Thanks to the exceptionally humid climate in Singapore, frizzy hair is a common problem for most types of hair. Expats often struggle with it when they first arrive, and even without rushing around or getting caught in the rain, it’s almost impossible to keep a hairstyle looking fresh all day here. To help tackle the problem, we’ve rounded up some of the top hair treatments for frizz, offered by our favourite hair salons across town.
Hera
Hera Hair Beauty’s Tanglin Mall salon (their other outlet is in Sentosa) has a fab team that works with Kevin Murphy and Kérastase products on everything from treating frizzy hair to creative colouring techniques like blonde highlights and balayage.
One popular frizz-fighting treatment is the Goldwell Kerasilk Keratin treatment (from $285, two to three hours), a customisable hair-smoothening service that uses star ingredients like glyoxylic acid, keratin and silk proteins. The formaldehyde-free formula penetrates deep into the hair shaft, creating new keratin bonds that stabilise the hair shape for up to five months. Suitable for all hair types, the treatment reconstructs dry and damaged hair while straightening it. You can customise it to your hair and scalp type, as well as your desired outcome. The results? Curls are softened, frizz is smoothened and the hair is more manageable for 16 to 24 weeks. The best part? You can wash, colour or cut right after the treatment!
Hera Hair Beauty
#03-08A Tanglin Mall
163 Tanglin Road
6732 1206 | herabeauty.sg
Visage
Dominic, the owner of Visage, has been in the business for almost 30 years and is well known as an expert in styling Caucasian hair. For frizzy hair, he recommends the Brazilian Blowout (priced from $400), a hair-smoothing treatment that temporarily coats the outer layer of the hair to remove frizz, enhance shine and reduce blow-drying time. This treatment is suitable for all hair types but works especially well on thick, curly hair.
The hair is first washed with a deep-cleansing shampoo. Lotion is then applied to the hair, section by section, and combed through to ensure that it’s distributed evenly. Next, the hair is blow-dried straight from roots to ends. A hot iron is used to seal in the treatment, which is a liquid keratin formula that coats the hair with a protective layer around each strand. This effectively reduces frizz while protecting the hair from external damage. After this, you can opt to leave the product in and wash it out at home after one to two days and then apply a mask, or to have it washed out in the salon. You’ll also get a free haircut on top of the treatment. Expect smoother and shinier hair for up to 12 weeks.
Don’t miss:
Enjoy 20 percent off the Brazilian Blowout treatment if you’re a first-timer!
#02-11/14, Delfi Orchard 402 Orchard Road
6733 0933 | visage.com.sg
Kelture
A one-stop shop for smoothening treatments, blonde highlights and haircuts, Kelture Aveda Lifestyle Spa Salon is popular with expats and locals for its non-damaging Aveda hair services. The chic and centrally-located salon has a team of creative stylists who are known for treating all types of hair – including blondes and those with frizzy hair.
If you’re trying to keep your thick and your wavy mane under control, try Kelture’s two-step Aveda hair repair treatment ($165, 90 minutes). It starts with shampoo, followed by a protein spray that’s massaged into the locks in sections to help open the cuticles, strengthen the hair and repair it all at once. A warm 15-minute steam follows to activate the ingredients. Step two is a hair mask to reduce unwanted volume and deeply condition. The mask is used together with a moisturising oil to help further saturate the hair with moisture and seal in all the goodness. After another 15 minutes of steaming, the treatment is rinsed out and you’re treated to a fabulous blowout! The results? Smoother, less frizzy and more manageable tresses.
#05-07 Paragon Shopping Centre
6735 6468 | kelture.com.sg
Leekaja
Located in the heart of Orchard, Leekaja Beauty Salon offers a wide range of luxurious beauty services under-one-roof, from hair treatments to trendy nail art. The spacious Korean salon is decked in earthy, neutral tones, with plenty of natural light peeking through.
Our top pick is the signature Cinderella treatment (from $300, two hours), which has been likened by many to natural Botox for the hair. Unlike traditional treatments that rely on chemicals to straighten strands, this stellar service smoothens frizzy hair using an organic, formaldehyde-free formula of aloe vera, green tea extract, cedar wood oil and more.
While it’s best suited for those with bleached or damaged hair, as well as those dealing with frizz and curl, the Cinderella treatment is also a great smoothening option for virgin hair. Oh, and did we mention? You can colour your hair immediately after!
The process starts with a hair wash using the Cinderella Treatment Shampoo. The cream is then applied in sections and the hair is heated up for a few minutes. After a blowdry, the hair is flat-ironed before a final rinse. The Cinderella serum is applied before a final blowout.
The result, which can last up to three months, is hair that’s smooth, silky and shiny, without heaviness or any nasty smell.
#03-13 Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Rd
8133 0818 | leekaja.sg
Your secret solutions
When we asked you lot on Facebook how you all cope with the humidity, we received lots of weird and wonderful tips. From homemade recipes to slimy showers, you’ve all tried and tested these interesting (and affordable) tricks. And, not ones to keep secrets, we’re sharing the good stuff with the rest of you so we can all have a crack at finding the perfect anti-frizz solution.
Jennifer Jenkinson Cormier
“I use one tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of water (no shampoo). Condition with an organic conditioner, lightly rinse, then use a sulphate-free and alcohol-free styling product. My curly hair loves it and I’ve been getting a lot of compliments lately.”
Jan Murphy
“Turkish olive oil soap can be used to wash hair. If you add a squirt of conditioner to a jug of warm water and pour over your hair it acts as a leave-in conditioner – this is a tip from Kelly Hoppen who has amazing curls.”
Paula Robinson
“Coconut oil works great for moisturising and fighting frizz, but keep it off of the roots. Concentrating an oil control shampoo primarily close to the scalp (try not rub the lather everywhere) helps to dry the roots but not the rest of the hair. Towel dry your hair then add a leave-in conditioner mixed with frizz-control serum – work it through the hair. Blow dry on the cool setting. Use a lightweight hair spray!”
Sanya Shaila
“Red wine vinegar rinse (diluted, of course) helps with the grease – but the smell can be offensive so add a few drops of essential oil!”
Tran Huynh
“Apply olive oil for five minutes before washing. I also used Goldwell Rich repair treatment shampoo and Oscar Blandi smoothing hair treatment. My hair is much better now!”
Cathy Lindsay Jones
“I don’t know yet about the humidity but I am learning how to deal with curl and fight frizz. The key is moisture and Deva’s Moisture Masque is amazing. Use sulphate-free shampoo, condition well, and try a curl gel or mousse. Blow-drying just makes it worse.”
Lindley Craig
“I learnt the best system from Alison Kerlin. Shampoo once with a 20-cent size amount of shampoo – the point isn’t to build up a big lather, just break the oil/water resistance – then rinse. Shampoo again with same amount and lather up very nicely, rinse again. Lastly, apply conditioner only to the ends. The most important bit is the rinsing. For short to medium length hair: one minute after the first shampoo, two minutes after the second shampoo and three minutes after the conditioner. For longer hair – longer time. My hair looks amazing now.”
Preeti Seth
“Lemon and green tea rinse. And don’t forget to use an ion-emitting brush.”
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