Back to being Hit-Girl!
After graduating, going through job applications and all the adulthood drama, I thought it was time to get in touch with my inner Mindy. Only this time, I wanted it artistically done through balayage. The Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee made it all possible and it only took 11 hours. Yup. 11 long hours of back pain, bum numbness and neck stiffness but it was all worth it!
My mum and I arrived at the Lifestyle Salon armed with a great mental idea of what we wanted my hair to look like (basically, a more subtle Hit-Girl look because coloring my whole head violet is out of the question). The moment I pitched my idea to Louis, he shook his head and told me to trust him and his vision instead. He urged me to get a more artistically styled hair that just the usual ombre and highlights. He also suggested I get not just purples but blues into my hair for better dimension. And, well, needless to say I was right to trust him!
We started with coloring my hair with an ash brown violet base which would give the perfect transition for my bright locks. (Initially, it looked black but after a few washes the brown eventually showed.) Then, section after section, the colorist carefully bleached my hair. This was the beginning of the process of balayage. With every lock of hair, only certain strands were brushed on with the product. Alternate and full strands were bleached and wrapped with foil. When they finished with the process, I looked like a tin woman from the 50s.
Once my hair was bleached to perfection, it was dried and combed out. The colorist then prepared the purple and blue dye. Upon seeing the colors, I was a bit worried about what it would look like once it’s on but at that point, there was no turning back! The colorist started to section my hair and carefully applied the dye on alternate strands, mixed on certain locks and full colors on certain areas. The careful application of the dye and concentration that the team put on just the application of the color made me realize that balayage was more of an art than a styling method. Every lock which was carefully painted was then sealed in with a saran wrap. After hours of sitting on the salon chair, I finally took my last trip to the wash area. As the excess color washed out of my hair, I couldn’t help but feel excited for how it would turn out!
Before I could see my hair’s outcome, Louis insisted to cut my hair (on the house!) to give me a more youthful look. I hesitated but eventually, I said yes with the condition that he doesn’t cut it too short. He pulled out a yellow salon cape that he put on me. As he combed my hair, he asked me to stand up. I have never gotten my hair cut standing up but I guess there’s a first for everything! He then started to cut my hair as he went around me. Strands of hair were flying all over the place as he gave me one of the best haircuts I have ever had. He cut my hair shorter than I expected (from a lower back to a mid back length in a snip!) but it turned out so good that I didn’t even care. Trusting in his skill and his talent in the art of hair styling made me achieve my look today.
I love how everything turned out and I would do it all again in a heartbeat! An artistic process that took 11 long hours that gave me the best hair style of my life to date. Not only did my mum and I get the best service at Lifestyle Salon but we also got our money’s worth! Here’s the damage. Not bad, right?
If you’re looking to get a haircut, mani-pedi, hair dye or whatever salon service that you may need, do check out Lifestyle Salon by LPK. You won’t regret it!
Lifestyle Salon by Louis Phillip Kee
G/F. Unit 120, Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig, Philippines. Telephone no.: (63 2) 856-4848 / 856-3388
PS. Special thanks to my mum for supporting my style decisions and my vlogger-self for being my camera woman the whole day because my arms aren’t long enough to film myself. You’re the best, mum! I love you!