Traveling always takes a toll on my skin, leaving it dull and dry, hence when I received an invitation to visit South Bridge Aesthetics Clinic to review their Carbon Laser Peel treatment, I arranged for my appointment to take place immediately after my recent trip to Europe.

 

South Bridge Aesthetics Clinic was established by Medical Director, Dr Winston Lee, a warm and friendly doctor who has 10 years of experience in the medical field. The clinic aims to provide quality non-invasive aesthetics treatments at competitive prices and carbon laser peel is one of their most popular treatments.

What are the benefits of Carbon Laser Peel?

It promotes radiant, glowing skin and helps to reduce imperfections such as enlarged pores by removing the outer layer of the skin to stimulate collagen production. It also improves your overall skin tone.

Effects can be seen immediately after just one treatment and you can see my before and after photos for comparison at the end of this post. This treatment serves as a quick pick-me-up before important events and can also be done regularly, just like a facial. 

As the entire process takes only about 30-45 minutes and there isn’t any downtime, it is the perfect lunch-time quick fix for time-pressed working professionals.

What does the process entail?

A thin layer of carbon lotion is first applied to your face and allowed to dry before Dr Lee uses a laser machine to deliver short yet intense pulses of light. The light is absorbed by the carbon lotion, causing an explosion of carbon particles which exfoliates the outer layer of your skin and removes dirt from your pores.

I was initially very worried about the pain factor but I came to realise that my worries were unfounded. Dr Lee was also very reassuring and chatted with me throughout the process. His humorous and affable personality put me at ease. I was done within the blink of an eye and there was hardly any discomfort at all. 

South Bridge Aesthetics Clinic

Address
277 South Bridge Road
Singapore 058826

Contact No.
9730 8999


Opening Hours
Mon – Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 3pm 

I have always found SK-II’s #ChangeDestiny campaign inspiring. 

You may have read my thoughts on how we can overcome challenges and societal perceptions to change our destiny a couple of months ago. This time, in the video above, renowned Singaporean fashion designer Priscilla Shunmugam shares how she chose to ditch her law degree and pack her bags for London to pursue fashion design simply because she believed that was her calling.

When Priscilla graduated from law school, as per her parents’ plans, she had a bright future ahead of her in the legal industry but deep inside, she knew this was not what she wanted. Today, she owns fashion label Ong Shunmugam. How many of us have the courage to step out of our comfort zone and go against all odds to realise our dreams, just like Priscilla?

A calling makes work and life meaningful. It gives you a purpose in life. Everyone has a calling, but have you already discovered yours? If you haven’t, you are not alone. 

What is your calling?

To find out what your calling is, the first step is to understand the difference between a job and a purpose in life. When the main objective of work is to support your family, the paycheck is what you are going after. That is a job. 

On the other hand, if you are working to further an idea to bring it to fruition, it is important not to let your paycheck, no matter how fat it is, become an obstacle. And this is exactly what Priscilla is telling us in this video.

For more inspirational #changedestiny stories, check out the links below:

SK-II Facebook Page

SK-II Website

SK-II Youtube

**This post was sponsored by SK-II, but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

 Just last month, I received a number of queries about how to contact my hairstylist Michelle who has since left her previous establishment. Well, here’s the good news. Michelle now has her own salon! 

Michelle’s brainchild, ToliV Hair Salon, is conveniently located at Purvis Street (close to both Bugis and City Hall MRT stations). I can’t help but feel a sense of joy, seeing how far Michelle has come in the hair-styling industry, wielding her magic wand in the form of scissors and creating effortlessly chic hairstyles that require minimal maintenance. Thanks to her, I hardly have to style my hair before I head out of the house, much to the surprise of most people I know.

 

I had the opportunity to pop by ToliV to congratulate Michelle before I left for Nanjing. Her new salon is a quiet respite nestled in the bustling City Hall and Bugis area.

A newly refurbished shophouse with a minimalist vibe, it envelops guests in a veil of tranquility and puts everyone in the mood for an afternoon or evening of pure relaxation.

