We’ve all heard of this superstition: No washing of hair on the first day of Chinese New Year, and no cutting your hair either, or you’ll be “cutting” your luck away.
Which is why hair appointments are so tough to get as Chinese New Year approaches, and sometimes, you just have to settle for a slot a month earlier.
Anna Sui New York Spring 15
Good news though, because according some Chinese Almanac applications (yes, these calendars are now digital), the best days to cut your hair are all in January.
So if you’ve already had your hair done on the 18th, 20th, and 30th January, you’ve hit the jackpot. And if you’ve managed to snap up slots in February, you better hurry, the 1st and the 8th are the best.
Okay, but seriously speaking, just how early can you actually get your hair done and still maintain that fresh ‘do during the new year? We’ve got answers from the experts.
#1 Cut and colour
FDP (Franz de Paris) Prestige Haircare Creative Director Angeline Tan says the best time to get your hair cut and coloured is two weeks before the actual day, which kind of means now. It might also be better to go for a colour that’s closer to that of your natural hair, so the roots aren’t as obvious if they tend to grow out fast.
Angeline advises investing in good hair care products to maintain the vibrancy and healthy texture of your ‘do.
Avoid purifying shampoos that can strip the colour off hair and leave ends dry. Instead, opt for colour protecting shampoos. One that’s caught our eye is John Frieda’s Brilliant Brunette range, said to preserve the colour on hair that’s dyed brown.
#2 Perm and colour
The same goes for a perm and colour treatment – it’s best done two weeks before Chinese New Year so that there is ample time for both treatments to be done separately. It’ll be too much for the hair to handle if done together, says Blow+Bar co-founder Diana Goh.
If you’re worried about over damaging the hair with both treatments, but still want vibrant and voluminous curls, Diana recommends colouring the lower parts of the hair – where the curls are mainly at to minimise the damage. Blow+Bar’s “The Undone Colour” treatment does this by combining balayage and hair colouring techniques. The look requires low-maintenance and is easy to pull-off in the long-run, says Diana.
Don’t fret if you’ve done your perm much earlier than this, all you need is a good nutritive curl cream to apply after washing your hair and before blow drying. It will help to nourish your hair and keep the curls bouncy.
#3 Scalp detox treatment
Oily scalp girls (pretty much everyone in Singapore, really), don’t you just love the feeling of airy light hair and volume at the crown of your head just after you’ve done a detox treatment?
Unfortunately, PHS Hairscience says you’ll need four scalp detox treatments in a month to see the best and most long-lasting result on your oil cleanse. Regular treatments are also needed in the subsequent months to maintain that fresh feel.
We still however, have a temporary solution you might want to try this CNY. Pick up PHS Hairscience’s pre-treatment scalp elixir, which is a solution to cleanse and exfoliate dead skin cells on the scalp. Think of this as a softening serum you use before exfoliating.
Just apply the solution evenly on your scalp and gently massage with your fingertips for 10 minutes. Use your regular shampoo, rinse off, and you’re done!
FDP (Franz de Paris) Prestige Haircare is located at 18 Jalan Masjid, Kembangan Plaza #B1-06. Last minute bookings for Chinese New Year are subject to availability. For more information, visit www.fdpgroup.asia, and follow the group on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Blow+Bar locations can be found here. Last minute bookings for Chinese New Year are subject to availability. Online bookings can be done through their website www.blowplusbar.com. For more information, follow Blow+Bar on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PHS Hairscience salon locations can be found here. Last minute bookings for Chinese New Year are subject to availability. Online bookings can be done through their website, www.phshairscience.com. For more information, follow PHS Hairscience on Facebook.
PHS Hairscience pre-treatment scalp elixir, $129, is available at all PHS Hairscience salons and online at their e-store.