A trip to the salon will set you back by about $30 for a head shave and more than $50 for a trim and style session. Renowned hairstylist Shunji Matsuo shows you how you can do all that in the comfort of your own home.
HOW TO... blow-dry your hair
WHAT YOU NEED
Round or flat hairbrush
Hair dryer (costs around $39.90)
WHAT TO DO
1. To achieve hair with volume, use a round hairbrush. To create straight and flat hair, use a flat hairbrush.
2. Set medium heat for hair dryer.
3. Hold the hair dryer 15 to 20cm away from hair.
4. Pick out a section of the hair using the hairbrush and blow-dry hair from the top of the head to the bottom.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for whole head.
HOW TO... straighten your hair
WHAT YOU NEED
Flat straightening iron (around $59.90)
Hair clip
Wide-tooth comb
Anti-frizz serum
WHAT TO DO
1. Blow-dry hair completely.
2. Heat up flat iron to between 180 and 200 deg C.
3. Separate your hair into two portions, top and bottom.
4. Twist the top half and use a clip to secure hair.
5. Use a wide-tooth comb to smooth out and section the rest of the hair.
6. For straight or unpermed hair, start from middle of the hair. Pick out a 3cm section of hair.
7. For those with very curly hair, start from the roots and pick out a 1cm section of hair.
8. Run flat iron through hair once at a 45-degree angle.
9. Repeat steps until all the hair in the lower section is done.
10. Unclip the upper portion of hair and repeat steps 6 or 7, and 8.
11. For a smooth and shiny finish, squeeze a small amount of anti-frizz serum on your palms and run it through your hair.
HOW TO... trim your hair
WHAT YOU NEED
Hair scissors
Clips
Comb
WHAT TO DO FOR SPLIT ENDS
1. Make sure hair is completely dry.
2. Pick out a section of hair with split ends.
3. With a pair of hair scissors, make small snips vertically to snip off the split ends.
4. If you have very layered hair, pick out and twist a section of hair with your finger to reveal split ends and repeat
Step 3.
WHAT TO DO FOR FRINGE
1. Pull back hair on the sides with clips.
2. Measure 15cm from eyebrows to the crown of the head and comb out your fringe.
3. Hold fringe with comb and cut desired length horizontally with hair scissors.
4. To create wispy ends, flatten fringe with your hand and make small snips vertically along the ends of your fringe.
HOW TO... shave your head
WHAT YOU NEED
Electric hair clippers (from $45 to $119)
Razor
Shaving cream
After-shave lotion
WHAT TO DO
1. Charge electric hair clippers to prepare for use.
2. Starting with the fringe, gently pull the hair back with your fingers and shave down towards the back of the head, but not too close to the scalp.
3. Repeat all over your head till hair is as closely cropped as you can get it.
4. Apply a small amount of shaving cream on to head.
5. Using a razor, gently shave off remaining hair.
6. Apply an after-shave lotion or cream to soothe the scalp.
HOW TO... create loose curls
WHAT YOU NEED
Curling tongs (around $59.90)
Hair clips
Wide-tooth comb
Hair wax
Hair spray
WHAT TO DO
1. Blow-dry hair completely.
2. Heat up a pair of 32mm-wide curling tongs to between 180 and 200 deg C.
3. Separate your hair into two portions, top and bottom.
4. Twist the top half and use a clip to secure hair.
5. Use a wide-tooth comb to smooth out and section the bottom section.
6. Pick out a section of hair and wrap it around the curling tongs for a few seconds.
7. Slide the curling tongs out and repeat step 6 until the bottom portion is all curled.
8. Unclip the upper half and repeat steps 6 and 7.
9. Run your fingers through your hair with a small of amount of wax to loosen the curls.
10. Set the style with hair spray.
HOW TO... trim your eyebrows
Plucking and trimming your eyebrows can cost as much as $40 at a salon. Experts from home-grown brow-shaping chain Browhaus have these tips on how to do an arch job yourself.
WHAT YOU NEED
Mirror
Sharp
Mascara brush
Small scissors
WHAT TO DO
1. Remove all make-up. The best time to do brows is after a shower, which opens pores and reduces the pain of plucking.
2. In front of a mirror, place the tweezers close to the base of hair and pull out in short, swift movements, starting from the inner eye area outwards. Pluck in the direction of hair growth to prevent bleeding and ingrown hairs (photo A).
