Natural Perm

You don't know how many times I've been asked where I had my hair permed. It gives me a some sense of satisfaction to say that my hair is all natural. Well, except for the color. But, yeah. I have natural curls.

But I didn't always like it. There's still a part of me that wishes I have that long, straight black hair that is often seen on ads and commercials. Relax, rebond... I've tried all these and have the token hair straightener that is now gathering dust at the back of closet somewhere. I know that people who have straight hair and can't maintain a curl have the same dilemma. We always want what we can't have.

It's a good thing that over the years I have learned how to 'embrace the curls', as I say. It's much easier to maintain than suffering from the heat because I can't tie my hair into a ponytail lest the rebond/relax will be damaged.

I'm no expert, but what works for me are:

1. Shampoo especially made for curly hair. Also, conditioner. Lots of it. I used to use the local Sunsilk brand but they discontinued it. Now I use the Herbal Essences one. It really does make a difference. When I use a regular shampoo, my hair is a little straighter and the curls look limp.
2. Mousse or a curling lotion/milk. I've been using this brand Monea Curl Defining Milk and it works for me. I just spread it on my hands, scrunch it on my wet hair, and then leave it.
3. Fine toothed comb. It's weird, but what I discovered is that my curls are more 'organized' when I use a fine toothed comb on my wet hair. That is, after using the wide toothed comb to untangle it first. My hair looks straight at the beginning, but when it dries it forms the curls. But since it was combed finely, it's a more ordered messy look. (Huh?)
4. And for my latest discovery, this video which works if you have time to set your hair. I found myself doing this for the past few weeks and I never get tired of it. Sooo easy (no hairdryer required!) and I love the curls it makes.

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The people at my house looks at me funny because of the before hairstyle. They're kinda used to it by now. They know I usually do weird things with my hair when I get bored. Haha...

Front view

Ate Nan told me my hair looked like something from Amaya.

 The back view

But the after is worth it.

I'm smiling on the inside. :)

I read that this technique also works for those who have stubbornly straight hair so, why not? It's so easy and you don't need hair dryers and all that stuff. Embrace the curls!

Messy ballerina bun

After getting ballet (sort-of) flats, I just had to complete the look, right?

Nah. I just really wanted to tie my hair up into a messy ballerina bun for the longest time. I've seen this style with models, celebrities, and on Japanese magazines but never could figure out how they were able to do it. Also, my hair wasn't as long as it is now so this was finally my moment to try out this refreshing hairstyle.

 Feels like I have a dumpling on top of my head...


Sideways view

I learned how to do mine using the video tutorial below, which is just for the standard ballerina bun. Of course, mine turned out to be messy (which is basically my style anyway) but I think it looks better. The way it looks like it's going to topple any second brings some suspense and drama to the look, haha...

Easy, right?

I think I'm going to do my hair up this style a lot. Gotta take advantage of the current length of my hair because I don't know when I'm going to go crazy and chop it all off again. For a little variety, I think this hairstyle will also look great with a ribbon tied up on the base of the bun or maybe a hair pin - kinda like the one you see in those period dramas. If you also move it a little bit nearer to your nape, you can wear a thin and dainty headband. Very, very versatile 'do, indeed.

May Day Hair

I've been meaning to go to the salon for the longest time. Unintentionally, my hair was following the ombre trend - two-toned tresses with a darker hue on top. See Rachel Bilson for an example of ombre hair.

Well, yeah. Mine didn't look that pretty. Mine looked like exactly what it was - the hair of a person who was too lazy to retouch her roots. LOL.

So I finally went to my salon and hair stylist today. Is it kind of elitist to call him hair stylist? I don't know what else to call him. The name card says 'stylist' so I guess we'll go with that.

My stylist's name is Rick. He's a senior stylist at the First Aid Salon over at Greenbelt 3. He's really great and he knows my hair well. I think I've been going to him for three years already? I think what sold me on him is that he didn't force me to have my hair rebonded or relaxed, like most tell me to do. Actually, I thought about it one time but he even discouraged me from doing it! And you know how expensive having your hair straightened can be. So, since then, I've been embracing my natural curls which he cuts so wonderfully that it doesn't look like my hair exploded around me.

 The end result:

Anyway, I'm pretty happy with my hair right now (Despite the non-smiling pic above!). It's all in one color now so I won't have to disguise it with hats and headbands anymore. I wanted to go a bit red, and I did tell Rick, but he said that it has a tendency to become orange. As much as orange is the trend right now, I think I'll keep my ash brown (?) hair color, thank you very much. I've been receiving compliments and questions about it so I guess I'll stick with what works.

Of course, the true test is when you lose the glamor of salon hair and shampoo it on your own. Nothing I can do about that. Until then, just enjoy it, right?

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First Aid Salon

2nd Level, Greenbelt 3,

Ayala Center, Makati City

757-4976

Arabian Sky frame: maybemej