Monday, December 21, 2015

#purplehairdontcare: Ready for holiday.

It's been a good 2015, blessed with plenty of opportunities to explore the things I love. 

For the first time, I'll be spending the always-full-of-reflection season away from Singapore, rounding up the year and ushering in the new on holiday.

And what better way to do so than with new colours in the hair?

The hair colour from the previous dye (brown with a tinge of green) faded nicely. 
Always happy with Danson's brilliant colouring techniques!

Checking out the colour swatches, getting ready for the new coat of colour.

But first, spot lightening, so the new colour goes on evenly.

My head of hair with spot lightening looks funny from above.

Trusty heater friend, we meet again.

Quick wash and blow; getting ready for colour.

Check out that purple.

Quick wash and ready for the parched hair's favourite part - treatment!
This time, I'm trying Olaplex (No.2 featured here).

Olaplex, a bond multiplier that rebuilds and multiplies hair's broken bonds, aims to lessen the damage hair takes in during chemical processing. 

No.1 is used during the chemical process - mixed with the colours/bleach - to prevent hair breakage, strengthen hair follicles and link broken disulphide hair bonds.
No.2 comes in after the chemical processing, used as a treatment after (10-20 minutes in hair before washing off) that acts like a mask to seal hair bonds. 

No.3's the last step meant for home care.

Easy enough to use: before shampooing, leave it in towel-dried hair for 10 minutes or so, then rinse off and shampoo as usual.
Doesn't hurt that it comes in a very portable, somewhat cute, bottle!

Always the most exciting part: blowing dry, colour reveal soon!

Hair all ready for the year-end trip!

Visit 99 Percent Hair Studio at Katong MODA, tell them you know me (Ann), and get a one year membership* with them for free! 

The membership entitles you to these fabulous things:

  • Get 10% off when you visit 99 Percent (Katong) for any hair service.
  • Get 20% off when you bring a friend and get your hair done together (your friend doesn't need a membership).
  • Get an additional 20% off (on top of your usual 10% member discount) during your birthday month.
  • Get a haircut + another hair service, and take 50% off your haircut.

Hurry and book your appointment (call 6702 7062)!

*membership discounts apply to hair services at 99 Percent Katong MODA only. Purchasing of products not included.


Till the next colour update,



Monday, November 30, 2015

Back at 99 Percent Hair Studio: Revivre Party at Katong MODA

It's been a while since I last visited the favourite hair place, and what better time to visit than during a scalp treatment party? 

To celebrate the launch of Revivre hair products at the salon, 99 Percent Hair Studio (Katong MODA) organised a complimentary scalp detox spa experience for customers last Sunday, featuring products from the new Revivre series (now available exclusively at Katong MODA!).

Cupcakes, tarts and drinks for customers while they pamper themselves with a free scalp detox treatment.

Can't say no to good service!

The 60-minute Scalp Detox Spa starts off with a Scalp Microscopic Analysis, to better understand your scalp and customise the treatment to suit your needs. 
I have dry and irritable skin (eczema runs in the family) and sometimes get bad bouts of dandruff attacks. 
The scalp analysis gave me and the therapist a good look at my scalp condition, and she then made tweaks to the treatment process to help tackle my scalp issues.

It's always good to know that treatments at 99 Percent are done right, not the generic leave-in conditioners that can be done yourself at home!

Danson stepped in after the scalp analysis to start the next step: Relaxation.
You're probably thinking, "What? Relaxation?"

For the next 5 minutes or so, Danson gives me a relaxing scalp massage meant to rid the facial muscles of tension and prepare the scalp so it better absorbs the essential oils that are part of the detox treatment.

Won't say no to massages!

After the 5-min relaxation step, Detoxification!

The treatment commences with a mixture applied directly on the scalp. The Revivre line features a blend of essential oils specially selected to produce the best results in scalp treatment. 
Doesn't hurt that they smell great too!

