Are you unhappy with your dull faded hair colour that makes you look tired and shabby all the time? Agent S got a pick-me-up at COVO Japanese Hair Salon that helped her tired hair regain its shine!
Check out her digital perm and Hoyu Hair colour below!
June 2015
I have always been envious of girls whose hands are so gifted in styling their own hair. I’ve read through fashion magazines, watched YouTube tutorials, followed stylists on Instagram and Facebook but I have never quite gotten the hang of styling!
How do you even use that steaming hot iron tong without burning your face? 
Visiting the salon can however be a very expensive experience. Therefore, I have been experimenting with DIY hair colour at home.
But then again, what you pay is what you get.
While DIY hair dye can be cheap and easy, the cheap chemical can be rather damaging as we, the non professionals, don’t know how to deal with those chemicals properly.
The colour also NEVER lasts.
No matter which colour base I choose (brown/red/ash green/mocha), my hair always ends up in a shabby yellowish tone like the photos above. I know my hair has turned yellowish for quite a while.
At first, I thought it was still okay.
But no, after seeing the photos, I know it was NOT OKAY.
So when Agent G from Beauty Undercover invited me down to Covo Hair Salon for a sponsored hair service, it was a god-send!
I was already searching for a place to get my hair done and Agent G’s message came just in time.
Located in the heart of Tanjong Pagar district, COVO Japanese Hair Salon is a true blue Japanese Salon run only by Japanese.
Like finally!
I visited Japan two years back and was amazed how everyone looked so good.
The Japanese is at the top of their game when it comes to dressing up and looking good.
Even the elderly looks like a fashionista! So I know I am put into good hands in COVO Hair Salon 
Upon reaching, I was served a cup of hot tea and titbits to keep my tummy happy.
There was also a covered box on the floor for me to keep my belongings.
So thoughtful of them!
After settling down, my stylist, Shinobu-san came out and greeted me
Shinobu san is a very experienced stylist who is really good with haircut and hair design, previously based in Hokkaido. She had her own salon previously but wanted to experience life outside of Japan… and thats why she’s here!
I told her my concerns about the yellowish dull hair and gave her the green light to do whatever she wanted with my hair. Hahaha. That was how much I trusted her!
After the consultation, she recommended a darker shade (reddish brown) to bring out a healthier glow. She would also cut away the very dead and very damaged ends and even suggested a digital perm to add waves to the normally boring straight hair. I was thrilled!
Cut + Digital Perm + Carbonated Spring + Dye
Shinobu-san was really meticulous and skillful. My parting was mostly in the middle and she recommended side parting to bring out another feminine side of me.
After trimming, she applied perming lotion onto the ends of my hair. We waited for about 10 mins before washing off.
And the perming begins!
I had permed my hair numerous times before. Therefore, I know what to expect from a perming session. Most of the time, I would anticipate with anxiety during the process.
Would the curls turn out too tiny like maggie mee? Would I look like an old aunty after perming? Because it actually did happened in the past before
In order to keep the curls longer, I had to to endure through having very hard curls for weeks because the curls would eventually “turn softer and natural like loose wave”. Sounds familiar? Hahahah. Been there, done that.
When the stylist wasn’t skillful enough, sometimes I ended up with “fish-hooks” ends, odd sharp bends at the end of my hair. *shakes head*
But Shinobu-san was so experienced that I didn’t get the fish-hooks! In fact, the ends weren’t damaged! Why?
Because she takes effort in combing through every section of my hair so thoroughly before rolling it up.
Sticks were inserted in between the rubberband and my hair to alleviate the pressure made by the rubberbands. This was to prevent ugly lines/dents caused by the rubberband during the perming.
TAADAA!
Nope, we are not done yet
Shinobu-san began applying her specially blended Hoyu Colours onto my hair, starting from the roots.
This reminded me of my experiences in other salons. Usually when you engage a Senior Stylist to do your hair, the senior stylist would only come in during the initial consultation and last part of cutting and styling. They go missing during the hair colour, washing and perming and leave you to the “technicians” to do the rest while they go around handling other patrons.. The technicians are usually the juniors or hired to wash your hair/ apply treatment. Therefore, you pay a high price to the Senior Stylist, but they don’t follow you all the way.
What comforted me the most was the Shinobu-san did everything herself! She was together with me on my perm journey all the time, right down to sending me out of the salon. Again, I know I was put into good hands.
Shinobu-san used carbonated spring water to wash off the chemical thoroughly. This is rather special as it helps to clear away dirt more effectively, thereby achieving a cleaner and healthier hair.
After washing away the hair dye, Shinobu-san applied lotion onto my hair to make it smoother and more manageable. She then began to blow dry my hair and trim my ends for the last time.
When I looked through the photos for the first time, I was really amazed. Under her magical hands, my hair was transformed so much!
From the almost dead “grass” to the healthy looking voluminous princessy looking hair… wow I feel so grateful to Shinobu!
I can’t resist adding a crown to my head. Hahhahaha
THE FINAL FORM
Recall that I looked like that!
And transformed to this!
Some points were I felt were great:
- The whole process of dyeing and perming took around 3 hours only
- Stylist stayed with me throughout the entire the process, handling the dyeing and washing process herself
- I could see a huge difference and instant confidence boost
- Curls were very soft and natural directly after perming, looked no where near an aunty. Haha
- Shinobu san really takes care of my hair. She uses chemicals only when necessary to avoid damaging my hair and thinks of ways to bring out the best of my natural hair texture and face shape! For that I’m grateful!
All said and done, the only thing that I wished could have been better was the price. Hahaha. If only it was slightly more pocket-friendly, I think I would visit every month. Hahaha
Although they charge higher than average, there are NO extra charges for long hair, which is fantastic for girls with long hair. And the prices quoted are already inclusive of GST. What’s more,
First-timers get 20% discount! Just quote Beauty Undercover!
Read here for more reviews on COVO Japanese Hair Salon!