Minion Nails

I'll need more practices! 😡

Naoki Yoshihara by Ash Salon - Liang Court Singapore

2 years back I was randomly approached on the street by a Japanese Street Photographer, Noriaki Tsuchiyam for a photo for his calendar app called Street Angels. Who knew 2 years later I would be receiving a friendly email from Noriaki-san, asking if I'll be interested in a Hair Makeover. 

As i was back in Chiang Rai throughout the whole opening period, it was thanks to Aya-san and Atsuko-san  (from Bluebird Ventures) who arranged for me to be part of this on their last makeover day. =)

I've been desperately trying to grow my hair out, however it gets really messy whenever it reaches shoulder length, so I left my hair in its disastrous state for the last 2months.

Alright enough blabber, time for the pictures:

NAOKI YOSHIHARA BY ASH 

ASH is a Japanese Hair Salon brand which has over 100 stores in Japan.

• 177 River Valley Road #02-15/16 Liang Court
• Singapore, Singapore 179030
• 
  

 https://www.facebook.com/NaokiYoshiharaByAsh

Sitting in the well-it and spacious salon. They have lockers for us to safekeep our handbags and belongings. You'll also be served tea and sweets, talk about good service.

While I was in Thailand I was told to send in pictures of my hair then, so i'm gonna use them for comparison.

BACK VIEW (BEFORE)

I had very short asymmetrical hair and the last stylist from a pretty reputable salon screwed it up big time, Trust me, i spent S$200 for a haircut and hairdye. Was fuming mad when i left and ended up covering my dye job with a DIY brown the very next day. 

BACKVIEW (AFTER, Ash Salon)

I mentioned that I'll like to grow my hair out and requested for a simple and neat haircut.

I like how shapely and light the bob is. 

SIDE VIEW (BEFORE)

Yikes, dry frizzy hair! Okay that's my fault for not conditioning my hair..

SIDE VIEW (AFTER, Ash Salon)

Obvious volume, and I must say both stylists ended the session with

"I've balanced out your bob, leaving a slight asymmetrical at the tip, so you can change your parting to either side if you feel like it."

Do the judging yourself.

FRONT VIEW (BEFORE)

I usually tuck one side behind my ear so it'll at least look neat.

FRONT VIEW (AFTER, Ash Salon)

Fits my chubby face lol.

Conclusion, I am definitely pleased with the haircut. Amazed at the meticulous techniques Japanese stylists at Ash Salon are trained to go through. They actually cut and measure your hair by small sections, that's alot of effort, which produced a very balanced haircut.

I am of course very honored to have the head of creative team, Teiji Ishizawa, best of thousands of stylists from the whole Ash group to monitor and finish my complimentary haircut.

Here's a photo with the pretty Atsuko-san and Teiji-san =)

Ash Salon is having 30% off all hair services till 30 Sept'13!

You can save the pricelist and enlarge it in photo viewer if you're interested. 

That's not all, 6weeks after my haircut with Ash Salon, I received a handmade card from Atsuko-san. I thought that was really sweet! Japanese are always the nicest people around.

Atsuko-san, if you're reading this, a big thank you to you and stay pretty too! =)

The Philippines - Baguio

November 2012

During the 2nd week of my 19days trip to The Philippines, dad had to go to Baguio for the Mining Conference so I was allowed to tag along =) Was really looking forward to experiencing Baguio.

We set off from Manila, approx 8 hrs drive

Watching the city disappear into long stretch of roads covered with the blue sky.

We had a pretty comfortable ride up cuz bossman told us to take his imported Toyota Sienna LE and one of the staff offered to drive.

Look how spacious the vehicle is, it's almost like we're sitting in an aircraft. Plus the sliding doors are automated. I pretty much slept all the way up to Baguio lol.

Now we're in Baguio, went pass some interesting looking slums (according to Rico).

Everything is so closely stacked together. 

Spent an afternoon here.

Note: Do not wear heels, it's impossible to walk on stones n pebbles.

I felt like i might fall and sprain my ankles anytime. Someone shld have warned me before hand!

Walk further into Mines View Park and you end up at a spot where you see a wide view of greenery.

Best of all, there are random horses standing around for photos. 

 Never knew pink horses exist! No they don't, actually they had thier white manes dyed neon pink!

Looks magical isnt it, i wonder if 'My Little Pony' was inspired by the horses here.

Generally the white horses have pink manes while the brown horses are spared from the dye. I'm assuming it because they dont wana hurt the horses by bleaching it.

But sadly you'll see a couple of brown horses with pink manes.

I hope they weren't put through any pain to get that bright shade of pink =(

Which was also why I choose the white horse for my photo.

***

Bossman paid for everyone's lodging and we were given the junior suite. 

So dad and I got individual toilet and room . =) 

Went out to explore the hotel's premises the next morning..

I like how I get to start every morning with so much green n light..not forgetting Baguio's cool (maybe cold) weather!

One of dad's colleague brought her bubbly daughter along too.

lol guess she found a tiny friend at the hotel's lobby.

***

My fav in Baguio.

Rico drove us to this park with a huge lake in the middle.

You can rent these tiny boats at pretty reasonable prices.

I liked the Swan boat but decided not to rent it because it doesn't come with oars to row.

So i chose Boboy..dad's fav no. 888 lol

He was the one n only ugly dino, and he's red <3 br="" nbsp="">

Dad getting all bossy and telling Rico how he's not rowing it right... 

"no..no...you should row them together..." -_-

Cant find a better way to spend my afternoon.

Later on I told dad to row us around! lol as expected.. he did a worse job.

Not as easy as it seems huh daddy... 

***

I've been trying to find cheap deals for a hair perm in Manila but it seems like NOBODY is interested in perms. Every salon was offering rebonding services and it can go as low of $30! 

I watched a lady complete her $30 rebonding and surprisingly she came out with silky smooth hair that's equivalent to a $200 rebonding in Singapore. 

So while my dad was busy with his meetings, I spent the day at the mall in Baguio.

AND I FOUND A KOREAN SALON with all hair services going at 50% off!!! OHMYGAWD!!! 

I went for the better range of digital perm package that uses Lo'real Paris for only S$100.   

Transformer at work..hehe

Before the 'transformers', i had the 'heating cap' on. 

It felt so warm and comfortable in sucha cold weather.

I like how they towel wrap my hair in a korean way (no photos to show), exactly like how Koreans wrap their head at bath houses. Additional star rating for them cuz I dont look ugly in the mirror.

Here's the outcome, I LOVE IT!

Thumbs up to TONY & JACKEY SALON!!!

and you know what, the head stylist used to work in Singapore's Jiwon Salon (Expensive local salon located at Wheel lock Place). That must have been good karma for me. =) 

Dad came back to join me in the evening for coffee..the clouds were coming in and it was drizzling. 

I like the concept of these huge umbrellas, it's so hassle free and it looks neat.

We watched the sunset holding our mugs..lovely =)

Baguio is filled with nature trails, perfect if you're looking to destress with nature..

They also have adventure trails like 'flying fox, freefall etc..' 

but err.. it states 'Might break down during bad weather'

I gave it a missed cuz i dont wana be stuck mid air.

That's it for 4 days in Baguio, lovely experience but i dont think i'll come back again because i've seen almost everything that's available here. It's a tiny place almost like Genting except you can relax with nature and not pulling slots machine in the Casino. 

Driving down Baguio, amongst the mountains and hills