WHAT’S CHIC 

Her team at BBLUNT salon has some of the most famous Bollywood looks of the last decade on their CV, the current ones being Dangal and Raees (yes, Shah Rukh Khan’s not looked this hot in a long time!). Adhuna Bhabani, founder & creative director of BBLUNT, chatted with t2 on hair and more.   

All of us want a stylish year ahead with plenty of good hair days. What’s trending for you this year?

Hair colour is big. I think there is a sort of a continuation of what was there at the end of 2016… some pastel shades definitely… in a more natural tone of colour palette like vibrant red or a Blue Black (from the BBLUNT Salon Secret range). In terms of haircuts, I think there is a ’70s influence... the rock and roll, unkempt style is trending. It could be long or short, with a fringe or without a fringe, but definitely shorter layers at the top and more beach-y kind of textures, very free-flowing, non-fussy hair. It’s left longer around the face. 

Is there a specific age group that’s going for the vibrant shades? 

You may have somebody who wants to wear colour but in a very subtle way and you also might have another person with the same job profile, wanting to have something really vibrant. It’s more about the personality than just following trends. 

What suits the Indian skin tone best? What are your favourites?

From our Salon Secret range, I would have to say I have got two distinct favourites… one is the Blue Black which I just love because it’s very strong, graphic and shiny. Also, wine. Purple is a lifetime shade of mine. 

You said the ’70s styles are trending. Do you have an icon from that era whose style you admire a lot?

There were many iconic looks in the ’70s that a lot of today’s looks are being based on or inspired by. One you would have to say is Farrah Fawcett. Another would be possibly like a Charlie’s Angels (TV series). The hair was much more glamorous. Now people are getting more used to their natural texture and embracing it, as opposed to trying to chemically change that. Just as a lifestyle, people are opting for the natural. At BBLUNT, we have always focused on the way we have cut our hair, but it now it is becoming more and more expected. 

And you are loving it?

I am loving it and I am wearing it! (Laughs) The biggest advantage of working with your natural texture is that it’s less maintenance in the long term. If you have a great haircut and a great colour, then the idea would be to be able to go on for six to eight weeks, ideally, without having to do very much to your hair. That’s the way people’s lifestyles are today. Gone are the days when people used to be sitting in the salon every two to three days. 

If you do choose the right colour that complements you skintone and a haircut that is well done by a professional, it will make a difference to the amount of time that one needs to spend on their hair on a daily basis. 

What is your personal favourite at the moment?

For me, the shag is the coolest thing to be happening right now. It’s a really easy, free-flowing haircut. It would be nice if it catches on. It’s very relaxed and this is the weather for this kind of hair. Ten or 20 years back, I had very short hair, but it was very few and far between, but I do believe and seriously hope that women will experiment with their hair more and more. It’s just a freedom of expression. 

What’s trending for men?

I think we are going to see a lot of experimentation with facial hair for men. It’s been a big trend, but it’s been a heavy beard. I think the natural progression would be to experiment with shapes now, with all that hair that is sitting on their faces! I would like to see them braid it, beards that are slightly more artistic with an edge to them. It’s a fun thing to do because it’s not very long-lasting. I am not particularly fond of moustaches... so I don’t know about that, but anything that is crafted looks great and cool.  

Are you pursuing any new passion this year? 

I am planning to do a climb to the Everest base camp!