CATCH: THE HAIR ISSUE by Clem

#2 dec

CATCH THE HAIR ISSUE

EDITORIAL TEAM

shawn fang| Editor-in-chief

One of the most frequent requests I would get, from any of my peers, is to let them style my hair. Considering that I have the most boring hair ever, it actually is a pretty amusing thing to ask. I don’t have any special dye job done, or hairstyle, or wavy texture. It’s just black, and flat. But their rationale behind it is that I don’t ever style my hair up.

NUR MIRRAH AMIT | SUB EDITOR

Okay, I guess it’s justifiable in some way. Even our ancient ancestors have been obsessing with their locks, so why wouldn’t we, right? It’s an integral part of how our face looks like, and it defines us; it is a part of our identity. Remember Elvis Presley? Yeah, you probably thought of that iconic hairdo.

AMIRA KOMARI | CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Wait… really?

But ultimately, does our hair serve any practical purpose? How do we change alongside our hair?

We definitely have lighthearted articles and reviews in here, but these are some of the serious questions we try to touch on in this issue of CATCH. We spend so much time with curling or waxing (both the styling and the hair removing of) our hair, and we spend an equally massive amount of money on treatments and products our whole life. Surely it has got to amount to something. Right?

So as you flip through the stories, just ponder a little on what hair means to you. There is no right or wrong, but priorities are inescapable. Will it take you further in life? Who knows but you? Decide on how your hair can work for you.

WINONA WEE | WRITER

Whether your locks are most significant, or if you couldn’t care less, you’ll find a likeminded soul in here somewhere. I, for one, couldn’t be bothered. My ‘style-less’ hair is who I am, and who I want to be. So friends, no you can’t wax or gel my hair for me. Stop asking. Hair-ve a good time reading y’all (yes you’ll definitely spot more puns along the way)! Editor-in-chief

SAMeer ashraff | WRITER

CONTENT PAGE

10 THE FAULT IN MY WEAVE 14 IF ELVIS HAD A CREW CUT 20 HAIRSPIRATION 26 BUSHY BUSHY POW POW 32 HAIR AFFAIR 42 HELP! MY HAIR IS IN PAIN 48 THE BALDING 101 60 HAIR-VE SOME FUN

Dos / Don’ts

Opinion

Everyday People

Survey

Photo Spread

Hair Loss

Play!

Hair Problems

THE GREAT

HAIRVOLUTION (

(

Bad hair, good hair, and most of all, iconic. A hundred years in the making, CATCH rounds up six hair-dos that fiercely stood out and snagged a spot on the Hair Walk of Fame.

1900s

Welcome to the 20th century where women’s hair are kept in simple updos and men preferred keeping facial hair. The ladies vary their hairdos from day to day but maintain a basic principle of keeping strands away from their face. The men, on the other hand, hide their dos under a hat! They make up for the lack of hair with a moustache instead. Apparently, growing a moustache symbolises a man’s courage and strength, helping them to emanate the aura of ferocity and dominance. Photo Credit: flickr.com/ blog.familytreemagazine.com

The coiffed Flapper Girl hair ensemble only became popular in 1926 when women started to embrace a more modernised appeal!

1920s

The Flapper Girl and the Gatsby are two trademark hair-dos of the grandeur 20s. Adorned with stunning headpieces (Tiffany & Co., anyone?) and painstakingly combed through with aplenty of hair gel slicked to the sides, hair-dos of the 1920s are the epitome of elegance and flamboyance.

Photo Credit: informercantile.com/ silenthollywood.com

The term Victory Roll was actually used during WWII for a FIghter plane maneuver, but woman quickly adopted the term to describe the popular hairstyle.

1940s

The war is over, and what better way is there to celebrate than to curl your hair in happiness! Victory Rolls and the men’s curled fringe became massively popular post-war, and while I have no idea why it is so, the hair-dos definitely requires less maintenance than it did during the 20s. Curled hair, don’t care! Photo Credit: doctormacro.com/ hairstyles18.com

TIMELINE Hepburn is often recognised for her Beehive hairdo and black dress donned for the 1961 classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

1960s

Amy Winehouse may have been born in the wrong era because her signature Beehive hair-do was made famous way earlier… in the 60s! Volume was so ‘in’ during that period that even the men joined in and made the Slick Quiff happen. Dashing with an edge, that’s the men of Mad Men for you. Photo Credit: huffpost.com/ fashionisingpictures.net

1970s The 70s are all about unruly curls, made famous by Hollywood’s very own Charlie’s Angels, Farrah Fawcett. Gone were the days of looking prim and proper. Suave became trash while creating locks like The Mullet similar to Rambo became the fascination of men everywhere. Photo Credit: haveagreathairday.co.uk/breathingdead. wordpress.com

Creator of The Rachel, Chris McMillan, admitted earlier this year (almost 20 years after the debut of the hairdo) that he was intoxicated when he created the now popular hairstyle.

The Normans were the only ancient population to not wear a hairstyle strikingly similar to The Mullet.

1990s

The good old 90s were the year of Nickelodeon, FRIENDS, and the debut of The Rachel. Today, women are still asking for the do made famous by Jennifer Aniston who portrayed the role of Rachel Green on the Emmy-winning comedy series. It became colossally famous that Aniston apparently cringes at the sight of it. The boys called for a change and adopted the centre-parting hair-do. It worked, for sure, because the girls swooned! Photo Credit: cbscwbayarea.wordpress.com/neonfresh.com

WET LOOK

Prada and Versace, Milan Fashion Week, Fall 2013

t’s the season to be bold AND brave with grunge-tastic wet-look locks! It’s all about looking like you’ve just thrown the hairdryer aside and allowed your busy lifestyle to draw you from the beach to the next activity, without pausing to give your locks more than a nonchalant towel-dry. I don’t think you’d need me to tell you how to achieve this look…

SUPER STRAIGHT

Emilio Pucci and Saint Laurent S/S 2013

ccording to Kérestase celebrity colorist and stylist Ashley Javier, women with straight hair are often perceived as being more serious than those with curls. “Straight hair reflects more shine than curly hair, feels more groomed.” Add dimension to your superstraight locks by twisting two strands from the front of your hair and securing them at the back with kirby grips/bobby pins!

OMBRE

Burberry Prorsum, S/S 2013

emember when dip-dyeing your hair got so popular, all of your friends were doing it but they ended up doing it wrongly: their ends were nastily bleached, and it wasn’t the gradual and subtle dip-dye that you see in magazines and fashion spreads. The amazing Alexander Wang achieved this look by using contrasting extensions, something you could try out if you don’t wish to commit to a permanent color. Think Kim Kardashian and Vanessa Hudgens.

LOW PONY

Alexander Wang and Chloe, A/S 2013

t’s a low-maintenance throw-together-on-thebus hair that scores you seasonal points! It is a laid back and relaxed look with a modern-yetserene feel to it; the ultra-low ponytail lets your hair hang loosely around your face, framing it. Allure magazine said, “Ponytails reached a new low this season – in a good way.”

