Pamper

THE GLOW UP

News from the beauty aisle

After 10 years of wearing my hair shoulder-length, it’s time for a change. After having my second child, hormonal changes led to my hair falling out in handfuls, and it never quite regained its former thickness. Constant ponytails have taken their toll, leading to thinning and breakages. I have masses of flyaway baby hairs and my locks look limp, flat and lifeless. And then one day it dawns on me: It’s time to go for the chop.

Dramatic hair changes call for expert stylists, so I reached out to Emmanuel Faipoux, owner and creative director of Emmanuel F, an organic hair salon in Sheung Wan. We discussed my reasons for going for the chop and went through some references, before landing on a textured pixie cut.

“Summer is a great time for a new, short hairstyle,” Emmanuel says as he snips away. “Especially if you’ve had a major life change; cutting your hair can symbolise a fresh start.”

However, Emmanuel notes that a short crop isn’t for everyone. “Not everyone will suit very short hair, and a good hairdresser will advise on the right length and style for the client’s face and personal style, rather than simply following the customer’s reference.”

My main reservation with short hair was accidentally ending up with the dreaded “Karen” – that infamous, aggressively-angled short hairstyle that screams: “I want to speak to the manager.” I ask Emmanuel about the phenomenon and he laughs.

“We have an equivalent in French too,” he says. “You need to make sure that the style you choose isn’t dated. Make sure that your hair has movement, that you can run your fingers through your hair, rough it up and play with it. That way, it’s still feminine and stylish without being stiff.”

After a little over an hour in the chair, my new look is ready. It’s textured, a little scruffy in the chicest possible way, and extremely freeing.

“The more you play with it, the better it will look,” advises Emmanuel. I can’t help but agree. I feel light. My scalp is no longer pulled by the weight of a ponytail, and the relentless humidity actually improves my hairstyle. Win!

Emmanuel advises that although shorter hair requires less day-to-day maintenance, more salon trips will be required to maintain it. It’s a trade-off I’m more than happy to make.

emmanuelf.com

GET THE CHOP

With her shoulder-length hair starting to feel like a drag, Sarah Fung waxes lyrical about the benefits of a short hairstyle for the summer.

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RED SHED REDEMPTION

At Liv, we are total suckers for a gorgeous hand wash that transforms the act of washing your hands into a luxe ritual that you don't mind repeating 50 times a day! We were recently introduced to Bathing Shed, a new personal care brand developed here, made in Japan, and inspired by Melbourne's beachside bathing houses. Right now they have just two products: Clean Hands No. 1 and Soft Hands No. 1. Clean Hands is - you guessed it - a hand wash containing Tasmanian cold-pressed hemp seed oil, which contains antioxidants, antibacterial and hydrating properties. Soft Hands is a gel moisturiser that absorbs almost instantly and contains silver ions to eliminate bacteria and viruses. Both products contain Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender and Peppermint essential oils for a gorgeous but not-overpowering scent. Our favourite part? The price! a 300ml hand wash comes in at $125, and the moisturiser is $155 - half the price of comparable products from other premium skincare brands. Available online from this month onwards.

bathingshed.com

Hong Kong’s first CBD spa has just opened in Sheung Wan! Cannable offers a treatment menu using CBDinfused oils in its aromatherapy, Thai and muscle release massages. They also have a store selling CBD lifestyle products, from skincare and tinctures to snacks and beer. Why CBD in spas? Studies suggest that CBD may actually have anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for things like muscle pain, swelling and other irritations. If you’ve been curious about this trend but unsure how to get into it, there are worse ways to take the plunge than a soothing massage! Prices range from $580 for a 60-minute Thai massage up to $980 for aromatherapy or muscle release treatments. Open from 11am-8pm daily.

G/F, On Tung Mansion, 34 New Market St., Sheung Wan

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