Popping my head in

Countdown to Christmas! Happy Holidays everyone!

So, I had my haircut with Asuka at Hive the other day. She's amazing. So friendly and helpful, she keeps checking with you while she cuts to make sure you get what you want. And very skilled, too, of course.

Oh yeah, Hive has a new male stylist, Mineo, a guy. So that brings them up to 3 stylists, Sho, Asuka, and Mineo. I got a little gift of a hair gel and shampoo sample. Yay for Christmas freebies!

Just to let you know, Style06 is running two contests right now, one for hair and one for fashion.

The hair contest is your standard rack votes up and win contest. It's Winter themed, which means try to throw in some Winter elements (wear a scarf or something. but not a toque). Prizes (for top guy and girl) will be a hair product from our newly expanded e-store, or an article of clothing from Lenasecret. Due date is Feb. 1, 2010.

The fashion contest is called FOB Fashion, ie. send in a picture of yourself in your best Asian outfit. Guidelines to FOB style are on the website, but the basics are: mismatch your clothing in an aesthetically pleasing way. Once again, rack up votes and win. Prizes for this contest will be an article of clothing from either Charmsky or Lena's Secret Closet. Due date is Jan. 25.

Gatsby Perfect Hold Medium Hard

First Impressions:

Not much to say that Weesee didn't in his review of Perfect Hold Hard. The container is deceptively large for the amount of product inside (60 grams), but at least it looks really cool. The smell is one of the best parts: it doesn't have that fake plastic smell that many products do. The fragrance may come off strongly straight from the container, but it fades into the background nicely once it's in your hair.

The Review:

To be honest, I was kind of disappointed with this one. I found the wax to be much too thin to do much. It seemed to do a lot of things half-heartedly: some texture, but not much; some hold, but not much. It's definitely not a replacement for any of the Moving Rubbers. This wax does wash out pretty easily, and feels quite light in your hair.

It does have a redeeming quality, though. I see the Perfect Hold Wax line as the successor to the old Gatsby wax that came in Blue, Red, and Black. Those ones were quite a bit stickier and didn't smell as good, but what both lines have in common is that you can use them on damp hair and then blow dry to shape your hair. For the Medium Hold wax, at least, you can use it to volumize and shape, and then use a stiffer product to add definition and texture. Or you could just use this wax for a gentler, more wind-swept look.

Complimenting Hair Products:

I'd suggest the Bedhead Texturizing Paste or a similar product--something light that won't defeat the purpose of using this light wax. A light misting with hairspray will help your hair last the day, but again, over-saturating makes this product pointless.

Hold : 4
Control: 5
Smell : 10
Washing off: 10
Ease of use: 6

Salon review

In Rowland Heights, California, there's a little Korean hair salon called Hair Quarter.

19234 Colima Road, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

You should go there, call 626-272-9002 and book an appointment with Xiao Yang. Book in advance, he takes weeks off sometimes to style hair for tv shows. He's Chinese, and doesn't know American celebrities, so if you want to look like one be sure to bring your own picture in.

He's quite good. From observing his techniques, he does much the same as my Japanese stylists back home. He's also very experienced at choosing a hairstyle for you that suits your face shape, aka, just ask him to make you look good.

Well-priced: $25 for guys, $35 for girls.

I'll definitely go again.

Hey, yeah, 好久不见 (long time no see).

School's been busy, and I've been putting more of my hair-related energies into style06. You should also be spending more time there than here. Style06 also has a forum now, you know?

I'm trying out a new hair salon this Friday (hopefully, if all goes well). My first LA stylist. Exciting! Wish me luck.

What makes great hair?

Whether you like someone’s hair or not depends on your personal taste. However, there should be some objective criteria to guide you. As we enter into the voting phase of Style06’s “So You Think You Can Style” contest, here are some suggestions to help you pick your favourite:

1. Technique

How well does the stylist execute the design? Do the spikes hold together, or do they fray a bit at the points? Has too much product been used? Too little? How “clean” is the hair—did he/she forget to straighten a chunk of hair on the back of his/her head? How about flyaways and stray locks of hair?

2. Appropriateness

Does the style suit the face, or does it just make him/her look ridiculous? Has colour been tastefully chosen? Is the style too big or too small for the person’s head? Will it last the entire day and various weather conditions? Is he/she in dire need of a haircut?

3. Artistry

How original or extraordinary is the hair? Is it just bedhead sprayed into permanence (bad)? Or has the style been carefully crafted to make every strand perfect? Do you take a second look because it’s amazing or because it’s completely bizarre? Is it adventurous while still tasteful, or is it comfortably average/typical? What makes it unique?