3. Only pluck hair from below the brow bone. Do not pluck into your brow or above, as even a slight mistake could wreck your brow shape. Never shave brows as this causes ingrown hairs.
Tip: Keep skin taut as you pluck - do this by pulling skin around the eye- brow area owards your temple.
4. To get the shape right, follow the basic line of your eyebrow, which follows your face shape.
5. Now do the other eyebrow.
6. For that salon-like finish, use a mascara brush to comb your newly plucked brows and tidy up loose strands. Trim overgrown hairs with small scissors.
7. Do not forget to check between your brows for stray hairs that need plucking too.
8. To numb any pain, smooth on a soothing cream or simply press an ice cube on your brow.
HOW TO... do a manicure
Save yourself the cost of a $35 manicure or a pedicure that can cost as much as $55. Experts from home-grown spa and beauty services group Spa Esprit have these pointers on doing your own manicures and pedicures. The instructions for hands and feet are similar.
WHAT YOU NEED
Nail clipper
Nail file
Nail buffer
Cuticle oil and softener
Wooden cuticle stick
Base coat
Coloured nail polish
Top coat
Toe separators
Hand moisturiser
Hair dryer
WHAT TO DO
1. Trim nails with a sharp nail clipper. But do not clip too close to your finger tips as this may cause ingrown nails.
2. File nail edges in one direction only and at a 90-degree angle to the nail tip. This reduces stress to the growing nail and ensures even filing.
Tip: File the sides of nails in a curved motion for slightly rounded edges.
3. Gently buff nail edges and surfaces.
4. Soak hands in warm water to soften cuticles and prevent them from tearing and bleeding.
5. Spray on cuticle softener. With a wooden cuticle stick, gently push back the cuticle edges towards the nail bed.
At this point, the salon would trim your cuticles, but experts say do not do this at home - it could result in tearing and bleeding cuticles, which may lead to infection.
6. Moisturise hands and nails in an upward and downward motion.
7. Place your fingers on an elevated, flat platform, such as a telephone directory, and apply a base coat. Use long strokes from your nail base to the tip to ensure an even coating. For your feet, use toe separators to keep toes apart during application.
8. Apply two coats of nail polish and finish off with a top coat. Leave nails to dry for about half an hour to two hours.
Four coats of polish take two hours to dry fully. For a quicker result, use a hair dryer on a cool setting.
9. Dab cuticle oil on the base of your nails to soften and protect your nail edges.
HOW TO... give yourself a facial
Spa Esprit recommends this eco-friendly 40-minute facial using ingredients from your kitchen cupboard.
WHAT YOU NEED
Make-up remover and facial cleanser
Crushed strawberries/raspberries with sugar (acts as an exfoliating scrub)
Toner
Egg white (acts as a mask)
Face & eye moisturiser
Cold camomile tea bags
Cotton pads
WHAT TO DO
1. Dab make-up remover on your forehead, cheeks and chin and move fingers in a slow, circular motion. As well as removing your make-up, this helps improve circulation.
2. Take two cotton pads, wet with lukewarm water, and clean off the make-up remover in a circular motion.
3. Wash your face with a facial cleanser. Double cleansing ensures all traces of make-up are removed.
4. Crush strawberries or raspberries with sugar, add a bit of water and apply in a slow, circular motion around your face. Clean off with lukewarm water. The natural acid in the juice helps clear clogged skin.
However, if you have a pimple breakout, do not rub for more than three minutes as this could aggravate your skin. Do not extract pimples on your own as this could result in an infection.
5. Apply toner with a light tapping motion. This helps it get absorbed.
6. Dip cotton pads in a small bowl of beaten egg whites. Place the soaked cotton pads all over your face and wait five minutes for the egg white to dry. Gently remove the pads. Do not apply on delicate skin around the eye area.
7. Repeat step 5.
8. Dab a small amount of moisturiser and massage around the eyes in a light, circular motion. You can also press cold camomile tea bags on the eye area. These reduce puffiness.
9. Finish off with a face massage - put a dab of moisturiser on your face and move your fingers in an upward motion.
10. If you are heading outdoors during the day, do not forget to put on sunblock.
This article was first published in The Sunday Times on Feb 1, 2009.
