SHOP OPENING AND REVEW Texture by Xpect @ Siglap salon's latest outlet at Siglap for those residing in the East

SHOP OPENING Xpect Salon's latest outlet in Siglap

DECOR
I was invited to for a colour trial at XPect Group's latest outlet at Siglap - Texture by Xpect @ Siglap. The spacious salon has a minimalist decor, with a flooring in the minimalist flooring that is most current trend in Europe, and the salon furnished with furniture in black and a chandelier hung over the waiting area to give the salon a touch of sophistication. To ensure that clients can rest their eyes and enjoy the relaxing rinse and massage and perhaps have a snooze, while having their hair shampooed and conditioned, the rinse room is deliberately dimly lit, with walls painted black. This makes the contrast of the backyard with walls painted in red even more vivid. And for one who prefers brightly lit rooms, peering out of the window that overlooks the backyard is welcoming. I also appreciate the contrast of the green leafy plants against the stark red walls. 

REVIEW
I find the staff well versed in his colouring skills and knowledge, and very careful when handling the hair dye. Not a drop of the hair colour splattered on the floor nor smeared on my forehead. For this session, the colour technician gave me a colour change as he felt that my greys were growing out and that the fading hair colouring I had done in Seoul was causing my hair to appear unhealthy after three months, and was too light to cover my greys effectively. As I preferred a lighter hair shade to tone down the severity of my appearance, he creatively created a blend which would lighten a little in the next few washes to achieve the intensity I was looking for, but not fade longer than the last colouring. And it's true that my hair colour was still healthy for more than two months.

VERDICT
The skills of staff at Xpect Salon is commendable from the shampoo to hair colouring skills, to simple blow out. Although the black walls in the rinse room too stark for my liking, it has certainly achieved it goal in providing a conducive environment for me to catch forty winks. It is also thoughtful for the owner to keep the backyard open for smokers whether it's staff or customers' husbands who need a puff while waiting.  

Address: 713 East Coast Road, Singapore 459066. Tel: 64406334

ABOUT TOWN Sebastian Urban Party @ Cocotte, Wandalust

Sebastian Urban Party 2013

Sebastian threw a party to show off Sebastian Fearless Hair Fashion and What’s Next in hair fashion, and launch of Urban Explorers collection @ Wanderlust Cocotte.

Inspirations are drawn from four cities of versatile style: Shanghai for Architectural Shine, Berlin for Rebellious Texture, San Francisco for Bohemian Sensuality and Sao Paulo for Artistic Volume.

At the party, International Sebastian Artistes Anthony Cole and Joshua Wagner captured the essence of each city and marrying Sebastian switchcraft with fresh haircuts to create a collection of looks that embodied the unique flavor of each city of style.

Click here to watch the party video 

The Source of Inspiration
Sebastian Professional was inspired by the culture and street style of each city on the tour.  The Sebastian Global Artistic Directors together with Style Curator, Seema Hamid, captured the essence of each city and used it as inspiration for creating What’s Next in fearless hair fashion using the most versatile and celebrated Sebastian Professional products.

Inspired Looks Re-Created at the Party

Shanghai

“Bring Out The Brilliance in hair – Smooth Surfaces, Rounder shapes set against angular lines – Beautiful Futuristic.” -  Global Artistic Director Shay Dempsey

Hair Styling Products

Hydre Shampoo and Conditioner: Nourish

Intensely nourishes and rehydrates dry, frizzy and chemically treated hair. Leaves hair lush ,silky body and bounce.

Cellophanes*: lluminate

Cellophanes’ color shine complex brightens hair with botanical-rich infusers leaving hair and sets the foundation for hair colour and healthy gloss.

Trilliant: Reflect

Rock crystal extract provides heat protection as it adds specks of microscopic sparkles and shine to hair.

Shine Crafter: Mold

This moldable wax with rock crystal extract, creates volume and adds flexible style as well as outstanding shine.

Sao Paolo

“We wanted to bring the city alive with a sense of 3D depth and multi-texture” 

-  Global Artistic Director Michael Polsinelli

Hair Styling Products
Re-Shaper: This both brushable and humidity resistant strong hold hairspray bends any movement into shape.  It can also be used to shape and best of all re-shape again.
Mousse Forte: This strong-hold mousse is tames flyaways and create long lasting style, with heat-resistant activators and UV protection.

Texture Mix*: A customisable treatment for each individual’s hair type, this is the perfect foundation for thicker,

airy styles.

