Eyebrows are an integral part of the face that can sometimes be overlooked in a daily beauty routine. They can help define your features if your face is round or add softness if your face is angular. At Aalok International on Moody Street in Waltham, eyebrow threading is offered as a frequent treatment for individuals looking to "clean up" their bushy eyebrows or repair damage and add shape to overplucked eyebrows. Whatever your eyebrow situation, you can rest assured that your brows will be in good hands.Threading is an ancient technique used to remove hair. The tool used in the technique looks like two pieces of dental floss, but it is actually special string imported from India. The process is fast and efficient, because as the thread goes across your face more than one hair is removed at a time. Thus, threading is less painful than plucking because it is quicker. It is also less harsh than waxing, and the hair is lifted from the root as opposed to being ripped off like a Band-Aid . ouch! Nevertheless, those using prescription medications such as Retin-A, Differin, or Accutane should avoid threading because their skin is too fragile.

The ambience at Aalok International is inviting. The front of the store is a boutique specializing in custom clothing and Indian jewelry, and the back of the store is the salon. When I walked in, bangles sparkled in the window, and richly colored Indian cloth, soon to be made into saris, was stacked high on the shelves. The two employees I spoke with, Padmari and Sumara, are from the Punjab region of India. They spoke to each other in a mix of Hindi and Punjabi and were happy to discuss the Bollywood films and Indian food that have infiltrated American culture. The owner, Neeta, is licensed in shahnaz facials and is also an aroma beautician. She offers aromatherapy, threading, waxing, bridal packages and henna tattoos. On Nov. 7 she expects to show some of her sari designs in local fashion shows.

When a high school senior walked in to get her eyebrows threaded, I was eager to watch the process take place. In a matter of minutes her eyes looked brighter thanks to her newly shaped brows. Another woman walked in with very thin eyebrows. At first I was confused as to why she would take more hair off her brows, but again, in a matter of minutes, her arches were transformed and her face looked more symmetrical. While I paced around, I decided I ought to try this myself.

The other two clients hardly flinched, so I figured it couldn't be that bad. I sat back in the chair and let Sumara work her magic. On a 1-to-10 pain scale, I would say the process was about a four. The worst part for me was sitting directly under hot lights that made my eyes water. Afterward, my pale skin was mildly red, a problem less noticeable in the other clients. When I walked back into the boutique and paid the extremely reasonable price of six dollars for eyebrow threading, the cashier told me that it "opened up" my eyes.

Overall, I'm happy with my eyebrow experience at Aalok International. Not only did I learn about a new form of hair removal, I was introduced to a new cultural experience. To learn more about Aalok International, visit its Web site at www.aalokfashion.com or visit the store at 404 Moody St.