Rambut Raya 2009

It’s that time of the year again. Raya is just around the corner and once again, I’ve decided to get a new look.

I made an appointment with my fave hair stylist, Yen, who works at Cu’s & Do’s in Solaris. This was for Part 1 of my transformation. I wanted to rebond my already unruly, wavy hair which was in its growing out phase – the phase everybody hates coz your hair is neither here nor there, kan?

After a light wash and blow, she proceeded to separate my hair in parts and apply the rebonding cream halfway from my scalp and left it there for 25 mins.

Then she applied the cream the rest of the way until the ends and let it sit for another 25 mins.

After another wash, came my least favourite part of the rebonding process – ironing. It’s just too painful when strands of your hair are being pulled. Have you noticed how when you pull one strand of hair, it’s more painful than tugging at a clump of hair?

So after that particular ordeal, a neutraliser was applied to set the bonds and stabilise the hair and was left on for another half hour or so.

And what do you do in all that time? Read magazines!

Finally, the neutralizer was rinsed out and my hair was blow dried. As a result, I had the nice, sleek, silky hair. Problem is, in order for the treatment to set, I was not allowed to wash my hair for 3 days. So you can imagine the strong though not unpleasant smell that followed me everywhere I went, so much so even people standing just a few feet away from me noticed it.

Three days later I returned to the salon to proceed with Part 2 which was to colour and highlight my hair.

With much relief, my hair was thoroughly washed with shampoo and conditioner after which it was blow-dried.

I was given a book of sorts which had samples of different coloured hair combinations and after perusing through, I decided on my colour of choice.

Yen mixed in the chemicals and separated my hair in parts, and covered every single strand with the cream, leaving it in for about half an hour. This was the base colour.

She left the roots untouched until after the half hour went by after which it was left in for a while more, wrapping my head around with clingfilm.

A rinse and a blow-dry later, I had highlights put in. Using the tip of a comb, Yen expertly weaved through each section of hair, selecting thin strands of my hair to be lightened with my colour of choice. She then placed a piece of foil under the strands, deftly brushed the cream on and folded up the foil neatly to let the chemicals work. In the end, my head was full of folded up foil paper. This time I didn’t have to wait that long.. maybe less than 15 minutes coz I wanted a subtle look.

After another wash and blow, the look was finally complete – sleek, straight hair, coloured a warm, darkbrown with golden highlights.

I’m ready for Raya! ;)