Volupt Shampoo and Conditioner : This volume boosting shampoo and conditioner creates soft volume.

San Francisco

“The inspiration behind San Francisco was the freedom people had with loving hair.” 

-  Global Artistic Director , Michael Polsinelli

Hair Styling Products

Thickerfy Foam: Thickefy 

Keeps hair touchable and weightless.

Whipped Creme: Curl

Nourish curls and waves while providing super-conditioned bounce and is light on hair and soft to the touch.
Hydre In-Salon Treatment*: Restore

Activated by thermal power, this treatment restores moisture and leaves strands healthy.

Hydre Shampoo and Conditioner: Nourish

Intensively rehydrates dry, frizzy and chemically treated hair to leaves hair silky, with body and bounce.

Berlin

“In Berlin, we’re constantly thinking about creating a structured and restructured style.” 

– Global Artistic Director,  Shay Dempsey

Hair Styling Products

Color Ignite Shampoo and Conditioner: Protect Color
For single or multi-tone colour treated hair. Smart color seal complex locks in color while the whipped conditioner foam micro-bubbles deeply conditions and protects vibrant colour.

In-Salon Service*: Strengthen & Repair

Restore strength and health to stressed hair. 

Craft Clay: Create Grip

Styling clay with gritty earth minerals separates and defines strands to create texture and movement in hair with matte-finish hold.

Microweb Fiber: Amplify Texture

Silky web fibers can be used on any hair texture and length to create separation, flexible texture. We love the flexibility to restyle at any time.

City Sights and Inspired Looks from the Notebooks

Party Sights

REVIEW Kerastase Elixir Ultime Does it leave hair glossier and hair colour more intense?

Achieving Glossier hair and richer hair colour made easy with the help of nourishing oils

KÉRASTASE Elixir Ultime range comprising a cleansing oil shampoo and beautifying oil masque, gently cleanses and treats dry hair with four types of hair repairing and nourishing oils.

How does it work?

The nourishing oils in the range include pracaxi oil, argan oil, maize oil and camellia oil, which strengthen damaged hair, give shine to coloured hair and protect it from external aggressions. One thing that will set every woman’s mind at rest is that the nourishing oil mask will not straighten curls or fade colour, but will smooth out frizz and enhance shine, in both curls and straight hair, however, the rebounded or straightened hair have an enhanced sleek and smooth finish.

INGREDIENTS

Pracaxi Oil Emollient contents and active antioxidants impart shine to hair as it nourishes and conditions.

Argan Oil This rare oil is prized for its regenerative properties, which restores vibrancy and strength to hair.

Maize Oil Rich vitamins A, E and omega 6 content protect and enhance hair shine and suppleness.

Camellia Oil This fragrant oil is the most luxurious oil rich in vitamin F, fatty acids, omega 3 and 6. It smoothens hair fibre and therefore also leaves hair kink free.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Cleansing Oil Shampoo, $39

In addition to the precious oils, this shampoo is free of silicon, paraben and phthalate, which are said to be harmful to hair. Dirt is also attracted to oils, which enhances cleansing.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Oil Masque, $69

Other ingredients in this rich mask include:

Moisturising serum 5% & Lipidic Compounds 10%

Nourish and soften hair and without weighing it down.

TIP DIY Home Hair Spa

No time to visit the hair salon for a pampering hair spa? You can still get hair smoother and glossier at home. Simply shampoo with Elixir Ultime Cleansing Oil Shampoo to remove excess scalp oil and dirt. Then nourish hair with a hair mask.

Blend a nourishing mask by mixing a dose of Elixir Ultime Grands Crus oil and the original Elixir Ultime with Elixir Ultime Beautifying Oil Masque. Remove excess water from hair after shampoo and smooth this nourishing blend onto hair. Work into the length of your hair (from midlength down especially if you have oily scalp), then bun up hair and wrap with a towel. In 20 minutes, remove towel and massage mask into hair before emulsifying with some water and massaging into hair again before washing off and towel dry as usual.

Continue with your regular hair care and dry hair. Your hair colour will be richer than glossier than before. If all hte blending is too tedious for you, use Elixir Ultime Beautifying Oil Masque straight from the tub like I did. Check out the visuals of my hair after my home hair spa with Kérastase Elixir Ultime range.