Photo Credits: glamourmagazine.co.uk/pinterest

W ASN’ T

Hair trends are not judged as heavily as fashion trends, but it is the icing on the cake. Here, we’ll tell you what’s in this season

CURRENT TRENDS

FAUX HAWK Shamirul Aqil Year 3 / SEG

his hairstyle is common and has been in trend since forever. “I apply wax – lots and lots of wax – on my hair and style it from the side to the middle in a small and swift motion. It takes me about half an hour to get my hair done the way I like it.”

IT,

SUPER STRAIGHT Claire Hoh, Year 2 | SDN

his is the easiest look to pull out of the lot. Super straight hair can be achieved by blow drying your hair inwards and applying a super straight serum on the ends of your hair. “My hair is naturally super straight so it doesn’t take much effort to acquire this style. It is easy to work with and I don’t need to put any excessive amount of hair products on my hair. My hair feels organic on most days!”

TH AT L A ST

S E A S ON ?

messy top cut Zulfiqar Izzudin, Year 1 | SEG

any fashion icons are picking up this look, and so are the boys in school. Zulfiqar takes care of his hair, a lot. When asked who inspired his hairstyle, he says its Adam Gallagher, a famous style icon with a whopping 300 thousand followers on Instagram. “I was in awe when I first saw him and the next morning I took a dollop of hair wax and tried to achieve the same look.”

on the runway so you can avoid committing any hair faux pas – and we’ll also tell you how well our students are groomed.

BOLD COLORS Shi Min, Alexandria, Hui Ping, Year 2, SDN

hese three girls are proud of their wild locks. “I decided to dye my hair red because I thought it was the “trend”. However, dyed hair will quickly lose its color after a few washes if not taken care of properly. Alexandria said, “Coloured hair is more ‘fragile’. I use Matrix Biolage Color Care Shampoo and conditioner. It is a sulfate-free shampoo that keeps hair colour seriously vibrant!”

en want to be like him while girls want him. David Beckham aka GoldenBalls is arguably Great Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most coveted footballer. He is the only Englishman to win four different football league titles across the globe. While his footballing accolades are well documented, GoldenBalls is also known for his impeccable fashion sense. Currently the face of retail-clothing company H&M and several other clothing lines, the 38-year-old has set the world by storm with his unblemished look and style. From an aspiring footballer to a global superstar- with a couple of radical fashion statements along the wayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; we review the ever-changing hairstyles of Goldenballs.

THE

The Vintage Pampadour

The Funky Mohawk

The Calm Baldie

Photo Source: http://www.popsugar.com/David-Beckham

The Choppy Waves

Celebrities are known for their extreme makeovers. You be the judge - yay or nay?

The Emma Watson

The Bold Blonde

The Les Miserables

Photo Source: http://www.people.com/people/anne_hathaway

The Lengthy Waves

rom a demure to a sexy superhero - she has played it all. Anne Hathaway has come a long way since she donned a tiara in Princess Diaries 12 years ago. The 30-year-old is in the prime of her acting career, appearing in two box office films â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Dark Knight Rises and Les Miserables â&#x20AC;&#x201C; last year. We take a look at the different hairdos of the now prominent actor.

The Fault In My The young Willow Smith may be telling you to flaunt your mane and whip it but is your crowning glory in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons? By Nur Mirrah Amit

“

... your hair is undeniably beyond precious in its own varying length, colour and texture.

ruth be told, our hair – regardless of whether it is in a bad shape or not - is one of our many forms of identification. When Britney Spears underwent a meltdown and shaved off her golden locks of love circa 2007, the self-professed “Miss American Dream” went almost unrecognisable much to the chagrin of fans worldwide. Forget not when seven billion people across the globe caught a rare glimpse into the infamous world of meltdowns when famed Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes buzzed her own. What? That was this year? Of course, it was! Whether you believe it or not, your hair is undeniably beyond precious in its own varying length, colour and texture. A small change could be heightened to a point where a simple transformation appears drastic when it truly isn’t. As imperative as it is, your hair, at one point or another, is what makes you… well, you.

In the dazzling and beyond glamorous world of Tinsel town, overwhelmed with lustrous and shining hair maintained to perfection while bound to the world of superficiality, hair blunders are just as common. From Christina Aguilera, to the age-defying Johnny Depp, celebrities commit mistakes just as well as we ordinary people do too - time and time again. While taking a risk to don a new fashion style or opting for a fresh make-up look gone wrong is completely repairable, your hair is one part of your body that can be a tad bit difficult to rectify once the damage has been done – frustration, frustration and all the more frustration! Have you ever cut your bangs too short? We know exactly what that feels like. So drop that comb and ditch that ride to the salon for now because CATCH is going to help you brush up your hair skills, rectify your past mistakes and give your weave the spotlight it truly deserves.

“

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Cre di

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com

DOS / DONT’S

GOING DAYS WITHOUT WASHING YOUR HAIR

Photo Credit:

livestrong.com

I can tell you one thing that is certain – you cannot achieve a clean, polished look if you go a week without washing your hair. By the seventh day, if not before, there would have been too much oil action happening on your head that it would be greatly difficult to distinguish you from a well-greased machine.

“MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL, WHO HAS THE LIMPEST HAIR OF ALL?”

At the same time, you wouldn’t want to wash your hair everyday and strip your weave of the essential oil it produces to keep your hair moisturised! What’s my take? I suggest washing your hair on alternate days, giving your barnet some sort of a break in between. The lull day makes up for the hours and days you spent styling and experimenting, helping you to prevent further damaging. If you feel the need to wash even on your hair-break day, use a good dry shampoo for that instant lift.

I get it – tying your ponytail tightly gives you a sense of reassurance that it will not slip off mid way through the day, but don’t. A slick tight ponytail is cute but it is sure to cause your hair to fall as time goes on. Traction alopecia occurs when your hair follicles weaken due to constant and repeated tugging at the scalp, leaving you with random patches of baldness. Not pretty! Lucky you, traction alopecia can be prevented. Instead of tying tightly, opt for loose braids, buns and ponytails. Throw away thin hair ties and go for the thicker ones that are gentler on your crown as it doesn’t have a seam that breaks in the middle. Brush your hair lightly before you head on to bed and let them loose. Lastly, rock different hairstyles instead of the same every time. This way, you’re not stressing the same bunch of strands.

TYING YOUR PONYTAIL TOO TIGHT

ssnews.us

Photo Credit: hairlo

EVEN SUPERMODEL NAOMI CAMPBELL HAD IT IN 2012.

CUTTING YOUR OWN BANGS

Photo Credit:

mobicca.blogsp

ot.com

Raise your hands up high where I can see them if you have done this before! Unless you’re a professional hair stylist, the art of cutting bangs is incredibly hard to master and one that you should, without a doubt, leave to the gurus. I have heard and seen countless numbers of horror stories about bangs-gone-wrong. Instead of looking like the Queen of bangs, Zooey Deschanel, many unfortunate girls fall trap to the primary school yearbook look. With bangs cut so unevenly, making it look like you almost went for the bowl hairdo, once done, it cannot be undone. Then, it would be a few months of agony for you!

