatment for my hair (I guess it was a protein treatment) and within a month my hair was visibly fabulous ….but, I felt it was an extravagance that I did not wish to indulge in anymore and discontinued.

That said I think you should definitely give it a go (if you can afford it, if you are getting it done from a reputable place and by a person you trust your hair with). The results are definitely going to please you as long as you ensure that you get the treatments done at regular intervals (I guess they recommend once every 14 days to begin with and the frequency reduces eventually).

Let me know what you decide. Hope I have been helpful.

Cheers
Chaitanya
Priyaanka on September 4, 2011 at 3:03 am said:

Hey chaitanya,

Keratin treatment is something like straightening itself.. But it lasts for only 3 months.. N again after 3 months it should be repeated..
The adv of this treatment over the normal permanent straightening is that, after 3 months ur entire hair looks even unlike permanent straightening where u hav parts of hair that is straight n d new growing hair that is like ur original hair which eventually makes u look like a gorilla

I gotta knw abt keratin treatment at “juice in jubilee hills 10 c”
The hair stylist Amit recommended it to me..

So I only wanted u tell me which is the best place for it and wat is ur opinion on the” juice palour”?????
Chaitanya Reddy on September 5, 2011 at 12:46 am said:

Hi Priyaanka

Never visited the Juice salon, although saw the same a couple of times. I do recall hearing decent reviews about the place, but cannot vouch for the same.
Personally am against much alteration to the natural form of hair, but to each her own .

If Amit is someone who has consistantly given good results for your hair treatments, you can consider the option.

Cannot help you in making a choice whether to go for the treatment or not, but you can definitely visit a couple more reputable salons and ask what treatments do they suggest, maybe that can open up few more options for you.
Chaitanya Reddy on September 5, 2011 at 4:09 am said:

Update: Just saw that Snippers is offering a 88% discount via Snapdeal.
anisha on September 12, 2011 at 10:27 pm said:

Hey Chaitanya,

Interesting article, reviews and comments. I can understand what you say and feel. To each his own. In my experience there is no other salon as cool as Hakims aalim. The makeover which I got is simply amazing… i actually feel like a star and am ever greatful to them for not only giving me a new haircut but for giving me confidence and self worth.

Try vishu or nitesh there… may be you will change your view.

regards
Anisha
indu on September 15, 2011 at 8:21 am said:

how much dev will charge for hair cut?
Chaitanya Reddy on September 15, 2011 at 9:23 am said:

Hi Indu .. 1000-1200 is the standard charge, but they are currently offering discount’s on services. You could call to confirm but looks like it’s a good time to avail the services .
indu on September 17, 2011 at 5:36 am said:

Hi Chaitanya,

I forgot to tell u tht i m living in A.S rao nagar now, i came to knw tht snippers is in Banjara hills which is very far frm my place can u pls suggest a better option near by my area, help pls

regards,
Indu
Chaitanya Reddy on September 18, 2011 at 11:56 pm said:

Hi Indu

Perhaps you can check for Jawed habib or Naturals salon close by.
Although I cannot vouch for the end result, they have plenty of outlets spread across the Hyderabad Secunderabad region and I am sure there will be one near where you stay.

Perhaps this will help:
http://ww.justdial.com/srch/search.php
http://ww.justdial.com/srch/search_cmd.php?srch=true&city=Secunderabad

Let us know how the appointment goes
Cheers!!!
uma on September 20, 2011 at 7:07 am said:

I went to the Hakim Aalim at bangalore…very average..nothing great at all! I prefer bounce or jean biguine any time for a haircut. Keep away
indu on September 22, 2011 at 6:40 am said:

hey chaitanya,

I got a deal from snapdeal for 80% off at snippers and i am happy for that but unfortunately DEV will not cut my hair bcoz he is creative head what to do suggest me?please email me at mvmach1979@gmail.com

Help me friend

regards,
INDU
linda on October 10, 2011 at 10:32 am said:

i badly want a hair cut from some creative hair dresser not any average hairstyle. I m looking for someone who is passionately into hairstyling and understands what is wanted.

I thought of Dev at Snippers bt nw it seems like haakim, jawed he’s also got his pets. …
linda on October 10, 2011 at 10:36 am said:

and yes…was looking for a kat von d type tatoo head who can pen my thoughts and bury it in my skin… Please advise.
Chaitanya Reddy on October 11, 2011 at 11:05 am said:

Hey Linda

When it comes to the haircut’s, personal experience has been that Dev and Ram are the best I encountered (so far) in Hyderabad. Give snippers a visit and check if they can deliver before you make a choice.

As for the tattoo, Kat Von D is waayy too good and I am not so sure if there are any Tattoo parlors in Hyderabad that will give similar quality Ink, but then again I have never gotten a tattoo or researched on it. Personally all individuals that I know with tattoo’s got it either from other cities like Bombay(Mumbai), Pune or from their trips out of India.

If any of the readers have any idea on this, would request your inputs on this.

Cheers!!
Rosa on October 13, 2011 at 1:55 am said:

Hi all …
I am planning to go for a hair cut. After an intense search , thgt i vud go to mirrors which is located at jubilee hills… but many of my frds told me tat sachin n aughi are the best stylists thr and unfortunately both of them left… Rite nw mirrors has spandana and mitesh who are the top stylists but i really dont knw anythng abt their work …. plzzz let me knw if any one of u got a hair cut done by thm or plzz be advised on whr else can i go for d cut …. been to hakims aalim n i left its kinda okiiishhh … not gr8 … somethng better vud be very helpful … thanx
+1
linda on October 28, 2011 at 9:59 am said:

thanks chaitanya…. My haircut is still due nd i will consider snippers once…. as far as a tatooist is concerned… I discovered a collegue of mine if not equal to bt in the league of kat… He is awesome… Bittu jenkins… I think this guy needs a break ….
Chaitanya Reddy on October 28, 2011 at 11:50 am said:

that’s good to hear Linda .. btw , when you speak to Snippers just ask about their Tattoo services as well…
and whatever you choose do let us know your experience .. helps us all in making an informed choice ..
Cheers
sravi on January 3, 2012 at 4:16 am said:

Hi Chaitanya,
Need ur help in finding out good saloon for my hair cut and styling. From the above posts, it seems Snippers is the good choice, any idea on hw much DEV charges for an hair cut. Please also suggest the other good hair stylists in the city. i have seen you mentioned in another post as RAM, good hair stylist, is he from snippers?

Cheer,
sravi

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Hakim’s Aalim (Hyderabad) haircut review – Two thumbs down

Hakims Aalim Revisited

134 thoughts on “Hakim’s Aalim (Hyderabad) haircut review – Two thumbs down”

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