Aug 31, 2007 119
Stylist, not just HairDresser!
I am afraid to admit the core reason why I preferred a long hair style; I hate to cut my hair.
Many times, these hairdressers gave me this short, neat, student look which made me look like a nerd. And when they cut this short, I’d to remain looking like a nerd for quite a few months. I only felt better when my hair grew long enough, long hair generate the confidence I need.
So when was the first time I was truly satisfied with my haircut?
A visit to a HairStylist Salon in Malaysia KL (many years back), just right before Chinese New Year. I did a coloring (brownish), haircut and treatment altogether. The price tag was about 230+ RM. Considered cheap from a Singaporean’s financial point of view.
Q: Why Malaysia?
A: Cheap!
Q: What spurred you?
A: The Price Tag.
Though I must admit that it was steep for most Malaysian, but worth every ringgit! Done away with the traditional way of combing, threw my jelly and had embraced the flexibility of used wax,clay and messy styling ever since. No more late nineties Aaron Kwok’s hairstyle! From there, I understand the difference between hairdresser and stylist.
Unfortunately, my haircut experience in Singapore did not go that well. I dun seems to be able to get the kind of satisfaction I had with the HairStylist Salon I visited in Malaysia. In Singapore, “SuperCut” is the only Salon I visited frequently. My Stylist (Stella) did a great job. But they have too much promoting for their shampoo and wax, I ended up buying things I dun really need. On top of that, the price is kind of scary.
Nevertheless, “SuperCut” is so much better than “Jean-Yip”. I visited “Jean-Yip” (Bishan Branch) in July, the experience was horrible. The apprentice seemed lost and disorganized. The steps were all wrong and he never even dry my hair for the cut.
The worst experience came from the “Stylist”. I mentioned to him that my hair was too thick and long and I would want something fresh.
“Short and neat??” He asked half-heartedly.
“Not short and neat for sure. Trim cos it is too thick and too long…” I told him.
And he followed my “preference” without prompting for other questions or suggestions. The result? I dun see any difference..
“#$%@&*.. Got cut meh?” I was swearing and cursing. The side looks shorter (by a bit), but my hair still look as thick as before and my fringe was worst.
And I regretted for not going back to Stella. However, I am quite lazy to make a trip down to Somerset just for a cut. Ever since I started working at BitS, I’ll be yawning when the clock strikes 7 pm. So I decided to gamble with my luck again with one a Salon situated in the basement of Ang Mo Kio Hub. Their young apprentice had the same service attitude like Jean-Yip, but the Stylist made my day. She asked me simple questions, paid attention to the length of my hair and style, and gave me the cut which I always want.
How did she know what I want? Considered the fact that she did not know how I “looked” like before the apprentice washed my hair, I am impressed. This is someone who truly deserved the designation “Stylist”.
