My mum came home one day and showed off this styling product, bench FIX Hair Gel, saying that she hopes it will help her style her short hair into something sophisticated. A hair gel?!, I had silently exclaimed.

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Personally, I’m not too keen on using hair gels. I find them too sticky, greasy. I always end up making a mess and needing to wash my hands thoroughly every time I use it. And when I had the product on my hair, it usually ends up feeling icky. And it’s a dirt and dust magnet!

I have yet to ask my mum how her experience is with this hair gel. I’m curious to know if it does satisfy her styling needs. Meanwhile, I’d like to repeat the question I had asked earlier, do you use hair gel? Plus additional questions from your ever curious beauty blogger: is there a particular brand you prefer? Why do you like the hair gel you’re using? Do share! I’d really love to know!

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This can take a bit of time, unfortunately. I wish my hair would grow longer faster but can’t do anything to speed things up, really. I just have to be patient and learn to make do with what hair I have now.

One of the ways that helps me deal with the awkwardness of my hair’s current state is curling it up. I’m been working on creating a messed-up curl hairstyle for short hair but I can’t seem to pull it off EXACTLY the way I want it. I guess I need a lot more practice in using the curling iron. I’m actually wondering if I need to use a smaller barrel or I can make do with the medium-sized one that I have (not that I really have a choice at present).

I’ve been playing around with curly hairstyles (The Naturally Curly Look and Soft Curls) ever since I bought my curling iron but it was when I had longer hair. My now short hair is a bit of a chore curling, esp at the back where its cropped and layered.

If any of you have got tips on how to create messed-up curls, ping me! I’d love to hear suggestions. I really want to *master* this hairstyle!

Image: mango.com

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To be quite honest, I’m not sure what that will do to my hair but I can’t help it. I decided to curl my hair when I went to that Red Light Party a few weeks back and I just fell in love with how it looked! Can you imagine my short locks, complete with an edgy cut, all curled up looking oh-so-sexy? I dunno but I love it!

I have to apologise for not being able to post a photo but I promise to do so when I get the chance.

Anyway, this got me to thinking about past hair stories I’ve written here at Beauty Bento Box. I had noticed how they still seem to be quite popular. Here, take a look at a quick rundown on what I have so far:

Guess Who has a Victoria Beckham-esque Hair Now?
CLEAR: A Revolutionary New Anti-dandruff Shampoo
What will my next hairstyle look like?
Rebonded Hair
Sunsilk, Life Can’t Wait
Sasha Does a Bob for 2008!
I had a Haircut!
Hairstyle: Soft Curls
The Black Parade, CLEAR Black Valentine’s
10 Tips to a Sleek Hair
Hairstyle: The Naturally Curly Look

And that’s just naming a few! It’s quite interesting how people find this subject engaging. Does this prove that hair is one of women’s prized vanities?

Right now, I’m still sporting a short hair but I’m letting grow back to its original length but I’m certain it won’t look the same as in the past. We all know that when we grow, nothing stays the same. I know it’ll look better than ever. I’m simply looking forward to the days I’m going to spend enjoying my hair as it grows. Yay!

What about you guys? How’s your hair these days? Any plans to change their look, may it be a cut, colour, or letting it grow to your desired length? Care to share any particular way, products you use, you take care of your locks? Come on, let’s talk hair!

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Unplanned. But I welcome this change. I needed a bit of boost and cheering up. A trip to the salon does help when you’re in need of an upper. So, yea. I’m now sporting a rebonded hairstyle. Straightened an already straight hair. Heh.

My sister was scheduled to go back home to Oz yesterday afternoon. However, before leaving Manila, she decided to make an appointment with our family’s token hairdresser, Rene. He’s the head stylist of RENSHIVA. Before Rico Gallegos of FIX Salon, I’ve been a regular of RENSHIVA.

The original plan had included my sister having her hair rebonded while I simply wanted a trim and a mani/pedi. But we managed to strike up a great deal with Rene, which ended up having the sister get the following done:

Rebonding
Hair Colour
Hair cut
Manicure
Pedicure
Foot spa

We spent a total of six (6) hours in the salon. Gawd. It came to a point wherein we were afraid that we won’t be able to bring my sister to the airport in time. We had to go back home to pick up her suitcase and for her to get ready for a 12-hour flight. Gah. Good thing things worked out well.