Regardless, if you choose to take a risk and make that change anyway, styling pro Nunzio Saviano says when cutting bangs; always make sure that your hair is completely dry with the rest of your locks pulled into a ponytail and observe point cutting.

DOS / DONT’S The one thing a design student, a hair stylist and a makeup artist have in common is their expansive knowledge of the wonderful colour chart. Similar to the concept of choosing and putting on make-up on your face, you hair colour needs to match your skin tone and under tone. A suitable colour will ultimately help you to create a healthy harmonious overall outlook!

To make it simpler for you, in order to select the right hair colour, all you need to do is determine whether or not your have a warm or cool skin tone. If you have a cool skin tone, you’ll realize that your veins at the wrists appear blue or purple where as your skin radiates a pink, red or blue tinge. Those with a warm skin tone, on the other hand, have veins that appear to be green or olive in colour while the skin radiates a yellow, gold or peach tinge. So, if you have a warm skin tone, stick to warmer colours such as auburn and dark brown that are sure to complement. On another note, those with a cooler skin tone can choose to go with shades of honey and blonde. Let’s not forget that one time when Blake Lively dyed her blond locks red only to be mocked for her mistake!

GEL ALL OVER

Photo Credit:

posh24.com

DYING YOUR HAIR IN A COLOUR THAT DOESN’T MATCH YOUR SKIN TONE

erlively.blogspot.co Photo Credit: meest

SHE CHANGED IT BACK TO BLONDE IN LESS THAN A MONTH!

Lads, as much as you love your hair gel, know the limit. Slapping on truckloads of hair gel, looking like suave Mr James Dean is probably not going to work anymore in the 21st century. Cut down on the hair gel, and instead of spreading it all over; why not focus on just one particular section of your hair. This way, you get to save on hair gel and still look fabulous. If going a day without your trusted hair gel displeases you, try adding a bit of a volume to front of your hair for a bit of a ‘poof’ effect. It doesn’t only make you look extremely classy, but it also adds that touch of edginess.

With that said, there remain to be no such thing as “too much hair gel” for Mr David Beckham, who excels in all kind of hairstyles – including the slick back. Cry your hearts out, boys. We all feel your pain. CATCH

FORMER JERSEY SHORE CAST MEMBER, PAULY D, LIKES HIS HAIR SLICK AND TALL.

OPINION

IF ELVIS HAD A By Shawn Fang

Do we style our hair, or does our hair style us? Is there any value behind our obsession with hair? 14

Can you recognise these stars without their iconic hairstyles? Guess their identities, and flip behind for the answers!

t’s a really simple question to think about. What would become of Elvis Presley if he sported a crew cut? Would he still be the legendary ‘King of Rock and Roll’? It’s not shocking that Elvis, apart from his music and dance moves, was widely known for being a sex symbol. He was the quintessence of male beauty in his lifetime, and his pompadour hairstyle only made girls more crazed and fixated over him. However, strip the mane away, and would his record label market him out as heavily as they did? Ever since the ancient times, the human race had been obsessing over the locks atop their heads. Archaeologists discovered how ancient women would curl, and even colour their hair, with natural ingredients and man-made tools. As seen on statues, the ancient Greeks and Romans also had elaborate

hair ensembles. Now similarly, in modern times, we fuss over our hair on a daily basis. Many cannot leave their houses without performing their daily rituals involving mirrors, some hair wax and hairspray, maybe a curling iron, and a focused expression on the face. Is it surprising though? Anything but so. Considering how hair sculpts our face and features. It has always been a symbol of our identity. It makes us look the way we look. So maybe that’s why it still governs our judgement over the people we meet.

So let’s get back to Elvis. How would our grandparents judge him without his iconic ‘do? Surely, his music and soul was what matters. And he was also adored for that signature smile. But would he be a household name if he hadn’t look

Prehistoric hair tools (left), and ancient statues are prove that vanity existed even way back in the past.

Photo sources: img.scoop.it / 3.bp.blogspot.com

Answers:

Marilyn Monroe

Photo sources: youthbro.com / www.kinomania.ru / paroutudo.com / 3.bp.blogspot.com / streetz945.com / images2.fanpop.com

Whoopi Goldberg

P!nk

exactly the way he did? It’s a moot point. Such celebrities, like Elvis, are lifestyle influences. The masses want to be like them and look as good as them; so they mimic their idols in hopes that they could be more accepted by their likeminded neighbours. But slowly, this habit is aggravating the hierarchical and puristic nature that is debatably a man’s flaw. In countries like Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, redheaded individuals are still being bullied and tortured for their hair colour. It does not help when television shows and movies portray them as either the antagonists or as gangly outcasts. One of the big news stories in the UK this year is of 24-year restaurant manager, Alex Kosuth-Phillips. He was randomly assaulted and punched during his birthday last year while waiting in line for pizza, and had footages from a surveillance camera, along with two metal plates in his once-broken jaw, to back his story up. Severely injured, he required emergency surgery, and had to eat with the help of

a straw for the next four months. As he recalled, the last words he heard from his bully were “Ginger prick”. Another noteworthy story was during a photo shoot for Mirror UK’s article against hair discrimination. When the mother of Chloe Doyle cheekily asked her if she was a pretty girl, she replied with a blatant “no” while pointing to the hair on her head. She was bullied for it, and she was only four years old. These victims of society have to bear not only the physical scars, but also the mental anguish, brought out simply by how their hair seems. Moreover, ‘Hate Crime’ in the UK for example, only classifies and quantifies bullying against disabilities, race, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation. So how can the society alleviate the situation if there isn’t a lot of recorded statistics on said bullying, if any at all? Should people really spend their lives focusing on their hair if it is the case? It’s comprehendible – our hair shapes our face and, if done right, helps makes us look good (or what our society deems as good). People

Redfoo (LMFAO)

Michael Jackson

Mark Salling (Glee) Photo credit: Mirror UK

Chloe (right) has been picked on and called “ginger” and “goggly eyes” by her peers. And her mom (left) witnessed one such incident with her own eyes.

Helena Bonham Carter has found success in the film industry , even with a peculiar sense of styling. Do people like her for her eccentricity? Or would she have been a bigger star if she had conformed to society’s mould of ‘beauty’?

Just maybe, it is their personal fashion choice to deviate away from the norm and the society’s mould of beauty. Just maybe, it is because they see the appeal in being original (pun intended – you know, since they are unique in embracing their original hair – get it?). Whatever their rationale is, what does it make of this whole hair debate? In my opinion: four big lessons. (continued behind)

Photo source: images2.fanpop.com

like to be with people, especially those who are attractive. So having that desirable head of hair means more social interaction and a higher self-esteem. It also sets us apart as individuals. As Lady Gaga sang in her song ‘Hair’ (oh, how coincidental), “It’s all the glory that I bear; I’m my hair, yeah, yeah”. (And being someone who is a proud bearer of the jetblack Asian mop atop his head, I totally get it.) But is it any good to individualise ourselves if we are going to torment the individuals that are not like us? Are we individuals anymore, if you put it in that perspective? Homo sapiens are such paradoxical creatures. Albert Einstein and Helena Bonham Carter are great examples of famous personalities with (debatably) bad hair. They allow their natural locks to grow, as is, and doing almost nothing to it other than the occasional snip at the barbers. Yet, they are still some of the biggest names in modern society – making their mark and greatly contributing to science and film, respectively.

