The Singtel & NCS HR D&D 2015 is finally here!

To help you look your best at the D&D this year, HR D&D Organizing Committee has partnered with Beauty Undercover to bring to you exclusive hair promotions.

3 hair salons near Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre will be having Exclusive Promotions for you!

Simply make an advance appointment and show your work pass on your appointment date to enjoy the following promotions!

PS. All three salons are also open on Polling day, 11 September 2015!

Salon 1: The Cottage by Devonshire Selected Beauty Salon @ Somerset

The newly opened Japanese salon helmed by Yuki Ito and Obara Noritoshi, The Cottage is located in a quaint shophouse within 3 minutes walk from the Singtel ComCentre. It has been featured in the latest Channel 5 drama Tanglin and is highly popular among Japanese expatriates and lovers of Japanese hair salons in Singapore! Other than their fantastic service and relaxing ambience, their hairstylists are really good with Men’s Haircuts, Stylish Ladies’ Cuts as well as Chic Hair Colours suitable for working professionals.

Read reviews about The Cottage by Devonshire Selected Beauty Salons @ Somerset and see actual customer photos here!

Deal 1. 25% off Hairstyling (Singtel/NCS exclusive)

If you are looking for sophisticated braiding and elegant updos, The Cottage is definitely the salon we would recommend.

With 4 Japanese stylists and a local stylist skilled in creative styling techniques, this is very possibly the place that can help you achieve the look you desire!

For best results, we would recommend that you find a few styling pictures you like and show it to the stylists on the day itself!

Prices may  be a little steep at $80 but with 25% off their hairstyling price ($60 after discount!), this is possibly one of the best times to try hairstyling by a Japanese stylist!

Terms and Conditions

Deal 2. 25% off Hair Services (Except Haircuts) for the month of September 2015 (Singtel/NCS exclusive)

For the first time, The Cottage is having a special promotion of 25% off hair services (except haircut) for BOTH its Japanese and local stylists on Beauty Undercover.

Those who love Japanese stylists are therefore in for a treat!

Whether it is chic hair colours or airy Japanese perms, The Cottage is unlikely to disappoint.

A renowned Japanese hair colouring expert has also recently joined The Cottage so do specify for him if you are going for more complicated and trendy hair colours!

Terms and Conditions

Salon 2: Focus Hairdressing @ Cuppage Plaza

Well known for its reliable and value-for-money MUCOTA Rebonding services, Focus Hairdressing is one of Singapore’s most popular salons for rebonding!

The salon isn’t the most luxurious but they have recently undergone a renovation and is located just opposite Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre, making it very convenient for D&D styling on the day itself!

Stylists here are also very down-to-earth, making them easy to like.

Read reviews about Focus Hairdressing @ Cuppage Plaza Somerset and see actual customer photos here!

Deal 1. Simple Styling at $20-$25 (UP: $35) (Singtel/NCS exclusive)

For those looking for a simple styling to complement your D&D outfit, Focus Hairdressing is offering Simple Styling services at only $20-$25!

While sophisticated braiding isn’t their strength, they are really good with tonging your hair to create curls that give you hair that much more volume.

Before and After Hair Colour + Styling

Note that no hair wash is included with this styling!

There are a total of 6 stylists in the salon so do make an advance appointment if you are looking to have your hair styled right before the D&D begins!

Terms and Conditions

Deal 2. 25% off all Hair Services for the month of September 2015

If your hair is in need of a soft MUCOTA Rebonding, Perm or a fresh coat of colour, you are in luck!

Focus Hairdressing is offering an unprecedented 25% off their already low prices for all hair services in September 2015!

We would highly recommend their MUCOTA DYNA Rebonding or the latest MUCOTA Omega Oil Therapy for those looking for natural soft rebonding and perm!

Terms and Conditions

Salon 3: Ame Japanese Hair Salon @ Cuppage Centre

A very experienced Japanese hairstylist previously from Monso Hair Design, Soga has opened his own salon in Cuppage Centre, which is right beside Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre!

The place may not be the most atas you’ve been but Soga’s great service, genuine desire to help customers, good hair colour and cutting skills and value-for-money pricing make the entire hair experience a wonderful one. For the month of September, he is the only stylist who will be at Ame Hair Salon so do make an advance appointment with him to avoid disappointment!

PS. Soga san’s appointment book is rather busy this September so you would have to be really lucky to get an appointment with him!

Read reviews about Ame Hair Salon @ Cuppage Centre and see actual customer photos here!

Deal 1. 25% off Styling and Updo (Singtel/NCS exclusive)

There are two types of Styling services available in Ame Hair Salon.

The first is simple styling which includes only blow and dry. This is priced at $50 before discount (or $37.50 after discount)

Updo refers to more sophisticated hairstyling such as the braiding we see below. It is priced at $60 before discount (or $40 after discount).

As mentioned, Soga is the only stylist in Ame Hair Salon for September 2015. It is therefore imperative to make an advance appointment if you are looking to have your updo done by Soga right before the D&D begins!

Terms and Conditions

Deal 2. 25% off Hair Services for the month of September 2015

If you’ve always wanted to try an experienced Japanese hairstylist but always found them out of reach in terms of budget, you should definitely consider getting a haircut and colour by Soga in September!

A Shiseido Educator, Soga is really good with giving customers a sophisticated haircut and colour that looks good during and after work!

We also love his airwave perm, although that does take quite a bit of maintenance afterwards!

Terms and Conditions

Have a great time at this year’s D&D and hope that you will take the time to write a review for the above salons after you’ve tried them!

Thanks in advance

As we’ve realized from the article on What you can do when a salon closes, it can take substantial amount of time and effort to even start a claim with the Small Claims Tribunal.

If the salon has terminated the company, you may even have to start your own civil proceedings… and you might still not be successful in getting your refund.

Although these occurrences are rare, we believe that you should always err on the side of caution and protect yourself with the following tips!

1. Read Reviews online

Trump may not be the most popular person out there but his words often hold an undeniable sliver of truth.

If a salon engages in unethical sales practices such as hardselling or unclear pricing, chances are, there is someone else out there in Singapore who has already been an unfortunate victim of such practices. It is therefore recommended for you to search for reviews online before you purchase a coupon deal or even step into a salon.

Some salons however engage so many bloggers that genuine customer reviews are often drowned out in Google. That is why Beauty Undercover takes the effort to carefully screen the reviews to make sure as far as possible that the reviews published on our site are genuine.

As it is not physically possible for us to review every single salon out there in Singapore, we need your help to share your experiences (both good and bad!) with others so that others can make a better salon decision!

If the salon you have recently visited is not yet listed on our site, feel free to share your experience with us here: http://www.beautyundercover.sg/submit-review/

2. Research on the Service

Many hair and beauty salons often make claims on the effectiveness of the service. It is therefore up to you to differentiate truth from fiction by researching on the service beforehand!

Most of the services offered by the salons are by no means new; many of them import foreign technology and use machines that are long available overseas. Therefore, give them a call to ask them about it or drill the therapist in question to know more about the services you are getting… and to make sure that your therapist knows what she is doing!

Limitations of Keratin Treatments

3. Avoid Signing Long-Term High-Value Packages

It is hard to tell if a salon is doing well financially or not. It may be operating normally one day and suddenly closed the next… things can get so bad that even stylists are kept in the dark about the company’s financial troubles!

Therefore, it is IDEAL to pay each time you visit the salon to avoid the risk of monetary loss due to unused packages.

In order to encourage loyal customers to return and reward loyal customers, it is common for salons to have short term packages of 3-6 services. If you really trust those salons and the monetary outlay is not huge, it may make sense to go ahead to sign the package.

However, if it is the first time you are at the salon and the stylists / therapists / salespeople are trying really hard to sell you the package which promises significant savings of 50% or more, your suspicions should be aroused instead of letting yourself be tempted!

4. Take your time to consider.

Even if you are really keen on the package, take a few days to think over the offer. Purchases made on a moment of impulse might not be financially viable in the long run.

Although the therapists and salespeople like to use the sales tactic of “this promotion is available now”, this is often not the case!

Remember, a good therapist who is truly on your side would never pressure you to sign up for the package right there and then!

5. Resist the Hardselling.

We have all heard of salons which lock us up and sell us packages or add ons in the treatment room itself when you are possibly half naked and vulnerable.

Try to avoid these salons in the first place by reading reviews beforehand but in the situation that you’re already in such a circumstance, you can threaten to leave the session and call the Police.

Exerting undue pressure on a consumer to enter into a transaction is an unfair practice under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act and the offence is punishable by law!

You can also let a friend or your partner know that you are going for a treatment and get them to check back with you after a specified time to see if you need help!

Alternatively, try to go for the beauty service with a friend if it is the first time you are trying out the salon!

If there is no one else to help you, let them know that you will be writing a review online to tell others about the experience if they don’t let you go!

Remember, don’t give in if the treatment is not what you are intending to go for or you will be dreading each of the next few sessions you’ve signed up to!

6. Ask about Refund policies.

In the situation that you would voluntarily like to sign up for packages, do remember to ask about refund policies.

What happens if I regret the purchase in 3 days? Would the salon refund the amount?

What happens if I get pregnant? Can I delay the expiry of the contract?

7. Read the contract and appendices before you sign the contract.

Before you actually sign the contract, do READ the contract and appendices carefully! If you are not sure what it means, ask your spouse or children to come along with you to help you scrutinise the fine prints!

Many contracts drafted by beauty salons state that “all payment made is not refundable” or disclaimers such as “The salon is not responsible for any failure of the treatment”. Do consider these unfavourable terms before accepting any offer made!

Also, note that verbal promises are notoriously hard to enforce so do get them to write what they promised you in the contract as well!

8. Check prices before accepting.

Before signing on the credit card slip or keying in the NETS PIN, ensure that the amount showed on the ATM or Credit Card machine is accurate!

This is to prevent any credit card dispute which can take much time and effort to undo!

9. Keep Receipts.

When starting a claim at the Small Claims Tribunal, it is imperative that you have supporting documents such as receipts and contracts available. It helps accelerate the claims and increase the chances of success. Therefore, take the extra 10 minutes to file your receipt in a safe place!

10. Monitor credit card statements.

Other than hardselling, some unethical merchants may charge your credit card twice without you knowing. Therefore, it is a good practice to monitor one’s credit card statements for transactions made so that you can contact your bank immediately after such a situation!

Do you have other tips to share with us?

If not, share your recent salon experience with us here: http://www.beautyundercover.sg/submit-review/

D&D is a time to let loose, have fun and wild the night away with your colleagues!

It’s also a chance to ditch your 9 – 5 work attire for something more glamorous, doll yourself up and try new hairstyles you usually won’t be seen wearing to the office.

Check out these pretty hairstyles you can try out to make yourself look smashingly fabulous for this annual event.

1. Retro-tastic

This makeup and styling is available at 99 Percent Hair Studio @ Bugis Haji Lane

Everyone loves a good throwback party! Hence, it’s no surprise that retro-inspired themes are common among D&Ds.

Give your tresses a retro makeover by styling your hair into a chignon. There are various types of bun hairstyles you can wear to epitomize the vintage look you are going for, the classic beehive updo is perfect for a swinging 60′s look.

Adding in flowers to your hairstyle is also a great way to retro-fy your look and turn up looking like a true vintage beauty.

 2. French Twist

This styling is available at COVO Hair Salon @ Keong Saik Rd

When looking for an elegant hairstyle, the classic French twist is your best bet. This chic and sophisticated look is not too hard to recreate if you wish to try it out yourself, and can even be done on short hair.

For a less prim and proper vibe, try a messy French twist and still look effortlessly chic.

3. Braided Bun 

This styling is available at COVO Hair Salon @ Keong Saik Rd

There are countless of different ways to style a bun, and there are also countless of different ways to braid your hair. With the combination of braids and chignon, you are spoilt for choice regardless whether you are going for a fun, flirty or fabulous look.

This styling is available at COVO Hair Salon @ Keong Saik Rd

Incorporating a braid or two, like the basic wrap around plait or diagonal plait is a simple way to take a regular sock bun to the next level.

4. Twisted Wispy Bun 

  This styling is available at COVO Hair Salon @ Keong Saik Rd           

You don’t have to keep your hair long and sleek to pull off the bun hairstyle. Play around with the natural texture of your hair and style it into a wispy bun. Once again, you can add in twists or braids to add more dimension to your look.

This styling is available at COVO Hair Salon @ Keong Saik Rd

The wispy low bun is also a beautiful way to style your hair for a D&D event, keeping it casual yet soft, natural and sexy.

5. Romantic Updo

This styling is available at AVENTA Hair Salon @ City Hall Stamford Court.

If you wish to go for a pretty, girl-next-door type of look and still keep it fancy, try a romantic updo. It shares similarities to the wispy bun but a romantic updo requires your hair to be curled or at least have slight waves.

The romantic updo is another hairstyle that can be done on short hair too.

This styling is available at AVENTA Hair Salon @ City Hall Stamford Court.

Pull out a few wisps of curled hair to frame your face, and you can choose to add in embellishments or a bow clip for a beautiful and stylish romantic updo.

 6. Fancy Top Knots

This styling is available at Air Salon @ The Cathay

Take your bun to greater heights, literally and don a top knot instead of a low-slung or regular bun. But there’s nothing much glamorous about a plain and simple top knot, so get creative or request your stylist to give you a top knot that is nothing short of F-A-N-C-Y.

This styling is available at Koinonia Salon @ Pacific Plaza.

The cinnamon roll top knot definitely adds a twist to the classic ballet bun. It may be a style you want to try for yourself but for those who are not as adept with hairstyling, there’s always the option to go for a professional stylist to create this elegant styling for your company event!

 7. Braids Galore

This styling is available at Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon @ Holland Village.

Braided hairstyles are spectacular for jazzing up your look. They might not be easy to do but they sure can make you look like the belle of the ball.

This styling is available at Âme Hair Salon @ Cuppage

Try various types of braided hairstyles from a full braided updo to a half braided ponytail, depending on the look you are trying to achieve. There are so many ways you can use braids to create a hairstyle that is unique and you are bound to get compliments from your colleagues all night long.

8. Half-Up, Half-Down

This styling is available at COVO Hair Salon @ Keong Saik Rd

When you can’t decide if you want your hair up or down, get the best of both worlds by going for a half-up, half-down hairdo.

The half-up fishbone braid styled by COVO Hair Salon stops midway through the ponytail, adding just the right amount of pizzazz without going over the top.

This styling is available at COVO Hair Salon @ Keong Saik Rd

Looking for something more elegant? The inside out half-up ponytail is a quick and fuss-free hairstyle that will remain intact while you dance the night away.

This styling is available at Act Point Salon @ Shaw Towers.

Even if you were to keep it simple with a half-up, half down hairdo, there’s no need to skimp on glamour. Soft, bouncy curls will enhance the overall look.

9. Glamorous Side Ponytail

This styling is available at CLEO Hair & Make @ The Central.

Add in a simple braid and soft curls to give a modern feel to the side ponytail. To glam up this look further, hold the hairstyle in place with jeweled hair pins or clips.

This styling is available at Act Point Salon @ Shaw Towers.

Perhaps you are a glamour puss and want something a little more “wow”. Why not decide on the side chignon ponytail done by Act Point Salon, as seen above. The hair is curled and styled in such a manner that the bun resembles a flower.

This glamorous side ponytail is no easy hairstyle, which means rest assured, you will definitely look ravishing!

10.   Faux Side Shave Braid

This styling is available at AVENTA Hair Salon @ City Hall Stamford Court.

Look edgy and rock “n” roll chic for your company D&D with a faux side shave braid hairstyle. The faux side shave braid gives you a similar appearance as the shaved hairstyle, only without the commitment of shaving off your locks!

This styling is available at Air Salon @ The Cathay

This look is also perfect for all you ladies who have wanted to try the shaved side hairstyle but are unable to do so without violating your work dress code.

