Kerastase kickoff, Sydney style

Merit-based societies really know how to reward hard work. Leave it to Kerastase, the ultimate in the luxury beauty society, to abide by this mantra. Although Kerastase can practically sell itself, it doesn’t hurt to have a team of savvy marketing experts behind the brand to help catapult the crème de la crème of hair crème into the limelight. In the field, on our great shores, talented hairdressers and color specialists are essential ambassadors of the brand responsible for heralding beautiful locks. From Manila to Cebu to Davao, Kerastase’s song is being passionately sung. Every year, the salons that rake in the most sales from salon treatments and hair products are awarded an international getaway for stellar activity. Slaving away at the salon? Well, it’s well worth it if you enjoy what you are doing and can reap the benefits, too.

Down under it was, as the fabulous Kerastase team (composed of Marlit Suarez, Andrew Tan, Ana Trinidad, Gigi Dorotheo, Prime Asprer and Leica Carpo), a group of super-terrific Pinoy stylemakers and salon owners from all over the country, headed off to Sydney. I was the beauty school dropout and felt pressured to do my hair nicely every day since I was surrounded by some of the country’s top hair experts. Being with the group made me reconsider how I should maintain my hair. After touring city highlights that were postcard perfect, we boarded a dinner cruise that offered unbeatable views of Sydney harbor. Lovely chatter and get-to-know-you conversations morphed strangers into friends and paved the way for a fun-filled trip.

The next day was composed of a delicious, traditional Aussie barbeque lunch and a wine-tasting tour in Hunter valley, Oz’s wine country. Savoring a few glasses of crisp Australian wine was an ideal way to spend the afternoon before heading to the Star City casino for dinner.

Shopping excursions were part and parcel of the package as I combed Sydney with Leica Carpo and Juan Miguel Ongsiako, discovering hot Aussie brands and goodies not to be found in Manila. A seminar with motivational speaker Graham Carter was a highlight of the trip as he lectured on optimizing opportunities in the salon, tips that any biz could use. A kitschy Cabaret-themed dinner was the sendoff on the last night, complete with awards and the game gang dressed to the nines. The Kerastase group surely knows how to organize and plan everything to the max.

However, after four days in a windy, cooler climate, I found that my tresses became noticeably distressed and slightly dried out. Moisture was sucked out of my hair just by being on the plane and by blow-drying it each night for the events. One of the ever-consoling hairstylists suggested that I try the Bain Satin Gluco-Active shampoo to gently clean my hair and to follow up with the Lait Vital conditioner to treat the mild damage. Now I’m hooked. It made my shabby hair look revitalized and it’s almost as if I’ve applied vitamins directly onto my hair – which, in essence, I have. The majestic products are made with glucose, proteins and lipids to balance the nutrition in the hair from the roots to the ends. I couldn’t get enough of the lightly perfumed scent so I went for its entirety. A cream serum and texturizer applied after blow-drying, Lait Nutri-Sculpt, fought my frizzies and made my hair softer and more manageable. Upon arrival in Manila, I had the Aqua Oleum ritual at the salon to restore suppleness and infuse shine. I’m beginning to think shampoo models strictly use this line before filming those commercials where they flip their hair to and fro.

Elaborating on their extensive line, there are three different levels of the Nutritive Gluco-Active line, depending on how dry and sensitized your hair is. With attention paid to detail, the brand is very specific and targets ways to solve any hair issue. Kerastase has particular lines suiting every hair type and condition – for thinning hair, sun-exposed hair, color-treated hair, the whole gamut. No wonder this brand, synonymous with luxury, has a smashing reputation. Plus they reward a job well done which is prime incentive for everyone out there.