Posted on by mwlchoy

CINQ Salon @ Scotts Square

My friends and even my kids have been telling me for the longest time that I need to do something about my hair. Maybe they’re right as I’ve had the same boring hairstyle for the past 10 years. The impetus finally came when I had to take a photo for my talk and yes, I have to admit that my hair needs some sprucing up. I approached the chichi CINQ salon helmed by local celebrity Andrea De Cruz and they generously offered me a makeover.

I was put in the good hands of McPhee and he asked me what preference I had. To be honest, I had no idea what I wanted but I told him I wanted a nice hairstyle which suits my face and please don’t make me look like an ‘auntie’. And don’t give me a short hair-do because I never looked nice in one. He explained that my neck was quite long so a short length would not fit me. He also said that my hair is rather flat on top and the long straight hair makes my oval face look ‘draggy’.

He suggested I get a light perm to give it more overall body and he would add some highlights to accentuate the perm. I used to have an amazing hairstylist in Australia who did great cuts and highlights to make the hair come alive, but have been so disappointed in the stylists I have tried here that I’ve given up and stuck to my ‘just let it grow and cut once a year’ hairstyle. So hopefully McPhee can weave some magic into my lifeless hair.
Pretty cool heating station
I got my hair washed and McPhee proceeded to cut my hair with some layering. Thereafter, he got started on the digital perm. After he got all the rollers in place, I had to sit and wait it out for about 20-30 minutes. To tell you the truth, I have always hated the giant helmet thing over my head. I was pleasantly surprised that technology has advanced, and now the heating appliance was just some bars which they placed behind me.

After the perm was done, they gave my hair a rinse and then it was time to get the highlights done. McPhee explained that to do a proper highlight, you need a minimum of 2 colours to bring out the contrast of the layering. He chose Mahogany Red and Light Brown for me. Ah, somehow, he can read my mind. I’m at a point in my life where I would like the highlights to enhance the cut, not make any sort of statement, and would be alarmed if he had suggested some bright strange highlights (and yes, I’m also a really boring person when it comes to style).
Heating appliance for the highlights

Another round of waiting for the highlights to be done. McPhee popped over occasionally to check on the colour. The longer you leave it, the more intense the colour. So the experience of the stylist does come into play here as well. It was around lunchtime and the place was bustling. Most of their clients seemed to be well-dressed professionals and people from the media industry… plus one hot-mama-wannabe (haha). There were also a fair number of men coming in for haircuts. There are no junior stylists here and hence the pricing is consistent, and all the stylists here have at least 10 years of experience.

Highlights done!

My hair was blow-dried and viola… My new look!

Love, love, love it!
Bright and spacious salon

McPhee recommended that I apply Aveda’s Be Curly after every wash to tame the frizz and prolong the perm. He also taught me how to blow dry my hair using the finger dry method to get a more natural result.

Be Curly $46 (200ml)

The real test came when I got home. The last 3 times I returned from the hairdresser, #4 burst into tears. She gets very upset when her mummy doesn’t look like her mummy, or when her mummy looks very “not nice”. This time, as I walked through the door, the teenagers practically shouted, “Mum, I love your hair! Gosh, you look awesome!” (ok, I’m starting to feel like I had probably looked really terrible for so many years that now they are overjoyed). And when #4 came down, she broke into a wide smile and said approvingly, “Mummy, your hair is very very nice!”

Wow, what a difference a great hairstyle can do. My confidence in having highlights has also been restored. Thanks again, McPhee 🙂

Sane tip: Do allocate ample time to get your tresses in tip top shape. All in all, it took me more than 3 hours. I’m glad the kids are having their CCAs today so I have a few extra hours to myself.

Save tip: CINQ is offering an exclusive 15% discount to mummywee readers for any colour or perm services between Mondays and Wednesdays from now till 30 June 2014. Grab the chance and pamper yourself with a lovely makeover for mother’s day! (Dads, are you listening?) Digital perm starts at $300, highlights at $228 for 2 colours. Ladies’ haircut starts from $90.

CINQ Salon
Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
#03-16
Singapore 228209
Tel: 6636 0100 / 6636 0200

Disclaimer: CINQ sponsored my hair makeover. All opinions are my own

~ www.mummyweeblog.com – a blog on parenting 6 kids in Singapore ~

4 Replies to “CINQ Salon @ Scotts Square”

  3. Looking great with a new hair do! Hopefully this motivates you to take better care of yourself. And like the ad says, you're worth it!

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