11.   Japanese Motemaki Hairstyling

This styling is available at Branche Hair Salon @ Capitol Piazza.

Motemaki Hairstyling refers to the sexy and glamorous curls that we see on Hollywood stars and Victoria Secret’s Angels. These lovely curls no doubt add an element of beauty for special events. Hence, if you prefer to save yourself the worry or stress from checking if your hairstyle remains flawless the entire night, wear your hair down with soft, loose waves.

This styling is available at Branche Hair Salon @ Capitol Piazza.

Look red carpet-worthy by opting for old-Hollywood-glamour curls, you are sure to still dazzle even without a complicated hairdo!

12. Waterfall Braid

This styling is available at The Cottage by Devonshire Selected Beauty Salons @ Somerset Devonshire

Consider adding in a braid to stand out from the crowd if you are intending to wear your hair down. The waterfall braid is oh-so-lovely to look at, guaranteeing all eyes will be on you the entire D&D.

13.   Floral Crown

This styling is available at Clover Hair Boutique @ Far East Plaza

Wear your crown, show them who’s “boss”.

Floral headbands and headpieces are wonderful accessories to dress up your overall look should you choose to wear your hair down. The colours and beauty of a floral crown adds a soft, feminine touch, making you look like a goddess!

 14.   Side Swept Blowout

This makeup and styling is available at 99 Percent Hair Studio @ Bugis Haji Lane

Party hairstyles for short hair can be limited since there’s not much length to play with. But don’t let that get you down, you can still look party-ready gorgeous regardless of your hair length!

A good blowout can do wonders to your look and if you have short hair, you can’t go wrong with the side swept hairstyle. Who’s to say you won’t be rocking your look just like Jennifer Lawrence in her pixie cut?

Hair can do a lot for your appearance, be it the hair on your head or on your eyes. While this last tip has nothing much to do with hairstyle, it still involves hair.

Long lashes have always been the envy of many women and while falsies are always an option for special occasions, eyelash extensions are also another viable option for getting lashes you have been lusting over.

For those of you who are not sure if the J Curl, L Curl or CC Curl is better, leave it to the experts at KJ Studio to make their professional recommendation. They can even customize curls to help you achieve your desired look, keeping in mind your existing lash condition.

If you are not too fussy about the type of curls you are looking for, Queen’s Market can be a good place to try out lash extensions as well.

There you go ladies, an extra tip from us to you, so you can look extra fabulous for that upcoming D&D!

Seen on Instagram @kextay

Pedicure, manicure, kitty-cat claws. We ladies love making our nails look pretty, and why shouldn’t we!

But we are all too familiar with the frustration of chipped manicures after sitting in a nail salon for a good amount of time or spending hours giving ourselves a DIY manicure.

Thankfully, the innovation of gel nail polish is the answer to our nail woes. They dry super-fast, leave a shiny finish and are long-lasting!

There are however TONS of gel nail polish brands available in Singapore nail salons.

Which one is best for you?

In this article, we try to understand a little more about each gelish brand to help YOU decide which brand is best suited for YOU.

Gelish by Hand and Nail Harmony

If you’ve tried Gelish before, you would have probably heard of, seen and even tried this brand before:

As one of the first gelish brands to be introduced to Singapore that is relatively affordable, Gelish by Hand and Nail Harmony is MOST COMMONLY USED by many nail salons in Singapore.

With 201 colours to choose from, ranging from dark to light, shimmer to glitter, customers love the wide range of colours that give the nail artist much room for creativity.

Best of all, the Gelish manicure / pedicure lasts up to three weeks, making Gelish the ideal choice for people who are hard on their nails.

Consider This

Although affordable and convenient, Gelish can be pretty damaging for your nails.

1. Gelish requires nails to be buffed before applying base coat, two coats of colour and top coat.
2. Even for removal, nails have to be buffed again.
3. Cotton pads are saturated with acetone and placed on top of each nail, followed by wrapping tin foil around the nails. The wraps are then removed with slight pressure after your nails have soaked for 15 minutes.
4. You often have to go back to the salon (and sometimes pay an additional charge) for soak off or removal of the gelish colour.
5. As gelish polish can last for a few weeks, your nails will not be exposed to air for an extended period of time. This may increase the probability of bacterial infections. Prolonged gel use might cause your natural nails to soften and become brittle!

Verdict

For someone new to Gelish nails, Gelish by Hand and Nail Harmony is a perfect introduction as it is relatively affordable and very commonly used in nail salons. In fact, we find that many salons offering Groupons or cheap nail deals are often using Gelish! If you are going for Gelish frequently, however, we would recommend that you let your nails rest for a few weeks in between gel manicures as the process of gelish can be pretty damaging for your nails.

GelColor by OPI

If you think about nail colour brands, OPI is probably the first brand that comes to your mind. It is therefore not surprising to find OPI introducing its own Gelish brand: GelColor by OPI.

GelColor is a 100% gel colour. It wears and protects like a gel; the GelColor Base Coat also contains both gel polymer and solvent-type polymers for a faster removal.

Consider This

Although reputable, GelColor by OPI also appears to be as damaging as Gelish for nails.

1. GelColor requires nails to be buffed before applying base coat, two coats of colour and top coat.
2. Even for removal, nails have to be buffed again.
3. Cotton pads are saturated with acetone and placed on top of each nail, followed by wrapping tin foil around the nails. The wraps are then removed with slight pressure after your nails have soaked for 15 minutes.
4. You often have to go back to the salon (and sometimes pay an additional charge) for soak off or removal of GelColor.
5. As GelColor polish can last for a few weeks, your nails will not be exposed to air for an extended period of time. This may increase the probability of bacterial infections. Prolonged gel use might cause your natural nails to soften and become brittle!

Some people have mentioned that GelColor may also last slightly shorter period of time as compared to Gelish at about over 2+ weeks.

We also note that the range of colours also appear to be lesser than Gelish at over 100 shades although given its fast introduction of new and exciting colours, we aren’t that worried on that end.

For nail artists, some have also mentioned that the base coat tends to get thick and goopy, making it harder to use the bottom 25% of the bottle.

Verdict

GelColor by OPI is to us very similar in effectiveness and colour range to Gelish by Hand and Nail Harmony. There are not as many nail salons in Singapore carrying them but if you have a chance to try, we would not hesitate to ask you to go for it!

Do however remember to give your nails a rest in between GelColor manicures to keep your nails healthy!

Jacqueline Burchell

Not many of you may have heard of this brand but Jacqueline Burchell is actually a homegrown brand made in Singapore, in a quiet corner of Holland Village!

Like Gelish, Jacqueline Burchell is free of the 3 toxic chemicals that are often found in nail colours: Dibutyl Phtalate, Toluene and Formaldehyde, making it a safer choice.

At over 1,000 colours, Jacqueline Burchell also has one of the largest range of gel polish in the world! Jacqueline Burchell’s collections such as I Am Peranakan and These Are My Colours, and The Orchid Collection offers extraordinary colours with a local flair that you won’t be able to find elsewhere!

The Jacqueline Burchell Brush on Gel is also rather revolutionary; it finishes like a regular gel manicure with long-lasting shine and durability, without the need of a UV or LED light. This presents great opportunity for nail art as you can keep the nail colour away from natural light if you need more time or under sunlight if you want the nail colour to dry faster.

Amazingly, it can even be removed easily like regular nail polish!

Consider This

With no need for LED Curing and buffing for removal, Jacqueline Burchell is less damaging than the usual Gelish and GelColor by OPI!  It however does still require nails to be buffed before applying base coat, three coats of colour and top coat.

• 3 Coats? Yes, according to some users of Jacqueline Burchell, many of the colours offered under the Jacqueline Burchell Brush on Gel range tend to be rather light / faint. Therefore you may have to apply at least 3 coats for the colour to show.
• Unlike Gelish and GelColor, Jacqueline Burchell also appears to be less lasting; some report 1 week before the gel starts to chip!

Verdict

Although a healthier and more convenient option for nails, its not-so-lasting quality makes it a rather big constraint for Jacqueline Burchell Brush on Gel. After all, most of us love gelish nails because it is just so long lasting.

Regardless, we are confident that Jacqueline Burchell will continue to improve on its formulation to make its gelish nails more resistant to damage!

Shellac

Shellac is a highly popular brand outside of Singapore and while it is not exactly a gel nail polish, it does share similarities to a gel manicure. Created by Creative Nail Design, Shellac is a hybrid, meaning it’s half nail polish and half gel!

It applies like a regular polish but finishes like a gel, giving a smoother, neater finish even when compared to Gelish.

Nails are not required to be buffed before application and supposedly during removal, making it less damaging to the nail.

Consider This

1. When compared to Gelish, many nail artists have mentioned that it is harder to remove Shellac. Gelish appears to come off cleaner and lifts naturally away from the nails whereas you must scrape off or buff the Shellac off at times.
2. Shellac uses UV lamp to cure the gel, which appears to have caused some controversy over its safety.
3. Shellac is less lasting than the usual Gelish / GelColor since it can last for about 2 weeks!
4. The range is also limited at about 90+ shades of colour available.
5. Also, very few nail salons in Singapore offer Shellac so you may have a hard time finding one!

Verdict

As Shellac is harder to remove than even Gelish, it is unclear if it is more or less damaging to the nails although buffing is technically not required. Gelish is however a clear winner in terms of range and even has an edge in how lasting the manicure is.

Also, it is pretty hard to find Shellac in Singapore… so not the easiest choice for the nail novice!

Angel Pro Gelly Polish

A Korean Gelish Brand that is increasingly gaining in popularity in Singapore, AngelPro is a worthy competitor to Gelish with its over 200 shades of colours and textures! Their newly launched range includes pastel colours and magnetic nail colours that even allow the nail artist to create unique designs with magnets! The resulting gel is very long lasting (it can last even longer than 3 weeks!) and boasts of high shine 2 weeks after the nail colour!

With no buffing or filing required before application, it is also less damaging than the usual Gelish.

Style Gallery

AngelPro Nail Colour by 99 Percent Hair Studio

Consider This

1. Similar to Shellac, it is harder to remove AngelPro as compared to Gelish. Some scraping and buffing may be required before the gel comes off.
2. You often have to go back to the salon (and sometimes pay an additional charge) for soak off or removal of Angelpro
3. As Angelpro polish can last for quite a few weeks, your nails will not be exposed to air for an extended period of time. This may increase the probability of bacterial infections. Prolonged gel use might also cause your natural nails to soften and become brittle!

Verdict

For the uninitiated, Angelpro is yet another great brand to start your gelish nail journey with. It is easy to find salons offering AngelPro, the colour range is amazing and it is very long lasting!

However, it is likely to be more damaging than Gelish due to the removal process. Therefore, we would highly recommend you to rest your nails for a few weeks in between gel manicures to keep your nails healthy!

Calgel

A Japanese brand of soft gel nails, Calgel has been making waves with its gas-permeable gelish nail polish! What this means is that air can now move in between nail polish layers and your natural nail. As moisture released from the nails evaporate through the gel layer, wetness does not accumulate between the gel and nails, preventing lifting and formation of bacteria and microbes.

Best of all, it does not require extensive buffing upon application or removal, requires minimal LED / UV for curing and lasts up to 4 weeks without chipping or peeling. It is also less likely to chip because the gel is thin, gentle and flexible.

It is also hypoallergenic and odourless, making it suitable for even the most sensitive of you.

Style Gallery

Calgel Nail Colour by Queen’s Market at Tanjong Pagar

Consider This

1. It still requires some gentle buffing so some damage (minimal) is still inflicted on the nail
2. It can be easily removed by yourself if you use their Calaway solution. If not, you would have to go back to your Calgel salon.
3. Their colour range is more limited at over 70 colours to choose from
4. Calgel tends to be more expensive due to its superior technology and available at selected Japanese nail salons in Singapore.

Verdict

There are so many things to love about Calgel, from its gas permeable gel colour to its hypoallergenic properties and less-damaging nail application / removal process. Other than making your nails look pretty, Calgel ensures that your nail is kept healthy so that there is minimal downtime in between gelish nail colour applications and also, minimal bacterial infections!

Calgel is USUALLY more expensive but we are glad to find Queen’s Market which is offering first time users a 50% off discount to try out Calgel nails, making the price equivalent to Gelish nails at only $44!

Read more about their promotion here!

Para Gel Nails

The latest Japanese nail technology to be imported to Singapore is Para Gel Nails.

With no buffing required and a similar gas-permeable system, Para Gel has probably replaced CalGel as the most advanced nail technology seen in Singapore and even in Japan!

No nail buffing or sanding is required as Paragel adheres on top of the nail like a vacuum to disconnect the air between the nails and the gel, enhancing its adhesion.

After the Paragel is applied, it can then be cured in 30 seconds using LED light.

It is also highly durable, with no chipping, peeling or other signs of wear and tear for up to 4 weeks.

In addition, you will find that your natural nail colour will not discolour or change over time as the colour pigments in the gel are small.

For those with damaged nails, Paragel may be the best option as it helps accelerate the repair of your nails while keeping it looking beautiful at all times!

Style Gallery

Paragel Nail Colour by Branche Nail Salon

Consider This

1. Although no buffing is required, it takes about 10-20 minutes of soaking in acetone and wrapping in aluminium foil before the remaining gel polish can be carefully pushed off with a metal pusher.
2. The range of colours is also not as wide as the established brands like Gelish and GelColor!
3. Prices can be a lot more expensive than the usual gelish nails.
4. Very few salons in Singapore offer Paragel.

Verdict

For nail connoisseurs and frequent gelish nail users, Paragel is definitely a must try. Nail colour application is smooth, colours are lasting and best of all causes ZERO damage to your nails. For those with nails already damaged, Paragel is also a great time for your nails to rest and recover.

We however only know of one Paragel nail salon in Singapore: Branche Nail Salon, featuring Safori who is currently the only Paragel Educator in Singapore. Her skills are fantastic but there is only one of her in Branche, so you may have to take turns if you are intending to do your nail colour with a friend!

Having read all the above, do you have a favourite Gelish Brand in mind?

Do you have a Gelish experience you would like to share with us?

Tell us below!

We’ve heard many good things about Picasso Hair Studio from friends and reviewers so we’ve decided to send Agent S down for a perm and colour to see if the hype about Picasso is justified!

August 2015

Hi I’m Agent S.

I’m not a beauty blogger, Instagram is more my cup of tea, and by day, I’m an Art Director in a creative agency. It’s been peak period for the past few months, which has resulted in my hair being ridiculously flat. The kind when you wake up and you wonder what you ever did to have had Volume walk out of your life.

Left: My very talented playwright friend, Nabilah.  Right: Me of Meh Hair.

On top of that, I haven’t coloured my hair in ages, so you can also see how my roots are trying to hide from the world. Given I have client meetings every other day, I needed to do something. Fast.

An emergency call to Agent G (codename: Fairy Godmother), and in she came to save the day suggesting I try out Picasso Hair Studio.

Now, I’m the sort of person who’s nervy around unfamiliar hairdressers and hair studios. I’m reluctant to let someone untested (at least to me) touch my hair.

I suppose it stems from when I was 2. And bald. I assure you, I wasn’t rocking it.  Thus, a good haircut is essential for me to wake up looking half-decent.

Thus, the requisite online check: Picasso’s Review Page on Beauty Undercover

Alright, here we go then!

Part I: The Picasso Perm Experience

The moment you sit down, there’s service with a smile and a question of your beverage choice – which is presented along with hand cream and a moist towel. Lovely!

Picasso carries its art theme through the entire studio, with its easel hair stations and colourful painting.

What I like best is this Customer Consultation Sketch Sheet hanging with a wooden palette.

My very experienced hairstylist, Jesly, sketched for me what type of perm I would be having and where the curls were.

There is also a scale for your skin tone (warm to cool) which was helpful particularly for colouring.

During the consultation, Jesly also showed me a plethora of pictures and styles to choose from.