4. Natural-ness

Does the hairstyle look forced and contrived? Can you see the hairspray and product (you shouldn’t be able to)? Does the hair look like a block of plastic or like a vibrant, life-filled work of art? How effortless does it look? Can you tell they spent an hour on their hair (whether this is good or bad is up to you)?

CONTEST

LOTS OF GREAT PRIZES TO BE WON!!

Style06 is preparing for their first big contest, where guys can win hair products and girls can win clothes!

Round one of the contest starts Oct. 1, so be sure to get your look together for then.

Check it out here.

Hive Hair Spa - Asuka

My friend got her hair permed at Hive Hair Spa the other day with Asuka, so here's some of her comments:

Like usual, service was performed with a smile. Asuka is very friendly, and will do her best to make you happy.

Of course, this all starts with the consultation. Unlike many stylists these days, Asuka actually takes the time to listen to what you want and discuss it with you. This doesn't mean starting right away cutting your hair to what you said, but actually explaining what she can do or can't do with your hair. After all, it's better for your stylist to explain the limitations of your face/hair than to disappoint you.

For example, my friend was getting her hair permed, and Asuka explained that since she'd never had her hair chemically treated before, there was a chance that the perm wouldn't turn out as curly as they were aiming for.

After the perm was done (some 3 hours later), Asuka also took the time to explain how to care for her newly permed hair, as well as her hair in general.

If Jun isn't back the next time I go back to Vancouver, I'll definitely give Asuka a chance with my hair. And you should, too!

On straightening and irons

So, I'm personally against straightening irons, but that's a combination of my:

1) Naturalist approach to hair (match your style to your hair, not the other way around)

2) Dislike for the amount of time straightening takes (to do it properly)

3) Various burn scars from irons (kidding, there are no visible scars, just painful memories)

4) Damaged hair

But I know that many of you will continue to straighten your hair to achieve "that look," so at the least, I will share my advice with you.

1. Never use full power / maximum temperature. You always want to be a little under. If your iron goes from 0 to 10, set it at 8. Higher heat will straighten your hair faster, but it's also more damaging. Instead, use a lower setting and take a little more time. If you have a fancy straightener with a digital temp. read, set it to no more than 95 degreees celsius.
2. I was never much for heat protectant spray, but from what I've heard they actually do a good job of protecting your hair, so you may want to give it a try if you straighten daily.
3. Know your equipment. A salon-quality straightener (~$200) will have full ceramic plates and heats up much more quickly, while a consumer level (~$30) will have ceramic-coated plates that are much less effective at heat distribution. When your ceramic coating starts to chip off, it's time for a new straightener. Stay away from anything else altogether (ie uncoated steel plates).
4. Do not straighten wet hair unless your straightener has steam vents. It will say on the box, "steam vents allow for usage on wet or dry hair" or something like it. If it doesn't have steam vents and you use it on wet hair, your hair will burn (due to the steam trapped between the plates... along with your hair).
5. Always wipe the plates down with a towel after use. Residue left on the plates after use (i.e. hair oils, product) will dry up and burn the next time you use your iron. This may burn your hair.
6. In general, it's best to straighten only freshly-washed hair. Since oil heats to a very high temperature (think deep-fryer), straightening dirty hair will superheat the oil in your hair and can damage it (your hair, that is).
7. If (and I don't recommend it) you choose to use your iron with product in your hair, please do not use a $200 iron. Use a $20 iron. It's overall safer for your hair and for your iron.

And now, a video tutorial! Not by me, but by a colleague over at style06.com

(But you should go here to watch the video, because my blog doesn't accommodate videos very well)

The Shampoo Debate

A reader asked me,

"My cousin (hairdresser) told me that Pantene Pro-V gives your hair shine by coating it with a thin layer of wax which is unhealthy. Is this true?"

This is an important question, and a popular subject of debate. Do the less-expensive shampoos, such as Pantene, include ingredients that simulate healthy hair without actually helping? And do these additives damage your hair even further?

After studying the ingredients listed on my bottle of shampoo, I have discovered the following:

The two ingredients that "coat" your hair with anything are Dimethicone and Panthenol.

Panthenol

It's a provitamin that, when absorbed into your body, is converted to Vitamin B5. Hair experts advise the use of shampoos containing Panthenol because hair that absorbs it becomes stronger with more body. It also lubricates your hair to make it smoother, and helps to seal the pores to retain moisture. And of course, Panthenol is water soluble, which means any excess is washed out of your hair instead of being left behind as a residue. Overall, this stuff is good for your hair.