When I had my hair cut short early this year, I was actually considering on having it rebonded instead. However, the latter is a whole lot more expensive so I thought cutting it will be better for my pockets.

Now, looking at my reflection, I see a straighter, reddish-brown (courtesy of the hair colour treatment), layered short hair. It now lacks the usual volume but it does look healthy and shiny. I like that it still looks natural and not the stringy, straight that I sometimes see on women who had their hair rebonded. It’s a little on the limp side but I reckon I can work with a few styling products along the way. BUT they’ve given me some tips on care and maintenance:

Don’t let the hair get wet for the first (two) 2 days.
Don’t tie your hair.
Find a good moisturising conditioner.

Perhaps you guys have more tips to share? If you’ve had your hair rebonded, perhaps you can tell us your own personal experience.

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

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Looking at the tall, statue-esque frame of the girl, you can’t help but admire the way she easily pulled off the light-coloured soft curls. Sophie requested that I take a paparazzi shot but twas difficult considering I had a relatively large camera which is hard to conceal. So, I suggested we ask her if we can take her photo, instead.

Her name’s Sylvianna (so cool to have consented) and she had her hair done in the same salon (obviously). So, if any of you beauties here in Manila are interested in getting a similar look, give F Salon a visit. Soft curls does look so romantic, yeah?

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Thank god for Phoebe, who did take me to her stylist over at F Salon and helped me find a fabulous hair style, I went and got “BOB-ed”. I had needed her to tell the stylist what I had wanted done and not to mention the moral support!

Rather than bore you guys with a copy heavy post on the haircut, I thought it’d be interesting to photo document the entire thing.

“Huwaaat? Cut my long locks?!?”

As you can see I tie my hair in a bun most of the time anyway so might as well cut it off, huh?

“No way! That’s how my hair looks from the back?! Eeek.”

Honestly. My hair looks more red than brown. It’s the light in the salon that made it look that, er, disastrous! But if my hair really looks that dry then twas a good thing to cut it!

“Ahhh! I can get used to this!”

So that’s how it feels like to have a paparazzi on you. Heh. Look, I didn’t even know Phoebe took a photo of me with my hair all wet. Gah. I’m the girl on the right, btw.

“Am I doing the right thing? Hmmm.”

The stylist chopped the ‘excess’ hair to a more manageable length and had it blow dried. Turned out cute but I wanted it just a lil bit shorter and less bland-looking as blunt cuts. Heh.

“Alas! Tis’ short!”

The world is lighter! Hahaha. Yea, after having had long hair since 1999 (if I remember it correctly), it certainly is a huge change for me.

So off we go to more cutting. Snip here. Snip there. Layered the tips.

“Awww. I have two Rico’s in my life now.”

Trivia: Meet Rico the boyfriend and Rico the stylist. You can guess which is which, right? Hehe. Oh, did I forget to mention that the stylist’s name is Rico, too? Well, it is! I reckon it’s fate. Heh.

“It’s taking shape!”

There you go. You can now see that it’s taking shape. We’re quite at the end of this hair escapade.

“Ta-da! All done!”

Brushing off some stray hair on my top, you can see the final outcome. Oh, didja notice that my hair is a bit longer down the front? I love that bit especially.

“Time for a kodak moment!”

I reckon this is my way to start a new year! I’ll be sporting a bob for 2008!

So, how do you guys like my new hair?

Photos © 2007 Phoebe Ramos

Useful Info:
Stylist: Rico
Schedule: Wednesdays off
Location: F Salon (inside First Aid), 2nd Level, Greenbelt 3, Makati City
Contact Number: 757 4976

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Reminiscing my old locks, I’m reminded of a hairstyle I donned up picking up Style It Less fashionista Dexie’s tip on getting her Les Curles. I loved the soft curls that somewhat looked so natural on my own. It looked so romantic! I felt so feminine.

While styling my hair with the curling iron, I kept telling myself, “remember to hold the curling iron vertically! That’s what Dexie advised.” So, vertical it stayed for 20 seconds. I applied the Finesse Mousse before the iron touched my hair to ensure curl hold. Surprisingly, I was able to style my hair faster. I was done in under 30 minutes, hair polish and all.