The scalp is then covered with a cap and towel for 10 minutes, to let the mixture do its magic and rid your scalp of toxins and impurities.

Meanwhile, a shoulder and scalp massage.
While waiting for the mixture to set in, you get another round of massage, with organic lemongrass massage oil to soothe your neck and shoulders. There's also another scalp massage to improve blood circulation and enhance the treatment results.

Really can't say no to massages during hair treatments. Definitely value for money!

Because I have dry and irritable scalp, a coat of clay meant to soothe my itchy scalp was applied earlier in the process. 
Kelly came by to apply a mixture that would soften the hardened clay before the final hair wash.

It's great to know that extra steps are taken to customise the treatment to individual customers!

Almost done with the treatment, and an SLES-free Enfant shampoo is applied and massaged onto the scalp to cleanse the skin and hair. 

A scalp and hair PH balancing product (containing essential oils) is then applied after the hair wash.

15 minutes later, a comfortable hot towel is placed on my shoulder to calm any tense muscles, and Tian massages another round of essential oils (another product!) onto my scalp. 

I get another round of scalp analysis to show me the difference after the treatment,
and I'll spare you the details (it concerns hair follicles and pores) by just saying it works!

I didn't have to worry about having a messy head of hair after the scalp detox treatment because of the final step: Blowout.
Get a blowout of your choice and leave the salon gorgeous and ready for your next appointment!

I got my hair blown straight. Another friend got hers curled and ready for her next meeting with friends. 
Always a plus to have pretty (and great-smelling) hair for a day out!

Part of the Exence Aromatherapy range, Revivre's Scalp Detox Spa purifies and nourishes the scalp by restoring the scalp's elasticity and stimulating lymphatic drainage. The blend of essential oils also helps reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Natural and dermatologically tested, the Revivre line is also recommended for those with hair-loss issues! Don't take my word for it, pop by 99 Percent (Katong MODA) and ask Tian (who had a short struggle with post-natal hair loss) for her success story.

Revivre hair treatment and products are now available for purchase exclusively at 99 Percent Hair Studio (Katong MODA). 

Visit 99 Percent Hair Studio at Katong MODA, tell them you know me (Ann), and get a one year membership* with them for free! 

The membership entitles you to these fabulous things:

  • Get 10% off when you visit 99 Percent (Katong) for any hair service.
  • Get 20% off when you bring a friend and get your hair done together (your friend doesn't need a membership)!
  • Get an additional 20% off (on top of your usual 10% member discount) during your birthday month.
  • Get a haircut + another hair service, and take 50% off your haircut!


Hurry and book your appointment (call 6702 7062)!

*membership discounts apply to hair services at 99 Percent Katong MODA only. Purchasing of products not included.


Till the next colour update,

Saturday, October 10, 2015

First Facial in 28 years (what kind of woman am I) - Geranium Skin & Hair Boutique

I have never done a facial. 
I've been curious about how facials work but never got down to doing one. 
Thanks to Beauty Undercover, I finally stepped into the salon for my very first facial experience. 
And am I glad I got it done at Geranium Skin & Hair!

The important consultation before the facial, to better understand your concerns and any existing conditions (always great to have some customisation!).

And then it's time for the facial! 

A cute little gown to change into before getting all comfortable on the bed.

First: A calming face massage with a mix of essential oils to prepare your skin (and you) for the facial.

Next: The all-important step of cleansing.
Angela didn't just apply cleanser to my face, she also cleansed my neck and shoulders. 
I don't know about you, but I never knew it was important to apply cleanser not just on the face but also on the neck! Another step to add to my cleansing routine.

Angela and her gentle hands, removing the cleanser (and dirt). 
She also threw in a quick shoulder massage!

Next: Microdermabrasion, to remove dead cells and renew the skin. 

I loved how thorough Angela was, making sure to clean my face after every step. 
She also sanitised her hands and equipment each time before touching my skin.