Dimethicone

This is the controversial stuff. It's a silicone with a variety of applications, such as breast implants, cosmetics, Silly Putty, and of course, shampoo and conditioners. In cosmetics and moisturizing lotions, dimethicone seals the skin with a film to protect it from corrosion and to condition it. Similarly, in hair products dimethicone seals the hair shafts with a film to lock in moisture.

One argument against Dimethicone is that by coating your hair it disguises the actual condition of your hair, making it seem smooth when you're really only feeling the coating. The counter to this is that since the coating is holding in water, without it your hair would be drier. There's no conclusive argument either way yet, so it's really a matter of personal preference. However, salon brands don't contain Dimethicone, which does mean that it may not be the best shampoo ingredient.

If you can't afford salon shampoos every (other) day, but you're afraid of Dimethicone coating your hair, here's an idea. Use Pantene as your regular shampoo, but then use a salon quality deep-cleansing shampoo about once every week or two just to purge your hair of any buildup. Actually, I recommend this especially if you use hair products every day, since putties can build up over time.

Conclusion

Pantene, and other consumer-level shampoos, do contain Dimethicone which coats the hair. While it is not directly damaging to your hair, many people dislike using a product that leaves any sort of coating on your hair, since if anything, it is your conditioner that coats your hair. Salon-quality shampoos do not contain Dimethicone, but the cost-volume ratio makes it impractical for the average-income person.

Where to Buy Gatsby in LA

I went to the Marukai in Little Tokyo on Sunday and just so you know, the price of Gatsby has gone up (yet again). Moving rubber sells for $9.48 +tax, and they carry pink, yellow, green, orange, and purple. Perfect Hold Wax short and medium (red and white) is sold for about $8.50, and the Gatsby Styling Wax much like this one but in blue and black varieties sell for $8.50 as well.

Did you know that you can order certain Gatsby products from Style06.com? For $13 USD + $7 shipping, you can get it shipped to anywhere in the world! If you live in some remote country where Gatsby is not readily available, this may be your best chance to get your hands on the stuff!

Got2b Playful Texturizing Pomade

First Impression

It's relatively cheap: $3.99 plus tax at London Drugs on sale ($6.49 regular price). At 57 grams it's a bit less than a Gatsby moving rubber, but it's still decently sized. It has a scent reminiscent of cream soda, but it's very, very subtle unless you stick your nose into the jar.

The Review

Playful pomade is very light--when you first look/touch it, you'll notice that it's very foamy, almost like a thick mousse. This is to give your hair the "playful" look, obviously, since by adding air into your hair, you can add volume. This also makes the jar look deceptively larger than the total value of its contents. But, being light also makes your hair feel cleaner than using Gatsby Moving Rubber, and is also much easier to wash out.

Unfortunately, being light also decreases its effectiveness on Asian hair. Since caucasian hair usually has its own waves, this product helps to enhance them. For Asians with typical flat, lackluster hair, however, this pomade does not provide the necessary strength or hold to create or maintain the desired hairstyles. Spikes and/or points of any kind are futile, because the tips of your hair will not stick together. This does work well for a tousled, messy look, but without hairspray it just doesn't have the strength to last the day.

Conclusion

It's cheap and it smells nice, but other than that it doesn't have much going for it from an Asian's perspective. Fun to collect, better choice than the Bedhead Texturizing Paste if only because it's a fraction of the cost, but again definitely not essential.

If you do decide to try it, use it on damp hair first. It's a wet hair product, which means it won't slip out of damp hair like Gatsby Moving Rubber would. Put it in damp (not wet) hair, and then blowdry your hair into shape. Then apply more pomade for more definition. Finish with strong-hold hairspray, but preferably one with flexibility.

Tipping and Stuff

I noticed that one person came across my blog with the google search "chura what wax"

If this person is referring to the watermelon-scented wax, that would be the Bedhead Texturizing Paste that I in fact have already reviewed for this blog. See it here.

Also, Hive Hair Spa has updated their website. It now includes a policy page, as well as the promised promotions page. The August Promotion is 20% off Hot Perm (aka Digital Perm). A hot perm (which includes haircut) normally costs $200, so with 20% off that comes out to $160 +tax and tips.

Speaking of tips, how much should you tip your stylist?

If it's your first time with that stylist, 10% is good. Of course, if you don't like the haircut or you feel that they cut against your wishes, you can tip less. And if you absolutely love your haircut, you can always tip more. If you keep going back to the same stylist and your haircuts come out better and better each time, you should definitely increase your tippage, since your stylist obviously remembers you and is paying attention to how your hair is growing.

In terms of numerical values, $3-4 on your first time is decent, $5+ is fair after a few haircuts. This is student pricing, mind you. If you walk in to the salon in your $3000 business suit, you should probably tip a little higher so you don't come across as cheap.