VERDICT:
Scent: light warm floral scent
Shampoo:  lathers well

Result: Does not wear hair down, in fact hair is lighter than before. Hair is voluminised and shinier

BEFORE shampoo and mask:
Dry ends and dull hair colour

AFTER shampoo and mask:
More intense and glossier hair colour, smoother hair strands

Kérastase products are available at all Kérastase consultant salons. For salon listings in Singapore, please call 6738 3113.

REVIEW/CAMBODIA The longest shampoo I've ever had

The longest hair wash I've ever had - 1 hour

  

I was told about the hair shampoo and rinsing that one gets a hair salon in Phnom Penh just before I embarked on my trip to this foreign land - it will be shampooed and rinsed four times. Curious, I made a shampoo session one of my must-dos. And what better time than having a nice shampoo and blowout just before a dinner party?

Due to the short time frame we had, we ventured to a salon close to where we stayed. Before I was seated in front of a mirror, I was asked to pick my desired shampoo, just like how some Vietnamese hair salons do it at some hair salons in Ho Chi Minh. My choice was Pantene Anti-Fall. The other brands available included Sunsilk and L’Oreal Paris and most of them were for straight hair.

My hair was given a long shampoo and rinsed (four times) by a very junior shampoo girl who spoke only Khmer from 4.20pm-5.20pm. Amazingly loooong! The longest I could sit in a chair for a shampoo. After the long shampoo, the shampoo girl asked pointing to another client having her hair crimped straight, if I wanted to have my hair styled straight. Alarm bells sounded in my head when I heard her. I replied her “no, curly please,” and it seems like she didn’t understand me and we waited for a long while before a senior stylist came by to asked if I would like to style my hair straight…. I repeated what I said earlier to his junior staff and gestured with my hands how the stylists in Singapore would twirl and blow dry my hair. He then spoke to his colleagues in Khmer as he raised the roller brush he had found. The other junior stylists ran around looking for another similar brush as he started styling and blow-drying my hair. Midway through I thought I was beginning to have hair styled like the Ceilia Mae of Monster Inc. (pictured below) as tight curls hung at the ends of my hair :p

Celia Mae of Monster Inc

Soon, the styling was done with my massive long tresses. My wash and styling came up to USD 6.50 (S$8.20).

VERDICT:  Although the process was a little discomforting initially and with my back drenched from the shampoo and rinsing, I believe it’s an isolated case. The curls loosened by the next morning and was more natural.

Undaunted, perhaps I should check out a hair salon in town at my next visit. 

The salon I had a wash and blow along a quiet street in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Glossy Hair Colour Revives Sensitsed Dry Hair

Latest Ammonia Hair Colour - ILLUMINA COLOR by Wella Professionals

Wella Professionals are convinced that ILLUMINA COLOR by Wella Professionals will protect hair, leave hair glossier, offer better coverage (inclusive of 100% greys coverage) and lift, and longwearing hair colour. This is a test made in comparison with Wella Professionals’ existing Color Touch, an ammonia-free permanent colour line using MEA technology. The other reason this ammonia colour (ILLUMINA COLOR) comes up trumps over and above Color Touch is that ammonia evaporates immediately, that is why we smell it. This keeps hair in better condition without harming the scalp. MEA on the hand, stays on hair until it's rinsed off 

What is ILLUMINA COLOR?

It's a range of sheer natural hair colours which gives hair incredible luminosity that shines from within. Says Illuminista, Toni & Guy Mandarin Gallery's Technical Director, Xiaohui: "With micro light technology that is in Illumina colours, it is now possible to achieve lasting hair colours that are filled with shine. The shades available in this range cater to clients who prefer today's popular natural hair shades. I've tried it on hair that is sensitised by chemical services like perms or pre-lightening, and the result is remarkable - hair condition seems to be improved. It is stronger and glossier than before. 

Technology

Water that we use to shampoo hair leaves tiny metal deposits on hair cuticles during each hair shampoo. This residue sticks to hair cuticles and forms cuticle-damaging free radicals during a colouring process, leaving hair less glossy with each hair colour process. 

Wella Professionals' Advanced Microlight technology  contains millions of micro-particles, which encapsulate these tiny metals on hair cuticle to reduce cuticle damage and keeps hair cuticle surface healthier and more transparent. 

Result: Boasts 70% more light reflection and proven superior hair protection (compared to its competitor) with:

ILLUMINA COLOR launch party was held in June 2013. Available at Wella Professionals salons.
BLOG IN TRIAL TO COME. PLEASE SEARCH WELLA.