With her clear explanation and professional advice, it was easy to choose the type of curl that suits my face shape best. As I wanted an easy-to-manage hairstyle with quite a bit of volume, the Rebonding Perm suited me best.

As I underestimated the time taken for the entire perming process, my friend taking photos for me had to leave prematurely. Regrettably, this means no photos of the perming process. (My bad!)

What I can do, however, is ask for your patience in taking an imaginary walk with me:

1. After the thorough consultation, Jesly applied some pretreatment to ensure that my hair is well protected during the rebonding / perming process.
2. Once the pre-treatment was washed off, the straightening lotion and perming lotion are then applied at different sections to achieve the final rebonding perm effect. This is the first time I’ve heard of and tried such a hybrid perm / rebonding service. From what I’ve heard, Picasso Hair Studio is one of the first to introduce such a combination.
3. The chemicals are then left to penetrate for about 15-20 minutes before I’m brought over for a hair wash. As my hair is damaged more at some areas than at others, the chemicals are left for varying degrees of time to avoid excessive damage
4. After which Jesly uses the iron and curlers in combination to tame the top part of my hair and create the appropriate volume at the bottom.
5. Next, she applies the neutralizer to fix the curls and after a final hair wash and blowdry…

For some casual shots a few hours later:

A proper before and after comparison:

Overall, really enjoyed my first experience at Picasso Hair Studio.

Other than the beautiful perm, another thing that really stood out is their willingness to share their hair knowledge with me.

Jesly took at least 10-15 minutes teaching me the technique on how to  blow dry my hair properly to get the best out of my curls.

This is how it looks like at the end of a normal workday 2 months after the perm (without blowdrying)!

I’m in the middle with the same lemon bag

Part II: Hair Colouring

Before Colouring

As you can see in the above picture, my hair roots were showing due to months of neglect. I considered doing the hair colour at the same time as the perm, however Jesly advised me to come again about 2 weeks later to minimize damage to the hair and get the best results for both the colouring and the perm.

Impressed with the results of her perm, I made another appointment for hair colouring.

Jesly talked me through my choices, and gave her suggestions as well.

As the previous perm would have somewhat damaged the hair, bright vibrant colours or ash colours that require bleaching were not ideal. Bleaching would only damage the hair further and cause the perm to loosen faster.

I appreciate how she explained her recommendations systematically, taking into consideration my hair health, skin tone, lifestyle and preferences.

As I wanted something more subtle this time around, something that would brighten the curls and be versatile enough for me to carry off different looks, I chose a shade of brown based on her recommendations.

Here we go!

As hair colour at the roots is different from the rest of my hair, it is important to section it properly to ensure an even colour later on!

After about 15-20 minutes, hair colour is finally applied throughout my hair.

To encourage penetration of the hair colour, the hair is wrapped to warm up the hair with my body heat.

20 minutes later, it is time for the hair wash!

Here, Jesly makes a final check on the hair colour after the wash.

A little more blowdrying…

And we are almost done!

Before & After:

Before Colour

After Colour

More shots from my talented photographer:

Conclusion

I genuinely enjoyed my time at Picasso Hair Studio.

The whole team was skilled, and down-to-earth. They were able to clarify any queries I had and gave very clear and simple explanations. There was also never any hard-sell or pressure to commit to more than what I came for. They were also rather friendly and thoughtful throughout the entire time I was there.

This is a salon I would readily recommend my friends and needless to say, I’ll be back

If you are interested to find out more about Picasso Hair Studio, read reviews and see their customer photos here: http://www.beautyundercover.sg/hair/picasso-hair-studio-bugis-haji-lane/

PS. Jesly may be on maternity leave for a couple of months from September to October 2015 but we hear that stylist Jeremy is just as good with rebonding and perm as well!

Last month we recommended Singapore’s best facial salons in 2015. Well, these salons are not just for women – they are for us men as well.

You may think that going for a facial would be highly embarrassing and compromise your masculinity.

But just as your car needs servicing by a mechanic every once in a while, your skin needs a professional to ensure your skin is healthy and slow down aging as well.

So before you suffer from skin discoloration, wrinkles and a whole host of other skin issues that make you look older than what you intended, we give you FIVE solid reasons why you NEED to get a facial!

1. You’ll Get a Smoother Shave

Whether you shave everyday or once every fortnight, the continuous dragging of a razor across sensitive facial skin can cause irritation. Trust me when I speak as someone with significant growth in facial hair after 8 hours: I relate to this skin irritation after my shave.

Photo: Flickr

According to Shiori from NUA Singapore, razor burn, inflammation, and irritation from shaving over pimples are common occurrences that happen after shaving in men.

And that is how a facial solves these problems – it deep cleans bumps and soothes irritated skin.

Here’s how it works

The combination of exfoliation, essential oils, masks, and moisturizers that a therapist typically applies, will reduce the shaving’s side effects, making your skin smoother than ever.  And the smoother your skin, the better and less painful your shaving experience will be!

2. Effective removal of blocked pores and blackheads

According to Grace from Geranium Skin Boutique, men generally experience a higher oil production in their skin due to higher testosterone levels.  This would then result in men’s skin being more susceptible to blocked pores and blackheads than women.

This additional oil in men’s skin is the main cause for clogged pores. And as it is often known that men don’t always focus on cleansing well, these clogged pores eventually become blackheads and pimples.

Here’s how it works

During a facial, the aesthetician will perform an extraction, which is the precise removal of oil and dirt that’s clogging pores.

However, you may cause serious skin damage if the extraction is not done properly so always seek a skin professional.

Photo: Flickr

The extraction process may sound painful, but it all depends on the therapist who is working with you.

At Geranium, the therapists are well-trained to ensure an almost painless extraction. In fact, a lot of customers fell asleep under these skillful hands during extraction!

3. The Pros help you understand your skin type better

Just because it is commonly known that men produce more oil, doesn’t mean that your face is “oily”. There are times when excessive oil is produced to compensate for those of you with dry skin.

Facials are therefore very useful in helping you to identify and understand your skin type better.

Here’s how it works

For men with dry skin, you’ll need a facial that leaves your skin hydrated and moisturized. Conversely,  for those of you with oily skin, you will need a facial that decreases your shine, shrinks your pores and exfoliates your skin.

Photo: Flickr

Other than giving you the right facial that suits your facial needs, knowing your skin type can be very helpful in choosing the right facial products for your face!

That is why we love NUA Singapore so much; the facial therapists at NUA go the extra mile in introducing new techniques in applying facial products. In addition to that, they provide a great explanation on why the order in which to use them is important.

Good facial therapists should be engaging and patient. So it would be a good opportunity for you to ask them any questions with regards to your skin type and the reasons behind why the facial product(s) is beneficial to your skin.

4. Slow down aging

Facials are also known to significantly slow down aging!

It takes a good amount of muscles to work in our faces when expressing ourselves in conversation. And with that happening on a daily basis, it is no surprise that wrinkles start to appear, even in our 20’s!

Although this is no miracle pill to stop that from happening, facials do ensure proper skin care! And with proper skin care, the body will undergo aging at a somewhat slower rate.

If you are thinking of which anti-aging facials to try out, here’s 3 that we recommend!

1. ION REMEDY by Queen’s Market

The ION Remedy includes deep pore cleansing, exfoliation, lymphatic massage technique and an additional ION Cream pack. On top of the exfoliation process, which uses PG Kinuhada Komachi to clear dead skin and stubborn blackheads: Queen’s Market uses PG Uruoi Komachi. This is a bonus because PG Uruoi Komachi contains hylauronic acid, collagen, placenta and proteoglycan, which hydrates the skin and makes it firmer. The lymphatic massage that follows from the exfoliation process helps to clear away excessive water retention from the face. And finally, ION Cream pack contains ingredients to help reduce wrinkles, acne and facial sagging.

Microcurrent Facial and Eye Treatment by NUA Singapore 

NUA Singapore is already frequented by quite a few Office Professionals in-the-know during lunchtime for their Microcurrent Eye and Facial Treatment!

How the treatment works:

Essentially, the microcurrent delivers tiny electrical impulses that mirror the body’s own natural bioelectrical field. This, in turn, helps to re-educate the facial muscles and increase blood and lymph circulation. It will also heighten the production of collagen and elastin.

This is an effective treatment for puffy eyes, dark circles and visible wrinkles for men.  It promotes circulation and strengthens the eye muscle whilst ensuring that the chosen vitamin serum penetrates well.

It is so good that Shiori (founder of NUA) promises visible results, even after 1 session.

At an affordable price of $40 for their microcurrent eye treatment, this fast process is quickly becoming an ideal treatment during lunchtime.

You certainly won’t want to miss out!

Guasha Facial by Geranium Skin Boutique

The signature facial in Geranium, the Guasha facial has won many awards in Beauty Magazines for their effectiveness even within a single session!

How the treatment works:

Highly experienced therapists will use a guasha board made of water buffalo horn to gently stroke the face— stimulating the facial muscles and lymph nodes. This, will in turn give a visible lift to the skin, reducing dark circles, puffiness and even revitalizing tired sagging skin!

Here’s the part you would want to pay attention to: Beauty Undercover readers are offered 85% off their Guasha Facial at $18 (UP: $120).

This is for first time users, so it would be perfect to try if you haven’t!

5. Great time to rest and relax

Photo: Elemis

This is perhaps the greatest reason why you need a facial.

You may feel that it is a little bit out of your comfort zone when going to a facial salon for the first time. But given that our recommendations are located in private areas of Singapore, away from the public eye, it is also a great way to relax and ease the stress during your lunch hour or after work.

Both NUA Singapore and Queen’s Market are located in Tanjong Pagar, on the second floor of a shop house, which is a good location if you work near the CBD.

Geranium is located just behind Lavender MRT station, in an area which is not so easily visible!

Expectations on the facial experience for those not in the know

Here is a clip notes version on what to expect (from a good facial salon) if you’ve never gone for a facial before.

When you finally convince yourself to get out of the chair – you will feel clean, rested, stress-free and younger.

In short, you will feel wonderful.

Facials shouldn’t be dubbed ‘for women only’, and it definitely extends to us men. After all, it is all about treating your face the way it deserves to be treated!

If you are still a little shy, it is perfectly okay to get your partner, who is probably a lot more familiar with facials, to accompany you on your first time.

Have you tried a facial before?

Share your experience with us below!

Those who don’t have it, want it and those who have it, well… struggle with it.

Ah, yes, the all too familiar curly hair woes.

Curly hair does take a lot of time and effort to maintain which is why many choose to rebond or straighten their hair.

Unlike 3-5 years ago when rebonding is deemed to be “straight and boring”, we have seen a revival in natural rebonding among both Korean artistes and in Singapore salons!

Whether it is the versatile Song Ji Hyo from Running Man…

Running Man Monday Couple

or the cute and innocent IU and Yoon Seung Ah

Left: Rebonding with C Curl on IU, Right: Rebonding with C Curl on Yoon Seung Ah

Rebonding appears to be making a comeback!

There are however many different types of rebonding right now; from Volume Rebonding, S Curve Rebonding, C Curve Rebonding, Rebonding Perms and Volume Perm,  it’s best to educate yourself on what each type of rebonding is.

We have therefore asked salon experts to give us a deeper insight on the various types of rebonding techniques and design to give us a better idea on how these rebonding techniques differ!

Read on to find out which is more suitable for you!

What is Rebonding?

Originally developed in Japan, rebonding became hugely popular as it made curly, frizzy hair much more manageable!

The process of rebonding involves:

1. Strong Straightening Lotion is applied to the hair to break the existing hair bonds.
2. A flat iron is used to reset the hair bonds and make the hair straight.
3. A final neutralizer is then applied to reform the bonds.

Rebonding, however, has its downsides. It can not only damage your hair but make your hair excessively straight, sticking to the sides of your face and possibly making it look bigger.

Fortunately for us, hair salons in Asia have been experimenting with ways to make rebonding hair look natural yet manageable.

According to Shua, Director of Koinonia Hair Salon, the major advances have been in two primary aspects:

1. Technique: Technique refers to the procedure used by the salon to rebond the hair.
2. Design: Design refers to how the stylist cuts the hair and uses the iron to achieve a certain style.

Differences in Techniques and Design have therefore led to the different terms like Volume Rebonding, S Curve Rebonding, C Curve Rebonding and so on. Read on to find out how they differ!

Rebonding Techniques

There are five different types of techniques: Straight Rebonding, Soft Rebonding, Japanese Aqua Straightening, Volume Rebonding and Volume Body Perm.

These five techniques differ on the strength of chemicals used, level of heat used, amount of treatment included and whether perming techniques are used within the process.

1. Straight rebonding

Straight Rebonding for Coarse and Very Curly Hair by Act Point Salon

This refers to the traditional type of rebonding that gives you the super straight look. Despite straightening your  hair, it can also make your hair look a little flat as strong hair chemicals are used to tame the hair.

Straight rebonding is usually recommended for ladies with coarse and very curly hair as their hair often require high heat and strong chemical products to tame!

Straight rebonding therefore works very well for most Indian and Malay ladies with such hair texture.

For the rest of us, it may be better to opt for the other types of rebonding as straight rebonding can make our hair look a little too flat!

PS. We note that the preferred chemical choices for Straight Rebonding tends to be Shiseido and L’Oreal. Read more about Rebonding Chemicals in Part II of this article here!

2. Soft rebonding

MUCOTA Soft Rebonding by Kobayashi Hair Design

Soft rebonding is a milder version of Straight Rebonding. Instead of using strong chemicals and high heat, milder hair chemicals and a lower temperature are used to reduce the natural frizziness.

The end result is hair that looks naturally straight for hair that are not too curly and coarse! This is suitable for most Chinese ladies with straight frizzy hair that may be slightly damaged.

PS. We note that MUCOTA is fast becoming the rebonding chemical of choice for soft rebonding. Read more about MUCOTA Rebonding in Part II of our Rebonding Special here!

3. Japanese Aqua Straightening

Hair health is the one thing that Japanese stylists prize above all else. As rebonding can be a damaging process, Japanese stylists and hair chemical companies have innovated to include more treatments within rebonding to minimize damage. The Japanese Aqua Straightening is therefore created.

Aqua Straightening by Art Noise Japanese Salon

Taking Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon as an example; although they use Shiseido and Arimino for their straightening creams, they use their inhouse SHA treatment to protect the hair and keep the moisture in, a key strength of the inhouse treatment throughout the aqua straightening process. SHA is used as a pre-treatment before applying the rebonding lotion and again before applying the neutralizer. An additional acid treatment is then applied after the whole process.

To preserve the natural volume of the hair, the stylists also take the effort to leave a minimal space at the roots untouched by the chemicals. This way, your hair will look naturally straight even at the roots!

Aqua Straightening at COVO Japanese Hair Salon

COVO Japanese Hair Salon goes one step further by creating their own original blend of rebonding lotion. This blend can be made to order according to your hair condition; if your hair is healthy, the chemical mix can be made stronger and if the hair is damaged, it can be made weaker to avoid further damage. The result is a softer straightening effect than what is seen in usual rebonding in other salons. The rebonding blend itself also contains a lot of hair treatment ingredients to strengthen the hair. This makes it suitable even for thinner Caucasian hair, which has seen great results at COVO!

Although Japanese stylists at salons such as Art Noise and COVO can adjust the strength of chemicals used based on your hair texture, we believe that Japanese Aqua Straightening probably works better for Chinese hair which tends to be less coarse and curly! We also note that Japanese Aqua Straightening tend to work well even for Caucasian customers as the amount of treatments involved ensure that their hair is not excessively damaged!

4. Volume Rebonding

A combination of rebonding and perming, volume rebonding requires perming the hair where volume is desired while the rest of the hair is tamed through rebonding.

According to Shua from Koinonia Salon, volume can be created at the top, ends or body of the hair. The area where volume is required will necessitate a perm while the rest of the hair can be rebonded.

