MANILA, Philippines - Unlike most brides, Denise Aquino did not fuss over her hairstyle at her recent wedding. In fact, she was able to hold off any decision on her big day ’do until a few days before she got married.
The lady behind the hair extension boutique Tokyo Posh can afford to be adventurous, thanks to Tokyo Posh’s new bridal collection. Featuring five hair extension styles that capture the long, soft, wavy hair trend, Tokyo Posh promises every bride gorgeous options to give her wedding day hair a big, beautiful boost.
Appropriately, the extensions are named after icons of fashion. “Monique” (as in Lhuillier) is a versatile extension that creates a “bump” on the crown, projecting a fuller head of hair. “Elie” (for Saab) gives the bride long, cascading, vintage waves. “Olivia,” an effortless-looking pony with waves, comes from the look worn by model Olivia Palermo on her wedding day. A fancier version of the ponytail, “Carolina,” is named after designer Carolina Herrera. And “Tiffany” features locks of hair tied into a pretty ribbon, perfect for leading ladies and bridesmaids.
Recalling the days when brides-to-be kept their hair tied, while waiting for it to grow out of its awkward stage, or how they were forced to make do with whatever length their hair was in on their wedding day, Aquino says her bridal collection gives women the chance to choose from a range of dreamy hairstyles they never thought possible on themselves, “because majority of women think they have no other option but to grow their hair,” she says.
More than providing options, however, Tokyo Posh’s clip-on extensions are all about convenience. Designed by Aquino and made of synthetic hair-like fiber from Japan, a clip-on extension retains its pre-styled texture, color, and body, making blowdrys, curling irons, dyes, sprays, touch-ups, and other hair treatments things of the past. It’s practically maintenance-free: simply shampoo and condition the synthetic locks once a month. And because they’re just as easy to put on as they are to take off, anyone can use them. It’s also perfect for your wedding day because usually hair and makeup preparation start early in the morning, hours before everyone gets their first glimpse of you as a bride.
Ladies who want to keep their luscious locks long after they say their “I do’s” might want to consider another Tokyo Posh offering — semi-permanent extensions. Made with real hair, Hairtalk, a European brand of extensions (of which Tokyo Posh is the exclusive distributor) is taped onto a client’s own hair — consider it a less painful and taxing alternative to the weave. These extensions take about 45 minutes to attach and can stay on for three months tops. Once attached, they’re treated and behave like real hair: they can be styled, shampooed, colored, and even cut. Celebrities usually prefer this option, since they have regular stylists on their team.
When it comes to cost, Aquino prices clip-on synthetic hair extensions “like shoes,” she says. Rates range from P2,000 to almost P4,000. Semi-permanents are priced based on length: extensions measuring 12 to 14 inches fetch close to P20,000, longer locks cost up to 30k.
A Communication Technology Management graduate from Ateneo de Manila, Aquino discovered the beauty of hair extensions in Japan, where she also studied fashion — at the prestigious Bunka Fashion College, and as a scholar, no less. Marveling at the way Japanese women matched their hair with their clothes, Aquino decided to take the concept to the Philippines, giving birth to Tokyo Posh.