The name ToliV came about because Michelle’s mantra is to live a life that embraces simplicity and freedom of expression. She hopes to achieve this through her salon and also inspire others to do the same.

This, coupled with her acute ability to create hairstyles that suit both the personality and lifestyle preferences of her customers, makes her a hair maestro. 

Knowing that I was going to be in Nanjing for a while, she suggested that I try out a centre parting hairstyle and a darker ash colour to change up my look without the fuss.

 True enough, I received several compliments on my brand new hairstyle. I could choose to leave it straight or curl it at the ends like what Michelle did for a more feminine look. Many of my friends exclaimed that my new hair was more versatile and seemed to make me look younger and fresher. 

I can only say that all the credit goes to Michelle.

It is without a doubt that it would be challenging for me to find another stylist in the same league as Michelle, especially in Nanjing, hence I am making it a point to visit her in Singapore at least once every 3 months!

*****

ToliV Hair Salon

Address:

5 Purvis Street, #01-01

Singapore

Tel:

 6333 9223

Website:

http://www.toliv.com.sg

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/tolivboutique

  

It is no secret that Korean eyebrows are able to take a few years off our faces and my personal experience with Korean Eyebrow Embroidery by Kelly, the lady boss at Arch Angel Brow confirms that. To give you a better idea of how much younger, fresher and well-groomed you can look with Korean brows, I am starting my review with a recent photo of myself taken two weeks on with just tinted sunblock and lash extensions.

Now, let’s take a look at the before and after photos for a better comparison. As you can see from my after photo, Korean brows soften your facial expressions, giving you a more youthful appearance. 

Do excuse my untidy crescent-shaped brows (don’t they resemble the moon? =S) in the before photo. My previous eyebrow embroidery done by Kelly two years ago when she was a trainer at another beauty salon had faded and lazy me just conveniently hid my brows under my bangs. Imagine my horror when I switched to centre parting! I could no longer hide my hideous brows from the world. Honestly, Kelly couldn’t have approached me at a better time. 

 

Located at Clementi 321 Mall which is a stone’s throw from Clementi MRT station, Arch Angel Brow was set up a few months ago by Kelly, who has close to 10 years of experience in this industry. The cozy atmosphere coupled with Kelly’s friendly and amiable disposition made me feel at home instantly.

Why should you choose Arch Angel Brow? How is it different from other eyebrow embroidery salons?

 In this day and age, eyebrow embroidery salons are a dime and dozen. Aside from Kelly’s experience and aesthetic eye, Arch Angel Brow’s Korean Combo Eyebrow, an exclusive state-of-the-art eyebrow embroidery technology directly imported from Korea, gives it a competitive edge.  

After all, when it comes to Korean brows, who else can you trust but the Koreans?

Kelly was also
based in Korea for a period of time and Arch Angel Brow is the only eyebrow embroidery salon in Singapore that is equipped with this technology currently. 

 Even the techniques and technology used for other services provided by Arch Angel Brow, such as eyeliner, lip and hairline embroidery, all hail from Korea.

What is the process like?

It is very much like any other eyebrow embroidery service and I will let the following photos do the talking. 

Kelly and I first had a discussion on my desired eyebrow shape before she proceeded to neaten and fill in my brows to alter its appearance. 

As my brows are naturally bushy, the Korean Combo Eyebrow service is suitable for me as it would enhance the colour of my brows using natural pigments that can be customised to suit your hair colour.

I originally wanted thick and straight brows, but my slightly higher brow bone and the shape of my eyes did not seem to suit this style of brows. I actually looked depressed with such brows! I could still go for thick brows, but a slight arch would complement my features much better.

 Kelly was quick to point this out. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get an expert’s opinion  to determine the right type of eyebrow for your face. In fact, I actually turned down a few eyebrow embroidery sponsorship offers previously because I couldn’t be completely sure if the outcome would be positive. With Kelly, I knew that I would be in good hands.