Volume Rebonding + Permed Body and Ends by Koinonia Salon

Ailee from Pro Trim Korean Salon at JEM loves to recommend Volume Rebonding as it combines the best of both rebonding and perm.

The graceful curls can take years off a lady’s face while at the same time taming her hair through rebonding. The end result is a hairstyle that looks natural and yet easy to manage!

Volume Rebonding by Pro Trim Salon

As Volume Rebonding is a combination of rebonding and perming, it can work well for many different hair textures. The right stylist should be able to design a perm and rebonding to suit your natural hair texture e.g. perm at the top if you naturally have curly hair to make sure that the hair still looks natural when it grows out. This however requires much more judgment and expertise from the stylist so we would recommend that you do volume rebonding only with a stylist you trust!

5. Volume Body Perm

Due to the use of the high heat, rebonding is often deemed more damaging than perms. To minimize damage and make rebonding possible for even the thinnest and most damaged of hair, Shua from Koinonia Salon has come up with a special technique that uses only cold perm to create an effect similar to volume rebonding, without the need of heat and strong rebonding products!

Although there aren’t any pictures to show, we find that this technique is probably similar to Korean Body Perm seen in various Korean salons or Korean Wave Perm in Picasso Hair Studio but with a focus on straightening the hair.

Korean Wave Perm by Picasso Hair Studio

Instead of having defined curls, the volume body perm / Korean Wave Perm creates waves that make the hair look more voluminous.

This works best for those of you with thin and damaged hair since it is less damaging. It can also be done more frequently to maintain the volume!

This is however not advisable for those with coarse hair as a cold perm like this will probably not create sufficiently defined waves!

Volume Rebonding Designs

Rebonding is merely the straightening of your hair. Once your hair is straight and silky smooth, a great haircut would be what differentiates your hair from another hairstyle. It is therefore crucial to find a haircut specialist to design a haircut for you, especially if you are just intending to go for a straight rebonding, soft rebonding or Japanese Aqua Straightening.

One of our favourite go-to haircut specialists is Izumi. Although she does not do rebonding, we love how her haircut can transform the overall look of how your rebonding looks like… especially fringes!

For Rebonding / Perming hybrids like Volume Rebonding and Volume Body Perm, it can get a little more complicated. The stylists can add a S Curve or C Curve at any point of your hair to create volume and the overall design.

It can therefore be pretty difficult to specify the type of the design you are looking.

There is however, one hair salon which has standardized rebonding and perming methodologies to make it easier for customers to communicate their preferred rebonding styles: Picasso Hair Studio

Although some of these names are commonly used across salons, not every salon uses the same technique. So we would still advise you to take a picture along for your consultation particularly if it is at another salon!

1. C Curve Rebonding

C Curve Rebonding by Picasso Hair Studio

Neat and professional, the C Curl give the wearer a younger and womanly look that still looks great at work!

Due to its convenience and manageability, C Curve Rebonding is one of the most popular types of volume rebonding we’ve seen lately. It is basically rebonding at the top and perming at the ends to create C shaped curls that curl inwards. To create this design, the haircut is heavy and does not have many layers.

Recommended For: Busy Working Ladies and even Mothers with a Bob cut to Super long hair.

2. S Curve Rebonding

S Curve Rebonding by Picasso Hair Studio

A style of Volume Rebonding that looks more like a perm than rebonding, the S Curve Rebonding is basically rebonding at the top and perming at the body and the ends to create the S-shaped Curls. The haircut has many layers to create the effect of many soft curls put together.

The S Curve Rebonding has a more romantic and feminine look while making sure that the top of your hair is manageable! The curls are also the most defined among the different types of volume rebonding available.

Recommended For: Ladies with bra strap length hair and below.  This works well even for super long hair that is chest length and below!

3. Rebonding Perm

Rebonding Perm by Picasso Hair Studio

The Rebonding Perm may look similar to S Curve Rebonding but is slightly less curly. This is because Rebonding Perm is about half a curl less than an S-curve rebonding.

This is therefore perfect for those who want quite a bit of curl but not an excessive amount. It also works better for ladies with hair that is slightly shorter than bra length.

Recommended For: Ladies with shoulder-length hair and below and desire some waves in their rebonding!

FYI, Agent S has just gone for Rebonding Perm at Picasso Hair Studio. Read about her experience here!

4. Styling Perm

Styling Perm by Picasso Hair Studio

The styling perm is the least curly rebonding with only a small curve at the end. This perm is a strong C curl with layered haircut. The final result is therefore a perm that looks like many layers of waves. As the curls/waves tend to be looser, there is also minimal lesser maintenance required, making it a great wash-and-wear hairstyle… perfect for perm beginners!

Recommended For: Ladies who have not permed their hair before and fear getting a perm that is too curly. It works well for ladies with shoulder length hair to super long hair.

With the pictures and explanation, we hope that you now have a better idea of what is the difference between Soft Rebonding, Aqua Straightening, Volume Rebonding, S Curve Rebonding, C Curve Rebonding and so on.

Ultimately, the type of rebonding that best suits you depends a lot on your hair texture and your preferred overall look / design. Therefore, it is crucial to find a good hairstylist you can trust to design the right type of rebonding for you.

Do note however that the outcome of the rebonding also depends on other factors such as the type of Rebonding Chemicals Used. We will be discussing more about that in Everything you need to know about Rebonding: Part 2.

Stay tuned!

In the meantime, leave your comments below if you have any queries or additional rebonding techniques / designs to share!

In Part 1 of our article for Everything you need to know about Rebonding, we explained about the differences between Volume Rebonding, Soft Rebonding as well as S Curve and C Curve rebonding.

Click here first to read Everything You Need To Know About Rebonding: Part 1 if you haven’t!

Other than technique and design, however, the chemicals used and tools of the trade can also impact how the rebonding turns out.

In the second part of the Rebonding series, we will therefore be dealing with your questions on what is the difference between the recently popular MUCOTA rebonding vs the more established Shiseido Rebonding, L’Oreal Xtenso and the newer Arimino and Milbon Rebonding.

Read on to find out more!

Rebonding / Straightening Chemicals

Other than technique and design, hair chemicals also play part in determining how your rebonding will eventually turn out.

In fact, one of the major reasons why Korean salons are so sought after for their Volume Rebonding is because of their specialized chemicals. Some Korean salons import specialized chemicals from Korea that are not commonly found in Singapore. Koinonia Salon, for example, considers their perm chemical a trade secret as it tends to give a softer yet longer lasting result.

Volume Rebonding by Koinonia Salon

Although Agent C’s hair is rather coarse and unruly, Koinonia Salon managed to give her the softer look with volume rebonding. If you are interested to find out more, read about her experience here.

Even though Korean chemicals are effective, there are some of us who find Korean salons a little out of reach in terms of budget.

So, what are the alternatives?

The most common chemicals used in Singapore for rebonding are the established brands: Shiseido Crystallizing Straight, L’Oreal Xtenso and more recently MUCOTA.

1. Shiseido Crystallizing Straight and L’Oreal Xtenso

Shiseido Crystallizing Straight and L’Oreal Xtenso are the first two rebonding chemicals introduced to Singapore about 5-10 years ago. Today, most local salons including our trusted Act Point Salon, Picasso Hair Studio and Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon use either L’Oreal Xtenso or Shiseido Crystallizing Straight.

C Curve Shiseido Rebonding by Act Point Salon

Shiseido Straightening appears to be the most common given its suitability to the Asian hair and also, the continual upgrades to its formula which saw the recent introduction of Hyaluronic acid to strengthen hair structure.

It’s difficult to say which is better than the other, ultimately it depends on your hair structure. Shiseido has an edge because their straightening cream is made in Japan and formulated specifically for Asian hair. Therefore, it appears to work better on Singaporean hair. L’Oreal Xtenso, on the other hand, was previously more effective for Caucasian hair as it is formulated in Europe and designed for Caucasian hair. Today, however, with L’Oreal’s extended presence in Asia and improved formulation, the effectiveness of both Shiseido and L’Oreal are quite similar.

It’s wise to take note that the established brands provide salons with a wide range of rebonding lotions with different strengths.

L’Oreal Xtenso for example has “EX”, “M”, “N” and “R” while Shiseido has “H1” ,”HL1″ and “N1”.

Each of these lotions are catered for different types of hair. The strongest straightening lotion, for example, should be used for very coarse and curly hair whereas the milder straightening lotion should be used for thinner damaged hair.

Very unfortunately, we hear that there are some not-so-ethical hair salons who purchase only ONE type of straightening lotion at huge quantities. To save on inventory cost and use smaller quantities of straightening lotion, SOME salons purchase ONLY the strongest straightening lotion. Although the strongest straightening lotion can help to rebond your hair within a shorter period of time, the hair tend to be overprocessed easily, making it more likely for the hair to be ‘fried’, overly damaged or at the very least flat. This may also explain why some salons can offer rebonding at lower prices and why reviews are not so good at these salons.

If it’s your first time to the salon, it’s always a good practice to ask if they stock the whole range of straightening lotion and which strength of straightening lotion they would use for each section of your hair.

Needless to say, our recommended salons such as Act Point Salon, Picasso Hair Studio and Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon already do!

2. MUCOTA Rebonding

Agent G was first introduced to MUCOTA Opera Rebonding by Focus Hairdressing about 2-3 years ago. The natural straightness of the hair and the aromatic smell of MUCOTA Straightening impressed her a great deal.

MUCOTA Opera Rebonding by Focus Hairdressing

Since then, MUCOTA has grown to be really popular in Singapore and is often used by salons around Singapore for soft rebonding.

There are three different types of MUCOTA rebonding treatments and Focus Hairdressing is one of the few salons that carry all three types.

1) MUCOTA Opera Rebonding: It’s good at controlling frizziness and has a soft rebonding effect. MUCOTA Opera Rebonding is also the cheapest MUCOTA Rebonding.

MUCOTA DYNA Rebonding by Focus Hairdressing

2) MUCOTA DYNA Argan Oil Straightening: The most popular MUCOTA rebonding option right now, the MUCOTA DYNA Argan Oil Straightening contains argan oil and other essential oils to repair the hair even as it straightens it! Even if your hair is damaged, MUCOTA DYNA Argan Oil Straightening will be able to help calm your hair and bring out the natural shine within, lasting up to 4-6 months.

3) MUCOTA Omega Oil Therapy: The newest MUCOTA rebonding that is currently only available in 20 hair salons in Singapore, MUCOTA Omega Oil Therapy contains seven types of natural essential oils and the latest heat protection treatment to fully protect the hair during the rebonding process. It’s so nourishing that it can even be used on bleached hair!

Other than Focus Hairdressing, CLEO Hair & Make is also one of the 20 salons which has just introduced MUCOTA Omega Oil Therapy to its customers.

Agent G has also tried it out as a perm and loved the results! Check out her experience here if you are interested.

Other than the Shiseido, L’Oreal, MUCOTA, there are other lesser known chemical brands which has yielded good feedback among salons in Singapore.

3. Milbon Liscio Hair Straightening

A lesser known brand in Singapore but vastly popular in Japan and other parts of the world, Milbon Liscio is now available in Singapore at Branche Hair Salon.

Milbon Liscio is the first rebonding treatment allowed for use in Japanese salons. Due to its suitability even for Caucasian hair, Milbon Liscio is still the chemical often used for Japanese Hair Straightening in the US.

Other than the usual straightening effects, Milbon Liscio is very popular as it incorporates a lot of treatments within the hair service, giving the rebonded hair natural bounce and volume. Similar to Shiseido and L’Oreal, Milbon Liscio is also formaldehyde-free.

4. Arimino Cosme

Another Japanese brand that is more widely known in Japan, Arimino Cosme is available at selected hair salons such as Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon and Picasso Hair Studio.

The difference between Arimino, Shiseido and L’Oreal is that Arimino’s formulation is milder and contains a lot more treatments and conditioning. This makes Arimino more suitable for hair that is dry or hair that has previously undergone multiple chemical treatments.

5. COVO Exclusive Rebonding Lotion

Dissatisfied with current types of straightening lotions in the market, the owner of COVO Hair Salon is one of the few salons which has produced its own rebonding and perming lotion in Japan!

This blend can be made to order according to your hair condition; if your hair is healthy, the chemical mix can be made stronger and if the hair is damaged, it can be made weaker to avoid further damage. The result is a softer straightening effect than what is seen in usual rebonding in other salons. The rebonding blend itself also contains a lot of hair treatment ingredients to strengthen the hair. This makes it suitable even for thinner Caucasian hair, which has seen great results at COVO!

Overall, many of the hair chemical brands are similar. They offer chemicals of different hair strengths to give better results for hair of different hair condition and texture. However, some are still stronger / milder than others, making it more suitable for a particular type of hair. It is therefore best to do a little bit more research and ask your trusted stylist for advice on what suits you best!

Tools of The Trade

A final factor that may affect the result of rebonding other than technique, design and chemicals is the tools and machinery used during the rebonding process. Although this possibly affects perm more than rebonding, the rise of rebonding perm hybrid makes this factor increasingly important.

Pro Trim Korean Salon at JEM, for example, claims that it uses specially imported irons that make it easy for stylists to make the hair curly or naturally straight, giving natural-looking volume rebonding results. Needless to say, the irons are also a trade secret.

Zinc Korean Hair Salon also seem to bring in many new machines every few months. There’s always something whenever I go back for a perm or a volume rebonding.

Ultrasonic Iron

Ultrasonic Rebonding at Air Salon

Singaporean celebrity salon Air Salon at Cathay is much less secretive about the technology they use. To ensure minimal damage to the hair during rebonding, Air Salon has imported special ultrasonic irons that uses ultrasonic technology to help the treatment chemicals better penetrate the hair. This allows for rebonding to be done at a lower temperature, ensuring the entire rebonding process to be less damaging. This means that hair that are not in the best of condition can still be rebonded at Air Salon!

This may also be why Men’s perm has been quite a hit at Air Salon as well!

Technique, Design, Chemicals and Tools aside, the most important factor in determining whether the rebonding will turn out well is possibly your hairstylist.

With the right skill, experience and communication, a great stylist should be able to give you the rebonding style that you’ve always dreamed of.

We note however that few stylists are good at explaining the theory of rebonding to you, the way we have done so in the past 2 articles. So if explanation and theory is important to you, we would recommend stylists such as Shua from Koinonia Salon and Veyond from Chez Vous Hair Salon who are excellent both skill-wise and even in terms of explanation.

If not, many of the salons we’ve mentioned such as Act Point Salon, Focus Hairdressing and Pro Trim Korean Salon are also great alternatives particularly if you are looking for reliable rebonding services at reasonable prices!

Do you have any more queries about rebonding?

Share your questions with us below!

There are many ways to make your wedding hairstyle romantic. Whether it’s long and loose waves, a wispy updo, or a combination of both, you’ll not only want your locks to look as lovely as ever on your big day but to last through the reception and after party.

The hairstyles you choose should also complement the wedding dress you are wearing!

We consult hair experts for their top tips and photo inspirations based on wedding dress styles to help you look gorgeous for your important day!

Chignon for Strapless Wedding Dresses

Seen on Pinterest

When to Wear It

A number of hairstyles flatter a strapless wedding dress, but we love the idea of pairing a shoulder-baring updo with this silhouette. Chignons are all the rage right now in wedding hair, and this romantic style adds some sophisticated polish to a neckline that shows a lot of skin. And it can work with or without a veil!

Complete your look with fresh flowers in your hair. The best way to make a statement, flowers help soften any look and give brides the dreamy feel they all wish to have on their big day!

Bridal Styling by Koinonia Salon

Half Up and Half Down Hairstyles for Strapless Wedding Dresses

When to Wear It

This style is great for venues where heat and humidity are not an issue — the last thing a bride wants is to feel sweaty or have limp curls on her big day!

