You may think having wavy hair is all fine and dandy, but no, not in my case.

If you must know, I was born with wavy, thick and unmanageable hair, which I hated so much. It often looks windswept, sticks out in all the wrong places and having bad hair days began to define me, little by little.

Ergo, I have been straightening my hair ever since I was a 14 years old and has since never looked back.

But with technology revolving around the hair industry, hair revolutionists have been churning out new ways to make the “straightening” procedure and results a little more alluring.

With my one and only hairmaster, Winnie Loo of A Cut Above Group

My previous session at A Cut Above was when I did my Kerastraight Brazilian Keratin Treatment which got rid of the frizz and frayed, dryness in my hair (you can read about it – here).

Following up, my next appointment was scheduled to straighten my unruly mane.

One of the rare days I’ll leave home with such disasterous looking hair,

is ONLY when I’m on my way to A Cut Above!

Today’s session was done in A Cut Above @ Bangsar Shopping Centre 

Before undergoing a chemical hair treatments to structurally modify your curly and unruly hair, I would first like you to know the difference between the two techniques of hair straightening – hair relaxing and hair rebonding. 

Here are a few things you have to know:

DIFFERENCES

Hair rebonding allows breakage of hair bonds, rearranging those bonds and restructures it once again to the desired, straight, state. Using a flat iron, the hair bonds are restructured and then applied with a neutralizing agent that will preserve the newly structured hair bonds.

The tool usedis a flat-iron to flatten/straighten the hair and relatively takes longer than relaxing.

The effect relatively takes longer than relaxing but is more lasting than relaxing and the results of hair rebonding will be a pin-straight, flat-out stick straight hair.

If you like the sleek, super straight look, then this option will be suitable for you. But to me, after many years (and many times!) of rebonding my hair, I find that it looks rather unnatural and closer to a broomstick effect than a healthy straight hair effect. 

Yeah I had this kind of straightened rebonded hair for years!

On the other hand, hair relaxing straightens the hairby breaking down the components of the hair and takes the frizz out of your hair strands. In other words, it ‘relaxes’ curls to a more manageable state, smooth the hair to a straight effect.

Only a blow dryer is used to straighten the hair and the process is relatively faster than rebonding.

However, relaxing may not last as long as rebonding as the natural wave is slightly maintained, although much straighter than the original.

But to me, this option looks more natural than rebonding as it does not give you the uncooked spaghetti-straight hair effect.

SIMILARITIES

Both procedures alter the structure of your hair permanently – duh, you wanted it straight, right?

Certain activities like swimming, too much exposure to the sun exposure, or improper styling tools may have adverse effects. Chemically-treated hair is always more vulnerable and sensitized, so just give your hair extra care and love! 

STEP 1: ANALYZING

So which did I end up underdoing?

Winnie recommended me what she would call, the hair relaxer rebonding treatment.

I’ve always trusted her completely, as she gives me the best advices! 

As such, I’m going to share with you the entire process of what goes behind-the-scenes of a typical hair relaxer rebonding experience at A Cut Above and why this is the best option for your hair if you want the best of both worlds of rebonding AND relaxing.

STEP 2: SHAMPOOING AND PROTECTION

Like all the appointments I’ve had at A Cut Above, my hair was first washed.

Getting my hair washed while checking out the shampoo that they used on me today.

It is the L’Oréal Professional X-Tenso Care Nutri-Reconstrutor Shampoo

This shampoo is has two technologies merged into it – Pro-Keratin and Incell.

Containing anti-breakage and anti-dryness properties, it helps to rebuild and deeply nourish damaged hair.

The hairdresser assigned to me was very friendly and rather informative when I asked questions!

STEP 3: PROTECT AND CARE

My hair was then towel-dried and sprayed with L’Oréal Professional X-Tenso Care Nutri-Reconstrutor Serum.

The former helps to ensure healthy and best results by improving hair’s elasticity during the straightening.

It was then combed straight and separated into sections.

STEP 4: APPLICATION

The relaxing cream was evenly applied underneath and on top of onto my hair layer.

STEP 5: DEVELOPMENT

The cream was then left on for about 15 minutes for chemical reaction to take place.

While developing, the heat helps to open hair cuticles, thus allowing better absorption.

STEP 6: SMOOTHING AND FINAL DEVELOPMENT

After 15 minutes, my hair was smoothened and combed layer by layer.

Then, it was left on for another few minutes for final development

STEP 7: RINSING 

He rinsed my hair very carefully, making sure that ALL residue of chemical creams are removed.

STEP 8: BLOW-DRYING

My hair was gently blowdried as hair is usually in fragile state after relaxer chemicals have been applied

Still slightly damp after blow-drying, the next blow-dry step will take place.

Separating my hair into sections again.