Once the desired shape was achieved, numbing cream was applied and I was led into a private room where the eyebrow embroidery process commenced with a slim, needle-like instrument. A brand new piece is used for each customer, perfect for those of us who are hygiene conscious.

Does it hurt? This is one question that I often get. Well, you’ll be happy to know that the pain is very bearable and feels similar to eyebrow plucking.

Given our sunny weather all year round, a common problem that we face is an itchy scalp and if left ignored, this could eventually result in hair loss issues. The scalp is one of the unsung heroes of our body and I truly felt like I was
in scalp saver heaven after meeting with Joni, the expert consultant at
Svenson Hair Centre. 

  

 During the consultation, she carefully asked me about my daily
habits and routine, answering all my questions patiently. She also debunked some hair myths and assessed my scalp condition through a scalp scan before recommending a suitable scalp treatment for me.

Did you know that in theory, we can lose up to 100 strands of hair a day? 

However, due to our lifestyle, stress, dietary habits and lack of sleep,
most people are not as healthy as before, and our hair regrowth is
slower. This means that if we lose even 30 strands of hair daily (and
it’s usually double that amount, through daily actions such as running
your fingers through your hair), we cannot replace the hair as fast as
before, leading to hair loss issues.

Myth No. 1 – Since our hair is made of protein, we need protein shampoo

Yes, our hair is made
of amino acids – the simplest form of protein. That is why we need to
eat food rich in protein such as meat, fish, cheese, tofu, beans and
nuts, and vitamins such as Vitamin B, as that helps us to keep our hair
healthy and strong. Our digestive system’s absorption process must also
be efficient in order for our hair to gain sufficient nutrients.

However, this does not mean that you should run out to buy the latest protein shampoo (one of the haircare product trends recently). There really isn’t a point to protein shampoos because they are on your hair for only a minute of cleansing before you wash it off. The objective of using shampoo is to ensure that both our scalp and hair are clean. That is why we should apply two rounds of shampoos: the first for the scalp, and the second for moisturizing the hair.

P.S. I have been doing this ever since my Svenson consultation with the Svenson products that Joni recommended to me, and I do feel a significant difference in both my scalp and hair! If you are interested,  click here to read my previous post for more details on these products.

Myth No. 2 – Washing your hair daily strips it of moisture and nutrients

Another common myth is that hair should not be washed daily as it strips its moisture and nutrients. Joni shared this is because many off-the-shelf brands contain a lot of cleaning agents within their shampoos, and this makes it harsher for the hair and scalp. But professional haircare brands such as Svenson contain a good proportion of herbal or organic ingredients that are good for daily hair wash.

For someone who works long hours and has late night baths like me, it is also important to blow dry the scalp and hair before sleeping, as warm and damp environments encourage bacteria growth, and really bad for the scalp.

How do you tell if your scalp is unhealthy? 

Joni scanned my scalp prior to the treatment and here are some examples of what an unhealthy scalp looks like.

See the really thin reed of hair versus the thick black one? That’s a sign of weak follicles, especially if you have a lot of really thin reeds.

If there is a hair pore but no hair in it, that’s also indicative of a damaged scalp because it’s not growing hair anymore!

With problem areas identified, Joni recommended the Pre-Scalp Detox Therapy Treatment, High Frequency Treatment, the OxyJet Treatment, and the Corrective Treatment.

We went off to the treatment room, and look at how lovely the corridors are! 

Step 1: Pre-Scalp Detox Therapy

My therapist was a lovely lady, Justina, who started off the session with a wonderful shoulder massage, before applying a cooling detox scalp mask that was minty and cleansing. The Pre-Scalp Detox Therapy really helped to clear the scalp, as our hair follicles are often clogged with sweat and waste particles and if not properly cleansed, is not only irritated and itchy, but could also trigger baldness. 