Despite having part of your hair pinned up, it’s almost impossible to keep everything perfectly in place. If you’re a summer or destination bride whose hair instantly frizzes at the first sign of humidity, you may want to stick with an updo so that you can enjoy every moment of your special day without having to sneak away for damage control!

Half-up, half-down looks pair well with ethereal gowns — light and airy designs with plenty of lace or tulle.

Bridal Styling by 99 Percent Hair Studio

Half up Half Down Styling by Act Point Salon

When to Wear It

Sexy, cascading waves can also complement a strapless wedding dress. When wearing a veil, remember to add extra volume and bounce to the ends of your hair!

A loose nest of curls is also the perfect canvas for head pieces like veils, small flowers, or a tiny tiara.

Side Swept Updo on One Shoulder Wedding Dress

Seen on Pinterest

When to Wear It

A one-shoulder wedding dress draws attention to your shoulders, so you don’t want a flowing hairstyle that will obscure this flattering silhouette. A side-swept updo will balance out an asymmetrical neckline and won’t get in the way of shoulder details. For a more bohemian vibe, try a side-swept fishtail braid.

Side Swept Updo by 99 Percent Hair Studio

Chignon for Off-The-Shoulder Neckline

Seen on Pinterest

When to Wear It

An ivory dress with ruched straps pushed off the shoulders is pure class. A smooth and simple updo draws attention to one body part that could be your greatest asset the shoulders.

A tight knot or a braided chignon is a mature option to match such a sophisticated style.

Braided Chignon by COVO Hair Salon

 

Updo for Bateau or High Neckline

Seen on Pinterest

Square Neckline

Seen on Pinterest

Half Up and Half Down for Scoop Neckline

When to Wear It

A low scoop neck reveals cleavage, especially when enhanced with a hidden corset. We like the simple style and thin straps worn with hair half down.

Seen on Pinterest

To nail the look, hair should be left a little loose with just enough flyaways to give it a more romantic look.

Styling by Act Point Salon

 

Malay Wedding Dresses

 

When to Wear It

Most bridal couples choose to wear traditional Malay attire that are often made of songket on their wedding day. Although the headgear may obscure the hairstyle, it may be a good idea to request for a simple updo from the mak andam to create a more voluminous top.

If you opt for a more contemporary dress, then you will probably have greater leeway depending on the style of dress you choose.

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

A scoop neckline, for example, may enable a half up half down hairstyle.

Half up, Half down Styling by Act Point Salon

Even for those who choose a contemporary dress, most opt for a dress with a bateau or high neckline.

Credits: Another Accidental Bride

In those cases, an updo works best to show off the bride’s beautiful jawline.

Styling by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon

 

 

Indian Wedding Dresses

 

When to Wear It

The bridal lahenga or saree is often an important part of the Indian wedding. A half up, half down hairstyle that peeks out from the bridal veil adds a mystery that brings out the best of your designer outfit.

 

Styling by Act Point Salon

Waterfall braids can be also be a gorgeous addition, particularly if you add on various accessories to complete the look!

Waterfall Braids by Clover Hair Boutique

 

 

We hope you enjoyed the above compilation of bridal hairstyles suitable for Singapore weddings!

Have you decided on the hairstyle for your special day?

Comment below and let us know!

 

 

 

You are counting down to your wedding day… just 30 more days to go!

There is so much to do… yet you are not too sure what.

To help you with your beauty prep for your wedding, we’ve asked beauty experts for essential tips on what you HAVE TO DO 30 days before the wedding!

1. Get a Trim and Touch up your roots a week before your wedding!

Get a trim to remove your dead ends and clean up your cut. If you have decided on your wedding hairstyle, show your desired style to your trusted stylist so that they know how to help you get the best results for your important day!

Hair Colour at Picasso Hair Studio

2. Consider a Perm and a Treatment!

For easy styling on the actual day, Pro Trim Korean Salon recommends a perm for easy and lasting styling and a follow up treatment to give your hair the shine and softness it needs to look gorgeous!

Perm by Pro Trim Korean Salon at Jurong East JEM

Stylists at Pro Trim also mention that it is not ideal to keep your hair too long or too short! The ideal length is near the underarm so that it is long enough for even the most sophisticated of hairstyling… without making it too cumbersome for your stylist.

3. Get a Brighter Smile

Credits: Wikihow

Are those cups of coffee and occasional glasses of red wine the only thing getting you through the last few weeks of wedding planning? Then chances are you’ll probably have a few unwanted stains on your pearly whites right before it’s time for your wedding photos. For a quick fix, dip a damp tooth brush into some baking soda and then add your tooth paste. The combination of tooth paste and baking soda works together to lift stains and whiten your teeth.

4. Make a Facial Appointment

Agent Shiying Preparing for her wedding with Facial at NUA

A professional skin expert will be able to clean you up, clear you out, and also identify (and help troubleshoot) skin problems. Don’t just lie there — speak up, ask questions, and find out what you should add to (or skip on) your beauty routine, what kinds of ingredients you should be looking out for to suit your skin type, and plenty of other insider info.

Shiying was one such bride; she trusted Shiori from NUA for her wedding prep and looked amazing on her actual day! Read about her experience here: http://www.beautyundercover.sg/bridalfacialandwaxingnua/

5. Exfoliating Your T-Zone

Seen on Instagram

If you haven’t already incorporated it as part of your daily routine, Maki from Queen’s Market recommends that you take the extra 30 seconds to scrub your T-zone or acne-prone areas! This can help remove dead skin, keep your pores clear and unclogged as well as reduce build up of sebum!

6. Using a Toner

Seen on Instagram

Most of us forget to or find it too lazy to use a toner as part of our daily routine but Grace from Geranium Skin Boutique reminds us that a toner actually helps the rest of your skincare routine work more effectively and penetrate deeper into our skin! For those with more sensitive skin, try not to use toners with alcohol and opt for toners with anti-inflammatory ingredients to prevent irritation!

7. Wear your Sunscreen Daily

Windows and glass does not fully protect you from harmful UV rays so a sunscreen is essential even if you stay indoors the whole day!

Seen on Pinterest

Particularly in the last month of your wedding prep, slap on some sunscreen to prevent yourself getting too tanned on your special day!

8. Go for Waxing / Hair Removal

Don’t take the risk of a little body hair popping up in your wedding pictures! Hit a hair removal salon like NUA Singapore to give you some ultra-relaxing pampering to keep you hair free!

If you plan to wax your bikini line, begin the process at least three months beforehand, or face the consequences!

For those with super low pain tolerance, Shiori from NUA Singapore mentions that waxing sensitive areas (such as brazilian) becomes less painful each time. Start early to avoid major pain, swelling, and irritation on your wedding night!

9. Get an Eyelash Extension

10. Get your nails done!

We love how the Japanese nail salons make bridal nails look oh-so-elegant and glamorous at the same time.

Branche Nail Salon is highly recommended if you have the budget to spare as Safori will make you feel super pampered during the nail experience and make sure that your nails is well taken care of with the no-damage Paragel Nails!

Paragel Nails by Branche Nail Salon

Otherwise, the soft Calgel nails from Queen’s Market can be awesome and value-for-money as well!

Bridal Nails by Queen’s Market

11. Don’t ingest excess sodium the week before the wedding.

Credits: Flickr

For those of you looking for a safe and quick weight-loss tip before the wedding, Grace from Geranium Skin Boutique shares that cutting sodium is possibly your best bet.

Sodium holds 50 times its weight in water… so you can shed up to 2 kg just buy skipping salty foods, instant noodles, salty cold cuts and choose low-sodium foods at least 7 days before the wedding!

12. Don’t skimp on water!

Seen on Instagram

Double up on your water intake for at least a month prior to your wedding to keep your skin clear and glowing.

To make water more palatable, add a few drops of lemon or lime to warm water every morning to flush out those toxins and improve your skin conditio over time!

13. Rest Well

Credits: Flickr

It may be hard to get a good night’s rest, particularly when the wedding day nears. But try to get a decent amount of sleep each day!

According to Maki from Queen’s Market, the skin reproduces at night by having good sleep, so a good night’s rest is essential to help brides look their best!

What are some of the beauty preparations you’ll be doing before your big day? Comment below and share with us!

Do you have tickets to go for Halloween Horror Nights at RWS? Or are your friends organizing a Halloween party this October?

Creep your friends out and get into the mood with these spooktacular ideas this Halloween!

Be warned, some of the looks might scare you stiff!

1. Zombified

Hair and Makeup by 99 Percent Hair Studio

Want to look like a zombie but not sure how?

The freakishly talented stylists down at 99 Percent Hair studio can transform your hair AND your face, so much so, you look like you just walked off the set of The Walking Dead.

2. Hairoween Horror

Photo: Gianluca Ramalho Misiti | flickr

For a truly hair-raising horror effect, don’t forget to zombify your hair as well!

You may need to use some creativity but this look can possibly be achieved with ombre hair colour and lots of styling products to achieve the messy look!

Balayage Ombre by Artica Hair Studio

 3. Chucky

Photo: cakefaceallie | Instagram  If you are going as Chucky this Halloween, the iconic scarred face is not complete without red hair.

Manic Panic Red Hair Colour at CLEO Hair & Make.

For a less permanent option, besides a wig, you can choose to get red hair extensions at Rubik Hair Salon.

4. Bang Bang

Gunshot Wound Makeup by 99 Percent Hair Studio

Don a bloody white shirt, dead-looking lips and a gun shot wound for a simple and fuss-free Halloween costume!

5. Two-Face

Photo: FacesBySarah | Facebook

Pair up with a friend and go as a hero and villain this Halloween. This exposed face special effects make-up and a suit is all you need to show your villainous side as Batman’s nemesis, Harvey Dent.

6. Witchery

Witchery by 99 Percent Hair Studio

Double double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble! When else other than at Halloween do you have an excuse to wear witch fancy dress, pointy hat and ride across the sky on the magical broomstick? Transform yourself into one of the most iconic characters of Halloween with a simple witch costume and makeup before you begin casting spells and causing all sorts of magical mayhem!

 7. Scary Scarrrrs

Halloween Scarring Makeup by 99 Percent Hair Studio

Eeew! Oh-so-gross but oh-so-perfect to trick and terrify those around you. It looks so realistic, your friends might just believe it is!

8. Blood Splatter Nails

Photo: border_collie_crazy | Instagram  

Your nails can look pretty terrifying too, like this blood splatter effect. Just what bloody mess did you get yourself into?

9. Spookily Cute

Cute Halloween Nail Art by Safori from Branche Nail Salon

Who says that Halloween is only about scary spooky stuff? If scary is not your thing, you can consider going for some kawaii Halloween nail art for the holiday!

10. Glow-in-the-dark Nails

Boo! We have all enjoyed scaring people in the dark – let your nails do the scaring this time.

11. Goth

Hair and Makeup by 99 Percent Hair Studio

There is no better time to immerse into the Gothic subculture than Halloween. Dramatic with black heavy eyeliner, dark lipstick shades and funky accessories, Gothic fits right into the Halloween theme!

12. Granny Hair

 Granny Hair by Vast Hair Salon

If you are already rocking the silver hair, you don’t have to put too much thought into your Halloween look. Goth make-up goes well with silver hair!

13. Coloured Lash Extensions

Coloured Lash Extensions from KJStudio

Did you know you can have coloured eyelash extensions customized to match your Halloween look?

Yes, that’s right! The folks down at KJStudio can mix and match different colours depending on your desired style!

Have a spooky fright night! Happy Halloween!

The day is FINALLY here!

You’re so excited and worried that you couldn’t sleep the night before… so horrors of all horrors, you wake up looking the worst you’ve ever been

Don’t let yourself get into that situation with our 5 life-saving tips to help you get through the day looking the best you can!

1. Depuff sleep-deprived eyes.

Tossed and turned all night? Don’t let it show!

According to Grace from Geranium Skin Boutique, all you have to do is get some (caffeinated) green tea bags ready!

Seep two tea bags in a mug of hot water for three to five minutes, then let them cool in the fridge for 20 minutes. Squeeze out excess water, lay down and place the tea bags on your eyes for 15 to 30 minutes.

The caffeine in the green tea can help shrink blood vessels around your eyes, reducing puffiness and dark circles.

2. Fake fuller lips.

Credits: Flickr

If you’ve always wanted fuller lips, Shiori from NUA Singapore has a tip for you: Add a few drops of essential peppermint oil to your lip gloss to get instant plumper lips!

As you reapply throughout the day it will give your pout that “just-bitten” lift. It also acts like a breath freshener when you’re in a pinch!

It can get a little tingly so we would recommend that you try it out before the wedding day to see if this is something you really wanna try!

3. Moisturize your hands.

Credits: Flickr

On the day that you make that promise to hold the hands of your SO forever, consider making your hands so soft and supple that he will never ever want to let go of it!

According to Maki from Queen’s Market, all you have to do is apply hand cream to your hands and coat oil around your cuticle and you are all set to grab on to him forever!

PS. the cuticle oil can make your nails look more radiant as well!

4. Don’t forget your beauty emergency kit!

Credits: Flickr

Trust us when we say this will be a lifesaver.

Some things you may want to consider in your beauty emergency kit may include: lip gloss, lip balm, packs of tissue, makeup remover wipes, plenty of bobby pins, double sided tape, safety pins, scissors, razor, hair spray, makeup brushes, hand cream, hair brush, rubber bands, sewing kit and anything else you think you may need!

“Be prepared for what can go wrong so it doesn’t ruin your day!” says Sylvia from Act Point Salon.

5. Don’t cry off all your beautiful makeup!

Credits: Flickr

Tears will happen, so it’s important to weep correctly! Other than using waterproof mascara, Hazel from 99 Percent Hair Studio shared that you can try to press the tissues in the tear duct and let the tears run into the tissue. This prevents the tears from running down and ruining your beautiful makeup!

If you’ve been through it all, we would be grateful if you could share some of the tips that have helped you get through the day below!

So you’ve got a calendar full of weddings ahead of you and you’re about to embark on the season of nuptials. Apart from fretting over how much to pack into that angbao, you also want to make sure you look your best without outshining the bride.

Just like you don’t want to wear the same dress to every wedding, it’s fun to switch up your hair too!

We speak to the hair experts as they offer hair inspiration FOR EVERY HAIR LENGTH so you don’t have to show up with a French twist again. 

Long Hair

1. Waterfall Braids

Want to look like a fairytale princess on the D-day of your bestie? Simply wear a wonderful waterfall braid! You can also create subtle waves all through the length of your mane for a more attractive appearance.

Waterfall Braids from the Cottage by Devonshire

Waterfall Braid by COVO Hair Salon

For a twist to the usual waterfall braid, consider a Ribbon-style Braid!

Hairstyle by Clover Hair Boutique

2. Rosy Braided Updo

This romantic undo is simple, original, and perfect for dancing the night (or day) away. Two side braids meet a larger one in the back and are twisted up into a rosy bun for a summery go-to look.

Hairstyles by CLEO Hair & Make

When braids are combined with curls, the result is a lot of texture and fullness! Flowers incorporated into the design give a romantic flair that is just perfect for the occasion.

Motemaki Styling by Branche Japanese Hair Salon

3. Half Up, Half Down

A simple half up half down hairstyle can complement your designer bridesmaid outfit the best.

Add a twist to the style by making it a double-braided affair. Also, create large thick curls at the ends of your layered hair and you’re ready to go with a beautiful long hairstyle.

We think this style is suitable for bridesmaids too!

Hairstyles by Act Point Salon

Hairstyles by Branche Japanese Hair Salon

4. Motemaki Hairstyling

Textured waves look awesome on long layered hair. Tease your crown a little, create pretty waves by taking locks in thin sections and let them embrace your back gracefully. If you need to create volume and waves for the all-important wedding, consider heading down to Branche Hair Salon and let the experts there (especially Kai!) do the job for you!

