New Delhi, July 13 - If you've paid fewer visits to your hair stylist this season, you aren't the only one. According to one of the top stylists in the capital, the global slowdown has hit the hair styling industry, and women especially in metros are opting now for low-maintenance hair styles.

'Indian women now want styles that last longer, does not require maintenance and are relatively less expensive,' Bina Punjani, the creative head of one of Delhi's oldest unisex hair styling salon, Looks, told IANS.

Punjani also gave the stars and models their coiffures at the recent IIFA awards in Macau.

'However, the Indian styling industry has not been affected as much as in Europe and the US. The effects of meltdown are just trickling in. July is a dull season for hair stylists in general; but the trends are apparent going by the demands of the women, who come to me despite the fact Delhi hates to scrimp on hair. Women in the capital want a new hairdo for every occasion. Delhiites hate to be spotted with a bad hair day unlike other metros,' she said.

Punjani, who styled most of the participants at the IIFA Awards in Macau, is the first stylist from the capital to have been hired for the job.

She has a wide clientele that include socialites from across the country, expatriates (both men and women), young professionals, leading models and showbiz personalities.

'The look for the hair this season is individualistic, structured, textured and natural. Women and actresses want more natural wave, volumes and colours instead of elaborate coiffures and complex layers that were in fashion five years ago,' Punjani said.

Long hair for Indian women is still in vogue.

'For instance, Neha Dhupia, who wears her hair naturally long and lustrous, said she would like to have more volume at the IIFA.