OPINION

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Whether you fit into the cookie-cutter stereotype of what beauty is, there will always be someone out there who appreciates and adore the way you look. It may be true that Helena Bonham Carter may have been laughed at and criticized for her eccentric hairdo, but do a little search up on Google and you will see how many girls are now inspired by her to embrace their natural curls. Some even went to artificially emulate this unconventional look. Also, our redheaded friends may be ostracized and bullied all around the globe – especially the men. But as seen in the comments on photographer Thomas Knight’s ‘Red Hot’ series (right), there are many people out there who are visually (and yes, sexually) attracted to ginger men. (I, for one, would love if my partner had red hair. Not kidding. They’re hot.)

Beauty does not equate to success

There’s no denying that there are a lot of really attractive people in the limelight, even those who are not very talented. However, you also cannot hide the fact that many stereotypically ‘beautiful’ kids (who focus on their appearance rather than their education) are not fulfilling their dreams. Although it aids in a social context, your looks don’t don’t always grant you success. On the other hand, many ‘unattractive’ people may not succeed in sitting at the ‘cool’ table at school. However, as they grow older, a lot of them turn out to be some of the greatest individuals our world has ever seen. Aside from Einstein, other notable scientists, mathematicians and doctors (like Marie Curie, or Andrew Wiles) could care less about their looks or their hair. Many of the greatest artists, designers, authors, and inventors follow that path too. Now, I’m not saying that growing your hair out naturally is a surefire formula for success. But what I am saying is, the real key in succeeding is about having the passion, the drive and the commitment for whatever you do; your attitude and character towards your neighbours and your work; and a clear vision (No, this has nothing to do with you pair of spectacles).

Those attributes are what you should work on instead, not looks, body fat, or hair. Your looks may get you accepted in society, but it only lasts as long as you stay attractive. And being the humans that we are, it won’t last long. True success built on talent and hard work, on the other hand, brings about an acceptance that last a lifetime and more. Celebrities with natural red hair:

Ed Sheeran

Julianne Moore

Celebrities who dyed their hair red:

Jayma Mays

Prince Harry

Alyson Hannigan

David Bowie

Emma Stone

Rupert Grint

Lindsay Lohan

Cynthia Nixon

Phelps Twins

Florence Welch

Photo sources: www.sam-parker.co.uk/thetvaddict.com/img2.timeinc. net/dontforgetatowel.com/images5.fanpop.com/images.beautyriot.com

Photo sources: www.ecardmedia.eu/1.bp.blogspot.com/Revlon/wwwcdn.channel5.com/images.wikia.com/www.ukhairdressers.com

In an attempt to change society’s perception over redheaded men, photographer Thomas Knight featured a diverse range of said subjects in his first solo exhibition titled RED HOT. Photo credit: Thomas Knight

Being different helps in the long run

Bullies do pick on the minorities, and you may be teased for having a different skin tone or a different hair colour. But as you sit alone during lunch (there’s nothing wrong with being alone, by the way), ponder about the future. When you make it big, if you do, you would stand out. You are set apart from all the cookie-cutter good lookers, and you won’t be indiscernible in that big pool of carbon copied individuals. Take English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran as an example. He was bullied as a kid for being a redhead, but he has now (as he would say), “come out the other end and blossomed”. In Daily Mail UK’s interview with him regarding this matter, Sheeran said: “Being ginger can seem like a bad thing when you are young, but as a musician it has been my saving grace – because if you see a ginger kid on TV and there is only one messy-haired ginger kid who plays guitar, it is very easy to find them on YouTube.”

Another point to add is, discrimination and ostracism may hurt, but at least you know that you would never act in that manner to another individual. You would probably support and help other ‘victims’ like yourself instead. And for that, know that you are, in the least, making one person’s day and changing one person’s life.

You’ll save some o’ ya money

Intangible emotions aside, not going to straighten or dye your hair save you a lot of money. According to a British study done by TRESemmé, the average woman spends around $50,000 on her hair in a lifetime. So if you do not spend your greens on other additional hair products and treatments (like actually dyeing you hair green), where could all your money go? To support a love one? To further your education? To buy that additional equipment you might want for your personal project or hobby? The ideas are limitless. Well, kind of. But you get my point.

Like as mentioned above, there are a lot of reasons why taking care of your hair and making it beautiful is beneficial. It makes us attractive, likeable, and accepted. There is nothing wrong with wanting that for you (at all). However, whatever and however we do it is how we identify ourselves. And I am proud to say that I am an individual who doesn’t really care how his hair looks. I like that it is jet black, that it is straight, and that my fringe swoops down to the right. That is who I am, and that is who I want to be. And at the end of the day, our selfperception and self-appreciation is all that really matters to. CATCH

HAIRSPIRATION By Winona Wee

Let’s face it - First impressions do count. Your beautiful locks or tangled tresses can make or break that one chance you have to impress someone. Not only does basic hair care make you look beautiful, it makes you feel beautiful too. A woman’s hair is her crowning glory. Or is it? In this section, we talk to two starkly different ladies on how they style their dos. Also, a new breed of guys has taken to the hearts of both teenage girls and aunties alike - the metrosexuals. What is a metrosexual? They are stylish, fashion-forward men who refute the premise that being a man equates to a standard crew cut at the barber’s. How do they fare against their less stylish counterparts?

CLEMENT TOH, 22, student

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

or fashion forward Clement, styling his hair for school is an everyday ritual that he prides himself in since he turned nine. “I think making an effort to groom yourself when out in public is an act of respect, to others and to yourself,” said the Year 2 student from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Mass Communications. Clement is known for his bold looks and have received compliments from strangers and friends alike. “Some friends have asked for my advice before getting a haircut or a new hair colour, but I would always tell them to get what they want for themselves,” noted Clement. An avid fashionista, he admitted to changing his hairstyle too many times to even keep count. He now has up to four variations that he

reapeats for everyday styles. The time Clement sets aside for his hairdo may astound and serve as a motivation to many – a mere 10 to 15 minutes in the morning is what it takes for him to turn his mane into his crowning glory. Of course, he would first have a mental image of the hairdo he would be picking for the day. “If you have a short, low-maintenance haircut, it is possible to appear neat without much or any styling. For guys with longer hairdos, more input would be required,” explained Clement. The craziest style he has had? Corn Rows. However, the tight braids tugged uncomfortably at his hair and he had them removed after three months. What’s interesting is that not only does Clement make

use of different hair cuts and styling products to conjure up his hairstyle, Clement also adds personality to his hair by dyeing it in different colours. One time, he even dyed his hair baby pink. (It’s on the magazine cover!) “I think that styling my hair is part of the process of making myself presentable to others,” concluded Clement. Clement’s Recommendation: TRESemmé Leave in Conditioning Spray Photo credit: Clement Toh

Hair advice: I use a leave-in conditioner as a coat between my hair and the styling products. Sometimes, I use hair clay too.

