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What if some of the best hair products in the world were applied to your hair by some of the most talented hairdressers in the
That kind of expert service is exactly what you’ll get at the Univers Phyto Salon on the fifth floor of Rustan’s Makati, run by creative director Jude Hipolito and partner Rose M. Velasco, who’s also the salon’s chief color specialist and technical director.
If you’ll remember, Hipolito and Velasco were also the creative forces behind Kaizen Salon in Boracay. Hipolito is a Vidal Sassoon graduate who gave up a promising career in
Jude has no problems with his haircuts growing out impeccably. He marvels at how local beauty schools promise to teach stylists how to operate a salon in less than a week — “how to cut, color and do makeup in three days!” — when at Vidal Sassoon he had to log in around 20,000 hours on cutting hair alone.
Better training is what we need, he feels, so he’s home to share his knowledge with the industry, as well as ply his expert fingers on the tresses of Univers Phyto’s clients.
I’ve tried many a Phyto product before and know how good it is at addressing different hair needs, from hair loss to lifeless locks, but the range is so vast I usually felt daunted at the prospect of picking one line and sticking to it.
At Univers Phyto, before they do anything they first analyze every client’s hair so they know which Phyto treatments to use. By just eyeballing my hair, Jude declared that I had colored it recently (I had), and the Hair Analyzer confirmed that my strands were indeed loaded with color. Color expert Rose also spotted dry spots due to product buildup.
Rose ultimately diagnosed my hair as dry, so they decided to use the Phytocitrus line, which not only nourishes hair weakened by coloring but also smoothes strands and provides UV protection.
After starting off with a relaxing shoulder massage, my therapist applied Phytopolleine oil with a dropper, which she then massaged into my scalp. Made for all hair types, Phytopolleine is a blend of botanical oils that stimulates the scalp.
Then came Huile D’Ales, an intensive treatment for dry hair with essential oils to protect, moisturize, soften and detangle. I knew the treatment was fresh and brand-new because it came in a glass vial with a pointed top that they snapped off in front of my eyes. They then poured the oil into an atomizer and sprayed it on my hair, twisting the oiled strands into braids. I was surprised to find that dreads are actually a flattering look on me. While the treatment sank in, they gave me a vigorous scalp massage and another back and shoulder rub.
Next, the oil was washed off with Phytocitrus Shampoo, which not only smells like a yummy creamsicle but also has grapefruit extract to seal in color, protect and give hair a radiant sheen.
Once I was back in my chair, they applied a Phytocitrus Masque, which was left on under a shower cap so its plant butters and grapefruit extract could work their magic. The citrus’s acidity restored the alkaline balance of my hair, while the butters smoothed the hair scales left open by hair dye. Open scales are what lead to dull hair and hair color that fades easily.
It was only after the mask was rinsed off that Jude cut my hair. I had had my hair cut by my regular stylist a couple of weeks prior, but he decided to add more layers to soften the look without sacrificing the length. A very meticulous cutter, Jude also has a charming chair-side manner that relaxed me as much as the generous massages they dole out at this salon.
After the cut, Jude rubbed a dot each of Phytodefrisant cream and Phyto 7 in between his palms and worked it into my hair before blow-drying. Both anti-frizz products, Phytodefrisant is a hair-relaxing balm, while Phyto 7 hydrates and adds shine to dry hair with seven special plant extracts. He then finger-styled the finished coif with smoothing serum Phytolisse for a soft, piecey effect. According to Jude, hairstyles look “less matronic” when they’re not lacquered like a helmet around your head.
I couldn’t believe how good my hair looked and felt. Regular blow-dries leave my hair shiny but parched and crunchy. My Phyto-treated hair was super-shiny, but each strand felt soft and silky, as if they had never been subjected to chemical abuse and as if I had been born with naturally glossy hair. Everywhere I went people also noticed and complimented my new ’do, saying it made me look years younger. Which leads me to conclude that Univers Phyto’s equation is a winning one: that the best French hair care in the hands of Pinoy talent equals a fabulous, anti-aging, instant (and instantly gratifying) transformation.
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Univers Phyto Salon has been open for six months but will officially launch tomorrow, May 24,
Phyto products are available at the salon and at Rustan’s Essenses Makati,