Next: Extraction.
I've heard so many horror stories regarding the extraction process. Friends have shared that they would arrange to have a facial done near home so they could rush home (and stay home) after because of the red and irritated skin they'd have after a facial. Those stories were scary enough for me to stay away from extractions, so I was a little apprehensive at first about getting this done in the salon. 
While it really does depend on your skin condition, Angela assured me that customers who get their extractions done at the boutique leave happy without red bumps all over their faces because they take the extra effort to apply a cold compress after, an in-house blend of essential oils that calm and promote skin healing after extraction.
I'd soon find out for myself!

The extraction process wasn't too painful, with the pain level similar to the plucking of eyebrows or body hair. 

A relaxing cold compress after, to soothe the irritated skin. 
This was quite lovely.
And sure enough, the skin wasn't red or irritated after!

Then a quick facial massage with a blend of essential oils to prepare the skin for the next step.

Next: Gua Sha!
This term sounds scary because it's commonly associated with the traditional Chinese medical treatment where the skin is scraped to produce light bruising. Gua Sha is believed to release toxins from the body and stimulate blood flow and healing.
Images of bruises and scrapes immediately came to mind when I heard "Gua Sha", but Angela clarified that the Gua Sha technique used in their facials isn't the same as the typical Gua Sha technique for the body. 
The Gua Sha procedure turned out to be a very relaxing (close to a facial massage) one, where a special piece is used to slowly massage the skin.

Left: Before, Right: After.
The change is ever so slight, but the bloated-ness in my face from the morning was effectively massaged away!

Next: Ultrasound + Hydrating Serum.
Almost nearing the end of my facial, and a lovely hydrating serum is applied to my very stimulated skin. A gentle ultrasound is then used to help the skin absorb the serum better.
I love that Geranium Skin & Hair pays such attention to detail and goes the extra mile in ensuring the effectiveness of their facial products! 

The last step for my facial: Mask!
I love masks. 
I don't care if they're useful for the long run; I simply love the cooling sensation when on the face and the refreshed feel after.
This yoghurt-like mask (a special blend of vegetables with extra vitamins for the face) was simply delightful.

I've been told that most places simply leave you in the room with the mask and come back in 20 minutes to end the facial. That certainly wasn't the case with Geranium Skin & Hair.
Angela gave me a very relaxing shoulder and scalp massage while waiting for the mask to set. 
Now that's what I call value-for-money!

20 minutes later,
the mask set and peeled off nicely, leaving my face feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Angela also used a hot towel for my face and shoulder, to remove excess oil before I left the salon.
Again, love the attention to detail!


Left: Before, Right: After.
Me, all refreshed after the facial (not just the face, but also the shoulder and neck thanks to Angela's wonderful massage!).

Left: Before, Right: After.
Bloated-ness all gone, and pores feeling much cleaner after the very detailed procedure.
.
.
.

My first ever facial, and I am so glad I got it done with Angela.
If you're looking for a place to pamper yourself, be sure to visit Geranium Skin & Hair! 

Till the next review,
XOXO.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

8 Countries 16 Days - Europe in June (with Chan Brothers)

It's been a blessed 2015, with more than one opportunity to travel and see more of the world. 
Seoul in March I will never forget, and this time, it's Europe in June with the mother. 
I've been wanting to take mom to Europe before she gets any older, and this year presented itself as the best time ever (the schedule doesn't get any free-er than when you're freelancing and without work :P). 

When the mother travels, it's with a tour (free & easy with the kanchiong mother would be torture).

So, after doing some quick research online (not that there's a whole lot of information to begin with) and finding out which local tour agency's the best to travel to Europe with, hello Chan Brothers!

16 days and 8 countries later, a quick review of the trip and the tour provider.
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Nothing like a majestic church to start off the holiday. 
That long snaking line of people in the distance in the picture of the square in Vatican City?
That's the queue to enter St. Peter's Basilica. 
We arrived early and queued for about 30 minutes or so to enter.
We would soon get used to this - queuing to enter places of interest (and also crazy hordes of tourists everywhere we went).
The good thing about the queues in Europe: they move fast.