CASSANDRA QUEK, 19, student Despite her petite frame, this 19-year-old is not a force to be dealt with. Cassandra excels in sports and has raked in medals in Touch Rugby, Softball and Dragon Boat. Her current endeavour, Touch Rugby, earned her team the 1st position in the inter-polytechnic and ITE games. However, her love for sports and the outdoors has made it difficult for her to style her hair as she trains up to three times a week. She prioritises a healthy work out over a smooth hairstyle as she feels the

sense of achievement while doing sports is far greater than that of having a good hairdo. “I don’t bother waxing my hair because it just falls back down after I start training,” explained the NYP Business administration student. Cassandra does not consider herself a fashionista, and feels that comfort is the best way to go when the only person she would want to dress up for is herself. When it comes to her hair, Cassandra feels that the only work needed is to condition everyday. She

get’s a simple $15 haircut every month or so and has tried her hand at dyeing her hair once. Closing thoughts about hair: Your hair should not be your priority. Your priority should be living your life to the fullest! What matters most is your lifestyle and how your hair can adapt to it. As long as you feel good about yourself, and your character, your confidence will most definitely shine through! Get rid of all societal expectations thrown towards your direction and you’ll do fine.

Here, CATCH shares some hair tips for Cassandra and other sporty girls out there: 1. Get a pixie cut. Not only will it stay in place when you exercise, it always gives you an edgy, feisty look. 2. Style your hair with wax for a bit of volume (for both short and long hair) 3. If you have no time to style your hair, opt for a baseball hat or a beret. 4. Tie your hair in a high bun for a refined look. 5. Tie your hair into french plaits. 6. French braid your fringe and secure your hair into a tight ponytail 7. Dye your hair a crazy colour. That way, you need not style your hair and you’d still look extra chic. 8. Not wild enough for unnatural hair colours? Try hazelnut brown highlights to soften your features and compliment black asian hair.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE

CHONG YEE LIM, 21, student “External expectations,” quipped Yee Lim. The first year student from the National University of Singapore lamented that the various institutions he had been in – junior college, national service, then university - were what prevented him from having extragavant hairstyles. “I only have the holidays to grow out longer hair in order to try different hairstyles,” said the 21-year-old. Although noting that his hair is of “considerable importance” to him, Yee Lim has cited laziness as

what stopped him from spending time to style his hair every morning. Instead, he takes two minutes to sweep his shaggy do to the side, and out the door he goes. “I find it a very big hassle to spend time styling my hair every morning. I used to do it, but after awhile you just can’t be bothered anymore,” said Yee Lim. Instead, he uses his free time to read more books and get to school on time. The only worry he has about his hair? Male pattern baldness. “Just like any other hotblooded male, I have this foreboding

fear of eventually succumbing to male pattern baldness,” he joked. He keeps to a simple regime of shampooing everyday and conditioning his hair every two days to ensure his hair stays clean and healthy. Closing thoughts about hair: People are getting increasingly vain and are spending more hours and dollars on their image and hair. I feel image matters but not to the extent of spending more time trying to look perfect. Be confident that you can make the hair look good.

Here, CATCH shares some hair tips for Yee Lim and others like him: 1. Invest in a good cap to change up your look 2. Take 5 minutes to wax your hair in the mornings 3. Try dyeing your hair a different colour 4. Change your fringe parting 5. Shave your sides for an edgier look 6. Reduce frizz by getting a good conditioner 7. Pat dry your hair with a towel instead of rubbing the hair with the towel to reduce hair damage 8 . Don’t brush your hair when it is wet. That’s when it’s most vulnerable and susceptible to breaks!

Rachael Wee, 22, Graphic designer Although Rachael does not style her hair daily, what sets her apart from the average Singaporean is her hair colour. The affable design graduate from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology started exploring with colours such as candy pink and lilac blue three years ago, and has since changed her hair colour countless of times a year. Colouring oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hair that often might sound like a surefire way to get dry and damaged hair but, fret not, as CATCH speaks to the budding designer on what helps keep her locks beautiful and healthy.

EVERYDAY PEOPLE CATCH: Do you style your hair everyday? How long do you take to style your hair every morning? Rachael: Not everyday really...unless you count lazy a style because I am a lazy person so all I do is blow dry it in the morning, which actually takes 10-15 mins. C: Do you have a few staple, everyday styles? How many do you have? R: The most extravagant thing I do to my hair daily is actually either tying it up or putting it into a bun. It also depends on what I’m wearing for the day and whether that hairstyle will go with what I put on. I play with hair accessories a lot though, using hair clips or bandanas. C: How do you think styling/dyeing your hair benefits your image? R: I dyed my hair because I wanted to *drumroll* be different. I think as a designer especially, it was more important for me to make any kind of impact rather than nothing at all. Many of my friends ask how I deal with all the staring and whispering but I guess I just filter them out, or maybe because I’ve just gotten used to it. Sometimes it gets annoying, though. I have had my photo ‘secretly’ taken by random strangers and who knows what they do with those photos...eek!

C: What kind of attention have you received from strangers? R: The most common question would be where I got my hair done. And when I tell them that I do it myself, they get interested and we start a conversation about my hair regime. Sometimes, all they want to do is to touch my hair. C: How do you mix your own hair dyes? R: Most of the time I just wing it and learn from mistakes. I buy different brands to try out and mix - as different colours have different effects. Even if I buy the same shade of pink from different brands, they won’t turn out exactly the same on my hair. Some are more vibrant than others or fade out nicer. C: How do you make sure you don’t dry out your hair? R: I use a conditioner at the ends of my hair but other than that, I don’t do much. I also make sure not to leave my bleach in too long when bleaching. C: What’s your hair inspiration? R: Mostly just from colours and how well they blend together. Otherwise, there is always Tumblr and Google. C: Your craziest hairstyle to date? R: The craziest it would be having three to four colours in my hair all at once.

Photo Credit: Rachael Wee

Hair advice: Shower in cold water, no swimming, and try to refrain from water activities. Using dry shampoo helps for some too. If you’re new to DIY dyeing, try using a bleach kit.

Rachael’s Recommendation: VATANG Hair Treatment Conditioner

Photo credits: Syneron

SURVEY

100 people answering questions about body hair. Are they at a consensus? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be bear-y fur-prised.

For decades, both men and women spend time to shave their body hair (those not atop our heads) to impress their sexual partners. Scientifically known as androgenic hair (as they are caused by androgen hormones), this is a hot topic in our society, even till today. Why? Well, some individuals like their partners (or themselves) to have such bodily hair, and some don’t. To make things more complicated, there are only certain specific regions that people would want hair on. Too many layers to this issue, but so little time!

