A fresh colour and cut can do wonders for your look – just ask these three readers who got treated to gorgeous makeovers.
A fresh colour and cut can do wonders for your look – just ask these three readers who got treated to gorgeous makeovers.
Jacqueline wears Red Crepe Overlay jumpsuit from Warehouse and Swarovski necklace.
“The cinnamon hues brighten up my face!”
Jacqueline Ong has only coloured her hair once before and has never had highlights – until now. The 28-year-old KPMG risk consultant was initially nervous and skeptical about having highlights, as she wasn’t sure what to expect. “But I have had long black hair for the longest time,” she says, “so I really wanted a drastic change for the New Year!”
After determining Jacqueline’s face shape and skin tone, Chez Vous’s Associate Salon Director Shawn Chia chose the most flattering cut and colour for her: Soft, blended layers and cinnamon swirl hues using the balayage-ombre colouring technique. He also used her natural dark hair colour as a base.
“The smooth colour transition of the ombre – from the deeper shade at the roots to a lighter copper brown hue at the ends – helps create the illusion of a more oval-shaped face,” he says, and the painted light brown highlights help brighten up her skin tone which is on the warmer side.
Shawn also switched up her parting with a centre part, instead of her usual side-swept one. He then used a forward layering technique on the fringe to soften her facial features, especially the jawline, as well as augment the oval-shaped effect. “I am loving it,” she says, “because it’s so easy to maintain and looks natural even when the roots grow out!”
The Process
1. Choosing the right shades.
2. Creating the balayage-ombre effect.
Use the Goldwell Kerasilk Color Intensive Luster Mask, $60 (200 ml), to protect your new hair colour and enjoy it for a longer period of time.
Cheryl wears Gold Floral Jacquard dress from Karen Millen and Swarovski necklace.
“I look more radiant and feel younger”
For Cheryl Gan, going to the salon meant getting the usual trim every few months. So the 34-year-old behavioural therapist and mum-of-three decided it was time for an upgrade. “I last dyed my hair over 10 years ago! Now that my kids are a bit older and I have more time on my hands, it’s now or never to do something different with it,” she shares.
First, Blow+Bar’s Senior Stylist Avan Ng took a few inches off her hair. “The lob cut (long bob) is perfect for busy mums as it gives volume yet is easy to manage and can be tied up if needed,” he says. He then spiced up her black hair with warm and cool brown highlights that brighten up her skin tone, add dimension and create an overall neutral-coloured look that is flattering on all complexions.
The resulting effect is natural-looking and versatile, so Cheryl can easily switch from a tousled day look to a fancy evening one by using a curling iron to add some glamorous waves. “The new colour took some getting used to, but it makes me feel younger and fairer! I also like the way the babylights enhance my haircut,” she says.
The Process
1. Cutting it shorter.
2. “Painting” on the warm and cool brown colours.
3. Waiting for the big reveal!
Angela wears Two-Tone Satin jumpsuit from Karen Millen.
“I love the freshness of my new ’do”
It’s been over six months since Angela Lee dyed her hair, so the colour has faded and the roots grown out. “I’ve wanted a change for a long while,” she says, “something that’s easier to manage and gives my hair more volume”. The primary school teacher, who is in her 40s, has fine hair which she usually wears long and permed at the ends.
Celebrity hairstylist Ken Hong of Evolve Salon worked his magic and gave her a revitalising new shoulder-sweeping length, with a set of youthful, face-framing bangs. “The feathery bangs create a more voluminous and textured look, while keeping it easy to maintain”, he says, while the layered ends soften her look and breathe new life into her mane.
Ken also chose a more natural dark shade of brown that helps her appear more vibrant and fresh, as opposed to the lighter shade that made her skin look washed out. “The new colour definitely makes me look fresher,” Angela says, “and having a shorter fringe makes me look much younger too. And if I want a different look, I can simply push it to the side!”
The Process
1. Starting with a pampering wash.
2. Snipping away the faded and damaged ends.
3. Putting on a new colour!
Leave the John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Brighter In-Shower Lightening Treatment, $19.90, on for just five minutes as it works to lighten brown colourtreated hair by up to one shade after just one use!
Photos: Nyen / Styling : Jessica Khor / Makeup: Gigi SNg.
