Suparna Trikha Hot Henna

I don't know about you, but I get put off by too much glass and chrome. Luxury for me is a sense of comfort, a personal touch, subtlety. So those modern-day salons with assembly line chairs, mirrors everywhere and loud music just drives me crazy. Suparna Trikha's Aaveda is a quaint little parlour in Nizamuddin East, New Delhi. It's in the basement, and when you walk inside you pass herbs like neem and shikakai drying in the sun. Suparna makes all her products from the material she sources from her farm at Ranikhet. You could say that this my favourite all natural salon in the city.

I have been going to this cosy little parlour since 2002. They don't offer any treatments that use chemicals, so you can forget about bleach and chemical colours. But what they do offer are beautiful all natural masks, facials, pedicures and scrubs that are decadent yet simple. You can get a Cleopatra pedicure where you dip your feet in hot milk and rose petals; a banana bouncer hair pack made with fresh, overripe bananas and ayurvedic herbs; a mint and margosa facial; or go for my favourite hot henna.

Unlike other types of henna that can give your hair an orange tint, hot henna gives your hair a deep chocolatey/wine colour. It's made with pure henna from Suparna's farm, along with 47 other herbs to add strength and shine. It's also heated up before application so the colour is even deeper, and of course they will whisk an egg into the mix if you wish (I always wish!). This treatment is wonderful if you're bored of your hair colour and want something different, or if you want to cover the first few greys. You can keep it on for an hour, but for best results keep it on for two.

I like to get my henna applied, then go for a Cleopatra pedicure, followed by a full body massage with a beautifully scented rose oil, and finally a hair rinse and conditioner. It's how I treat myself at least once a month if not more. You can also shop for Suparna's homemade cosmetics, which include cleansers, moisturisers, body scrubs, hair packs etc. Out of these Skin Laddoos made with dry fruits and rosewater are my favourite. I have taken a bite out of these Laddoos to check if they were really, truly natural and I found that they were quite edible (the only thing missing was sugar). You're supposed to mix a laddoo with milk and apply all over your face, neck and shoulders. Let dry and then rub it off in the shower - YUM.

The best part about this place is that it takes you at least a decade back in time - no shimmer, no gloss, just super old-fashioned and understated. Natural treatments in a sleepy parlour with classical music playing in the background. What's not to like? Book an appointment by calling 011 24355804.