“Beauty Parlour Business: Origin, Evolution, Industry Leaders & How to Start Your Own”
A beauty parlour is a specialized place where individuals receive cosmetic treatments and grooming services for the face, hair, body, and nails. It is a commercial space designed to enhance a person’s appearance and personal hygiene through professional care.
1. What is a Beauty Parlour?
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Definition and difference between parlour, salon, spa, and studio
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Origin of the term “parlour” in the beauty space
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Cultural and social significance (how it boosts confidence, self-esteem, etc.)
2. Types of Beauty Parlour Services
Break into 3 broad categories:
A. Hair Care
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Haircuts (men, women, kids)
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Hair spa
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Hair coloring (global, streaks, balayage)
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Hair treatments (keratin, smoothening, rebonding)
B. Skincare & Face Treatments
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Facials (regular, herbal, gold, diamond, organic)
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Anti-aging, acne, pigmentation treatments
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Clean-ups, face polish, detan
C. Makeup & Cosmetics
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Bridal makeup
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Party makeup
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Airbrush makeup
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Editorial/photo-shoot makeup
D. Hand & Foot Care
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Manicure & pedicure (normal, spa)
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Nail extensions & nail art
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Paraffin treatments
E. Body Grooming
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Waxing (normal, Rica, chocolate)
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Threading (eyebrow, full face)
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Body polishing & tan removal
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Massage & body therapy (head, foot, full-body)
F. Modern Add-ons
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Eyelash extensions
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Semi-permanent makeup
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Botox & cosmetic injectable tie-ups (in premium salons)
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Laser hair removal (in advanced salons)
3. Users of Beauty Parlour Services
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Film & television actors
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Fashion & ramp models
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Brides & grooms
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Influencers & Instagram models
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Corporate professionals
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Youth (college-goers)
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Middle-aged and elderly clients for grooming & skincare
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Children’s grooming (niche)
4. Historical Origins
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When did beauty parlours first appear globally?
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Ancient Egypt: use of natural oils and grooming rituals
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Victorian salons in Europe
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America’s beauty boom in the early 1900s
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India’s entry: 1950s–1970s with Shahnaz Husain, Lakmé’s entry in 1952
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Rise of bridal-focused salons in India (1980s–90s)
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Entry of international standards (2000s–2020s)
5. Milestones in Evolution
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Traditional home-based parlours to franchise chains
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Shift from chemical to organic and herbal treatments
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Celebrity-endorsed beauty salons
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Rise of unisex salons
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Technology introduction: digital booking, AI-driven skin analysis
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Salon chains offering app-based appointments & memberships
6. Top Successful Brands in the Beauty Industry
Include Indian + Global names:
???? Indian Brands
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Sugar Cosmetics
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MyGlamm
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Lakmé Salon
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VLCC
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Jawed Habib
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Naturals
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Green Trends
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Shahnaz Husain
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BBlunt
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Looks Salon
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Geetanjali Salon
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Enrich
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Juice Salon
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Studio 11
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Toni & Guy India (licensed)
???? Global Names Influencing India
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L'Oréal Professional
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MAC Cosmetics
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Bobbi Brown
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Schwarzkopf
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Nyx
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The Body Shop (now part of beauty parlours)
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Sephora tie-up counters
7. Who Can Start a Beauty Parlour?
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Women entrepreneurs (home-based to high-end setups)
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Men salon owners & stylists
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Transgender professionals (inclusive salons rising)
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Non-beauty background people with certification
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Housewives turning into entrepreneurs
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Beauty school graduates
8. Gender & Client Types
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Women-only salons
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Men-only salons (barbering + grooming)
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Unisex salons
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Inclusive for all gender identities
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Child-specific salons (emerging niche)
9. How to Start a Beauty Parlour Business (Step-by-Step)
A. Planning & Strategy
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Decide your niche (unisex, bridal, luxury, organic, etc.)
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Analyze competitors in your area
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Set a budget
B. Legal & Licensing
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Register your business (GST, MSME, Shop Act)
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Local municipality license
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Health and hygiene certificates
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Professional liability insurance (optional)
C. Infrastructure & Setup
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Ideal location (residential/commercial mix)
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Interiors & ambience
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Furniture & equipment
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Water, electricity backup, AC, music, lighting
D. Hiring Staff
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Certified beauticians
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Front desk & billing executive
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Makeup artists
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Hair experts
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Skin therapists
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Ongoing training plans
E. Products & Inventory
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Hair, skin & cosmetic products
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Sterilizers & hygiene items
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Furniture: massage beds, pedicure chairs, mirrors, etc.
F. Software & Billing
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Salon management software (Booksy, Meevo, Salonist, etc.)
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POS systems
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Appointments & online scheduling
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Customer record tracking
G. Marketing Plan
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Digital marketing (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Google Ads)
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Website/booking portal
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Influencer tie-ups
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Local print ads & events
H. Customer Experience
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Loyalty programs
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Regular offers
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Membership cards
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Festive campaigns
10. Franchise Opportunities
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Low-investment franchise options in tier 2–3 cities
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Cost of owning a Naturals, VLCC, Lakmé, Jawed Habib franchise
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Pros & cons of franchise vs. self-branded salon
11. Earnings & Profits
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Average earnings of a beauty parlour (based on city size)
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High margin services (makeup, keratin, laser)
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Client retention strategies
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Pricing models (à la carte, package, combo, monthly pass)
12. Challenges in This Business
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Staff turnover
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Product quality control
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Keeping up with trends
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Hygiene standards
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Seasonal drop in clients
13. Best Beauty Parlours in Every State of India
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Maharashtra – Enrich, Juice, VLCC (Mumbai)
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Tamil Nadu – Naturals, Green Trends (Chennai)
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Delhi – Geetanjali, Looks, Jawed Habib
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Punjab – Toni & Guy, Looks
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Karnataka – BBlunt, Bodycraft (Bengaluru)
(...and so on for all states and UTs)
14. Future Trends in Beauty Parlour Industry
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AI/AR makeup try-ons
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Virtual consultations
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Subscription-based services
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Vegan & cruelty-free salons
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Men’s grooming revolution
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Tech + skin science fusion salons
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24x7 express beauty booths in airports/malls
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