 

Shampoos normally only clean the surface of the scalp, but cannot penetrate deep within the hair follicles. This treatment not only deeply cleanses the accumulation of dirt, dust, dead skin, sweat, oil and bacteria. It also stabilizes bacteria multiplication and removes dead skin/ dandruff / accumulation of chemical products that we have from hair dyes, perms and styling products. This is recommended to be done once a month to aid in healthy scalp and hair (the detox is done from root to the tips of the hair!)

Step 2: High Frequency Treatment 

This treatment was really interesting because an infra-red treatment was utilized as part of the process, which rejuvenates the scalp condition for improved hair growth. The high frequency stimulates cell renewal and improves the product penetration,helping to eliminate toxins and acne-causing bacteria. The rapid oscillation can’t be felt so you can thoroughly relax during the treatment, but what happens is that the high frequency current improves nourishment and blood circulation, stimulates glandular activity and the heat soothes the nervous system to significantly improve the overall effectiveness of the post-treatment hair growth formulas.

Step 3: OxyJet Treatment 

The Oxy DH Therapy has a Peeling Phase and an Infusion Phase, and is important in revitalizing the scalp and hair with 95% pure oxygen! Justina used a specially-designed handpiece that delivered the oxygen to precise areas across my scalp. This treatment is extremely important in infusing peptides and actives to boost cell regeneration and lymphatic circulation. It also helps the penetration and absorption of the proprietary DH Hair Concentrate Serum formulated by Svenson’s trichologists, that was applied on both my scalp and hair. Containing a high concentration of copper peptides and plant actives such as Gingko Biloba, it eradicates receptor sites that block off blood supply, oxygen and nutrients, to slow down hair loss and accelerate hair growth, helping to maintain hair’s elasticity, texture and density!

Step 4: Corrective Treatment

Ever since my Outward Bound camp (yes I know it’s been many years!), my scalp has never been the same again due to the harsh conditions. The Corrective Treatment was especially helpful because it balances hair and scalp for healthier hair. For people experiencing oily and flaky scalp, it regulates, soothes and reduces irritated scalp even for dandruff. Importantly, it also relieves itchy, scaly and seborrheic scalp conditions such as psoriasis, with anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that effectively exfoliates decaying and dying epidermal cells, preventing bacterial proliferation. I was then given a head vibrator machine massage, and a beautiful blow-dry.

How was the treatment?

The treatment process lasted for 1.5 hours, and I must say that I was really impressed with the professionalism of the Svenson staff. I was the last customer left in the outlet because I went after work, but my consultation was a proper one (that even went up to 45 minutes with Joni carefully diagnosing my hair and scalp issues) before they started the treatment. They did not cut corners on the process, and Justina took care of every step of the treatment and even did a nice blow-dry of my hair. They could have rushed through it or showed signs of disinterest, but they instead showed true passion for their work.

Joni stayed right to the end – when I finally walked out with a refreshed lightness to my scalp and bouncy glossy hair – just to say goodbye and answer any final questions I had. Truly this was a great experience, and I’m definitely going back for more treatments as I can really tell the difference to my scalp quality. Thank you Svenson!

The prices for the treatments are as follows: Pre-Scalp Detox Therapy Treatment $80, High Frequency Treatment $40, OxyJet Treatment $90, and Corrective Treatment $90. 

*****

Svenson Hair Centre

Address:

360 Orchard Road
International Building
#09-06/07
Singapore 238869

Tel:
 6737 8575

Website:
https://www.svensonhair.com.sg/

 

[This post was written by Isabelle, a permanent writer on Shopping Queen’s Haven.]

****

About the writer Isabelle:

An MBTI
personality profile that believes in making the world a better place
(one starfish at a time), Isabelle is a communications professional who
enjoys creating good memories for others, and balances realism with a
healthy dose of joie de vivre and can-do positivity. 

****

Have you visited Crabtree & Evelyn’s first pop-up cafe at Paragon Shopping Centre Atrium? 

Having afternoon tea with scones or cookies in an English tearoom overlooking lush greenery may seem like an impossible dream on this sunny island, but Crabtree & Evelyn brought that dream to life right in the heart of town. 