When travelling with a tour group, be prepared to make quick stops at places of interest but not have enough time to actually see the places of interest. 
We were given a 15-20 minute photo opportunity outside the Colosseum (because "the queue to go in will take another 1-2 hours and we don't have time."). 
Can't blame Chan Brothers though. The 16-day itinerary is crazy packed.

Want to see every place of interest properly and not have to rush from point A to point B?
Don't travel with a tour group (duh).

First provided meal of the trip: Chinese restaurant in Rome.
We would soon get sick of used to this.

Europe in June (not that I would know how it's like any other time of the year): Crowded.

When travelling with a tour, be prepared to make lots of pit stops at highway refuel/rest places.
We had plenty of at-your-own-expense lunches (meals not included in the tour package) at these pit stops, which mostly served reheated sandwiches or cold dishes.

I got sick of sandwiches (and bread) really fast.

Of course, no one wants to spend most of their time on the bus or at highway rest stops when travelling.

But if your priority is to see most of Western Europe (or any big country for that matter) in a short amount of time, I guess there really isn't any other more cost-efficient way.

For mom, travelling means seeing lots of places at one time. 
I went on the tour knowing I'd spend lots of time on the bus; I'd get quick glimpses of different places and decide where I'd want to return on my own in future. 

So, might as well make the most of it, enjoy the sights at each country's highway rest stop, and take lots of pictures on/from the bus!

Seeing dogs when travelling always makes my day.

Our itinerary covered plenty of churches, which was fine by me because Europe has gorgeous architecture.

Travelling with a tour group also means lots of the usual touristy destinations.

When travelling in Europe in June, expect lots of tourists. 

Also, lots of beyond beautiful buildings. 

And rain. 

Random, inconsistent rain.

Bring your umbrella everywhere. 
Better still, bring a raincoat (try framing your shots while juggling an umbrella and trying not to get the phone/camera wet; yeah... no).

Random question: Why is it so hard to find a decent-looking and not bank-breaking raincoat in Singapore? You'd think there'd be more of a market for raincoats, given our climate.

Unfortunately, after fruitlessly searching for raincoats that I wouldn't mind wearing all day (if it rained all day) but only finding incredibly ugly ponchos in Singapore, I gave up.
My umbrella had to do.

Not after this trip to Europe!
Hello, gorgeous raincoat ♥ ♥ 

Also if you're afraid of the cold, bring a jacket. 
Temperatures drop in the blink of an eye once the rain (and wind) hits.

What to do when travelling with a tour group but want pictures without an entire group of humans in them: Walk fast, position yourself well ahead of the group and take quick pictures.

Savour the gorgeous street life, because that's one of the few memories you'll be able to take home with you when travelling with a tour group.

When travelling with a tour group, every chance we get to eat a somewhat authentic local meal is cherished. Because authentic meals were rare. 

Most of the time, we had Chinese.
We had so many Chinese meals, I started wondering if I signed up for the wrong country.

Okay, maybe I exaggerate. But seriously, we didn't travel halfway around the world from Asia to eat Asian food. The last place I'd have Asian is in Europe. 

Most of the people in my tour group agreed that they'd rather pay slightly less for the tour package and have more at-your-own-expense meals instead. 
Of course, that's not good for the bottomline up to us to choose.

So we cherished every moment we had to get our own not-Chinese food.

But the sights make everything okay.

More or less.

 Because there were just too many tourists to even bother waiting for people to clear a spot before snapping my picture, I started taking pictures of tourists taking pictures.

I think I might have accidentally stumbled on something good.

The not-so-great part about travelling Europe with a tour group: Branded goods.
There will invariably be so many superficial brand-loving ladies in your group whose hearts will do a little dance every time the tour guide says, "There'll be a chance for you to visit the branded shops." 