And of course, if you don't give the tips to your stylist directly (which I usually don't do, it's kinda awkward handing over cash like that), just add it to the cost of your cut when you pay and make sure to tell the receptionist that the extra is for your stylist (and use his/her name to avoid any misunderstanding). You don't want the receptionist to pocket your stylist's hard-earned tips!!

Gatsby Brown

Where to find Gatsby in Richmond, BC:

Osaka supermarket at Yaohan no longer carries Gatsby moving rubber products.

There's a beauty boutique at Aberdeen on the first floor that carries the full line of Gatsby hair products as well as spray deodorant and hair dye. However, a regular size 80g jar of moving rubber costs $19.99. However, they also carry the new technical design clay (the small black jar) that is the size of a travel size Gatsby but also at $19.99. And newest of all is brown Gatsby, which comes in a 15 gram jar at $12.99. This stuff is just used to touch up your hair and it leaves a brown tint to your hair (DIY highlights). I haven't actually used it myself, though. I'll wait and see if I can get it cheaper in LA.

Hive Hair Spa Pt. 2

I know, I know. Sparse posts don't make for steady fan base. But summer just isn't meant to be spent in front of the computer. School's starting up again soon though...

So anyway, I was making my last appointment for a haircut at Hive Hair Spa before I go back to LA, and I have some updates:

1. Jun Ozawa, head stylist and owner of the salon, is currently in Japan and tending to an injury. I don't know the details, but they aren't making any appointments with him for the time being.

2. Shizuko Sambe, Hive's first female stylist, will be leaving on July 31. After a brief trip to the USA she will be moving back to Japan. Sadly, I never had the opportunity to experience her skills, but my sister and her friends did and they all looked great afterwards, so this will be a loss for Hive.

3. Since the month of June, a new female stylist named Asuka has joined the team. She has over 8 years of experience and has been living and working in Vancouver for the past 4 years. I haven't even met or seen her yet, so if anyone has had her yet, please let me know what you thought!

Anyhow, I'm getting Sho on Aug. 8. I'd try Asuka out myself, but I'm always wary about trying new stylists. Seriously, I used to have haircut anxiety nightmares about a week before getting a haircut with a stylist I've never had before. Of course, I've never had a bad haircut yet, but still...

2 in 1 vs. Separate

People often ask me, "What's wrong with using 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner? It's half the price of buying shampoo and conditioner separately, and it takes half the time in the shower."

My reply: "You're only getting half the effect, and your hair is only half as soft as it could be."

When you wash your hair, this is what's supposed to happen:

1. The shampoo cleans all the oil/residue/product out of your hair, leaving it clear and bare.

2. The conditioner is then put in and left for a few minutes to soak into the hair, adding moisture and revitalizing it.

But if you use a 2 in 1, you're only getting step 1. The conditioner never has a chance to work because it never touches the clean, bare hair and is instead rinsed out with the shampoo.

Shampooing and conditioning is like putting on moisturizing lotion after washing your hands. You don't want your moisturizer in your soap because then you just end up rinsing it off.

Now for some product placement:

Shampoo and conditioner can range in price from $5 to $60, and probably higher. This is where I tell you that $5 shampoos and conditioners are all you really need. My personal favourite is Pantene's texturizing line:

At $5 a bottle (less on sale), this stuff is a fantastic value. Better yet, it actually gives your hair more texture by adding some volume as well as strong body that increases the hair's ability to hold its shape. Highly recommended for all hair types and lengths.

Fauxhawks

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been posting as much lately. Now that I no longer live in a 12 square foot box called a dorm room, I don't spend as much time on my computer.

Anyhow, I'm planning on getting a fauxhawk for my next haircut, but more extreme than just longer on the top blah blah blah. I'll probably shave the sides. I haven't completely decided yet, though.

This picture isn't the best, I know (it's surprisingly difficult to find a good one...), but you can see the shaved sides. I probably won't have a design shaved into mine, though it is tempting.

As a fauxhawk (if you can even call it one), this is the blah I was referring to. I think it's a good hairstyle, but with the rate at which my hair grows, it'll last about a week or two before it's too long to style well.

Hair on top is too short for my liking. Since my hair is pretty long already, I'll just trim the length on top, leaving me with a (hopefully) tall fauxhawk. I can use the extra height.

RIP Farrah Fawcett

Many people will remember today as the day that Michael Jackson died.

But let's also take some time to remember Farrah Fawcett, who passed away from cancer, this same day.

Fabulous hair, Farrah.

For the girls

This is a video tutorial on how to make a fake bob if you have long hair. The girl who made this video has dozens of videos on youtube; the link to her page is here. Most of her videos are in Japanese, but some of the newer ones have English subs on them. But the visuals are pretty self-explanatory, anyway.