So to bring some sort of closure to this never-ending debate, we went around Singapore with a short little survey.

What Girls Want: on their men

What Guys Want: on their women Facial Hair Nose Hair

(Beards, Moustaches, et cetera)

HELL NO 18% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 64% I DON’T CARE, BOO 8% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 6% HELL YES, BABY BOY! 4% HELL NO 56% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 38% I DON’T CARE, BOO 2% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 2% HELL YES, BABY BOY! 2% HELL NO 20% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 40% I DON’T CARE, BOO 30% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 6% HELL YES, BABY BOY! 4% HELL NO 12% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 24% I DON’T CARE, BOO 36% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 20% HELL YES, BABY BOY! 8%

Chest Hair Moustaches

Armpit Hair Armpit Hair

Leg Hair Leg Hair

Happy Trail Happy Trail

46% HELL NO 26% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 24% I DON’T CARE, BRO 4% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 0% HELL YES, BABY GIRL! 82% HELL NO 14% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 4% I DON’T CARE, BRO 0% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 0% HELL YES, BABY GIRL! 72% HELL NO 20% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 6% I DON’T CARE, BRO 2% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 0% HELL YES, BABY GIRL! 44% HELL NO 40% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 16% I DON’T CARE, BRO 0% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 0% HELL YES, BABY GIRL!

(It starts from the belly button, it ends at the pubes)

HELL NO 22% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 24% I DON’T CARE, BOO 26% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 18% HELL YES, BABY BOY! 10%

Hair Down Under Hair Down Under (pubes time!) (pubes time!)

HELL NO TO OSTRICHES 26% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 32% I DON’T CARE, BOO 32% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 4% HELL YEAH, BUSHY POW! 6%

70% HELL NO 10% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 8% I DON’T CARE, BRO 8% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 4% HELL YES, BABY GIRL! 24% HELL NO TO FURRY KITTIES 38% NO, BUT IT’S TOLERABLE 24% I DON’T CARE, BRO 6% ME LIKEY, BUT IT’S NOT A MUST 12% HELL YEAH, BUSHY POW!

Moral of the story: everyone has different tastes when it comes to sexual attraction.

So before you strip down and have that wild party in bed, discuss with your partner on what wax for the both of you. It helps when you get your innermost desires off your chest. Then, work towards a solution or a compromise so that you wouldn’t cut each other’s throats over such a trim-vial matter. Petty arguments are always the root of all breakups, and no one wants to be left strand-ed alone just because of this. That’ll be a real pit-y.

SCISSOR In our modern society, hair salons reign all and are giving barbers a run for their money. In this section, we explore the two subgroups and see what they’ve got to offer.

ver got a haircut in a back alley? Uncle Francis is one of the last remaining street barbers in Singapore. His makeshift barber shop (complete with an old-fashioned reclining chair and a mirror) is located at the corner of Kim Keat Road and Lorong Limau, and operates from Monday to Saturday. The friendly barber charges a standard price of $5 per haircut and what it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in experience. How often do you get to say you got your hair done by a traditional back alley barber? These back alley barbers are essentially illegal, but most policemen do not have the heart to chase away these oldtime veterans who are trying to make a decent living. Despite the choice in location, Uncle Francis has trusted customers and has been trimming hair for more than 40 years and there’s no stopping him. Where: Opposite Tian Tian Eating House, between Kim Keat Road and Lorong Limau Price: $5 Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 11.30am – 6pm Contact: 97477197

SISTERS S

alons are the usual go-to for Singaporeans young and old. With its pricing ranging from a mere $2.50 to over $200, there is a salon available to meet everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs, be it the perfect hairstyle or a fuss-free trim. What drives the crowds to these inhouse shops and away from back alley barbers is the cleanliness and perceived reliability of hair salons. Who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fancy a relaxing haircut in an airconditioned shop over a trim beside the back of a building? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, a hair salon is located in almost every heartland in Singapore, making it accessible to the masses. Most salons also provide free services such as a head massage after a hairwash, as well as a free inhouse beverage. A regular cut at a salon usually consists of both elements, as well as free magazines to read and styling your hair for free after your haircut. Convenient and value added? You bet. Where: Heartland estates, Orchard Road Price: $2.50 to $200

Photo source: www.myfatherschild.net; Artist: Jonathan

If you need a haircut, but want to visit someplace different, try these salons on for size. No matter your budget, you’ll surely find your hair-ven in this short list.

4 Kim Robinson

Why: This high end salon is not only famed for its steep prices but for their excellent service and signature dry cut as well. Once inside Kim Robinson, you are led down a corridoor filled with curtains and lavish interior decorations. The simple touches are what makes Kim Robinson’s hair styling experience the crème de la crème of town. Instead of being wrapped into a piece of cloth, you are made to wear a robe to keep the hair off your clothing. A free glass of your preferred beverage is also provided with a cover on top, to make sure no stray hair gets into your drink. Your hair wash is accompanied by a 10 minute head massage, too, and feels exquisite to the touch. Kim Robinson’s signature, however, is their refusal to use hair clips while cutting or drying a customer’s hair. Instead, a stylist has an assistant hold up the customer’s hair while he works his magic on a different section of hair. During my visits to Kim Robinson, both the hair stylist and assistant gave services that would put public relations associates to shame- from asking me about my preferred water temperature to creating a friendly environment with small talk, I always leave the salon completely satisfied with both my cut and the experience. Price: From $138 onwards.

Where: #02-12 Ngee Ann City

Cut & Curl Academy Why: This place is a little interesting… it is both a normal ‘working’ salon, but it is also a hairdressing school. Based on your mood or schedule, you can choose to get your hair done by either the students, or by the ‘shifus’ (instructors/the professionals). Don’t worry, the students would always let their teachers check (or tweak, if need be) the haircut they do on the customers (to get immediate feedback and learn)! Talk about killing two birds with one stone (or scissors, whatever)! The staffs are uberfriendly too, so how can that not be a plus? Where: 209 New Upper Changi Road, Singapore 460209 Price: Getting your hair cut by student stylists is $5, junior stylists is $10 and professional stylists is $17

Snip Avenue

Why: It’s dirt-cheap! Well-known for its affordable rates, Snip Avenue offers a wide range of hair services - from a simple haircut to adding colour to your hair. Too good to be true? Well, fret not. Snip Avenue ensures that their staff are trained professionals, so you can definitely let your hair down (haha). The 7-year-old company has expanded their services to include hair services, beauty services, nail services and foot reflexology services. Where: There are 36 branches scattered around the island. For more information, log on to wwww.snipavenue.com Price: Prices start as low as $2.80 for a simple haircut. (What a bargain, eh?)