Credits:
ILLUMINA COLOR by P&G Salon Professional
Toni&Guy Hairdrressing
Head pieces by Vivien Sheriff
Clothes from Celtic Twilight collection by Diana Taufik
Makeup by Make Up For Ever 

REVIEW How I Got Back Healthier Hair

Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care REVIEW

Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care 

REVIEW: Prolonging Beautiful Curls and Hair Colour with Pantene

After numerous perms and home colouring, I found that my hair has become very dry and every DIY home colouring did not seem to last about three months. I switched from an oily scalp shampoo to a hydrating formulation thinking that would solve the problem. However, I realised that hair fall during shampoos increase with the hydrating shampoo and the dryness and extreme frizziness did not improve much.

Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care 
Then, this new shampoo range by Pantene was launched. It promises to restore health to dry damaged hair―Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care. After the first use, there seems to be fewer kinks at hair ends. After a few weeks of use, the extreme frizziness improved. In particular, I find that my hair is less dry after using Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care Conditioner and Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care 6-Week Colour Protect Treatment Program.

REVIEW: Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care Conditioner

I could feel my hair soften while massaging the conditioner onto my hair length, although it did not remain as soft after rinsing, but hair is detangled and less dry after rinsing off the Conditioner.

REVIEW: 6-Week Colour Protect Treatment Program

I see obvious improvement in my curl definition each time right after rinsing off the 6-Week Colour Protect Treatment Program. I thought I made a mistake so I made a conscious effort to check at the next treatment a week later. And yes curls are always more defined next two days post Pantene 6-Week Colour Protect Treatment Program.

Regarding hair colour, I find that after I started using this hair care range, salon colour remains rich even after it has lightened from a very deep brown to a lighter hue two months after the salon colour was done and two months into using this range. New greys start to appear about one and a half months post salon colour as usual.

VERDICT: I would use Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care range again after my next chemical treatment as my hair became less dry after using this range. It was also able to revive my tired 1 year old digital perm at least for 2 days after using the treatments. Note that i use this range for two months and I continue to use my usual leave-in serums and nourishing hair cream after towel drying my hair throughout the product trial.

Why is Pantene Colour & Perm Lasting Care range good for your chemically treated hair?

Pantene Liquid Crystal Shampoo System helps to redefine the benchmark for lasting colour and curls, through a research involving 19 external dermatologists and internal scientific hair experts. Findings from this research remind women that each chemical treatment that we put our hair through damages hair. When hair is damaged, any curls or colour will not last, compared to healthy hair with curls and colour, that is.

Damaged coloured and permed hair loses its natural ‘lipid’ layer (F layer), a natural protective layer for hair fibres. This means chemically treated hair is naturally more vulnerable to external aggressors, and thus less able to retain lasting colour and curls. How does Pantene’s new range help retain these curls and colours? The Liquid Crystals in the Liquid Crystal Shampoo System form a thin film around the hair fibre, acting as a pseudo F-layer, which increases Silicone Deposition Efficiency. Together with Pantene’s signature Pro-V formula, Liquid Crystal Shampoo System repairs and protects the durability of coloured and permed hair, leaving you with longer lasting hair colour or perm.

As you’ve seen from results of my trial, the highlight of Pantene’s Colour & Perm Lasting Care is 6-Week Colour Protect Treatment Program, a six-week colour protection treatment program that enables hair retain colour and perm for up to six weeks. It nourishes hair, coats hair to reduce loss of colour pigments and perm bonds within each hair strand.  The result? Longer lasting hair colour and disulphate bonds that better keep the shape of curls after each shampoo. This means you’ll have at least six weeks of multi-dimensional hair colour and lustrous curls, while keeping hair healthier than before.

Prices for Pantene’s Colour & Perm Lasting Care start from $4.70 each for shampoo and conditioner. Daily Intensive Conditioner, $8.95 and 6-Week Colour Protect Treatment Program, $8.95 per tube. Available at all leading supermarkets and pharmacies.

These are a few of the hair trends highlighted at the Pantene presentation. Oh, how we desire to look great in them.

Pantene team demonstrates how healthy hair should float on water, while damaged hair usually sinks almost immediately.  

Media guests at the launch were invited to repeat the water test
by cutting a strand of their hair, and stirring it into the water.

Smoother and healthier hair after using the range for the first few times.