Motemaki Hairstyling by Branche Hair Salon

Medium-Length / Shoulder-Length Hair

1. Braided Ponytail

Who says that ponytails don’t go well with a glamorous bridal party look?

This low flowy pony is just perfect if you’re going for a graceful bridesmaid hairstyle. A little height at the crown, a neatly braided headband and wavy bangs glam up the look even more.

Hairstyles by CLEO Hair & Make

2. Bun Updos

When it comes to bridesmaids’ hairstyles, buns should never be overlooked.

Timeless and always in style, bun updos can be pretty damn convenient! Your hair will be out of your face all day, and you won’t have to deal with the annoying hair-stuck-in-lipgloss dilemma that you may otherwise have with big curls or a half-up hairdo. Your flyaways are going to be tucked into place all day, and everyone will be able to see your pretty and shining face!

Consider opting for a high topknot like this:

Topknot by Air Salon

Or a braided bun that may give you more of a mature look!

Braided Bun by Koinonia Hair Salon

You can always add a flower to a low bun and spice things up.  It’s completely up to you!

3. Loosely Tucked Chignon

This hairstyle is the right choice for sporting a casual yet feminine look, especially when you have lots of duties as a bridesmaid but still need to look striking.

Short Hair

1. Styling with Sidebraids

Who knew you could make a fancy updo like this out of a short bob? The asymmetrical side braids and gravity-defying styling make this hairstyle a head-turner.

2. Simply Blowdry and Go!

Here are more styles to consider for a look that screams CUTE:

Short Bob by CLEO Hair & Make

Ladies Cut by Ricky from Plan B Hair Salon

Haircut by Teru from Rubik Hair Salon

The last three months of the year (October – December) are always popular for weddings and events!

Besides styling your hair, you could also consider getting lash extensions to enhance your precious peepers (and make it worth your while the next 3 months!).

Want to see the difference before and after?

If you’re not sure which type of curl is best for you, leave it to the experts at KJStudio to give you their professional recommendation! They can customize and even mix and match curls to help you achieve your desired look, keeping in mind your existing lash condition.

Japanese salon Queen’s Market is a great choice too, especially if you’re on a budget!

So what do you usually do to get ready for your friend’s or relative’s wedding?

Comment below and let us know!

Salon Promotions for October 2015!

There isn’t any public holidays this October but soon, Singapore will get into the festive mood with the upcoming Wedding season, Diwali in November and the highlight: Christmas and New Year!

If you have several weddings to attend in the next few months, it may be worth checking out some of these deals to get yourself a new hair makeover, glamorous nail colour and a facial to keep your face well hydrated and radiant!

For ideas on what you can do, head over to our article on Essential Beauty Tips and Hairstyles for Brides and Wedding Guests here!

Facials

NUA Singapore @ Tanjong Pagar

10% off Facial Treatments and Hair Removal Treatments for First Time Customers

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about NUA Singapore @ Tanjong Pagar here!

First Timer Gua Sha Facial Promotion

85% off Gua Sha Therapy Facial, now at $18 (UP: 120) + Complimentary Aqua Eye Treatment worth $60

Perfect for those looking to reduce water retention in their face before an important event!

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover Gua Sha Therapy” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Geranium Skin Boutique @ Lavender here!

Eyelash Extensions

KJStudio Japanese Lash Extension Salon @ Keong Saik Rd

20% off Volume Lashes

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover Volume Lash Promotion” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about KJStudio Japanese Eyelash Salon and see actual customer photos here!

Queen’s Market @ Tanjong Pagar

50% off Eyelash Extension (100 eyelashes) for $50 (UP: $100)

The eyelash extensions here are made of premium mink lash. They are attached one by one to suit the customers’ eye shape via medical glue from Japan. It is suitable for all skin types and gives a natural look.

Nail Colour

Branche Nail Salon @ Capitol Piazza City Hall

20% off Ala Carte Nail Services

If you are looking for nail art of the highest quality and top-notch Japanese service from celebrity nail artist Safori at Singapore’s top nail salon, Branche is probably your best choice!

Terms and Conditions:

Queen’s Market @ Tanjong Pagar

53% off Gel Nails (One Colour / French / Gradation) for $40 (UP: $85)

Note that Gel nails are different from Gelish nails. Gentler on the nails and less damagin, soft gel nails is designed to last longer due to its flexibility. It also helps to keep the lustre and translucent finish for a longer time (3 to 5 weeks)

This service also INCLUDES hand care and soak off like a normal manicure so the price is definitely really worth it!

OR Top up $25 for more elaborate Nail Art.

50% off Gel Nail Art for $65 (UP: $130)

Hair Services

Branche Hair Salon @ Capitol Piazza City Hall

30% off ala carte hair services or 10% off hair package

Valid from now till 31 October 2015

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Branche Hair Salon @ Capitol Piazza and see actual customer photos here!

Art-Noise Japanese Hair Salon @ Holland Village

Art Noise First Anniversary Promotion

20% off Hair Services for ALL CUSTOMERS

Valid from  1 September 2015 to 30 September 2015.

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Art-Noise Japanese Hair Salon and see actual customer photos here!

Picasso Hair Studio @ Haji Lane

20% off Ala Carte Hair Services

Valid from  1 October 2015 to 31 October 2015.

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Picasso Hair Studio and see actual customer photos here!

Focus Hairdressing @ Somerset Cuppage

20% off All Hair Services if you go for hair services with a friend!

Valid from  1 October 2015 to 30 October 2015.

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover Bring Along A Friend” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Focus Hairdressing and see actual customer photos here!

Pro Trim Korean Salon @ Jurong East JEM

20% off MUCOTA Perm and Rebonding by Korean and Local Stylists

Valid from  1 October 2015 to 31 October 2015.

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Pro Trim @ Jurong East JEM and see actual customer photos here!

Chez Vous Hair Salon @ Takashimaya Ngee Ann City 

10% off Hair Services

Valid from now till 30 September 2015

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote Beauty Undercover to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Chez Vous Hair Salon  and see actual customer photos here!

Rubik Japanese Hair Salon @ Raffles Hotel

Weekday Promotion:

Haircut  + Shiseido Detox Treatment + CO2 Bubble Spa: 150 (Short), 180 (Medium and Long)

Terms and Conditions

Remember to quote “Beauty Undercover Weekday Promotion” to enjoy the promotion!

Read reviews about Rubik Hair Salon and see actual customer photos here!

That’s all we have for now! We will update here if we find out about more worthy promotions like the above!

Cutting away those long locks of yours can be quite terrifying. As the scissors goes snip, your heart beats a little faster and you wonder whether it’s too late to jump out of the chair and walk away.

Long hair has become somewhat of a safety blanket for most of us but that doesn’t mean a short haircut cannot offer you all that glitz and glamour that long hair can. In fact, short hair can offer you much more and once you have walked over to the other side, you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Here are 12 reasons to convince you that you should take the plunge and go short!

1. New look, new you

A new look signifies a brand new you. Whether you are about to embark on a new career path or just looking to ditch the old you behind, nothing says starting afresh like going from long to short.

Bob Haircut by Chez Vous Hair Salon

2. Beat the heat with a short crop

The sweltering heat in Singapore can get pretty crazy at times. Don’t you hate it when you spend hours styling your hair, only to step outside and battle the urge of having to tie it up because it’s just too darn hot? With a short haircut, you never have to bother tying up your hair and when the wind hits the back of your neck … oh what sweet bliss!

Short Bob Haircut by CLEO Hair & Make

3. Keep it short, keep it trendy

Pixies, bobs and lobs are all the rage right now that an increasing number of celebrities are keeping it short. Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence and Taylor Swift … the list goes on. You get it – if you are looking to stay on trend, chop those locks off!

Bob Haircut by Plan B Hair Salon

4. The wind is no longer a bane

It’s the absolute worst when the wind blows and your hair gets caught on your lipstick, especially when you have no one around to tell you all that hair dragging your lipstick across your face has resulted in you having lipstick marks all over. Not to mention you have been walking around looking like an absolute mess! But with short hair and the wind blowing, the only mess you will be looking like is a hot mess.

Bob Haircut by 99 Percent Hair Studio

5. Less hair, more sleep

Having short hair means shorter shower time, which essentially means an extra few minutes to sleep in.  You won’t have to get up early to spend additional time washing your hair, drying it and then styling it.

Layered Bob Cut by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon

6. Less hair, more money

Think about all that extra cash you will have left over from all those hair products you won’t have to buy. Maintaining short hair does still require those regular hair maintenance products but you won’t be using large quantities as you would with long hair.

Also, hair colours (and treatments!) can be cheaper as some hair salons charge by hair length!

Bob Haircut by Pro Trim Korean Salon

7. But seriously, less hair, less worries.

Buying hair products less frequently is not the only thing you will be saving on. Hair ties for some mysterious reason are always disappearing. Go short and you won’t be searching high and low for that missing hair tie.

Pixie Haircut by Kobayashi Hair Design

8. Less hair, lesser hair fall …

With long hair it sometimes seem your shower drain has more hair than on your head. While it’s normal for more hair to drop when it’s longer, with short hair, the clean up is less and you won’t be fretting over your hair fall.

Bob Haircut by AVENTA Hair Salon

9. No guts, no glory

It takes guts to go from long to short. A short haircut breathes confidence and there’s no denying others will look at you the same way. Imagine how many women will look at you and go “I wish I could pull that off.” After all, everyone loves a woman with confidence!

Layered Bob Haircut by The Cottage by Devonshire Selected Beauty Salons

 10. You won’t be eating your hair along with your meal

We have all been there, chowing down on our favourite food and what else do we take a bite of? Our hair! Yes, long hair can get in the way of many things and while having long hair is lovely and desirable, you sure don’t love it as much to be consuming it.

Of course, it also helps that your hair doesn’t become baby fodder either!

Bob Haircut by COVO Japanese Hair Salon

11. It doesn’t get in the way of passion

Long hair not only gets in the way of food but can get in the way of sexy times too. Now, there’s an interesting reason for you to consider! Seriously, short hair doesn’t have to be associated with tomboys and so on. A stylish bob can be just as sexy!

Pixie Haircut by Air Salon

12. Whip your hair back and forth no more

You know when you are working out in your beast mode and your hair tie starts slipping off, and eventually your hair begins to whip you … I’m sure you are familiar with this. Here’s the thing, ladies with short hair don’t have this problem! All they do is pin their hair back and they are ready to get their sweat on.

Pixie Haircut by Clover Hair Boutique

If you are still on the fence on whether you should cut your hair, just remember hair grows back!

Take the risk and go for a short haircut, it might be worth it!

For those already convinced, read our next article on Understanding Short Haircuts to choose the most suitable short haircut for yourself!

Leaving your hair in the hands of unqualified stylists or stylists that don’t fully understand the quality of your hair can often lead to disappointing results. Other than trying to hide bad hair or grow it out, you are left yearning for a quick solution to redeem your tresses to their former glory.

This is especially so for services that can be slightly more technically challenging like Volume Rebonding.

So how badly can Volume Rebonding… specifically C-Curve Rebonding go wrong?

Read on to find out how the C Curve went wrong for student Yeo and how Chez Vous managed to help revive her hair with their Expertligent Fix You Programme!

SOS Sent by Student Yeo to Chez Vous Hair Salon

Botched hair services can be very distressing, especially when you have high expectations for the hair service you went for. To help these distressed ladies repair and achieve their desired look, Chez Vous offers the the Expertligent Fix You Programme, a free initiative where highly experienced hair directors from Chez Vous Hair Salon would redress hair damage for selected customers who has had unsatisfactory treatments or cuts performed at other salons from Sundays to Thursdays (limited to only one selected customer a day).

Student Yeo was one such example. She went to a reputable salon in Singapore hoping to achieve the following result.

This was however the perm she got.

Photo taken on the same day of the perm done at the other salon.

Photo taken three weeks after the other salon mismanaged her hair.

As you can see, the C-curve rebonding was very badly done.

Although the specific salon admitted that they may have mismanaged her hair, they turned down Yeo’s request to fix it as she was unable to go back for a service recovery within 5 days after the botched job due to school examinations.

As a last resort, she emailed Chez Vous Hair Salon.

Email sent on 17 September 2015

Though the service is only extended to those who contact Chez Vous within one week after the service in question, Chez Vous Hair Salon made an exception for Yeo as she is a student with limited financial means and was unable to seek help from another salon.

What Went Wrong?

As this Expertligent Fix It case involves rebonding / perm, Chez Vous’s inhouse perm and rebonding expert Associate Salon Director Oscar was brought in to help Yeo achieve her desired look. Under guidance by a Korean director in his previous salon, Oscar has mastered Korean-inspired Volume rebonding techniques that look especially natural for Singapore hair.

When Yeo arrived at Chez Vous, the first thing Oscar did was to perform an in-depth consultation to understand what happened and what Yeo was looking for.

He also inspected Yeo’s hair to see what he can do to help her achieve her final look.

Based on the hair expectation,  he realized that there were three major problems with the hairstyle.

1. Incorrect Winding Technique and Placement of Curling Rods

One side of the curls were sculpted outwards while the other side of the curls were sculpted inwards. This is a very serious error as it signifies that the stylist had an incorrect winding technique. Placement of the curling rods was also incorrect

2. Slanted Haircut

The haircut was a little slanted and it did not complement the curls and texture created.

3. Unnatural Transit from Roots to Ends

The curls had been rolled up to the roots without partial straightening done at the middle portion to let the hair transit smoothly from roots to ends. Consequently, the final look turned out to be messy and unmanageable.

Reviving the Botched C Curls

Step 1: Oscar first recuts Yeo’s hair to snip off the damaged portion and ensures that the length is appropriate for the C-curls to fall nicely without being obstructed by the shoulders.

Step 2: Since Yeo’s hair was considerably weakened from the previous perm, Oscar had to add a lot more treatment chemicals to form a special customized amplified C-Curl Treatment Rebonding lotion to help retexturize Yeo’s hair without damaging it further.

Too much softening would result in severely damaged hair and too much treatment would render the perm useless. Hence, Oscar combined two unique formulas of re-texturizing crème that consisted of a balance of both softening power and protecting ability. The one with a stronger dose of softening agent is applied on healthy hair and the milder version is applied on sections that were already damaged.

Step 3: Oscar then manually curls the shorter hairs that cannot be permed using rods. This also helps guide the ends to curl inwards better, easing Yeo’s maintenance back home.

Step 4: Different sized rods are then precisely placed to fix various problematic sections. Two different machines are also used during the process to provide different heat temperatures to fix different sections of the hair, as certain sections require higher heat temperature to undo previous curls while other sections require lower heat temperature to prevent further damage.

Step 5: Lastly, a Chez Vous exclusive dose of moisturizing and strengthening mask cum neutralizer is used to recover the hair, reducing the damage caused to the hair due to double processing. The rollers also help to give the hair a slight lift at the roots and smooth out unnecessary frizz.

After more than four hours at the salon, the transformation is finally complete.

Are you ready?

Front & Back

Before & After: Photos are NOT digitally enhanced in anyway. Hair is gently dried using a hairdryer and is NOT styled using any styling products or tools. Before photo was taken and submitted by Yeo.

Instead of the hair that curled in all directions, the final result is a natural-looking concave bob that is sleek with a slight lift at the roots and the ends sculpted inwards to allow manageability. The middle portion of the hair was also smoothed out to ensure minimal frizz even when not styled.

This is what Yeo had to say:

“After receiving a bad perm from a previous salon, I was at my wit’s end. I tried going on Google for solutions and I was fortunate enough to stumble upon an article stating that Chez Vous has a Expertiligent Fix You programme. I emailed them enquiring whether it was possible for them to fix my badly permed hair and I received an email from them promptly saying that they would help to fix my hair. As the staffs were on their annual vacation, I had to wait for two weeks until I was able to schedule an appointment with them, but it was worth the wait!

