Lock-ed and loaded

MANILA, Philippines - The hair styling industry is all a-buzz with exciting new developments. Never one to be left behind, the industry is hopping to the call for new treatments and innovations. The result is a deluge of breakthrough treatments, coupled with the emergence of burgeoning new talents, all with the singular goal of making hair as fabulous as it can — and ought to — be.

Keratin-tastic

Straightening hair was never an issue for me. I’m one of the lucky few blessed (or not, depends on how you view it) with naturally straight hair. What really rocks my world are anti-frizz treatments. So with that in mind, I headed over to the Louis Philip Kee Salon (one of the select three salons in the country that offers the treatment) to try the new Keratin Complex Therapy by Coppola, which promises to do just that and more. According to salon owner Louis Kee, the treatment is a healthier alternative to rebonding since it does not contain deformaldehyde — a chemical that strips your hair of all its natural bonds. What it does instead is infuse natural keratin deep into the hair cuticles to eliminate 95 percent of frizz and curl. The fact that it eliminates frizz got me hooked. Also, unlike rebonding, it promises to give body to hair instead of leaving it flat and stick-straight.

The treatment starts with a thorough rinsing of the hair to remove all hair product residues. Then the keratin paste is lathered into the hair. This step actually takes only 30 minutes — shorter than most treatments I’ve tried. Once the 30 minutes are up, hair is blow-dried and straightened using a flat iron. This step is the longest in the process; my shoulder-length hair took about two hours to totally straighten out. And after that, I was done. Like most treatments, hair can only be washed after 72 hours. If your hair does get wet, though, don’t fret; simply blow-dry your hair immediately and straighten it out using a flat iron at medium to low heat. Also, hair cannot be pulled back or clipped to avoid leaving impressions in it.

The result was truly straight hair with body but totally without frizz. But the beauty of the treatment for me lay in the fact that it left my hair super soft. According to my technician, Tin-Tin Lopez, the Keratin Complex Therapy actually returns your hair to its original state — as in the state that it was in when it first grew. And imagine my surprise when that was what I got: virgin hair.

The treatment will set you back about P5,000 for short hair to P12,000 for extremely long hair. The results can last from anywhere from three to five months. Maintaining your keratin-straightened locks is easy; any sodium-chloride and sulfate-free shampoo can do the trick. Also, the treatment can be done on chemically treated hair, provided the client allows for a two-week interval between treatments. And since a build-up of keratin can only be good for your hair, the treatment can be done every four to six weeks. It is also recommended that you cut your hair after the treatment, as this allows your hair to have a smoother texture and gives it more body. However, if you’re either pregnant or nursing, better refrain from this treatment for now just to be safe. So if straightening your locks is in the future for you, head on over to the Louis Philip Kee Salon and give this breakthrough treatment a whirl.

Au naturel

Going natural is the latest trend and L’Oreal is not about to be left behind. L’Oreal Professionnel introduces Inoa, the first hair coloring system that is ammonia and odor-free. In the past, ammonia was generally used to lighten the hair. The downside, however, is that it can cause stinging in the scalp and has a strong odor. Inoa, an acronym that stands for Innovation No Ammonia, does away with these hair coloring problems. The chemical monoethanolamine is substituted instead, allowing for superior coloration without the sting or the odor left behind by ammonia.

The breakthrough hair coloring system boasts 50 shades in its repertoire, all capable of providing exceptionally even coverage from roots to ends. The system can lighten or darken hair for up to three levels and provide 100 percent coverage for white hair using L’Oreal Professionnel’s truest and most predictable shades ever. The secret to this superior coverage is the breakthrough Oil Delivery System (ODS) Technology. It is because of this oil-based nature of the system that ammonia is eliminated from the mix. Since oil and water don’t mix, ODS drives the color directly into the heart of the hair fiber infusing it with vivid color. The Inoa system also coats your strands with two times more lipid protection allowing for increased scalp comfort and greater respect for the hair. The result after nine colorings is hair as smooth as it was before any hair color was ever applied.

The breakthrough system is quickly becoming a local industry favorite. Hair experts like Danny Katalbas of Emphasis Salon, Andrea Zulueta of Piandre, and Alex Carbonell of Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell all swear to the superior coloring capacity of Inoa. So for hair color buffs out there, fellow their lead and try out the new Inoa hair coloring system.

Bon voyage, coiffeur Jing

Jing Monis is going places. The Propaganda Makers, Inc. board member recently attained the honor of becoming the first Filipino to pass the Schwarzkopf ASK Academy Master Class. Passing the class entails taking a test that focuses on the science that governs the precise art of hairdressing. Thorough studying and practice, according to the talented hairdresser, were necessary preparations for the exam as it is essentially a technical exam. But the challenge doesn’t end there. The Master Class itself is a two-week intensive course that starts at nine in the morning and ends at six in the evening daily. The course is considered to be the highest and most technical and intense level of education in the world of hairdressing. It is industry’s equivalent of the MBA. With this in the bag, Jing is set to attend the Toni & Guy and the Vidal Sassoon Academies in London this September.

Great things can be expected from Jing when he returns from his two-week intense hairdressing sojourn: “You can expect me to come back better with more creative techniques. I want to place the Philippines’ hairdressing industry on the next level, making it more professional.” Jing’s industry fellows are not far from his mind as he embarks on this new chapter in his career. He encourages them to follow his lead to further their learning in order to share their craft with the world.

We wish you all the luck in the world as you embark on an odyssey of creativity and excellence, all in the name of hair fabulousness.

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The Jing Monis Salon by Propaganda is located at Unit 303, 3rd level, Greenbelt Mall, Paseo de Roxas Makati City. Contact them at 893-4098. The Louis Philip Kee Salon is located at One McKinley Place, G/F, 4th Ave. corner 25th St., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. For more information, call 856-3388. For more info on Inoa, visit www.inoa.ph.