Yes, from now till 3 Sep (tomorrow’s the last day!), you can enjoy afternoon tea in a quintessentially English inspired garden any time from 10am to 10pm.

 

The last time I held a paintbrush was eons ago and while it took me some time to get the hang of it, I found it very enjoyable and even somewhat therapeutic.

I was away for a period of time and have been terribly busy since I returned to Singapore. Fortunately, this event also gave me an opportunity to catch up with Karen before we take off once again. 

Before long, it was time to put down our paintbrushes and indulge in Crabtree & Evelyn’s Fine Food Collection. All of us were handsomely rewarded with scones, cookies and fine English tea. Oh, please pardon my amateurish painting in the background.

 At $10 per set, you too can enjoy biscuits with tea or preserve served with a scone and tea at this gorgeous English garden cafe. 

Getting away from the maddening Orchard Road crowd for a moment of peace and serenity is now made possible at Crabtree & Evelyn’s pop-up cafe. It closes its doors to the public tomorrow (3rd September), so go on, head on down for some pampering today!  

*****

Crabtree & Evelyn Pop-up Cafe

Address:

 Paragon Shopping Centre Atrium Level 1

290 Orchard Road

Singapore 238859

Opening Hours

10am – 10pm (28 Aug – 3 Sep)

Have you heard of Beautiful.Me?  

Home to 300 top brands in the beauty, body and baby industry at prices that are way below retail, Beautiful.Me is the new kid on the block that is set to revolutionize your shopping experience.

SKII, Avene, 3CE, Laneige, L’Oreal, NYX, OPI and the list goes on – you name it, they have it, at much lower prices and delivered right to your doorstep. 

Doesn’t that sound amazing?

No more shopping bags and no more waiting for the next big sale before going shopping!

How is Beautiful.Me different from other e-retailers? How will I benefit from it?

Incredible cost savings, that’s what you’ll stand to gain. Plus, you get paid to shop too! In other words, we can finally have our cake and eat it.

Beautiful.Me is a members-only online shopping portal that offers all your favourite brands at special members’ prices that start much lower. The concept is similar to that of Costco and Walmart’s Sam Club in the US, where members get huge cost savings when they shop for groceries. 

With Beautiful.Me, you get to enjoy cost savings when you shop for your favourite beauty, body and baby products simply by joining as a member.   

Here are some other perks that you’ll enjoy:

 Beautiful.Me adopts a “profit-less” pricing model, meaning to say that only a small markup is applied to the products sold.  By cutting out retail inefficiencies such as rental cost and related expenses, the cost savings are passed on to consumers like you and me! 

Membership Fees

To cover basic expenses, it charges an annual membership fee of S$49, which is backed by a 200% Satisfaction Guarantee. 

What does that mean?

If you don’t save more than double the amount paid for your membership, Beautiful.Me will refund you the difference at the end of the year! Isn’t that good news? You have nothing to lose really.

Free 6-Month Membership at Beautiful.Me (If you sign up now!!)

And I have even better news for you! From now till 26 August, before its official launch, click here to sign up and you’ll enjoy free membership at Beautiful.Me for 6 months!

It doesn’t just stop here. You can automatically extend your membership to 12 months for free (and early access) by recommending 5 friends to sign up. 

Oh and remember I mentioned that you’ll get paid as well? When you refer 10 friends, you’ll be rewarded with a share of up to S$800,000 in cash rebates! The more friends you refer, the more rewards you unlock!

Good things ought to be shared, especially when excellent deals and massive discounts are in the picture. I have already referred some of my friends (you know who you are) so that we can all start saving together. 

You can start saving too by signing up at Beautiful.Me today. Let’s lend a helping hand to one another (and our pockets) in our quest for beauty!

Is your skin prone to scarring? Or perhaps you have spider veins on your legs from walking everywhere in high heels? You might want to give Remescar Silicone Scar Stick and Remescar Spider Veins a go. I have been trying to get rid of those irksome spider veins for as long as I can remember and I have old scars from sandfly or mosquito bites. With Remescar, I finally have solution to treat old and new scars as well as spider veins.