This looked different than my first try, yeah? now, all I have to do is to try curling my new hair. I wonder how that’ll turn out.

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Just a peek on how my new hair looks like. I know it’s not as funky as my early hair options but, hey, I adore the new colour.

What I had my hairdresser do:

• Cellophane with reddish brown colour
• Layers, cutting off a couple inches
• Usual Blow-dry

A great thing about getting a Cellophane is a combination of treatments, one is colouring and the other is the hot oil treatment. Your hair will be softer and smoother then depending on the colour, it will look healthier and shinier. I’ve had this colour before, back in February. My hair dresser reverted back to Brown with gold highlights when I last visited him. But now I asked for the former done again for aesthetic reasons.

The reason why I opted for layers is that I wanted my hair to look less bulkier and heavier. Layers add funk to the shape of the hair and I have to admit it looks a bit sexier. It certainly feels lighter! I wanted to go for a shorter, Posh-spice-looking bob but, alas, my bangs proved to be a problem. Not to mention that my hairdresser didn’t want me to cut off my long locks. I’ll probably go for a shorter style come the warmer season (summer!) but for now, I’m content with how my hair looks.

I’m still considering the other option they raised when I was at the salon. Get a rebond. I really need to think about that since I’m also enjoying my curling iron, so, that’s a bit of a contradiction, right?

So, what d’you all think?

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I’ve been considering a hair cut. I’m sort of bored with my hair, you see. I’ve always worn it long. I’m thinking of cutting it short. I’ve never settled on a hairstyle, though. While I’m wallowing in my indecision, I’ve bought myself a curling iron to entertain. I was hoping it will take my mind off the cutting of the hair thing. But, alas, I’m still thinking about it. Heh.

Today, I found myself googling for Asian Hairstyles and I was led to Glam’s website filled with photos of Asian women with different hairstyles. i narrowed my choices down to three. (Please see the photos above)

Some of them may or may not suit my bone structure or even the current state of my hair. The thickness of my locks may be a problem when it comes to achieving that sort of look. However, there’s still hope.

I like my future hair to be a little funky, not too difficult to style and maintain, and I want it to be interesting. But I’m a bit of a conservative. I’m too scared to experiment on my hair! LOL. I really need a hairdresser whom I can trust won’t murder my haircut.

So what do you guys think? Which one will it be? Or perhaps you can direct me towards a better option? Ping me! Ping me!

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Silk Protein Enriched.

* Provides lasting body and control.
* Alcohol-free formula won’t dry your hair.
* Controls flyaways and frizzies.
* Never too stiff or sticky, no flaking or build-up.
* Easy to brush; inviting to touch.

I’m not the type who would normally put gobs and gobs of hair products to style my hair. The thing with having a typical Asian hair, you see, it’s usually straight and worn long. This somewhat provides an excuse to simply have a “wash and wear” type of hair, hassle-free and simple.

However, if you broach the subject of styling, the need for a styling product increases. There will always be an occasion wherein you would want your hair to look extra special. But going back to having Asian hair, it also usually presents a problem. It often wants to stay straight. Due to thick or heavy strands or extra smooth ones. Styling now becomes a headache. (Now you get a clearer picture on why most Asians keep their hair long — it’s simpler that way.)

But in my case, when I started modeling, one of the things I needed to learn, apart from makeup, was to style my own hair. I had to experiment a bit until I found something that really worked for me in both form and function. One other reason why I didn’t like hair products were because of the scent they leave on my hair, most (esp the really cheap ones) I find distasteful.

I tried the usual route of hair sprays, gels and wax but I found refuge in mousses. I chanced upon Finesse Touchables Mousse and I was hooked. I love how my hair felt. None of that solid-as-a-rock hair or that sleek, glued-together, wet look. Plus the scent! This mousse truly made hairstyling possible and easy for me. I find it really handy now that I’ve grown a renewed liking to curling my hair, thanks to my curling iron. Gets the job done quicker and the result is fabulous.

I still use hair sprays on occasion and a hair polish daily. I’ll tell you guys more about these products on separate posts. Stay tuned!

Available at Drugstore

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