Salon of the future is here

When it comes to hair, few people are willing to take chances. And with good reason. A bad haircut is cause for hari-kiri. Think of the worst haircut you ever had (in my case, bangs were the cause of my downfall in fourth grade) and try to remember how you looked in photos: that deer-in-headlights look after being caught unaware by someone’s flashing camera, the cowering pose at the corner of group pictures.

In my case, those photos don’t exist – mainly because in high school I was clever enough to burn them. All of them!

These days, I’m practically anal about my hair. I no longer venture into uncharted hair territory unless under the guidance of some supreme hair stylist. Until I met Jude Hipolito at a beauty conference in Shanghai, I didn’t know that hair could be cut a certain way so it could grow out beautifully. And until I met Rose Velasco, Jude’s partner and fab hair colorist, I had no idea hair could be colored three ways. My first dye job under her expert care included highlights and lowlights (placed strategically under the top layer of hair so it would grow out naturally, without those tacky roots) on a brown base.

Now the duo is headlining a new salon at Rustan’s Makati, dubbed Univers Phyto Salon by Kaizen, which features haircare products by Phyto and the magical touch of Jude and Rose.

Ahead Of The Game

Phyto, a top haircare line from France, founded by Patrick Ales in 1969, is now very popular in Europe, the United States and Asia. Each Phyto product is formulated with carefully selected plant extracts, which work in synergy to ensure maximum results and provide a precise response to the specific needs of each hair and scalp type.

Univers Phyto Salon by Kaizen is a concept salon showcasing the entire Phyto product line with Manila’s top hair design artists. Headed by master haircutter Jude Hipolito and master color specialist, Rose Velasco, this dynamic duo has earned an impeccable reputation in the fashion and beauty industry as top-caliber hairdressers. The salon offers a full array of professional services: haircut, hair color, hair treatments, hair retexturing (perm, relax and rebond), makeup, wedding packages, nail services and hair removal.

"Clients know they can depend on us for consistency," says Rose. "We’re extreme perfectionists in our work." With credentials that place the twosome as leaders in the industry, clients can expect only the best. Jude, who is licensed in California, is a graduate from the renowned Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, and has also taken masters classes at the institute. Both he and Rose regularly fly out to the US, Europe and Asia to attend hair events and seminars, keeping themselves constantly up to date in hair trends and styles. "We make sure we attend shows and seminars at least twice a year," adds Rose. "We learn what we can from other countries and find ways to adapt the new styles and techniques to the Filipino culture."

Breaking Ground

It is precisely this keen attention to hair that led Rustan’s, exclusive distributor of Phyto products, to forge a tie-up with Kaizen Salon. The venture is part of a new retail concept of Rustan’s– which involves setting up lifestyle and beauty shops like Clarins Institut, Dermalogica, Murad, Belo, Fully Booked and UCC Coffee in one space. "It took over two years to prepare, train and set up Univers Phyto Salon by Kaizen because we wanted to make sure we have the right team," Jude says. Phyto, known for its top-selling eco-friendly botanical beauty products offers the ultimate in haircare. "Bringing Phyto’s hair care products together with our knowledge in hair fashion just makes sense," Rose adds. "It’s a great fit between the two."

The stark, white interiors of the salon make for a clean, intimate space. Designed by interior designer Catherine Sipin, the minimalist space makes use of straight edges and modern motifs. "We wanted to give out the feeling of total relaxation. It’s light and airy, without being too clinical," says Rose. The space is large enough to give clients individual space, but cozy enough to house Kaizen’s highly-trained staff. Jude and Rose have partnered with makeup artist Maris de los Reyes, a Singapore and Malaysia-trained artist who has conducted workshops with Lancome, and has worked closely with top brands such as Laura Mercier, Nars and Chanel.

The duo has become known, not only for their high-standard hair fashion, but also for their expertise in corrective work. "Clients come in asking for damage control," says Jude. Clients suffering from hair trauma, be it a bad haircut, rebonding job or a color too off for one’s skin tone, seek their advice and get solutions that immediately rectify any wrong turns.

Going Strong

"We constantly deal with clients who don’t compromise – they know what’s out there when it comes to hair and fashion. They want the best." It’s not only the impeccable workmanship that’s key, but also the intimate relationships formed between them and their clients. "We meet different personalities with our work – people from all sorts of backgrounds who can add a lot of input to what we know as hairdressers," says Rose. "People who come to us know that we don’t just do this for the business it brings in – they see that we really do want to take care of their hair."

"Our goal is to see our industry uplifted, here in the Philippines," says Jude. "We want people to look at hairdressers as professionals – you go to the doctor to make sure you’re healthy, you go to the dentist for your teeth, and accordingly, you go to us to make sure your hair is in good shape."

Univers Phyto is located in Paris, New York and now in the heart of Makati at Heaven on the fifth floor of Rustan’s Makati. The salon may be reserved for private groups. For an appointment, call 893-5007. –Bea Ledesma