When I arrived at the salon for my appointment, the staff who served me was very attentive, she offered me a glass of water. My hairstylist, Oscar, was able to identify what was wrong with my hair and did the necessary hair services to make my hair look prettier. The end result was what I wanted and I was really elated that they had managed to transform my hair into a gorgeous style that is easy to manage at the same time.

I would recommend going to Chez Vous if you ever need help with your hair! I would like to thank all the staff who worked on my hair and for giving my hair a new lease of life.”

Tips for C-Curl Rebonding

For those intending to do C-curl Rebonding, Associate Salon Director Oscar has a few tips to share to make sure that YOU get the C Curve Rebonding result that you are looking for.

1. Go to an hairstylist who is highly experienced in C Curl Rebonding

An experienced and reliable stylist will know if your hair texture will suit a C Curl rebonding. If your hair is already layered excessively, C Curl Rebonding would require a lot of maintenance and blowdrying to ensure that the curl faces inwards. He will also create the necessary layers to ensure that the C Curl holds.

2. Not everyone’s hair is suited for a C Curl Rebonding

Depending on your hair elasticity and health, there is a limit on how curved-in the C Curls can be. The best looking C Curls tend to be on healthy and chemically unprocessed hair (e.g. non keratin treated, pre-lightened, permed or rebonded hair).

Shoulder length hair may also have a little bit more trouble with C Curl Rebonding as the shoulder may cause the curl to curve in the opposite direction.

3. C Curl Rebonding STILL requires maintenance

It may have less maintenance than most but C Curl Rebonding still requires maintenance. After having a C-curl perm or rebonding done, one will still need to use a round brush to sculpt the curls inward during daily styling with a hair dryer to better enhance its shape. This also helps to guide the curls and ensure that they curl inwards as opposed to outwards.

We would also recommend protecting your hair ends with moisture rich and protein rich moisturizer to maintain the curls for a longer period of time.

Thank you Chez Vous Hair Salon, Oscar and Yeo for sharing this experience with us!

Many salons may be offering C Curl Rebonding but not all will turn out the same as what you are envisioning.

If you like what Oscar did for Yeo, check out more of his works here!

For those who have just had a negative experience at another salon do check out Chez Vous’ Expertligent Programme here!

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Short hair is all the rage these days with Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Anne Hathaway and even in Asia, Rainie Yang, Jeon Ji Hyun and IU sporting a cool and fashionable short crop!

With so MANY reasons why you should consider chopping off your locks, it is no wonder why short hair is becoming more and more popular these days.

Cutting your hair short does however require you to take a big risk as a bad haircut can ruin your overall look… for months!

To help you get that perfect short haircut for the new year, we have consulted haircut specialist Izumi, Chez Vous Hair Salon as well as several other haircut experts to give you the lowdown on what you HAVE TO KNOW about short haircuts!

Other than using pictures, it can be hard to communicate with your stylist if you don’t really understand what goes on in a haircut. Therefore, our first section here tries to decipher what goes on in the mind of a stylist when he/she designs a haircut for you, specifically a short one.

What characterises a Short Haircut?

According to Izumi, a haircut, especially a short one, is largely characterized by a the following five factors.

1) Bangs or no Bangs

This can often be a question of customer preference. Some customers do not like having fringes tickling their eyes so no bangs for them!

No Bangs Bob by Plan B by Vast Hair

For others open to having bangs, the stylist will have to decide which type of bangs best suit them: Straight / Sidebangs / Double bangs?

From Left: Straight Bangs by AVENTA Japanese Hair Salon vs Side Bangs by 99 Percent Hair Studio vs Double Bangs by Izumi Hair Salon

If you are wondering which type of bangs is more suitable for you, look out for our next article on What Bangs Best Suits Your Face Shape!

2) Overall length of hair

Just to give you an idea of the lengths to think about: there’s Pixie Short, Bob Haircut and Mid Length Bob!

From Left: Pixie Haircut by Pro Trim Korean Salon vs Short bob by CLEO Hair & Make vs Mid length Bob by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon

The length of hair is largely dependent on what you are comfortable with.

There are some factors that you may however want to think about.

Do you have…

Thinning Hair?

If so, keep your hair short and above the collarbone! Shorter hair exerts less pressure on the scalp, minimizing hair loss!

Short Haircut by Pro Trim Korean Salon

A Face that is slightly bigger than what you desire?

In that case, you may want your hair to end slightly after the chin to help you “hide” some of the flesh!

Mid Length Bob by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon

With a mid-length bob, your face will look even thinner than if your hair is over your shoulder!

Long Face?

According to UK celebrity stylist John Frieda, place a pencil under your chin horizontally and hold a ruler under your ear, vertically.

If the intersection of the two measures less than 2.25 inches, your face is made for short haircuts like Pixie and Short bob.

If the distance from the bottom of your ear to your chin is more than 2.25 inches, you’re best suited to a longer style.

Credits: John Frieda

Straight Hair?

A pixie haircut goes best with hair that is slightly curled.

If you have excessively straight hair, you will have to spend more time styling your pixie haircut to make it look good!

Pixie Haircut by Clover Hair Boutique

Nice Head Shape?

Short Bob Cut by CLEO Hair & Make

By taking away all the extra hair, a pixie haircut highlights all your facial features – both good and bad.

Other than face shape, head shape is one of them.

An oval head shape with higher forehead tends to look very good with a pixie haircut. Having worked many years in the US, Izumi observed that many Caucasian ladies have oval head shapes that make them very suitable for pixie haircuts!

Asian heads, unfortunately, tend to have shorter foreheads and sometimes, not-so-attractive skull / head shapes. A very skillful haircut specialist is therefore required if you want a pixie haircut as she will know exactly how to cut the hair to hide the weaknesses and bring out your strengths!

3) Angle of Bob Haircut

Depending on where the stylist believes the bulk of the hair volume should be, the haircut can be angled upwards, downwards or straight to achieve a different look.

1. A-Line Downward-Angled Bob

A-line Bob Haircut by Jimmy from Kenaris Hair Salon

A classic A-line bob is a bob cut where the hair is shorter at the back and angles to a longer front. There are usually no layers in the back and frame the face in the front and concave just under the chin.

This is considered a “Golden Hairstyle” as it can fit many different types of hair textures, whether you have straight or wavy hair!

2. Classic Straight Bob

Straight Bob by Chez Vous Hair Salon

A typical normal bob with the same length all around the whole head and it frame the face just under the chin. The edges are usually “softened” to create a soft finish and eliminate the “hard lines”. There are usually minimal layers in the hair. One can opt to do a C-curl rebonding to better achieve the “hallyu-like” shape that many Korean celebrities are sporting now; or perm it to give it more texture.

3. Upward Angled Bob Cut

Upward Angled Bob Cut by Rubik Hair Salon

Previously a popular cut especially in Japan, the upward angled bob cut has the bulk of the hair volume at the base, ending with a shorter haircut near the chins. The angle of the hair is therefore upwards!

Izumi shares that this type of hairstyle tend to help a lady look more feminine and is perfect for those with sharp angular faces and big shoulders; the upward angled hair will help soften the face and take the attention away from chubby arms!

4) Blunt vs Layered Cut

Layered Haircut by Kobayashi Hair Design vs Blunt Cut by CLEO Hair & Make

Whether your hair is more suitable for layered or straight cut may depend on your hair texture.

Layering helps to reduce hair thickness, which is great for those with coarse hair and significant hair volume. Layering tends not to be recommended for those with thinner hair as it may make your hair look EVEN thinner.

On the other hand, a blunt cut can possibly help your hair look thicker and best of all, requires less styling and maintenance than a layered cut, which goes off-shape more easily than a blunt cut.

5) Asymmetric Bob Haircuts

Asymmetric Bob by Chez Vous Hair Salon

Popularized by Amber Guo in the movie Tiny Times 4 (小时代4), an asymmetric bob is one where one side of the bob is longer than the other.

This is a versatile haircut as a good stylist can customize the hairstyle by altering the length and angle to suit all face shapes.

Under the hands of a skillful stylist, the asymmetric shape and steep angle at the sides can help to “sharpen” the face and make it look smaller!

Final Thoughts

Understanding what goes into a short haircut can help you articulate your requirements and make it easier to get the haircut you desire.

However, whether the haircut looks good or not still depends on how skillful and consultative your hairstylist is. You may get some general ideas from what we write above but experience, skill and consultation will help a good stylist give you the hairstyle that best suits your hair texture, face shape, head shape and even your objectives (ie. to look more mature / younger at work, more masculine / feminine) to ensure that the final hairstyle is something you are completely satisfied with.

For someone going for a short haircut for the first time, we would therefore recommend that you invest a little and look for a reputable haircut specialist such as Izumi from Izumi Hair Salon, Hensley from Chez Vous Hair Salon and Obara from The Cottage to know exactly what type of hairstyle best fits you!

Do bring along 3 pictures you are fond of so that the hairstylist you have in mind can better recreate the hairstyle you are looking for.

If you need help, we have compiled a list of haircut styles that combines various aspects of the above 5 factors here!

Images of bruises and scrapes immediately come to mind when Gua Sha is mentioned.

The term sounds scary because it’s commonly associated with the traditional Chinese medical treatment where the skin is scraped to produce light bruising.

So what is it exactly? Gua Sha is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that uses special instruments (such as Buffalo horn) to stroke a lubricated area of the body surface. This increases blood circulation which is said to help improve overall health by releasing toxins from the body and stimulate blood flow and healing.

Facial therapists have since adapted this technique to create Gua Sha facials that seem to be effective in reducing water retention, ironing out fine lines and uplifting sagging skin for a more toned face.

Do these claims actually hold up? We sent Agent J to try out the Face Toning TM (which includes a Guasha Facial component) at Geranium Skin Boutique to find out for ourselves!

October 2015

Hi, I’m Agent J.

I’ve never been particularly interested in going for facials. Facial care is important and I make sure that I cleanse my face properly with the usual steps: Cleansing, Exfoliating and Moisturizing. My facial condition seemed fine, apart from a few bumps and lumps near my chin and nose area.

I considered going for a facial to help with my concerns but the horror stories shared by friends about hardselling techniques and unqualified salon therapists kept me away.

After seeing Beauty Undercover’s latest article on Best Facial Salons in Singapore which lists facial salons that do not hardsell and are known to be professional and effective, my curiosity for facials was renewed. I asked Agent G for a recommendation and she invited me to try out Geranium Skin Boutique at Lavender!

It was my very first facial experience so I was still a little doubtful. They did not have many reviews on their salon, though the therapists looked experienced and professional.

I was also intrigued by their Guasha Facial. Could  it help reduce my water retention?

With these thoughts in mind, I made the appointment with Geranium.

The Consultation

Geranium Skin Boutique is located very close to Lavender MRT. Just walk across the street and you’ll be able to spot the salon.

They’re opening a hair salon within so you may see some customers getting their hair done soon!

The facial rooms are hidden in a private area within the salon.

I was escorted to a room where I was asked to fill in a comprehensive consultation form which asks questions such as:

• What is my facial routine?
• Do I have any preexisting skin conditions?
• What are my concerns?

After completion, my therapist, Angela, examined my responses and shared more information about my facial routine.

She then proceeded to recommend and explain the facial she intended to do for me: Face Toning TM.

Angela has more than 20 years of experience performing facials for her customers and she shared that Face Toning TM is one of the services she loves to do best. Customers can see an immediate improvement in their facial condition after the facial and this gives her immense satisfaction.

She mentioned that the Face Toning TM at Geranium uses a Buffalo horn to massage the face in such a way that toxins and water can be drained off for a more toned and tight facial.

As my face was looking a little puffy after insufficient sleep that day, I was looking forward to see what the Face Toning TM could do!

The Facial Begins!

There are about 3-4 rooms within the small intimate salon and I chose to go to Room 1!

They provided a cute little gown to change into.

Before beginning the facial, Angela took the effort to make sure that I was all comfortable and that the temperature was alright for me. She also gently folded the towels over my head so that my hair stayed out of the way during the facial.

Instead of going straight into the facial (cleansing), I was surprised that Angela took the time to give me a calming facial massage. This massage is prepared with a mix of essential oils to prepare my skin and me for the facial. As I mentioned previously that I had eczema, Angela prepared only lavender oils to help soothe my skin.

I really enjoyed the facial massage, which started the facial on a really nice note.

I checked with Angela and she mentioned that this facial massage is not just done for me. It’s a standard process in all their facials!

Next, the all-important step of cleansing.

Angela didn’t just apply cleanser to my face, she also cleansed my neck and shoulders!

I don’t know about you, but I never knew it was important to apply cleanser not just on the face but also on the neck.

Another step to add to my cleansing routine!

Soon, the cleansing was complete.

Using her gentle hands, Angela removed the cleanser and dirt.

I was expecting her to go straight into the scary extraction but Angela gave a really nice shoulder massage instead!

Yet another pampering massage I enjoyed!

After the massage, Angela performed microdermabrasion on both my face and neck to remove dead surface cells and renew the skin.

Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical, non-invasive procedure that uses a spray of microcrystals to remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells and encourage the production of a new underlying layer of skin cells. It is a gentle process that is suitable even for sensitive skin.

Angela was so thorough that she did microdermabrasion on my neck as well! She shared that many ladies tend to neglect skin care for the neck so the neck tends to show more signs of ageing than the face. Geranium emphasises care for both the face and neck to minimise signs of ageing.

Before moving on to extraction, Angela made sure to clean my face.

I also noticed that she sanitised her hands and equipment each time before touching my skin!

Thumbs up for the great hygiene levels!

Next: Extraction.

I’ve heard so many horror stories regarding the extraction process. Friends have shared that they would arrange to have a facial done near home so they could rush home (and stay home) after because of the red and irritated skin they’d have after a facial. Those stories were scary enough for me to stay away from extractions, so I was a little apprehensive at first about getting this done in the salon.

While it really does depend on your skin condition, Angela assured me that customers who get their extractions done at Geranium leave happy without red bumps all over their faces because they take the extra effort to apply a cold compress after, an in-house blend of essential oils that calm and promote skin healing after extraction.

I’d soon find out for myself!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the extraction process wasn’t too painful, probably similar to the plucking of eyebrows or body hair.

So what did the extraction actually do?

It removed the oil seeds, whiteheads and dirt from my 28 years of non-extractions!

It may look a little disgusting but here you go!

Angela shared that most of my face was thankfully very clear.

Only the chin area was a little more bumpy so she reminded me to take better care of that area during my usual home care routine.

She applied a relaxing cold compress after to soothe the irritated skin. This cold compress contains another in-house blend of essential oils to calm and promote skin healing after extraction.

I took a quick peek in the mirror and was happy to find that my skin really wasn’t red or irritated after!

My chin area also felt a lot smoother than before!

Then a quick facial massage with a blend of essential oils to prepare the skin for the next step.

Gua Sha!

Gua Sha may sound scary but Angela clarified that the Gua Sha technique used in their facials isn’t the same as the typical Gua Sha technique for the body.

The buffalo horn is used to stroke near the cheekbone area in one direction from chin to ear.

The toxins are then “flushed out” through the lymphatic system with the stroking motion from the side of the face to the ear area.

Overall, the Gua Sha procedure turned out to be very relaxing (close to a facial massage) and nothing like the one we usually see in pictures.

To help me see a difference, Angela performed Gua Sha on the right side of my face first before moving on to the left.

Left picture: Before, Right picture: After.

It is hard to see from the pictures but you can probably see that my face was more bloated on the left.

In person, I could also see that my cheekbones were a little more defined on one side.

Next: Ultrasound + Hydrating Serum.

Almost nearing the end of my facial, and a lovely hydrating serum is applied to my very stimulated skin.

A gentle ultrasound is then used to help the skin absorb the serum better.

The last step for my facial: Mask!

I love masks, their cooling sensation when on the face and the refreshed feel after.

Other than hydrating my face, this mask helped to further calm down the skin to prevent any redness from the above facial procedures.

