J's Salon
Level 3
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
Name of treatment: Deluxe Ritual Suite Treatment
How much: $248 (for men) $298 (for women)
The view from the hair treatment room at J's Salon is breathtaking.
The space emulates an idyllic garden. Large bay windows, which span the room, feature views of the Singapore River, stretching all the way to Marina Bay Sands.
Owner June Ng, 54, says she wants to engage her customers' five senses each time they experience the hair spa.
She begins by making use of aromatherapy. Hints of soothing peppermint can be detected in the treatment room and lavender-infused oil is generously used in the relaxing head, neck and shoulders massage.
Soft New Age music is piped in and 12 different brews of quality Gryphon tea and other drinks, all exclusively concocted for the salon, are offered to customers the moment they step in.
At $248 and up, the treatments, which last about two hours and 15 minutes, are not cheap. But they are popular, says Ms Ng.
The salon receives 60 bookings a week for their hair spa treatments. This increases to about 80 during festive periods like Christmas or Chinese New Year.
The treatment begins with a thorough diagnosis of the scalp and hair, after which the hair treatment is customised to the customer's hair condition.
Experienced hairstylists start a unique hydrotherapy process where the scalp is gently massaged, softening and removing dead cells. This reportedly makes the treatment more thorough and effective.
During treatment, guests sit in immaculate white leather-bound chairs from Italy. The hair equipment is from Japan, Korea and France. All the massage oils are mixed in-house, making the process a personal and exclusive experience.
The salon still has its regulars despite its recent shift from Goodwood Park Hotel to its new location at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel.
Ms Ng attributes the loyal customer base to her service philosophy: "We want to make women look beautiful, and yet relaxed and satisfied at the same time.
"I think we have successfully done that, as we always make them feel completely pampered and happy after every treatment."
J's Salon wishes all TNP readers a happy Chinese New Year, and will be extending a $50 discount on their hair packages with this edition. Bring this newspaper when you make an appointment.
Action Hair Salon
#05-08, Paragon Shopping Centre
Name of treatment: Action Ultimate Treatment
How much: $699
Action Hair Salon is possibly one of the most lavish hair salons here.
The luxurious space features dark granite flooring and marble-topped stations, juxtaposed against bright lightboxes.
The private treatment rooms use high-end salon chairs that cost upwards of $20,000, while the long stretch of 18 mirrors can be converted into a runway for fashion shows.
The 16-year-old salon is planning to raise its game with a revamp in the near future. It is looking into ritzy designer-themed treatment rooms, with high-end brands like Versace and Roberto Cavalli serving as inspiration.
The salon's extravagance is also reflected in its treatments. The priciest hair spa - the Action Ultimate Treatment - costs $699, and entails an intense 16-step hair and scalp treatment, spanning three hours.
The experience begins with a thorough examination of the customer's hair condition, which will determine the types of products used.
The process makes use of at least eight separate hair products, from brands like Shu Uemura and Kerastase.
Customers are also given head and shoulder massages throughout the three hours, promising to leave them feeling pampered and completely satisfied.
This treatment is exclusive to the salon and is going through trademark registration.
A more affordable alternative would be the 15-minute express hair treatments, which start from $79 (excluding a blow-dry), bur the Action Ultimate Treatment remains popular, says Mr Sonnie Tan, the executive director of the salon.
The affable man greets nearly all his customers personally. He even concocts an exotic blend of high quality, imported tea, which is served exclusively at the salon.
Ultimately, it is the great service and quality hair treatments which keep customers coming back for more, Mr Tan says.
Auriga Spa Capella Resort, Sentosa
Name of treatment: Hair and scalp treatment
How much: $170 (exclusive of GST and service charge)
Stepping into the dimly-lit Auriga Spa is like stepping into another world.
Cocooned by lush greenery and with soft music playing, this Sentosa resort is a quiet sanctuary and the bustling city seems far away.
The scent of vanilla wafts up to greet guests.
The designer interior features wood, rough granite shower walls and long bay windows in the spa's nine treatment rooms.
The spa uses products by The Organic Pharmacy, a cult brand from the UK which utilises only herbal and chemical-free ingredients for its pampering hair treatments.
For $170, you get a 30-minute treatment (that works out to more than $5 per minute) by experienced professionals.
Warm oil infused with organic neem, chamomile and cedarwood is gently massaged into the scalp.
Rose and shea butter or jasmine and jojoba conditioner is then applied to ensure glossiness.
The treatment encompasses a shoulder, arm and neck massage that promises to leave the customer completely relaxed and refreshed after the experience.
The entire experience is luxurious from start to finish.
Guests are first provided with a choice of ginger or osmanthus tea.
Their personal preferences are taken down for therapists to customise their treatments.
They are shown to the complimentary facilities, including the herbal steam room, scented rain showers and the heated vitality pool.
After the treatment, guests are shown to the relaxation room - a large, spacious room filled with massage chairs to lounge on.
According to staff, there are many regulars, and the customer base, which includes celebrities and political figures, is growing steadily.
Says Ms Alsu Abdulina, the spa's director: "...it is much more than just going for a massage. Guests can enjoy a holistic wellness experience, from a warm welcome with freshly brewed therapeutic herbal tea to invigorating hot and cold spa facilities, personalised service and the healing touch of skilled therapists.
"The Auriga Spa team is dedicated to ensure each guest leaves with a renewed sense of well-being that lasts."
And.A Salon
#02-29/30/31 Far East Plaza
Name of treatment:
24 Carat Ritual Treatment
How much: $85
So you want luxury, but not the price?
Then this salon could be right up your alley. While not quite in the same league as the others featured here, its seating area boasts of two limited edition armchairs from Ligne Roset, of which there are only 150 in the world, while classical music is piped in through Bang & Olufsen speakers.
Once in the salon, customers are offered a selection of drinks, including quality brewed tea or coffee, along with a kimono. Their valuables are placed in lockers.
The salon's hair treatments, which use products from Kerastase, L'Oreal and Shiseido, are usually completed in the privacy of the unique glass island, where customers can experience a soothing hair wash and a 20-minute head massage in solitude.
Salon director Angela Lee says: "We want to make all our customers feel pampered the moment they enter the salon."
WE POLLED 50 PEOPLE: How much are you willing to pay for a single trip to the hair salon?
Range:
Under $10: 2
$10-$50: 15
$51 - $100: 15
$101 - $200: 6
$201 - $400: 9
Over $401: 3
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