Truefitt and Hill

Why: If it’s good enough for H.R.H, The Duke of Edinburgh, then it’s certainly good enough for you too. Truefitt and Hill is the oldest barbershop in the world, as certified by Guinness Book of World Records in April 2000 – and it has recently opened a branch in Singapore! Established in London in 1805, Truefitt and Hill has counted the likes of Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde and William M. Thackeray as regular patrons. Customers can take a shower and have their clothes steam-pressed while they are groomed, and even get a manior pedicure in a private room to boot. Read this: Shoe shining is complimentary and there’s a bar, which serves classic martinis. Where: 9 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069690

Price: Choose from haircuts ($75), massages ($40), shaves (from $70), brow-threading or even nose and ear waxing services ($15 each).

Arches Hairspa & Salon

Why: Arches beats out all other competition when it comes to serving Muslim women who wish for a hair changing experience! Unknown to many, Arches sets aside a small but comfortable room in every of its branches catering to Muslim women who don the headscarf, promising utmost level of privacy. You can find yourself served a cup of freshly brewed tea of your choice upon arrival and attended to by cordial and trilingual professional hairstylists. In any case, you will always find yourself in a refreshing environment good enough to take a nap while they snip, snip, snip! Where: #04-04, 1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3, Whitesands Shopping Centre; #B2-48, 180 Kitchener Rd, City Square Mall Pricing: From $28 for cut + shampoo + blow; $70 for a colour job; $80 for permanent waves/rebonding; and $50 for hair treatments.

hair affair

Photography By: Shawn Fang

For Him: Crew Cut The crew cut allows any man’s distinct features, like his chiseled jaw, to strike out. It also frames a guy’s eyes well. You do want to look good for your yearbook picture, don’t you? Sport this look and transform yourself into the dashing, dreamy Colton Hayes. We’re already swooning!

Unless your hair is really short, you might need different hairstyles or cuts for different occasions. When to do what, though? Here are some of our suggestions.

PHOTO SPREAD

For Her: The Corset No, we don’t mean by putting an actual renaissance corset on your head, but when you’re done with this hairstyle it sure does look similar to one! The Corset takes mere minutes to complete and screams elegance like no other. It’s different from the usual looks you can find on the streets and yet, the Corset is a loose combination of the half-up halfdown, curled hair and braids. Now, sit straight, find your angle, strike a pose and make Tyra Banks proud!

Yearbook Picture Day 33

For Him: Anything short It is simple boyskeep your hair short. To those with long hair and frequently use hairbands to secure your fringe from hitting your face, two words for you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cut it. It looks unsightly and the age of donning hairbands for males have long been gone.

Playing Sports

PHOTO SPREAD For Her: Bun If you’re a sassy sports-adoring girl, try pinning up your hair to a bun. It works great with different hair lengths and textures. Most importantly, it keeps your hair away from your face. It doesn’t really matter if you’re representing your school in an important football match or you just like to be out on the field for a kickabout – the focus has to be in your game, not your mane. Your hair has to be the least of your worries when you’re edging your opponents out, and not flying around as a distraction.

First Dates

For Her: Loose Curls First impressions do count, and a first date is a make it or break it event. Don’t want to seem too high maintenance but don’t want to look too shabby? Leave your teasing brush and hair bands in your drawer, and whip out your curling irons. Spray a spritz of hairspray after you’re done and you’re ready to go. What’s great about this hairstyle is that it gives you a soft finish that goes with almost any look. It’s a classic that never gets out of style.

For Him: Pompadour The pompadour, made famous by King Louis XV’s mistress Madame de Pompadour, was historically known as a women’s updo. However, having been adopted by the likes of Elvis Presley and David Beckham, this ‘currypuff’ updo has been worn by men in recent years, making the girls swoon. You’d want your lady to feel like this first date matters to you so style your hair with wax and finish it off with hairspray for that extra polished look.

For Him: Neo-Quiff Boys, if you think you can just walk to that wedding without doing much to your hair, think again. Why not try the quiff look, it is the daddy of all male hairstyles and it will make you look like gold. Remember, when you’re slicking your hair up, don’t just keep your head upright – tilt your head in the direction that you are sweeping your hair with the brush to make it easier to control.

Wedding Guests

For Her: Crown Braid Why let the bride have all the fun? If you have a wedding to attend and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to do with your hair, braid it! It is simple, elegant and it gives your hair just that extra perfect pinch of attitude.

Sexy Time

For Her: The Messy Look What is sexier than waking up to your partner looking all tousled while sleeping beside you? Well, why not try on that messy bed hair yourself, even before you go to bed? I mean yeah, you’re still going on the bed, but we both know you’re not going to sleep just yet. Ok fine, maybe you prefer the rug or the couch – whatever – the messy look would still work fine.

For Him: Ditto

HAIR PROBLEMS

HAIR PROBLEMS ARE THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE

WHY MUST HAIR PROBLEMS EVEN EXIST IN THE FIRST PLACE? By Amira Komari

e Asian women and men have it tough sometimes – we’re bombarded with products that have been researched in labs abroad on our American and British counterparts, made to believe we have the same issues or problems as they have and are made to make-do with whatever solution is presented. The result? An arduous and timeconsuming journey of trying to find the crème de la crème from countless beauty shelves.

Many hair stylists say the recipe to healthy hair is simple: what you take in shows on the outside. You may know this or not, but what you eat plays an extremely important role in retaining the natural color of your hair. Hair maestro Mr. Shunji Matsuo said in an interview with Smashion, a fashion magazine, eating foods rich in zinc, iron and copper is important for healthy and luscious hair. At CATCH, we understand how important hair is to our readers, so we’ve compiled a list of popular hair problems – and solutions - that Asians typically face. So, what’s your hair problem?

HAIR LOSS WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS?

Everyone loses fifty to hundred strands of hair on average daily. But hair loss may be a sign of a more serious medical condition that needs an evaluation by a dermatologist and possible treatment. Hair shedding can be caused by a deficiency in zinc. The causes of hair loss differ for both men and women. Women are prone to lose hair due to hormonal changes, pregnancy, childbirth,

discontinuation of birth control pills or the onset of menopause. Most hair loss in men can be blamed on, heredity. WHAT’S THE CURE?

PENNY-PINCHERS: You can try to slow hair loss by applying Minoxidil (Rogaine) to the scalp twice a day. Minoxidil is not a cure for baldness, but it has been shown to retard recent hair loss and to stimulate new hair growth. The drug works on both women and men, although women should use a lower-strength formula to prevent unnecessary side effects. You can get this at a nearby pharmacy.

I didn’t do anything about it until my “ Initially, friends complained that it was embarrassing to be seen with me. SO I BOUGHT hair dyes from L’Oreal because it is ammonia-free. But I stopped using it so often after articles surfaced that hair dyes could be fatal.

”

Tan Wen Ping, 16 Fajar Secondary

LIVING THE LUX LIFE: Awarded the most trusted and effective brand each year, Yun Nam Hair Care has carved a reputable name for itself. Established in 1984, Yun Nam’s trademark remedies have achieved a 98.7% success rate amongst customers. It promises visible improvement of your hair condition in just one treatment! Call 6363 3232 to make an appointment.

WHITE HAIR

WHAT CAUSES EARLY GRAYING?