Gatsby Moving Rubber

First, just a correction to make: Garnier Fructis wax costs $6.99 at London Drugs, moving it into the pricier range (and thus less recommended).

So, Gatsby Moving Rubber is the most popular Asian hair product for guys, and with good reason.

The Fab: Mine cost about $7-8 each, and at 80 grams, you're getting more product for your money than most other brands. And it's made in Japan, which means you're getting quality product, too.

The websites for Hong Kong and Japan have numerous instructional videos that good for both beginners and experienced stylists.

It comes in a variety of colours/styles that are each suited for different length hair and looks.

The Drab: In Vancouver, I haven't seen Gatsby for less than $17. In Los Angeles, I bought Yellow Gatsby at a supermarket in Little Tokyo for $7.49. If you buy it in Hong Kong, it comes out around $7 Canadian (depending on the exchange rate). Moving Rubber can be hard to find in North America, and costly even if you do... Most people get friends to bring it back from vacations to either HK/China or Japan.

Also, the websites are in Chinese and Japanese, and the videos are in Japanese, which can be a problem for some.

It comes in so many colours that you may be tempted to collect them all, which can drain your wallet.

Pink (Spiky Edge) is the most commonly used because most guys keep their hair within the length range of Japanese short (which seems closer to medium for non-Asians). This is the strongest and thickest Moving Rubber, which makes it useful for straight-up spikes. If you use a lot (aka too much) you can make medium hair stand up straight, though I don't know why you would want to. If you have longer hair, Pink will still work, but it won't be the best choice for your hair.

Purple (Wild Shake) is a slightly thinner version of Pink--it has a strong hold that is meant for longer hair (not long, just longer). Instead of straight-up spikes you'll have sideways spikes.

Green (Air Rise) is meant for medium length hair. You won't get much in terms of spikes, but it will give hair volume and texture, which is great especially for those with thin hair. Don't waste it on short hair though, since you won't get as much out of it as you would with Pink.

Conclusion: Obviously, I highly recommend Moving Rubber for every guy. You have to be careful to get the right type for your hair, though: which is why I collect them. There are other colours, too: orange (for medium-long hair), grey, yellow, and black (which is rare and hard to find). I haven't tried these ones yet, though, so if anyone has anything to share about them just e-mail me.

Gatsby Styling Wax

Hard Fiber Type.

This stuff is probably my favourite non-moving rubber hair product. I actually haven't it for sale in North America--my friend bought it for me in China from the Gatsby store just outside of Hong Kong. It's a very versatile product for a variety of styles.

The Fab: Costs about $5 for 80 grams, making this one of the most cost-effective products.

This wax is quite sticky, which means it can provide strong and lasting hold. Also, it feels wet, which means it works on damp hair while all other waxes and putties will only work on dry hair.

The Drab: While most other male hair products have a fruit fragrance this one has more of a hair salon smell, which may or may not be what you want/like.

Also, it's not exactly readily available, since Gatsby is more focused on its Moving Rubber line of products.

Conclusion: If you find it, buy it. It's just so useful, you'll only regret it if you don't buy it. The fact that it works on damp hair alone makes it completely worth it. Blowdrying wet hair with wax in it allows you to maximize volume as if you were using mousse. But, you can then use more wax after drying to touch-up and define, which means you're only using one type of product in your hair (mixing products = mixing scents, which sometimes turns out badly and can make your hair feel greasier/heavier)

My recommendation for usage:

1. Apply to damp hair and form into desired shape.

2. Blowdry gently. At this point, you may be satisfied with the result and you can stop here. Or you can keep going.

3. Use more wax and apply normally to create definition.

This stuff works for girls, too, if you want to do curls. If you have naturally curly hair or it's permed, put some wax through your hair (just the lower half, not through the roots) and blowdry while curling your hair around your fingers (or use rollers or something). The heat and wax will work together to strengthen your curls while still making them look gentle.

As promised...

Step 1:  Wash hair.

Step 2:  Apply Pantene Scrunching Mousse to hair.  Make sure all hair is evenly coated.

Step 3:  Blow-dry into desired shape.

Step 4:  Apply dime-sized amount of Bed Head Texturizing Paste to hair.  For curly definition, twist hair around finger tightly and release.

Step 5:  Apply strong-hold hair spray.

Bed Head Texturizing Paste

for that "Hard to Get"(TM) look

This was my second wax-type product.  I bought it from Chura hair salon in downtown Vancouver (another review for another day).

The Fab:  It smells amazing.  It has a hint of watermelon, and it's sweet, but the overall fragrance is subtle so that girls will have to lean in to figure out what it is.  And, uh... the container is very sleek.

