Expat Living Singapore – July 2019

134 JULY 2019

LOWLIGHTS

Natural

SALON SPOTLIGHT

Chez Vous

What I had: Cut, colour and nourishing treatment, four

hours, $380

My thoughts: A luminary of the Singapore hair scene, Chez

Vous has been cutting and colouring the city’s locks for over

two decades. Its formula for such long-term success is simple

• only hair directors are allowed. All stylists have at least 10
  years of experience, so you can feel confident that your hair is
  in good hands.
  I’m a natural dark blonde and was a total hair-colour virgin, but
  three children and the passing years have taken their toll and the
  grey could no longer be denied. I wanted an easy-to-maintain,
  natural look that wouldn’t require regular trips to the salon.
  Caucasian hair specialist Khim Toh suggested lowlights
  instead of highlights, so as to avoid really obvious regrowth.
  Taking a mix of blonde levels 7 and 8 as the base colour, she
  then wove in a full head of lowlights to add depth and touched
  up the roots to cover the grey. While it definitely brightened
  up my hair, there was a hint of copper in the blonde that just
  wasn’t me. A quick return trip a few days later neutralised the

colour with a darker shade and I left feeling good with not a

grey strand in sight.

Psst... If you need a retouch or your colour isn’t quite sitting

right, the salon holds a 10-day promise that lets you go back

in for a complimentary touch-up within 10 days.

• Aimee Fordos

Chez Vous

391 Orchard Road, #05-05

Ngee Ann City Podium

6732 9388 | chezvoushair.com

Before After

SALON SPOTLIGHT

Walking on Sunshine

What I had: Cinderella treatment, from $300, 150 minutes

My thoughts:Walking on Sunshine is unlike any other

Singapore hairsalon. The space is beautiful and wide open with

an abundance of natural light, ultra-high ceilings and tropical

greenery wherever you look. With its gorgeous vintage furniture

and an adjacent café, this place has an uber-cool vibe.

The Cinderella treatment is a smoothing treatment that uses

keratin and a proprietary blend of natural ingredients including

vitamins, collagen and other ingredients such as aloe vera and

even onions.

I have had several keratin treatments done over the years in

my perpetual battle against the frizziness of my thick blonde

mane. Some of these treatments have resulted in ultra-smooth

hair; others have little or no effect. This may be partly due to the

variable concentration of chemicals like formaldehyde, which

affects the extent of the straightening effect.

I wasn’t prepared to risk compromising the condition of my

coarse, bleached hair with a treatment that relies on chemical

straighteners. Catherine, the Korean director who looked after

me, assured me that this treatment was free of formaldehyde

and other chemical nasties, and that I could expect the results

to last for up to three months.

The process is very similar to other keratin-style treatments

I’ve tried over the years. First, the hair is washed and blow-dried.

Then the cream is applied in sections. The hair is blow-dried

again, and then flat-ironed before a final rinse and a blowout. I

FRIZZ

Fight

did feel some sensitivity in my eyes during the flat-ironing stage,

which gave off some fumes, and was told that it came from the

onions. Keeping my eyes closed helped to avoid the tears.

The immediate result is very rewarding: picture-perfect hair that’s

smooth and silky, without heaviness or any nasty smell. Even when

I got caught in a downpour later that afternoon, the dreaded frizz

did not return. I felt like a modern-day Cinderella having a ball!

• Karin Galley

Walking on Sunshine

#03-07 Orchard Central

181 Orchard Road

8877 8800 | walkingonsunshine.sg

Before After