You might even be stuck with a tour group that is so materialistic loves branded so much, they'd voluntarily sign up with the tour guide for another money-scamming opportunity an optional that's not printed in the brochure. 

But yay for me I guess, because at this optional, I chanced upon Superga. 
The cheapskate indie brand-lover in me rejoices.

On a slightly-more-serious note, because of the usual demography of tour group travellers (sorry, stereotyping does help make navigating this world a little easier) and the business strategy of most tour providers, the tour guide will make lots of stops at Big Brand shops (e.g. Chanel, Prada, Louis Vuitton, blahblahblah). 
These stops will likely be the longest stops you'll ever get on the whole trip (30 minutes to explore an entire village vs 2 hours to shop branded; you get the idea).

Yay for those who love buying branded.

If you're a hipster commoner like me and care more about how a thing looks than its brand (is it just me, or are most branded bags and clothes really just... not that good-looking?), you will die a little inside every. single. time the tour group stops at a branded shopping area.

On the bright side, 2 hours for the group to stock up on branded means 2 hours for the hipster non-branded-loving traveller to venture further, explore the area and find hidden gems.

Like this amazing fresh chocolate store.

Fresh. Chocolate.

Need I say more.

Ugh, heaven is a place on earth.


Travelling with a tour group also means making stops at so many souvenir shops, you start realising these guys all have the same supplier.

But never mind. While the tour group is busy buying their 2085436th keychain, you get time to explore the areas round the corner.

And find beautiful little market stalls with fresh produce.


Travelling in Europe with a tour group also means lots of optionals that aren't included in the tour package. Pay extra and sign up for these activities to enhance your trip.

Our Chan Brothers tour had quite a few optionals (but that's common practice for most tour providers for Europe), and most were pretty worth it. 

Optionals

The trip up Mt. Jungfrau. 

Top of Europe. Snow-capped mountains in Summer. 

Worth every penny.

The optional trip to Volendam, a little old fishing town in Holland, was also worth it.

The river cruise in Paris was pretty amazing, taking travellers past most of the major sights in Paris.

How else would you get to take in the entire Eiffel Tower (and get lots of pretty pictures of it against the insanely blue sky)?

Think visiting Eiffel Tower is a must for any trip to Paris?
Think again. 

Unless it's on your bucket list to scale the tower and see Paris from the top, there really isn't much need to visit the Eiffel Tower if what you want are pictures of the tower itself. 

Because up close, this is all you're gonna see.

The canal cruise in Amsterdam? Not so much.

Apart from seeing the quaint little boat houses (owned by people rich enough to travel the world by boat) along the canal, there really wasn't much else on this canal cruise. 

The city of Amsterdam is much better explored on foot.

The trip to Versailles Palace. 

Incredibly lavish design, and lots of tourists. 

Seriously, a whole lot of people. 

But still, worth it.

Note: The optional trip to Versailles Palace does not include the ticket entrance into the Palace's gardens, which has free entrance only from November to March, and select days from April to October. 

Pay for the optional, and you're given a ticket and only allowed just enough time to explore the Palace building. 

Reason: There isn't enough time to see everything and if Gardens entrance is included, there'll be less profit. "You've already seen Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg. It's the same lah. Don't think you'll want to keep seeing gardens."

Left: Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg.
Right: Versailles Gardens in France (it spans beyond the clouds in the picture).

Same?
Yeah... no.


Travelling with a tour group also means lots of mandatory stops (and time wasting) at tour-provider-profiteering tourist-traps certain shops.

Some of our stops were bearable, even enjoyable.

Like this visit to the cuckoo clock maker in Black Forest, Germany.

And the visit to the clog maker in Holland.

But most times, the stops were painful.

Like the very expensive glass maker in Venice, and the diamond manufacturer in Amsterdam.

But there's really nothing much you can do about that if you travel with tour providers based in Asia (I make this generalisation because the only tourists I ever see at these tour-provider-profiteering tourist-traps shops are Asian).