The Drab:  It costs $20.  It's 42 grams.  I haven't done my review on Gatsby yet, but just to put that into perspective, Gatsby Moving Rubber is (possibly) $9 for 80 grams.  So Bed Head is 4 times more expensive.  The flipside is that you don't use very much--just a little bit rubbed through your hands is enough to coat your hair.

It's a texturizing paste, not a wax/putty/clay.  This means that it isn't designed to form/mold/hold spikes and/or other gravity-defying hairstyles.  In fact, I find that it works best for a sleeker look:  for smoothing your hair back, but with matte definition (as opposed to the effect created using a gel).  But don't expect it to hold up on its own.

Conclusion:  If you're a collector and you have $20+ lying around, then by all means go and buy this product.  The scent almost makes it worth it, and it's fun to use for a new look now and then.  If you're tight on cash, however, then I'd hold off on this one.

If you do decide to try it, I would suggest combining it with a foaming volumizing mousse--use the mousse on your damp hair (not wet, damp), and then blow dry into a puffy shape.  Then, use the Bed Head texturizing paste to create some definition in your hair for a piecey look.  This will give you a different look from the usual waxed style.  It won't be as sharp, and instead you'll have a smoother, curvier look.  Maybe you can go for retro-vintage.  If anyone tries it, send me a picture so I can see how it turns out.  I think I'll go for it, too, tomorrow.

1. Garner Fructis Style Wax

Long Lasting Hold.  Shine & Define.

This was my first wax (after the gel phase).  I really liked it in the beginning, and so did my friends cuz they kept asking to borrow it.  

The Fab:  It's only around $5, so if you're new to hair styling it's good stuff to learn with.  Also, it smells really good, though some may find the scent a little too strong.  Don't mix with cologne and spray-on deodorant.  The container is a decent size, 75 mL, that will last a while since you don't need to use very much each time.

The Drab:  It's a very thick and heavy wax, which means it only works on short hair.  The wax is designed to hold up spikes, but on long hair it just feels greasy.  In fact, the instructions say "Use sparingly," which is especially important to keep in mind with this product.  Of course, it is designed for "shine," which is why it looks and feels greasy on long hair.

Conclusion:  Only use on dry hair--it'll slide right out of damp hair.  It's a decent product on short hair, but if you have medium/long hair or are planning to grow it out, there are better products to invest in.  Also, it's not very good for a matte look that is common in Asian styles.  If you're still in to short spikes, however, this is definitely a step up from gel:  the wax is still very flexible in your hair so you don't go all crispy.

My collection...

of hair products.  

(From left to right:  Garnier Fructis wax, Bed Head texturizing paste, Gatsby wax, a bunch of Gatsby Moving Rubbers)

Over the next few days, I'm going to be talking about each of my hair products that I've collected over the years.  Yes, I have a bit of a fetish.  This doesn't even include my aerosol products.  But don't worry, I've stopped collecting.  I can't afford it anymore.

After I go through these, I'll go into my spray-can collection, which is mostly Pantene.

Short is back in...

for guys.

Not short short.  Keep your razors hidden.  Japanese-short, which is a little closer to medium.  

After all, it is Summer (almost).  Long hair in the sun just makes you look oily/greasy.  Otaku much?

So chop off those 6 inch sideburns and bangs that cover half your face.  And the mullet, too.  Don't worry, they'll grow back by the end of the summer.

Dyeing It

So, changing hair colour always brings up the debate about DIY or go to a salon.  Here's my take on both:

1)  The Salon

Pros:  First of all, the professionals can stop you from dyeing your hair some weird colour that doesn't work for you.  This is more important than you may realize, since DIY can lead to weird weird colours.

Second, they use better products that are more likely to colour your hair successfully.  Still, dyeing your black hair blue is prone to failure.  Also, their dyes won't damage your hair as much as DIY can.

Third, their technique is likely to be better than your own.  Therefore, you are more likely to have even colour all around.

Cons:  The cost.  Most salons charge around $80 for colour and cut.  Since a haircut costs around $30-40, the colour costs $40-50.  But remember, if you have long hair the salon reserves the right to charge more.

2) Do It Yourself

Pros:  The cost.  A box of dye costs $10 at your local drugstore, as low as $5 on sale or with a coupon.  You can then dye your hair in the convenience of your own home.

Cons:  Unless you have someone else to do it for you, you could fail epically while applying dye to the back of your head.  Also, the cheaper dye usually doesn't work well on black hair if you leave it in for the recommended time.  You can leave it in longer for better results, but it will also do way more damage to your hair.