STEP 9: STRAIGHT BLOW-DRY

In the usual rebonding procedures, this step is skipped and instead, straight on to the flat-iron stage.

But this relaxing-rebonding process requires my hair to be blow-dried straight  first. 

Blow-drying definitely gives the straightness a more natural curve to it before the ironing process!

Don’t you agree? 

Reading some magazines on my hairdressing table.

Almost done!

Winnie dear came by to check on the procedures.

It’s all going well! Your staff are very professional and well-trained 

She then advises on the next step.

I was also howing Winnie some of the questions that you asked,

so I could quickly reply all of you with the right answers!

Yup, if you want to know anything at all regarding anything hair-related to A Cut Above, feel free to ask me; I’ll try my best to ask her personally for you 

STEP 10: IRONING

As the straight blow-drying process has already been done, this ironing stage was very brief,

but sufficient to create a straighter, more longer-lasting effect compared to just blow-drying alone.

The flat irons used at A Cut Above is an ideal one, made of either ceramic or titanium,

and regulated to not more than 180-200 degrees celcius.

This is to avoid the hair of getting burned and lead to irreversible frizz of the hair.

I would know, as I’ve gotten my hair burnt many times due to unprofessional straightening in the past! 

Results! No, we’re not done just yet – but we’re almost there! 

Just waiting for my hair to cool off to normal room temperature.

STEP 11:  NEUTRALIZING

After leaving it for 10 minutes, a neutralizer was applied to bond the structure of the hair again.

It was applied on each section of my hair thoroughly.

Sipping some hot tea while the boys worked on ensuring the neutralizer is evenly applied.

The neutralizer was combed gently and slowly.

It was then left to set for 15 minutes to achieve optimum conditioning and nourishing effects.

STEP 12: FINAL RINSE

My hair was rinsed with cold water to remove all the neutralizer left on my hair and conditioned thereafter.

I know it’s a long process, but A Cut Above does everything to perfection,

without compromising all the fine details.

We all want the best for our hair, don’t we? 

When the straightening of my hair was finally done, it was time for a hair cut.

She inspected my hair and asked me how I would like it to be this time.

I asked for something irregular and non-symmetrical! 

Being one that favours the bold, daring & experimental when it comes to hair styles, my brilliant hairmaster Winnie gave me an edgy, non-conventional haircut to suit my personality.

I love the times we spend together during hair cuts!

Winnie is super fun, and it’s always nice catching up with her 

Putting her magic touches and snips to my hair

Her movements were very swift and precise in their swipes.

But of course, her tools of trade is the mighty scissors and her very own fingers! 

After more than three decades, she’s never fails to be extremely meticulous and sharp in her craft! 

That is just one of the things I admire and respect about her. She’s so inspiring.

The accolades and awards won by A Cut Above says it all.

It’s true that despite achieving success, you should never stop what you truly do best because it genuinely

awards you with immeasurable self-satisfaction. I can see how Winnie really embodies that philosophy!

Anyway, she also gave me back my Skrillex-inspired side-shaved buzzcut.

Happy times whenever I see her! 

She’s a fighter too, recovering well after a recent car accident. God bless! 

After all the long hours of hair straightening process and a quick haircut by Winnie,

are you ready to see a BEFORE AND AFTER? 

I know this is your favorite part.. haha!

Most of you always ask me for before and after photos whenever I experience anything. So here they are!

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

LEFT: BEFORE   |   RIGHT: AFTER

Such chemical treatments require tip-top salon skills and knowledge as delayed rinsing, or improper application and execution can definitely lead to hair damage. I’ve been there, done that, and been there, done that, wash rinse and repeat the nightmare again and again.

So this is why I urge all of you out there who is looking to straighten their hair, to go to credible salons or hair centers that are professionally licensed and skilled, lest you get your hair burned and damaged like the ghost of all brittle hairs LOL.

Which is why I always return to A Cut Above!

I”m positively sure that once you come here and experience top-notch services, you won’t turn back. 

Oh by the way, they are currently running a Father’s Day promotion. Check it out:

All the more reason for you to pamper daddykins! 

Thanks Winnie, for a wonderful afternoon and for always making my hair so gorgeous!

See you again soon dearie!

———————————————————————————-

To book your hair appointments or for more information on this treatment, you can:

Call them at their salon via their contact number: +603-2283 3131

Log on to their website at: acutabove.com.my

They are very active on social media too!

Like their Facebook page at: fb.com/acutabovegroup

Tweet them on Twitter at: @ACutAboveGroup

Follow them on Instagram at: @ACutAboveGroup

I've always been a fan of sauna and steam baths, of which I am lucky enough to go anytime I please to the ones available in my gym.
 