The mask is actually created with a special blend of vegetables with extra vitamins for the face!

I love it that Geranium was really generous with the amount of mask applied; the layer was thick and covered my face and my neck very well.

I’ve been told that most places simply leave you in the room with the mask and come back in 20 minutes to end the facial.

That certainly wasn’t the case with Angela.

She gave me a very relaxing shoulder and scalp massage while waiting for the mask to set. Now that’s what I call value-for-money!

20 minutes later, the mask set and peeled off nicely, leaving my face feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Angela also used a hot towel for my face and shoulder, to remove excess oil before I left the salon. Again, love the attention to detail!

Before and After

Left: Before, Right: After.

Me, all refreshed after the facial (not just the face, but also the shoulder and neck thanks to Angela’s wonderful massage!).

Did you also notice that my cheekbones were more defined after the procedure?

Bloated-ness all gone, and pores feeling much cleaner after the very detailed procedure! Best of all, no redness and downtime!

Conclusion

Overall, I had a great time at Geranium Skin Boutique.

I was not too sure what to expect from the Face Toning TM but am happy to report a visible difference in water retention immediately after the procedure! It would probably work even better for those with wrinkles and slightly sagging skin.

Beyond the Gua Sha section of the Face Toning TM, I felt that the facial was very comprehensive in dealing with my other skin concerns: whiteheads, blackheads and bumpy chin area. My face felt thoroughly cleansed after the gentle extraction and microdermabrasion and was pleasantly hydrated with the serum and mask.

The thing that possibly stood out most for me was the wonderful massages that Angela gave. Beyond the effectiveness of the procedures, I felt really pampered with the massages and essential oils after every step.

This was overall a great first experience and I would readily recommend friends and readers to try out a facial at Geranium if you’re looking for an effective facial with something more!

It’s your child’s big day!

While the focus may be on the bride and groom, this is also the day for you to bask in the glory of the most important day of your child’s life!

To get you set for the big day, we’ve prepared 10 beauty tips to get you looking amazing!

1. Decide on your Attire

Whether you’re the mother of the bride or the groom, there are some easy rules of thumb to use when choosing your mother of the bride dress.  First, follow the formality and style of the wedding — if it’s going to be a casual beach affair, you’re going to have to nix that black velvet gown, even if it does look great on you. Second, if you’re not sure, ask! Both the mother-of-the-bride and the mother-of-the-groom should get in touch with each other and the bride. The bride can help you by keeping you in the loop about her wedding gown, the wedding colors, and so on. And while you don’t need to match each other (or the bridesmaids), it’s usually a good idea for both the moms to have somewhat similar styles. The only major no-no? Skip the white (or any shade that’s even close)! That hue is for the bride only.

Before you decide on wedding day attire, run your outfit by the happy couple — especially the bride. There are online wedding forums out there full of brides wondering how to tell their mothers that they don’t actually want her wearing a white outfit to the wedding, or it could be that the couple are aiming for a particular dress code that you as star guests of the wedding should make sure to follow. Certain the suit you wore for your own wedding will be fine to wear? Still check in first. Fathers, feel free to ask if you should feel free to wear a tie in a particular color — it’s a good question for opening up if the couple want the fathers in coordinating ties, buttonholes or whole outfits, or have more casual plans and don’t want you in suit and tie at all.

Seen on Pinterest

2. Get a Trim and Colour Touch-Up a week before the wedding!

You don’t want those streaks of white hair to ruin your overall look, so remember to touch up your hair roots about a week before your daughter’s wedding! Consider going for more adventurous hair colours rather than your usual choices, just make sure it complements your outfit for the wedding and run it past the bride beforehand as well

Hair Colour at Vast Hair Salon @ Ang Mo Kio

3. Get your own hair and makeup team!

Seen on Pinterest

It’s best not count on your daughter’s hair and makeup experts to give you a hand on the wedding day. They will probably be too busy with the bride’s hair and makeup that they won’t have time for you. Therefore, it might be better to look for your own hairstylist and makeup artist before the wedding.

If you have the budget to spare, go for a trial makeup before the wedding!

4. Get Eyelash Extensions

5. Schedule a Face Toning Facial

Guasha Facial by Geranium Skin Boutique

For those who need extra help to minimize wrinkles and give your face an extra lift, we would highly recommend the award-winning Face Toning TM by Geranium Skin Boutique!

Agent J just went for it and the results were immediately visible!

Read about her experience here!

According to founder Grace, it is best to spend just an hour for the Guasha Facial the day before or 2 days before the wedding for the effect to be sustained for the wedding itself!

Best of all, it is only $18 for their trial Guasha Facial those trying it out for the first time with ZERO hardselling… so why not?

For those looking for a Japanese touch, the ION Remedy Facial by Queen’s Market also helps to achieve a facial slimming effect via lymphatic massage and an ION cream pack that balances out negative ions!

It is apparently most effective for reduction of wrinkles and facial skin sagging!

If you are just looking for a lymphatic facial massage, it is also very affordable at $44 for a first trial.

6. Focus on your feet

Seen on Pinterest

What mother of the bride gown is complete without a fabulous pair of shoes? We can’t overemphasize the importance of comfort when you’ll be on your feet all day and all night. However, comfy can be stylish.

Choose a shoe that inspires you, that you feel stylish in, and that feels good on your feet. Heels are always preferable to flats for style and sophistication, and avoid heavy clunky shoes no matter how “in” they are. A safe bet is always a neutral shoe or a metallic. Stay away from white or black as they look too heavy. The one exception to that rule is wearing black shoes with a black dress.

7. Schedule a Manicure/Pedicure

Paragel Nails with Coco Chanel Flowers by Branche Nail Salon

Your hands will be in more photos than you think! Hence, visit your favourite nail salon a few days before the wedding.

Though it’s best to squeeze your manicure appointment a few days before the wedding, with Paragel nails, you can get your manicure a week in advance! Its long-lasting durability will ensure you don’t have to worry about chipped nails even as go about the manual tasks as mother of the bride.

Don’t forget to schedule a pedicure session as well, especially if you will be wearing open-toe shoes for the wedding!

A mani and pedi session is the perfect pampering and bonding session for you and your daughter just before the wedding. Hence, go ahead and schedule both a manicure and pedicure session! We recommend the pampering given by Safori at Branche.

8. Spritz with restraint

Credits: Flickr

While your favourite scent might tempt you to spritz away, remember to spritz with restraint. You don’t want the smell to be overpowering but rather light and fresh. Spritz behind your ears and knees, inside your elbow and in places you feel might be necessary.

9. Find a Signature piece of Jewelry

Credits: Flickr

A great way to put your own personal stamp on your mother of the bride gown is to add a little glamour with jewelry.

If you have a favorite piece, or an antique with some family heritage, make that a focal point of your outfit.

Remember, wear only ONE central piece!

Don’t layer on the accessories and detract from your dress, and natural beauty!

10. Get Plenty of Rest

Credits: Flickr

The big day is going to last from morning to night and you need to be ready for all the action. Getting your required sleep (for me that is at least 7.5 hours) will let you awake refreshed and ready to give it your all. Grabbing that required shut out will also help prevent puffy or bloodshot eyes and will prevent dark circles under the eyes, too. Your bride and groom will appreciate you being sharp and well rested if you need to step up and take care of the emergencies that are sure to arise on the big day.

It’s a special day for you as well as your daughter embarks on a new journey in life.

Keep these hair and beauty tips in mind and you will be looking as glamorous as ever as the mother of the bride!

Bob Haircut by CLEO Hair & Make

Short Haircuts are definitely IN this year.

If you’ve already read our previous article on how to decide which haircut is best for you, read on to see how salons have combined the 5 different components of a haircut  to help ladies achieve their ideal trendy short cuts in Singapore!

1. Classic Pixie with Bangs

Pixie Haircut by Air Salon @ The Cathay

There are many reasons to love a short pixie cut, as we’ve explicated here. It is easy to style, incredibly low fuss and even on your bad hair days, your pixie cut will leave you looking more chic than a tired ponytail will ever do.  Always on trend, this is the cut that celebrities such as Emma Watson and Jennifer Lawrence couldn’t resist getting!

It after all tends to accentuate the cheekbones and bring out the oh-so-gorgeous eyes… so if these are your biggest assets, don’t be shy to bring them out with a pixie!

Pixie Haircut by AVENTA Hair Salon

Depending on your stylist and your hair texture, the pixie cut can be made more wispy and romantic like the picture above or more edgy and assertive like the one below for a different feel!

Pixie Haircut by Clover Hair Boutique

Consider This

• Pixie cuts are NOT an easy wash-and-wear hairstyle (contrary to popular belief). Those who get pixie cuts for the first time may be shocked to find cowlicks (for straight hair) or excessively “pong” hair for those whose natural hair is curly. Therefore, you will HAVE to take at least 5-10 minutes every morning to style your hair and make it look good! If you have straight hair, you may need to use some styling products to increase your hair volume. If you have curly hair, you may need to use some anti-frizz products to prevent your hair from getting too pong! As a general rule, those with slightly wavy hair will find that pixie cuts suit them best!
• It could get a little pricey to maintain this hairstyle as you may have to trim your hair every 2 months or so if you like it!
• It may take quite a while to grow back the hairstyle if you decide that you did not like your Pixie Cut! It is however an experience to go through the “in-between” styles  as you get to try out many different hairstyles you may never have tried before in your lifetime!

2. Side Swept Crop / Tapered Bob

Side Swept Crop by CLEO Hair & Make

The longer version of the Pixie Cut, the side swept crop / tapered bob tends to look more feminine than the Pixie due to fewer layers and longer hair length.

The long layers give a tapered look to the hairstyle, making it suitable for those who have unnecessarily thick hair and making it cooler for us ladies under the hot and humid Singapore sun!

For those looking to grow out their Pixie, this is a great in-between hairstyle that you can request from your skillful stylist!

Short Layered Bob by The Cottage by Devonshire Selected Hair Salon

Side Swept Crop without Bangs by Vast Hair Salon

You can tuck it behind your ear or choose to leave the sides of your hair out to outline your face and make it appear smaller!

Side Swept Crop by Kobayashi Hair Design

3. Short Asymmetrical Graduated Bob

Short Asymmetrical Graduated Bob by Chez Vous Hair Salon

Similar to a A-line bob when viewed from the front, the length of the hairs gradually increases towards the front from the back, making a sharp angle at the front.

From the back however, you would realize that this is a graduated bob as the hairs at the back are cut in very short layers.

This unique asymmetrical cut, designed by Hensley from Chez Vous Hair Salon, lengthens the wearer’s face and gives it an overall sleek and edgy look!

It may however not be suitable for everyone; ladies with curly hair may find that the layers may make the hair look more puffed up.

It is however perfect for ladies who love long bangs and straight hair!

On top of the “slimming” effect, the unique haircut exudes confidence and personality, making it a head-turner that still looks professional.

If the bangs is too long for you, you can opt for a shorter fringe like what 99 Percent Hair Studio did below!

Haircut and Colour by 99 Percent Hair Studio

The A line feature of this bob covers also helps achieve a slimming effect.

We also love how the addition of colour adds a twist to the overall hairstyle.

Graduated Bob by Jesly from Picasso Hair Studio

If you are looking for a more edgy graduated bob, the back of the head can be made shorter to emphasize the edges and bring out the trendiness in you!

4. Classic Straight Bob

Classic Bob Cut by Clover Hair Boutique

A typical normal bob with the same length all around the whole head, a classic bob frames the face just under the chin.

This haircut usually has minimal layers with the edges softened to create a soft finish and eliminate the hard lines.

Classic Bob Cut by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon

This haircut may not be the best cut for ladies with round faces as the rounded nature of this hairstyle may add to the chubbiness of the face.

It is however great for softening your overall look if you are hoping to get some of those edges off your face!

Classic Bob by Chez Vous Hair Salon

Pairing the classic bob with sideswept bangs, wispy bangs, parted bangs or even blunt bangs can further add to that feminine and girlish look!

Wavy Classic Bob by COVO Japanese Hair Salon

Best of all, it is suitable for different hair textures, whether you have straight or wavy hair!

A straight classic bob gives a younger, more barbie-doll look whereas a wavier classic bob tend to look more natural and voluminous.

Straight Bob by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon

If you prefer a more sculpted wave, a soft perm is always an option to help you achieve the waves you are looking for!

5. Mushroom Bob

An adorable short bob for women who likes to keep their tresses short, this hairstyle combines a mushroom cut with a classic bob!

Mushroom Bob by COVO Japanese Hair Salon

For this haircut, the hairs at the front are usually cut in blunt bangs with the hair flaring its widest near the cheekbones.

This is therefore not meant for all face types as the mushroom cut can make a round face appear rounder! On the other hand, those with a longer face shape may want to opt for the Mushroom cut to make their face appear softer and rounder.

Mushroom Bob Cut by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon

For those who suit the hairstyle, you’ll find that Mushroom Bob Cut is really easy to style and maintain!

Just roll in the tips of the hair and you’ll have a perfectly styled mushroom bob.

6. A Line Bob without Bangs

The term “A-line” generally refers to the perimeter of the haircut.

It means that the hair is shorter at the back and angles to a longer front. It usually frames the face in the front and concave just under the chin.

A Line Bob by Chez Vous Hair Salon

This is perfect for ladies with fine hair and low hair density as the lack of layers make the overall hairstyle look more voluminous.

The A-line bob also gives the hair a certain degree of “lift”, making it look fuller!

A Line Bob by Vast Hair Salon

The A Line Bobs can be sculpted to be at a very steep angle or a gentler A line angle depending on your stylist and your preferences.

A Line Bob by Plan B

We would not recommend ladies with very wavy and curly hair to go for the A-line bob as the waves may ruin the attractiveness of the cut: the precision.

You can however opt for treatment or soft rebonding to tame your tresses before going for the cut!

MUCOTA DYNA Treatment and A Line Cut by Kobayashi Hair Design

If your waves are manageable, an A-line cut can help bring out your natural hair texture without even needing a perm!

A-line Bob Haircut by Kenaris Hair Salon

That was exactly what Kenaris did for Agent GS!

After observing that her natural hair texture is a little wavy, Aris (Co-founder of Kenaris Salon) chose to give Agent GS a skillful A-line cut to bring out her natural hair texture rather than perm her hair; this way, Agent GS can attain her desired hairstyle without damaging her hair (or her wallet!). To better frame her face, Aris also gave Agent GS sideswept bangs!

Read more about Agent GS’ haircut experience here if you are interested!

7. Upward Angled Layered Cut

Upward Angled Layered Cut by Branche Hair Salon

A style seen more frequently for long haircuts than for short,  the upward angled layered cut is longer at the back and shorter at the front.

As the bulk of the hair volume will now be at the base of the haircut, it may cause the face to look a little more rounded than other hairstyles, making it suitable for ladies looking to soften their facial edges!

To prevent the layers from overthinning your hair, it would be best if your hair is thick in the first place!

8. Long Bob (Lob)

Lob by Chez Vous Hair Salon

Not ready to take the plunge? Take a leaf out of Taylor Swift’s stylebook and opt for a lob instead. Neither long nor short, with the lob haircut, you only need to muster an ounce of courage to snip off just a bit of your tresses.

The Lob is a longer version of a bob, usually shoulder length. The reason why many women love this hairstyle is because it is short enough to make a drastic change and long enough for them to tie up their hair whenever needed!

Asymmetrical Lob with Ladies’ Undercut by Chez Vous Hair Salon

If a classic lob is not daring enough for you, you can try the Asymmetrical Lob with Ladies’ Undercut designed by Oscar from Chez Vous. Instead of having the usual tough to manage side shave, the partial side bangs give Melanie the best of both worlds: a chic looking bob at work and a “punkish” undercut after work!

So, what do you say? Ready to join the pixie and bob clique?

Let us know in the comments below which is your favourite haircut for short hair!