Some final thoughts:

• Don't change your hair colour by more than two shades.  If you're going lighter, it won't work without bleach.  And when the roots grow out, you'll want to strangle yourself.
• If you DIY, buy L'Oreal.  Or was it Clairol... one of them is better for your hair.
• Make sure your hair is in good condition before dyeing it--weak hair absorbs dye unevenly.
• Use deep-cleansing shampoo two days before dyeing to get out all of the build-up in your hair.
• Don't become one of those blondorexics.  It's easy to get addicted to dyeing your hair to get rid of the roots, but by dyeing already-dyed hair you're just making it drier.

"Extraordinary Commercial"

Guess what this is a commercial for...

Hive

Finding a good hair salon (and hair stylist) is one of the most important steps in having great hair.  Your stylist is the best person to go to with your questions, since he/she can give you advice specific to your hair.  And of course, your stylist can cut/sculpt your hair into the style that best suits you and your face.

So today, I give you the greatest gift I have to offer:  a referral to my favourite hair salon.

Hive Hair Spa

The stylists are all Japanese, of course.  Japanese stylists are the leading experts on hair these days (and apparently Taiwanese styles are copied from Japanese ones).  So, Hive is in Vancouver, BC, so I can imagine that unless you live there you might have some trouble getting there.  But then again, I live in Los Angeles and I still go there for my haircuts.  =)

It's a small salon, three stylists last I heard (one of which is also the owner).  It's a very cosy, friendly atmosphere.  There are pictures of the salon on the website, so go check it out.  Anyway, the three stylists are:

Jun Ozawa (male) - he's my stylist

Sho Sasaki (male) - he did my most recent cut while Jun was in Japan for spring break

Shizuko Sambe (female) - I haven't had her, but my friends have and she did a good job on them

Most Japanese salon are renowned for their unparalleled quality of service, but Hive has something the others don't:  tea and pocky.  That's right, you get served food and drink during your haircut.  Oh yeah, you also get a neck massage.  What more could you want?

They also offer monthly promotions, ranging from things like 20% off cut with colour to free conditioning treatment on Mother's day.  This month's promotion is 20% your haircut if you go at the same time as a friend.  I've already booked mine.

And of course, pricing.  The price list is on their website, and trust me, the prices are excellent.  Most salons charge around $40 for a guy's haircut, $50+ for women, for a lesser service.  And with Hive's constant promotions, you rarely pay full price for a haircut.

So go!

Oh yeah, make sure to make an appointment.  They're usually booked at least a day ahead, so to guarantee your time-slot (and your stylist), call or e-mail in.  And when they ask who referred you, tell them Brian Lam.

X-Men

Wolverine is coming out on Friday!!  I've already watched the first two films again, still have the third one to go.  I better watch it soon.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed that Halle Berry (Storm) and Famke Janssen (Phoenix) switch hairstyles between the second and third movies?

Here they are in the second film.  Famke has the short hair flared out, Halle has the long hair.

Third film, Halle has the short hair flared out.

Famke gets the long hair now.

Weird.  I guess the hair stylist got lazy.  And for the record, the third film hairstyles work better for both women, because Halle has a more delicate face and the shorter hair shows off her features better, while Famke's longer, rougher face are better framed with long hair than with short edges.

Featured Fan of the Day

I know, I know, it's been a while since I've talked about guys' hair.  No worries!  Back to guy stuff today.  These pictures are from Glen:

Here you can see one of the basic rules of Asian male hairstyling:  simple bangs.  Focus all of the wildness to the back (and top), but let your bangs hang to one side to better frame your face.
I like the colour job.  I'm not sure if he had the tips highlighted or if it's from before and he let it grow out.  Either way, it works.

Curls are in

Curls (for girls) are always in, especially for the summer.  What better way to add volume and flair to your look?  Perms are handy and long-lasting if you can afford one, but curling irons are a common alternative.  Get yours out now!

The Four (TVB)

So, on Sunday night I just finished watching the HK drama "The Four" (少年四大名捕).  It was so good; I'm sad it's over.  Anyway, in my refusal to let it go I've decided to post about the female hairstyles from the show.  Those ancient Chinese hairstyles were really pretty (though obviously impractical for everyday use), and often very intricate.  Also, you need really long hair.

You can't really see her hair too clearly in this picture (I haven't been able to find any good pictures for anyone), but if you look at the top you can kinda make out those little braided loops.  I'm not an expert on female hairstyles, but braids can be so cute if you throw in an ornament.

This one just makes me laugh every time.  It's the bangs.  And it makes her already round face look even rounder.  Mind you, she's a Princess in the TV show, so I guess an up-do is mandatory.

