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Mon, Jun 30, 2014
Urban, The Straits Times
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How to tame tresses after a perm?
by Gladys Chung

How can I avoid getting a bad hair day even after I have permed my locks multiple times?

Put in a bit of effort immediately after washing your hair and use the right products, says Mr Ken Hong, salon director of Evolve Salon.

Mr Hong was a guest on the first season of the Singapore version of the Taiwanese beauty and lifestyle variety show, Lady First.

He was recently named the local expert endorser of haircare brand John Frieda.

Here are his tips on how to manage your hair:

Do not perm and colour your hair on the same day. Your hair would be severely damaged if you do that.

Perm your hair at least three days before you colour it as that is the time it takes for the chemicals to stabilise the curls. If not, the hair dye could affect the way the curls turn out. You should get a perm only once every six months if you want to keep your locks healthy.

Always use a curl styling water spray after washing your hair to help set the waves.

First, towel dry your hair and use a hairdryer on the scalp. Use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to untangle hair. Then, spray the styling formula evenly onto your locks and scrunch them. Do not use a brush or fine-toothed comb as these will straighten the curls.

Section hair into even chunks - the smaller the section, the tighter the curls - and twist them loosely to the ends. Hold on to the twisted hair and direct a hair dryer on the entire length. Release the hair only when it is completely dry. Repeat for all sections.

After that, run your fingers through your hair to loosen the curls and scrunch in some hair serum.

Always start with a small amount of serum and add more if necessary, so as not to weigh down hair.

A hairstylist trick is to spread the serum evenly onto the palms and fingers. Then, apply the serum onto the hair, starting near the nape of your neck and moving towards the ends of the hair to loosen the curls. Avoid touching the scalp while you do so.

Scrunch the residual serum on the ends.

If you wash and curl your hair before you sleep, revive the volume in the morning with a styling water spray.

If you have to curl your hair with a heated tong, always use the appliance on towel-dried hair. Applying the hot iron to wet hair will damage the locks and make them frizzy.

Always use a heat-protection spray before tonging your locks, to prevent it from becoming damaged.

Urban recommends:

For styling water sprays, I try John Frieda's Frizz Ease Dream Curls Daily Styling Spray ($16.90, available from next month at selected Guardian and Watsons outlets, as well as supermarkets) and Liese's Juicy Shower Moisturizing Hair Mist For Wavy Hair ($14.90). Both are available at selected personal care stores and supermarkets.

For hair serums, try Kerastase's Elixir Ultime Hair Oil ($62, call 6738-3113 for stockists) or Alterna Caviar CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction Leave-In Hair Perfector ($38, from Sephora stores).

For heat-protection formulas, I try Living Proof's Restore Revitalizing Spray ($36, from Sephora stores) and the Toni & Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe Prep Heat Protection Mist ($21.90, from selected Guardian and Watsons stores).


This article was first published on June 13, 2014.
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