How do scars form?

Scars result from a biologic process of wound repair and are fibrous tissues that replace normal skin after injury. As part of the healing process, our body attempts to remodel our skin to its former glory. Unfortunately, more often than not, the structure of the skin changes. 

Remescar Silicone Scar Stick is an advanced silicone stick that aids in the healing process of old and new scars resulting from surgery, burns, bug bites, acne and even stretch marks. 

How does it work?

An age-defying skincare product based on the triple action of silicone treatment, Beta-glucan healing and UV protection, it acts as a protective barrier and isolates the scarred area to protect it while the UV filters effectively promote recovery.

It is easy to use as all you have to do is pop up the cap and roll it onto your skin twice a day for at least 2-3 months. I love how it leaves a thin, transparent film that is hardly visible. Its handy size makes it a breeze to carry around too even when you’re traveling. Be sure to apply it gently on affected areas and around the border of the scar. Did you know that you can use it on your body or under makeup on your face? How convenient!

Spider veins may not pose health risks, but I am sure you would agree with me that they are terribly unsightly. To untangle yourself from the web of spider veins, use Remescar Spider Veins. 

It shields the affected skin and incorporates in-depth therapy of the vascular structure to protect, treat and prevent spider veins. Not only did I see an immediate improvement in skin colour thanks to the Microlens Coated Crystals which reflect light from the skin to give it a smoother appearance, I was told that long-term usage would reduce the appearance of spider veins by a whooping 51%! I use it regularly to prevent more spider veins from forming too.

Apply the cream directly on clean and dry skin before massaging it in till it is thoroughly absorbed. For optimal results, it is recommended that you apply it twice a day for 2-3 months.

Remescar Scar Stick (S$30) and Remescar Spider Veins (S$40) are now available at Guardian,Watsons,Unity and major pharmacies.

Is your skin prone to whiteheads and blackheads? Mine is, and I try to get them professionally extracted at a beauty salon on a regular basis. The only issue is, I don’t always have the luxury of time to indulge in a facial. 

What do I do then?

I usually try to extract blackheads on my own, but whiteheads can be a real headache as they are unbelievably stubborn. Thank goodness b.liv’s Off With Those Heads found its way into my skincare regime at a friend’s recommendation. I love how effective it is when it comes to softening my whiteheads for easy extraction, hence when I was asked to review this beauty product recently, I had to say yes. You’ll find out why as you read on.

What causes blackheads and whiteheads? 

Did you know that blackheads and whiteheads form as a result of excessive oil secretion and dirt accumulated in open pores?  I have naturally oily yet dehydrated skin, which is why these horrible comedones refuse to leave me alone. Controlling oil secretion is the key to preventing their formation.

How does b.liv Off With Those Heads Work?

 b.liv’s Off With
Those Heads (30ml/45ml, S$69.95/S$94.95) softens the clog in your open pores and promises to help with easy
and painless blackheads and whiteheads extraction after just 14 days of
application.

Off With Those Heads is a beauty-salon formulation that incorporates tea tree oil (acne control + comedone control + soothing), witch hazel extract (oil control + comedone control + skin softening) and aloe vera extract (soothing + hydration). It uses a dual-action process to deeply penetrate within the skin to keep oil secretion at bay. Tea tree oil has antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties while witch hazel extract and aloe vera extract control oil secretion, soothe and soften the skin without drying it out. This way, achieving blackheads and whiteheads-free complexion is possible without compromising on hydration.

How do you apply the product?

I use this twice daily after cleansing. All you have to do is pump 2-3 pea-sized drops onto your hand and apply to areas that are prone to blackheads and whiteheads. I like to pat in the product gently on my nose and the sides of my face. I apply it on pimples too. Give it a night and the tiny ones usually subside by the next morning. The bigger ones generally take about 2-3 days to recover.

I love how the lightweight water-based texture leaves a cooling sensation on your skin upon application and feels like next to nothing as no residue is left behind. Its minty scent is very refreshing and never fails to perk me up every morning.