Another not-so-great thing about travelling in Europe: Lack of kettles in the hotel rooms.

It's one thing to have to buy bottled water all the time (technically, you don't have to because tap water is potable in Western Europe. However, it tastes funny, and sometimes powdery, because of the high calcium content). You can get used to drinking the somewhat powdery tap water. 

But to not have hot water when you really need that cup of instant noodles after the endless amounts of sandwiches/western/lousy Chinese food?

Bring cup noodles and a portable kettle, 
or suck it up and deal with the sandwiches/western/lousy Chinese food until you get back to Singapore.

But hands down the worst part about travelling with a tour group: Whisking past spots that you'd love to have just 5 more minutes/1 more day at. 

We did much of our city tours on foot (except for Paris and London), but the walking tours were really just continuous walking from point to point, with insane quick 5-minute photo stops at the usual touristy spots.

If you're the sort of traveller who loves to venture off, explore little nooks and pop into quirky shops, this tour will eat you up inside a little everyday.

And to make matters worse, there will always be stops at places that you really don't need to see when on such a tight schedule. 

Our whirlwind 1 day tour of London started off with a Chinese meal in Chinatown and ended off with a drop-off at Chinatown for 45 minutes before heading back to the hotel. 

By this point, I'm just like,


Sigh, alright then.


Still, there's always a bright side to anything (if you look hard enough). 
In the case of travelling with a tour group, I'd say it's the chance to see lots of places at one go before deciding where you'd like to return on your own for a proper experience.

Dear Europe, 
I will miss your gorgeous architecture, quaint markets and beautiful street life.  
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.
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Because I'm too lazy it'll be insane to recap the entire trip in chronological order, go here for Chan Brothers' Europe Discovery itinerary. 

Things to note:
1. Quite a few places listed on the itinerary are quick photo opportunities from a distance and not actual visits into the attraction.
2. Unless stated otherwise, provided meals are Chinese -_-

Hotels we stayed in (with free WiFi in rooms unless stated otherwise)...
Rome: Ardeatina Park Hotel (1 night)
Florence: Hotel West Florence (1 night; no free WiFi)
Venice: Holiday Inn Venice Mestre Marghera (1 night)
Salzburg: Mercure Salzburg Central (1 night)
Lucerne: Ameron Flora (1 night)
Interlaken: Metropole Hotel (2 nights; no free WiFi)
Germany: NH Weinheim (1 night)
Amsterdam: Van Der Valk Schiphol A4 (2 nights)
Paris: Moevenpick Paris Neuilly (2 nights)
London: Novotel London West (1 night) 

Interesting note: A few people in my tour group were Primark fanatics and cabbed down to Oxford Street to do a quick round of shopping before the shops closed on the last night in London. I chanced upon a Primark outlet in the morning, within walking distance from the hotel (Novotel London West), just behind King's Mall. 
Primark fans thinking of going on this tour, no need to cab down to Oxford Street and rush your shopping after all!

Optionals (with Chan Brothers' pricing)...
Venice: Gondola Ride (30/person) did not do (bad weather).
Switzerland, Interlaken: Mt. Jungfrau (SFR195/adult, SFR135/child) did!
Netherlands: Volendam (25/adult, 15/child) did!
Netherlands: Keukenhof Tulip Festival (45/adult, 30/child; only available from March-May during season) did not do (not the season).
Paris: Seine River Cruise (30/adult, 15/child) did!
Paris: Versailles Palace (60/adult, 40/child) did!

Optionals (not listed in Chan Brothers' brochure but provided by tour guide during trip)...
Florence: Barberino Designer Outlet (20/person) did not do (but had to go along with coach).
Germany: Rhine River drive (15/person) did!
Paris: French 5-course dinner (75/person) did not do because scam.
Paris: Moulin Rouge show + champagne (150/person) did not do.

Tipping...
Tour Manager: 45/person
Coach Captain: 30/person
City Guides: 12/person
Total: 87/person

Till the next review,
XOXO