Hair do's and don'ts from Alex Carbonell
Dear Rissa,
I need a makeover. I need a hairstyle that will be easy to do and would also be stylish. What hairstyle will be good for me? Can you suggest a good hairstylist?
Mara
Our hair is our crowning glory. The right haircut can make or break our look. And unlike makeup that can easily be washed off, it can take months to recover from a horrible haircut (and color!).
I had long, straight, paper-flat hair when I was in college. Although some girls would die for it, I was forever bored with it. For the longest time, I never dared to change my hairdo because I was scared of what a pair of scissors would do for me. I wasn’t ready to be adventurous, but a very talented yet humble man changed all that. I have gone from long to short, from one length to layered, and from china chop to side-swept bangs. For over half a decade, I have been going to Alex Carbonell.
Alex Carbonell has been in the beauty industry for 21 years now. He was schooled at Sebastian in Los Angeles for hair craftsmanship, Schwarzkopf Training Centers, Toni & Guy Academy, and Revlon for color competence and mastery. He was the training director for Bench Fix Salons for nine years as well, training hair technicians on the latest and the best methods, and everything there is to know about hair. Now, Alex serves as the company’s chief creative artistic director for the new Studio Fix Salon at the fourth floor of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center.
Every time I’m out, I can’t help but notice a woman’s haircut and color. If basketball is the equalizer for men when it comes to conversation topics, I must say it has to be hair for women. A woman’s eyes always light up when you ask about their hair — who cuts and colors it, and how they take care of it. And when I ask them who cuts their hair, the answer I always get is Alex Carbonell. Probably nine out of 10 women I chat with happily rave about Alex’s haircut. Some of them are models, showbiz hosts, magazine editors, stylists, full-time mothers, and women in the corporate world. Other women have even shared that despite being based abroad, they go home to Manila just to get their regular haircut from Alex!
The beauty pages of a magazine or a Hollywood actress’ latest ’do should never dictate the right hairstyle for you. Just because it looks good on others, it doesn’t mean it will also look good on you. There are other important factors to consider when choosing the right haircut or style. A good hairstylist will take into consideration the face shape, hair texture, and the lifestyle of the client. “In my personal experience, it’s best to know the features of the client, the things that must be considered before determining the cut, such as the texture (fine or thick) or the recession areas of the hair (or the cowlicks, etc.),” king of cut and color Alex Carbonell explains. “It is also important to be knowledgeable of the trends and modern techniques. Modern techniques affect modern shapes and trends. Another thing to know is the client’s lifestyle, which will make his/her cut her own individual look. Everything is about 
the passion for creativity. This allows me to do something that shall make any client very happy.”
I’ve always believed that our hair should be like a little black dress — it can be styled in an infinite number of ways. Especially in the modeling industry, I always need a versatile haircut that can easily be transformed from one look to another, and at the same time can give me a hairstyle that can punctuate my look. Despite my fine straight hair, Alex can effortlessly give soft layers without sacrificing body. Plus, his cut is so good that short hair is easy to manage even as it grows longer. When I was growing out my chin-length hair, it still looked effortlessly great even at that awkward in-between stage. In fact, there have been many times during a fashion show or photo shoot when the hairstylist would comment on how good my haircut is. “Ang ganda ng gupit mo. Sino gumawa?” I would be bowled over! Imagine, despite being negligent and not having gone for a trim with Alex during that growing-out stage, other hairstylists would still compliment his haircut? That’s how impressive Alex Carbonell’s haircut is.
And what makes a good haircut, according to Alex? “There are four important things for a good haircut. Firstly, pay attention to details which include precision, sectioning, the definite parameter, and the strokes and angles to give the best volume and texture, as well as the good posture of both client and stylist,” explains the expert. “Secondly, personalize your haircut or, if I may add, make sure that your haircut has been personalized and texturized by your stylist. It’s all about customized haircut. Thirdly, color completes all haircuts. The right color for your skin tone and the color that shall define and individualize the cut is very significant,” Carbonell adds. “And lastly, the finishing form that includes the pre-styling product, the styling product, and the finishing product. These four items have been my guiding principles and have helped me in giving the best haircuts for my very loyal clients.”
