Hair director Nicky Shin from the Korean-inspired hair and beauty salon, Spa Scene, gives his take on getting a perm.
Contributed By Theodora Ho
Nicky Shin, hair director of Spa Scene. PHOTO COURTESY OF SPA SCENE
Love it or hate it, perms are on-trend this season, as the Spring/Summer 2011 runway collections of major fashion labels including Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam and Sonia Rykiel show. And who better to get you all curled up than the experts who hail from the perm-loving nation of South Korea itself, where curly locks are as popular among the men (just look at their heartthrobs) as they are among the fairer sex.
With styles such as the ever-popular Digital Perm as well as the Volume Magic Perm and Men’s Foil Volume Perm, customers at the newly opened Korean-inspired Spa Scene salon are offered a wide range of perm styles, starting at S$200, customized to their preferences, hair type and length. City News cornered hair director Nicky Shin on how to get a quality perm that suits your face shape.
What are some of the latest trends in perms?
The perms that are in fashion now are the volume rebonding and natural looking curls. Glamorous curls and natural-looking rebonding is the look of the moment. No broomstick hair and frizzy curls!
Many people have the assumption that perming your hair makes you look older. Is this true or false?
It is a stereotype to think that curls are for older people. What I tell my customers is that if you get the right perm that suits your face, you can never look old.
How do clients decide on the perm that suits them best?
If you have a round face, you should increase the volume at the hair roots and on top of the head, and start the curls below the jawline. For those with long faces, minimize the volume on top of the head, and start the curls below the shoulders.
For clients who have never had a perm, how do they go about deciding on the style of perm?
It may feel a little awkward when you see yourself in the mirror with curls for the first time so I would recommend the custom waves perm which allows you to adjust the size of the curls according to your preference or face shape.
How do you tell if a perm job is a good one?
You can tell by seeing how damaged your hair is after the perm—obviously, the lesser the damage, the better the quality. For maximum protection, there should be treatment processes at every interval of the perm, in between each step.
What are some tips to protect the perm job to ensure that it lasts as long as possible?
The health of the hair is the most important factor for permed hair. Avoid styling products that are sticky and heavily textured. Also, it is advisable that you use shampoo catered for permed hair, along with strengthening/treatment serums. If your hair is in a good condition, it’s possible for the curls to last anywhere from three months up to a year.
Spa Scene
Raffles City Shopping Centre, #03-27A
252 North Bridge Road,
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6338 4424/6337 442
