Whether you need a new hairdresser, a new hairstyle, or your man is looking for a new barber, here are some Singapore hair salons and treatments that will get you ‘sorted’.
Hair We Are
The treatment: Brazilian Blowout ($308, promotion price)
The experience: I’ve spent eight years living in Singapore, intermittently hating my hair. It’s the common complaint of having medium-thick hair that seems to coil up into a frizzy spring as soon as the outdoor humidity touches it.
A Brazilian blowout is a smoothing treatment that promises to improve the condition of your hair and get rid of frizz by creating a protective layer around the hair shaft – music to my ears! My hair was cleansed, the treatment lotion was applied to it, and then it was dried straight, first with a hairdryer and then irons. After rinsing, my hair was sprayed with a bonding agent and then blow-dried again. By the way, you need to wait a week before colouring your hair after a Brazilian blowout.
During the two-and-a-half-hour process, I managed to work the entire time (taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi), before walking out with shiny, poker-straight hair.
Winding down: Initially, I couldn’t stop touching my newly softened hair; it hadn’t felt like that in a very long time. I’ve since blow-dried it twice – something I am usually utterly useless at – and it has remained smooth and straight. I’ve been told the blowout should last between ten and 12 weeks. As soon as I start seeing a significant amount of frizz or waves, I’ll be making my next appointment. – AMY BROOK-PARTRIDGE
Top tip: Make sure to use a sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner to help the blowout last as long as possible.
Hair We Are
#01-08 Serene Centre 10 Jalan Serene
6463 0353 | hairweare.co
Risel hair
The treatment: Olaplex colour treatment ($270)
The experience: Centrally located in Tanjong Pagar, the salon space is modern and well maintained. Customers are welcomed with a smile and made comfortable with a selection of beverages and back pillows for lengthier sessions.
It had been nearly two months since my last salon visit and my hair had seen more than its fair share of bleaching and chlorine exposure, so its texture was straw-like and undesirable copper tones were starting to show. Thankfully, my stylist Yushi Harada took the trouble to ask about my ethnicity, my hair history and the look I desired, so as to determine the correct course of action.
He suggested a combination of Hoyu toner ($70) coupled with the Olaplex treatment ($50), together with a full head of highlights ($150) split 5mm apart for a subtle effect. Endorsed by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Emma Stone, Olaplex is a silicone- and oil-free hair colour additive, said to rebuild hair bonds that have been damaged by chemical processes.
Winding down: The colour was exactly what I was after – a rich, ash-brown base plus discreet highlights to add dimension. Two weeks on, the sheen and bounce remain, while I find that my hair has the strength to hold its style and volume throughout the day. Another Olaplex convert in the bag! – LEANDA RATHMELL
Risel Hair
60 Tras Street, #02-01
6221 2855 | facebook.com/riselhair
Jermyn Street
Gents, this one’s for you! Inspired by Jermyn Street in London – home to a quality mix of bespoke tailors, traditional barbers and related businesses – Jermyn Street Singapore is located in buzzy Amoy Street. This high-end shop offers top-notch men’s grooming services by experienced barbers trained at some of the leading hair institutes in the UK and Australia. Ever wondered what it’s like being a barber? We chat with general manager and head barber STEVE CHAPMAN, who has almost a decade of experience under his belt.
Why did you decide to take up barbering?
I’ve always been fascinated by the atmosphere of the barbershop. When I was young I loved getting my hair cut, and this sparked my initial interest. When I was thinking of a career to pursue, I wanted something that would allow me to travel. Barbering was perfect for that, and I have never looked back! I’ve worked in Manchester and London in the UK, and Cologne in Germany, as well as in Singapore.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love every aspect of the job. I love working with my hands, and I enjoy the satisfaction of a well-executed haircut. I also appreciate the opportunity to manage and direct our barbering team to help them deliver the best service to our customers. With the constant evolution of hair trends and new tools, the job is kept fresh and exciting. But an aspect that I really enjoy is getting to meet a wide variety of individuals; the bond between client and barber is something unique.
Do you have any styling tips for men living in Singapore?
You really need a hairstyling product that suits Singapore’s humidity. A product that’s too light will not last through the heat and perspiration, and the desired effect will be lost. On the other hand, a product that’s too heavy (such as oil-based formulas) may leave a residue on the scalp that could cause hair loss or even bald spots. Go for a good, water-based product with a strong hold and you will get the best of both worlds! Also, a little bit of blow-drying goes a long way.