Does it really work?

I always check out online reviews before I decide to purchase skincare
products. If the
reviews are positive and they include convincing before and after photos, the deal is sealed.

 I wish I could show you before and after photos of my full face for better comparison, but as I’ve been using this product for many months before this review even came up, most of my whiteheads have cleared up considerably.

 

However, I did have a small blackhead right above my eyebrow recently. I couldn’t extract it initially but after applying Off With Those Heads, I could extract it with ease the very next day.

Here’s a before and after shot for your reference. Seeing is believing, and you can tell from the comparison below that the blackhead above my eyebrow has flattened and the skin has almost completely healed.

  This product definitely works for me and I would highly recommend that you try it too if you are a victim of stubborn whiteheads and blackheads. 

After all, you have nothing to lose because b.liv’s Off With Those Heads comes with 100% money back guarantee, no questions asked, within 2 weeks of purchase! 

For more information on b.liv Off With Those Heads and other complementary products, do check out their website here. 

You can also follow b.liv on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates!

Ever since my trusty hairstylist Michelle gave me pink highlights earlier this year, I’ve been wanting to up the game with something a little more adventurous.

I always give Michelle free rein to do whatever she wants with my hair and this time, she gave me beautiful purple balayage.  

What exactly is balayage?

Unlike traditional highlights or ombre hair, balayage is a technique of hair colouring where the dye is applied to the surface of your hair and only becomes saturated at the tips. 

What I like about balayage is that you can get a smooth transition between two completely different colours. Minimal maintenance is required as there isn’t an obvious regrowth line, unless you have a lighter base colour.

Now, here’s the catch. Bold hair colours like pink and purple usually do not last more than a couple of weeks. 

I should probably thank my lucky stars because my pink highlights from April never budged and were only further enhanced by the purple balayage. Other than giving Lady Luck full credit for this, I am pretty certain that my haircare regime plays an important role in keeping my hair colour fresh. 

Good things ought to be shared, so I thought I’d share some haircare tips for maintaining your hair colour too.

6 Tips for Maintaining your Hair Colour

 1. Never shampoo your hair immediately after a colouring job – Give your hair a full day to absorb the dye. Your hair colour will also last longer if you wash it less, but I wouldn’t recommend this in our humid climate.

2. Avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfates –  I have been using sulfate-free haircare for more than a year now. Sulfates are known to strip your hair of moisture, oil and colour, so if you want your hair colour to last, avoid them at all cost.

3. Protect your hair from UV rays – I use a leave-in conditioner with UV protection on a daily basis. UV rays are harmful not just to your skin, but to your hair too, especially coloured hair.

4. Rinse your hair with cold water – Hair colours last longer when you rinse your hair with cold water as warmer temperatures cause hair colour to fade.

5. Avoid haircare products with alcohol (especially ethanol, SD Alcohol,  SD Alcohol 40, Alcohol denat,  Propanol, Propyl Alcohol and Isopropyl alcohol) – Alcohol strips your hair of its colour and causes it to be dry and frizzy. The types of alcohol stated above are commonly found in hair styling products.

6. Avoid heat styling tools – My hair is naturally straight and I wear sponge curlers to sleep when I want my hair to be curly. I steer away from curling tongs and straighteners as the heat again causes hair colour to fade quickly. 

 This is what my sponge curlers look like:

Definitely can’t sleep with these as they’re made of plastic and much harder:

Aside from my haircare regime, I have to thank Michelle for taking such good care of my crowning glory. The strawberry hair treatment is my personal favourite as it keeps my hair soft and smooth for several months.

I can’t wait to visit Michelle at her own salon when I am back in town but from now till August, you can still book an appointment with her at Jeric Bugis and say hello to beautiful hair!

ToliV Hair Salon

 

Address:

 
5 Purvis Street, #01-01

Singapore 

 

Tel:

6333 9223 

 

Website: 

http://www.toliv.com.sg

 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/tolivboutique