Here's Kate Tsui--she kind of scares me (it's her eyes/eyebrows).  Her character in the show was so awesome/frightening, too.  She belongs on AFI's list of top 100 villains of all time.  In the big picture at the top of this post, she's the girl second from the left.  Both long and short hairstyles work on her because she has an oval face, and her facial features are neither too sharp nor too muddled together.  Her hair in this picture looks really choppy though.

 

It's Selena Li!  She was my favourite character from the show.  Unlike Kate, she has a really skinny, long face, and this long and simple hairstyle perhaps wasn't the most flattering for her.  The tiara thing helps to diminish her forehead, but towards the end of the series they used to braids across the forehead in place of the headband which worked much better.  

Here she is with modern hair.  The one-way bang things work a lot better for her face shape.

I like this one the most, though.  Big curls for volume, but most importantly, the straight-cut bangs make her face look smaller and her hair look bigger.  Very pretty.

Dear faire.Hair,

I have trouble with keeping my hair smooth.  I wash it in the morning every other day, and then I air dry it.  On the second morning I brush the tangles out, but by then I'm plagued by frizzy hair and I look like a mess.  Help!

From, Frizzled

Dear Frizzled,

The root of your problems is that you wash and then air dry.  Since washing dries out your hair a bit, even with conditioner, blowdrying is an important step in your morning routine.  First of all, drying your hair all at once means you get to control the shape that it dries in.  If you air dry, however, your hair will dry in all sorts of weird positions--which is why it ends up frizzy.  Secondly, the heat from the blowdryer adds a bit of shine and gloss to your hair, kind of like what a good hair straightener does.  Some people have trouble with frizzy hair even if they do blowdry, and this is usually a sign of damaged and/or weak hair.  There are products available that you put in after washing and before blowdrying that contain nutrients to replenish your hair while at the same time minimizing frizziness, but this of course takes time and money, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you're having major problems with your hair.

From, faire.Hair

Some Pictures

Sorry, it's been a while.  Busy week.  My roommate got Soul Calibur 4 for his PS3 (finally) and that's taken up a lot of time.

For today, just some pictures of awesome hairstyles.  Faces are pixelized since I didn't exactly ask for permission first.

Interesting use of colour.  Be forewarned, however, that the colour fades within a week.

Hair doesn't always have to be wild to be effective.  Tame and textured is often the way to go.

Bored

Man, I had to wake up at 6:30 this morning to line up at 7:30 so I could sign up for a class for next semester that only has 16 spots.  No one else showed up until 9...  And I don't have class until 12...

So here's a quick post for today, the video tutorial I mentioned yesterday.

He is a funny guy... But definitely worth watching.  Enjoy!

Free stuff

Yesterday was the Sakura (Cherry blossom) festival in Little Tokyo, so I went with some friends.Of course, I couldn't go to Little Tokyo and not go to the Marukai to buy some Gatsby.  It went up in price to $9.49, up from like ~$7-8 last year...Tada!  Yellow Gatsby.  This is the newest colour, "Nuance Motion".  It's not even on the gatsby.hk website yet, but it is on the gatsby.jp website.  Speaking of which, the jap Gatsby website has new hair models, new videos, and lots of new instructions.  If only I spoke/read Japanese.

Back at USC, Springfest was on.  Since it was outside my dorm I figured I'd go check out the vendors for freebies (yes, very Chinese of me).  Well who would have guessed, got2b (there's an umlaut on the "o", I can't figure out how to type it) had two tents with lots of freebies.

So I got two little tubes of hair gel.  Not that I even use hair gel (a post for another time).  But basically, this stuff is only good for spikes, which is only used in J-Rock, caucasian, and poorly done Jap/Twn styles.  got2b is a good brand (I used the yellow one before when trying to cosplay as L from Deathnote) because it really does hold quite well; it just makes your hair too shiny and stiff.

This is an example of what not to do.  What's wrong with it, you ask?

1)  Hair is uneven.  This kid needs a haircut, because when you stick your hair up straight like that you can see longer hairs here and shorter hairs there, and overall it produces a very messy effect.  But not a good messy, like the simulated bedhead hair, but more of a "I squirted gel in my hair and then let it dry in a wanna-be cool position."

2)  Hair is too shiny and the texture is too clumpy.  In LA weather, you sweat.  So if you choose to use shiny hair gel, you don't want your strands of hair to be in thick, wide clumps:  otherwise it just looks like you're sweating really hard and your hair is soaked in sweat.  This kinda brings us back to step 1:  get a haircut.  If you want to use gel you need shorter hair that will produce small, neat spikes.

That's all for now, next time I'll be posting someone else's Youtube video tutorial that's an "intro to Asian hairstyling."