Apart from saunas, the way for me to start off a good week is always by massages. Yes sirree, I go for body massages and reflexologies pretty damn often and I now swear by it
 

Hey. It's healthy and our bodies need it!
 

Hence, it was rather fortunate and surprising when I was invited to experience a different kind of sauna and massage altogether.
 

Now, how different can it be? I pondered prior to my visit to FIR Wellness Spa in Dataran 32, Petaling Jaya.
 

The huge signage greeted me the moment I stepped in
 

The interior decor was simple yet rustic.
 

I loved how natural elements and earth colour tones dominated the spa center
 

The display of essential oils atop the table 🙂
 

The boss ST Chua was nice enough to give me a short walkthrough, showing me around the center. He was such a  friendly person!
 

Apart from being very professional and informative explaining each and everything to me, best part was he was very funny with a great sense of humour too!

Case in point 😀
 

Such a wacky person. Knew him through a friend Mei Yee
 

Anyway, I found some decor hanging on the wall similar to the ones I have back at home! 🙂
 

It was exactly the same but ours was in the form of a table runner and some framed up swatch of carpet.
 

hey hey what's this! 😀 😀
 

Something so familiar.
 

Walked even deeper and explored the center even more.
 

Some more natural herbs and essential oils on display
 

I found out that FIR wellness uses Malaysian coconut oils in their massages! How ethnocentric
 

There are other essential oils such as Lemongrass and Lavender as well
 

They sell 'em for only 20bucks!
 

No wonder the place smells so damn good! 😀
 

It was cooling and well lit as I walked around the insides of the center. On my right, were a number of rooms meant for the saunas.
 

Individual rooms for privacy! I could see the wooden Far Infra Red sauna machines inside too.

A very amusing thing I discovered was that all the rooms were named after wood types!

The ones I could remember were Oak and Maple 😀
 

Before I knew it, it was time for me to enter the FIR sauna.
 

I was supposed to sauna for about 30 minutes before going for the Sarawakian Deep Tissue massage.
 

Such a spacious sauna – more than what 1 person needs 🙂
 

I was allowed to bring magazines and my Blackberry into the room as well whoopedoo
 

There was this radio thing playing during the sauna session too. The amount of benefits an FIR sauna can bring is unbelievable!
 

Perfect for a remedy of de-stress
 

In this sauna, we can adjust and control our own temperature!

So different from other saunas! Different from conventional saunas where the heat is more than 180F (82 Celsius) in which one may feel choked and uncomfortable.
 

Among the stuff I remember the lady (on the radio) saying was that it is good for cell rejuvenation, highly effective for body aches and pains, burns calories, improves skin texture, improve blood circulation and detoxifies our bodies!

There's also this wave technology radiates all around to ensure you have full body coverage

Whoaa was sweating all over lor!
 

So after drying up and cooling down, I was ushered to the quieter parts of the room.
 

It was time for my Sarawakian Deep Tissue Massage – my masseur happens to be a true Kuching local of Sarawakian origin!
 

Ya ought to be quiet as there are other patrons having their massage sessions too
 

I wouldn't like it if I get rudely awaken by obnoxious people talking LOL
 

I was told that his massage helps release adhesions (knots) and targets specific areas of discomfort that needs attention.

All their Deep Tissue Massage sessions are performed by professional masseurs from Sarawak. Yay! We all need a true blue Malaysian massage amidst all the Balinese, Chinese, Thai and god-knows-what-other massages 🙂
 

So I got in, stripped (yes we're supposed to) and laid down on the massage bed to wait for my masseur
 

If you are kinda prudish or conservative then you can always opt to strip down to your undies instead of being completely au natrale 😉
 

Let the massage begin!

Sarawakian Deep Tissue massage uses a special technique to access deeper tissues of our body structures

Parts which have never been massaged before!
 

There were combining sweeping strokes used to create a unified and balance session and helping to relax the nervous system.
 

I tried so hard not to fall asleep as it was so relaxing! I wouldn't wanna waste a good session like that by sleeping it away, right? 😀
 

She was damn pro OMG! Some parts of my overstressed anatomy was kneaded real hard
 

I kept requesting for her to use all her mighty strength as I have a high pain threshold 😀
 

But she never failed to ask me if her pressure is fine or whether I feel comfortable at any point. Yes. Pain is good (for me)! If you prefer something milder you can always ask. I'm sure she'll gladly oblige.
 

She's such an accommodating and soft spoken person! 
 

It was a FULL body massage alright. Everything! From top to toe, back and front.
 

Except well… don't expect anything unscrupulous! *wags finger*
 

This ain't some dodgy ya-know-what massage parlour.  Haha! So yes, I had an exceptional afternoon that day trying out something very new (and fabulous) to me. Thank you for a great stress-free week ahead woots!
 

Go check 'em out for yourselves at www.firwellness.com.my