It’s no wonder that so many showbiz celebrities, fashionistas, and beauty icons trust Alex for their tresses. Among them are Bianca Gonzalez, Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Toni Gonzaga, Diether Ocampo, Dennis Trillo, Jolina Magdangal, Rainier Castillo, Pinky Amador, Chanda Romero, Lani Ablaza of Globe, and Kristine Lim of Suyen Fix Products.
His new home, Studio Fix Salon by Alex Carbonell, took nine years to develop. The salon is B-Cut’s newest baby, a fulfillment of a long-time vision of Bryan Lim, vice president for operations of the company. “It is every hairdresser’s dream to have a workplace, a studio where he can create something that will be treasured. To pass the knowledge to an elite team, the generation Fix, the dream team that is very unique, passionate, and daring!”
The design concept came from the very essence of what Studio Fix must be — with working stations that are clean to serve even the most meticulous client, with services performed only by the most professional and well-trained personnel.
“I am working side by side with the artists. This is where the difference lies,” Alex says. “I have been teaching all artists at Fix Salon, but I was dissatisfied with the experience. I wanted to see how my apprentices are working. I wanted to see a guarantee of the highest level of creativity and service. And now, after training them, I am working with them, so rest assured that all clients receive the utmost quality in hair.”
For a haircut you’ll be happiest with, I recommend you visit Studio Fix Salon by Alex Carbonell, located at the 4th floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City. Call (02)501-3062 and 501-3064. For more information, call Anne at 0927-576-7689.
Rissa
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Shoe Pretty For Your Little One
Dear Lucy,
I am the mother of a six-month-old little girl, my second daughter. As with my eldest, I am having so much fun dressing up my tiny one. Having a daughter is like having a live doll, I’m sure you know what I mean. I dress her up in the nicest dresses, but it frustrates me because she just hates wearing shoes. She just kicks it off and wiggles her little toes out of even the softest shoes. Socks are no problem for her though. Any tricks you know to make her love her shoes?
By the way, I love your new Birch Tree ad with your whole family. The line “It’s everybody’s milk” brings back happy childhood memories. I grew up with that milk.
P.S. Can you tell me where Kryolan is available? A friend of mine says it is already here!
Reema
I have just the thing for you! Please check out this wonderful thing called Funkyfeet -Not Quite Shoes, baby socks that look adorably like shoes. With these, you are assured that your baby is decked out in comfort and style. Think Mary Janes, ballet flats, and one with little bows. Really, really cute plus these are not just for girls, there are styles for boys, too (there is even one that looks like sneakers and another one that mimics little loafers!). you can order these online at Proudmamastore.multiply.com and it is only P500 for a box of five.
And yes, Kryolan is already available here. Address is Unit T03, 3/floor, Il Terrazo, 305 Tomas Morato Street, Quezon City with telephone number 332-4211 and cell phone number 0917-5350524.
Lucy
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No-Fuss Hair Removal
Dear Ms. Tingting,
I have a problem with facial hair growth and some unwanted hair in different areas of my body, but I get tired of waxing. There are times also that I get burned and irritated skin after 
waxing. I don’t like shaving because it causes itchiness when hair is growing back. What device can I buy to remove hair? Lucy
Before you go out and buy any device, here’s a piece of advice — first of all, find out its effectiveness. Visit fda.gov for information. Secondly, make sure the product has been safely tested.
I chanced upon this No! No! At-Home Hair Remover. This device works by using gentle pulses of heat to dissolve hair follicles. It claims to safely reduce hair growth by up to 65 percent if used two or three times a week. It is completely painless.
It is also simple to use. Just plug it in and run it along your skin wherever you want to remove hair. You can use it on stubbles or longer hair, but unlike shaving, results are not instantaneous, and it gives off an odor of burning hair.
This device is available at Sephora and priced at $250. You can check out the website for local distribution at our Manila department stores or derma clinics.
Tingting
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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com.