Jermyn Street
108 Amoy Street
6220 4010 | jermynstreet.com.sg
Monso Hair Design
The treatment: Hair colouring (priced from $100)
The experience: Established in 2009, Monso Hair Design has a team of Japanese hairstylists, each with at least 10 years of training and experience in Japan.
My last hair colour was done about a year ago by my hairdresser aunt, who’d done a fab job of giving me reddish-brown highlights. They’d since faded into bleached-looking streaks, so it was definitely high time for me to refresh my locks!
Hairstylist Megu, an English-speaking stylist who has also worked in the UK for two years, was patient in advising me on a suitable hairstyle. Since I was keen on keeping my length, she suggested a whole-head hair colouring service ($160 for long hair).
The entire experience, which included consultation, shampooing, colouring and hairstyling, took two and a half hours. Megu was quick, efficient and professional; I also appreciated that she wasn’t too chatty, so I could maximise my time by working on my laptop.
Winding down: My hair was blown straight, with the ends curled slightly inwards. I left the choice of colour entirely up to Megu, and she opted for a natural-looking, trendy ash-brown shade that could be achieved without bleaching. Two weeks later, the colour has not faded and I’ve received many compliments on my new look! – ANTHIA CHNG
Monso Hair Design
232 River Valley Road
6836 5585 | monsohairdesign.com
Vox Studio
The treatment: Botanical Therapy Scalp & Hair Treatment ($120)
The experience: Located on the top floor of a shophouse in bustling Killiney Road, the salon has a relaxing and welcoming ambience, its neutral décor enhanced with natural light. As I sat down, I noticed a mix of both European and Asian stylists serving a diverse clientele.
Bubbly Californian stylist Kerriann Morris explained that the aromatherapy treatment exfoliates and refreshes the scalp and conditions the hair, while easing stress – something I always need when deadlines loom! The treatment began with a pressure point massage across the scalp with a brush. This helps to increase microcirculation and prepare the scalp for cleansing, and it felt incredible!
Then she massaged into my scalp the minty, cooling Aveda Purifying Scalp Cleanser, followed by a conditioning treatment for the hair. One blow-dry later and I headed out of the door feeling refreshed and with bouncier, glossier hair.
Winding down: My hair stayed fresh-looking even after a few days of not washing it. The best result? No flakiness, itchiness or dryness. And I’d go back just for Kerriann’s awesome scalp massage! – SUSANNAH JAFFER
Vox Studio
111A Killiney Road
6235 0700 | voxstudio.co
Glower Hair Care Centre
Suffering from thinning hair? Glower Hair Care Centre’s senior trichologist PAULINE YOR and international consultant trichologist CHRISTOPHER WAINWRIGHT give us their tips and tricks to combat hair loss.
What causes hair loss? There are four types of hair loss:
- Genetic thinning, associated with the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone, primarily affects the top of the scalp.
- Diffuse hair loss occurs across the whole scalp and has approximately 45 possible causes, including physical or emotional stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances and many more.
- Autoimmune-related hair loss happens when the immune system incorrectly recognises the hair follicle as a threat to the body and attacks the hair follicle. In some cases, it completely destroys the hair follicle, so hair growth will never return.
- Lastly, hair structural disorders are often caused by the chemicals and heat involved in hairstyling, but nutritional deficiencies or genetics can play a part, too.
What treatments are available?
Hair loss treatments typically focus on protecting hair follicles from injury and stimulating hair growth. Glower Hair Care Centre provides the complete range of hair care and treatments that you would expect from a Western trichologist.
Different hair-loss disorders respond to different treatments, so you’re recommended to get your condition diagnosed by a specialist. We combine Chinese and European herbs, multivitamins, light therapy, ozone therapy and restorative massage techniques, for a treatment regime that maximises the health and wellbeing of the hair and scalp.
How can we prevent hair loss?
Firstly, a well-balanced diet is essential. Foods high in vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc and vitamin B12 can help to revitalise thinning hair, so eat lots of leafy greens, nuts, beans, fish and lean meats. A good dietary supplement can also help cover whatever your diet is lacking.
Hair care is important, too. Just as heat is harmful to the hair, so are the multiple chemical processing treatments offered in salons. Chemically straightening or lightening your hair causes damage to the hair shaft, weakening it and resulting in hair loss. If you perspire a lot or live in a humid country, consider daily shampooing to keep your hair looking good. This stimulates the scalp and prevents the build-up of residues from pollution, dead skin cells and styling products. Glower’s scalp cleanser and restorative massage treatments are also great for cleansing the scalp.
Glower Hair Care Centre
190 Clemenceau Avenue #04-18 Singapore Shopping Centre
6338 1988 | glower.com.sg
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This article first appeared in the January 2018 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