Condition of my locks on second day post Pantene 6 Weeks Treatment 

More pronounced curls day after use of Pantene 6 Weeks Treatment.
Hair is also glossier and ends less frizzier than when I first started using the range. This picture was taken after more than one month of using the 

My Haul from L'Oreal Beauty Fair June 2013

My beauty haul at L'Oreal Beauty Fair June 2013

These are a few of the products that I bought on behalf of a friend. Some of the items are offered at a great price:

Not in the picture are 2 Redken Real Control Crema Care 250ml for $30. I paid about $50 each when I bought it at a hair salon a few years ago.

If you haven't seen the Facebook announcement, here are the details of the sale again:
L'Oreal Beauty Fair
Singapore Expo 
till 23 June. 
Foyer 2, level 2. 
10am to 8pm. 

Only selected items are available at a special price. Brands  I saw yesterday were:
L'Oreal Professionelle, Kerastase, Matrix hair brands, 
L'Oreal Paris, Maybelline, Vichy and La Roche Posay beauty brands. 

Happy shopping!

REVIEW KERASTASE Aminexil anti-hairloss serum and battery operated massager

Kerastase Aminexil Anti-Hairloss and Scalp Massager Trial

(before) Limp fine hair growing on scalp. One can see more of scalp through the hair strands.

A few months ago, I blogged about the launch of Kérastase Aminixil (please click here). Now here's the review after using the serum and limited massager. I got someone facing hair fall issues to try the Kérastase Aminexil with the limited edition massager.

His scalp is also pinkish and oily, with one or two red pimple-like bumps. On the first day the redness of the scalp subsided by the time the bottle of Kerastase Aminexil is used up. But on the days that follow there wasn't any reduction of scalp redness.

According to Kérastase, it seems like my trial partner is suffering from a super oily scalp, and the redness is caused by bacteria attacking the scalp. Explaining further, a representative from Kérastase said that humidity encourages the growth of bacteria, resulting in the appearance of pimples on scalp.

In most cases, those with hair fall and oily scalp issues would be encouraged to use control oily scalp conditions before using Aminexil, if oily and redness are the main concern. Reason being, this serum stops hair loss, but does not address scalp oiliness. Although it contains Madecassoside, which soothes skin or scalp inflammations, it does not prevent oiliness caused by over-active oil glands. So bacteria will return to the scalp once it is oily. 

In addition, those with super oily scalp should avoid stimulating the oil glands on the scalp further by over-massaging as it might result in over-stimulating the oil glands, leaving a scalp that is oilier than before.

The brush boosts better blood circulation to promote better hair growth, however in those with oily scalp conditions, avoid over using the brush. 

I notice that more hair seems to have fallen out after 3 days into the trial, but the remaining hair seems to become coarser than before with continued use of Aminexil. Does using this serum cause an initial hair fall before new and healthier hair grows back?

Kérastase: Yes, as this product helps to soften the collagen around the hair follicle. In the initial 10 days, consumers might experience hair loss in the initial application for old thin hair to drop off, after which healthier hair will grow out. 

(Four days) After starting on the Aminexil, scalp becomes healthier and hair strands are coarser than before.

Kérastase Massager:

I used the massager on my scalp. The cooling little "fingers" on the massager soothe scalp and I feel relaxed by its cool temperature and rhythmic tapping. 

The Scalp Massager comes with the purchase of a pack of Kerastase Aminexil serum. While stocks last.

VERDICT: Aminexil certainly helps to fortify hair strands and reduce hair fall. Parts of my trial partner’s head where the serum was used has healthier, coarser hair than before. Scalp redness is reduced with continued use within days of starting on the regime.

Massager: The gentle tapping motion of the two AAA_batteries-operated massager is soothing and releases small doses of the serum onto scalp as it taps. It is true that as we reduce the use of the massager on scalp it is less oily than before, the day after using the Aminexil. To apply more of the serum on scalp and minimise massaging, apply serum onto scalp directly from the bottle instead of pouring into the massager. Each pack of serum comes with two applicator caps for precise application onto scalp where it is needed most, reducing splashing on hair strands.

EXCESS RESEARCH ON FALLING HAIR AND BALDING CONCERNS

A recent Kerastase's regional research reveals that hair fall concern ranks one of the top among Asian countries in recent years. So do not be shy about getting it addressed as soon as you notice it. As Dr Lim Hock Him from Clariancy Aesthetic Clinic says once hair falls out it should be addressed within two years. This is because after two years, it would be impossible to get hair to regrow on that bald spot.

Take good care of your scalp and hair.

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