When it comes to all things hair and beauty, you know you can count on Korean salons for their top-notch standards. One that has made the mark in Singapore is Leekaja, a hidden gem along Orchard Road. A specialty here is the Keratin treatment, which manages frizzy hair using an organic, formaldehyde-free formula. Oh, and did we mention that you can get a fab mani or pedi here, too?
The space
On the third floor of the Mandarin Gallery, Leekaja is a hair-and-beauty haven that’s aesthetically inspiring. The roomy salon is decked out in earthy, neutral tones – think wood furniture and leather armchairs. Greenery adorns the picturesque space, which houses 13 work stations and a VIP section. Top that off with lots of natural light, and this is one luxurious go-to-unwind place.
The service
Whether you want to treat your tresses or indulge in a proper foot spa, the range of hair and nail treatments here will spoil you silly. There’s everything from the classic mani ($45) and cracked heel treatment ($60) to balayage (from $140) and heavenly hair spas. Leekaja focuses on giving customers a highly personalised experience, starting with tasty snacks and freshly-brewed coffee prepared by the in-house professional barista.
Every hair appointment starts with a consultation with an experienced stylist. A signature treatment of the salon is the Cinderella keratin treatment (from $300), which has been likened by many to natural Botox for the hair. Unlike traditional straightening treatments that rely on chemicals, this service smoothens frizzy hair using an organic, formaldehyde-free formula containing aloe vera, green tea extract and cedarwood oil.
We’re not surprised with the slew of positive reviews online – especially on Google and the salon’s Facebook page! To top if off, They also offer an eight-day promise, where customers can return for a free retouching within eight days if they’re unsatisfied with their new hairdo.
The stylist
They house a team of professional hairstylists backed with years of experience, and Senior Stylist Jun Park is the newest addition to the team. It’s not just his good looks or the Canadian drawl that caught our attention. Jun has earned his chops having attained the prestigious Vidal Sassoon instructor qualification for haircutting, which, we’re told, required him to cut the hair of over 1,500 hair models and pass eight challenging tests. He has since shared his techniques with many stylists, and even worked as the designated hairstylist for multiple celebrities.
What’s so special about Jun’s skills? He doesn’t just cut hair based on your face shape and bone structure; he also observes your collarbones and neck to see how the cut can best showcase your beauty. On top of that, before entering Vidal Sassoon, Jun was mentored by a Korean stylist specialising in perms; he also spent months working in top salons in Gangnam and Suwon in order to be fully updated on Korean styles and trends before moving to Singapore.
Don’t miss…
If you’re a new customer, you can enjoy 30 percent off all hair services with Senior Stylist Jun. Simply mention our exclusive code “EXPATLKJ” when you make a weekday appointment in October.
Leekaja Beauty Salon
#03-13 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road
8133 0818 | booking@leekaja.sg
leekaja.sg
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This article first appeared in the October 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
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