Hair goes grey when colorproducing cells stop producing the pigment, ‘melanin’. It’s not all in the genes or aging process; several other factors are also directly responsible for making your hair white. Factors could range from a vitamin B deficiency, chemical exposure (shampoo or hair colors that contains hydrogen peroxide) and even smoking. But contrary to popular belief, stress has not been shown to cause grey hair. *Low amounts of copper in the body can reduce melanin WHAT’S THE CURE?

PENNY-PINCHERS: There are innumerable lists of home remedies that promise effectiveness for treating premature greying of hair naturally. Many rave about grating ginger and mixing it with a spoon of honey. Eating this daily would apparently treat premature greying of hair naturally.

Photo Credits: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320019/Scientists-soon-able-reverse-gray-hair-intrusive-surgery-temporary-dyes.html/ www.101hair.com.my

HAIR PROBLEMS LIVING THE LUX LIFE: Phyto Hair Science is a top of the line award-winning hair spa. Only 100% botanical extracts are used in the treatment and with the latest advancements in technology, they have come up with the best cure to your every hair and scalp problems. Call 6692 0662 to make an appointment.

OILY SCALP WHAT CAUSES OILY SCALPS?

Sebum, produced by sebaceous glands – which are located in the scalp’s skin tissue – is a primary part of hair health because it locks in moisture. However, if too much sebum is produced especially during puberty, the scalp turns oily. There are also diseases that can affect how much sebum the scalp produce and believe it or not, brushing your hair too often can also be a cause. ALSO, studies have shown that eating too much greasy and junk food increases the development of oily hair. Now, what were you thinking of having for lunch again… Many would think that the symptoms of hair loss is considered normal. But it is important to note that when the scalp produces too much oil, hair follicles will start to clog and cause hair loss. If this condition is left untreated, the hair follicle will stop reentering the hair growth phase and the hair loss will become more evident. WHAT’S THE CURE?

PENNY-PINCHERS: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin and your scalp moisturized from the inside. Also, remember to wash your hair daily! Contrary to popular belief, daily shampooing does not cause your scalp to produce more oil; it actually encourages hair and scalp health. LIVING THE LUX LIFE: Make a date with Dr. Alvin Wong, the medical director and managing

“

I not only had dry hair – my hair was also hard to control, it clu mps together easily and it doesn’t hold an y of my hairstyles well.” Many girls, inc luding 19-year old Jeyshri from the Sch ool of Business Management thinks tha t these symptoms are normal. “My haird resser recommended Sunsilk. I saw results after a month.

”

Jeyshri, 19 SBM

partner of SKN MediAesthetics. Dr. Wong graduated from the prestigious University College in London before receiving his surgical training in London hospitals so you will definitely be taken good care of. Just be prepared to burn a hole in your pocket! Call 6732 7658 to make an appointment.

DANDRUFF WHAT CAUSES DANDRUFF?

Fun-fact: The exact cause of dandruff is still relatively unknown! What scientists have figured out is that it is a condition of the scalp that causes flakes of skin to appear. The new cells are produced at a faster rate than they die, resulting in more skin being shed. Many medical websites cite the causes to be ‘possible factors’ and ‘risk factors’ that includes: Seborrhoeic dermatitis: A condition that causes oily skin Malassezia: Fungus that normally lives harmlessly on skin Emotional Risk

Using excessive hair products e.g hairspray, hair gel.

WHAT’S THE CURE?

There are many hair products in the market these days but how do you know which is the crème de le crème?

PENNY-PINCHERS: If you are trying to cut costs, there are several popular home remedies for dandruff. Grind finely about 2 teaspoons of black pepper. Add this powder to one cup of curd. Mix them thoroughly and apply all over the scalp. Leave it for about an hour and rinse off. Follow the rinsing with a mild shampoo. If you’re too lazy, there’s always the reliable Heads and Shoulders to fall back on. Photo Credits: www.mnn.com/poseidonsciences.scienceblog.com

“ Her battle with dandruff lasted a dreadful

seven years. “I tried everything, from clinic consultations to hair treatments. I remember my mom spending a lot on JUST my hair.” Thankfully, the dandruff went away upon her reaching puberty. She now diligently applies oil to her hair every night.

”

LIVING THE LUX LIFE: The ambassador for TrichoKare, Beatrice Chia-Richmond, swears by their treatment. TK TrichoKare is a holistic hair and scalp care centre that provides European botanical hair remedies, catering to all hair conditions. Customers are pampered in a luxurious spa-quality environment for an ultimate relaxing experience. Treatment starts from $338 onwards. Call 63338 8680 to make an appointment.

“

Michelle is an mer – but she im sw avid Michelle Tan, 13 to hates what it’s doing Regent se ar co s el ry fe Seconda her hair! “My hair ed rt sta I . ol po e th after an hour in sence Es ir Ha ial nt se Es using magazine. It costs after seeing it on a r such a small $19.90, a bit steep fo like the smell I t bu bottle

SPLIT ENDS WHAT CAUSES SPLIT ENDS?

The medical term for split ends is trichoptlosis (science has to make everything complicated?) Split ends occur when the cuticle of the hair is ripped from the hair fibers, which is impossible to replace. It can be caused by excessive use of hot styling tools (think irons, hot curlers and blow dryers), overuse of chemical treatments or even when you’re having a whale of a time in the sea, pool or spa. WHAT’S THE CURE?

PENNY-PINCHERS: Miracle Silk Restoration Serum, as the name suggests, is an 89ml bottle of miracle goodness. It instantly restores shine and silkiness plus it is lightweight: it is quickly absorbed into hair to smooth and control frizz. Due to its petite packaging, you can bring it everywhere you go to save you for that hair-flick you’re planning to give to the cute guy you see everyday at Starbucks! LIVING THE LUX LIFE: Book an appointment with your favorite hair stylist and snip it all away at least once every two weeks, period. We recommend Passion Hair Salon, located at the swanky Palais Renaissance in the Orchard Road district. Owned by hair guru, David Gan, you are definitely in good hands. Call 6733 5638 to make an appointment. CATCH Photo Credits: sklice.com/www.beautybythegeeks.com/splitender.com/thenaturalhavenbloom.com

”

curly

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i y s h w

hair a

problem? IT IS TIME TO EMBRACE THE BOUNCE

E 46

xactly, why is curly hair a problem? No, why is hair that is not silky straight, a problem? Many girls born with curly hair often get asked questions like “Why don’t you ever brush your hair?” or “Why don’t your straighten your hair”. That’s because it is darn hard! It is almost impossible for curls to sustain its fluffiness for more than 15 minute outdoors due to the high levels of humidity in Singapore. Your curls will turn frizzy and no matter the copious amount of moisturizer or serum you lather on your hair, it is not going to trigger a miracle! Your hair will eventually be limp and out of shape after half an hour in the sun, and let’s not even talk about the imminent greasy hair…

Curly hair tends to be dry and often demands care. The curls do not tightly embrace the scalp like straight hair does and therefore it has limited contact with the conditioning sebum on the scalp. The most important asset for a curly head is a good haircut with a minimal amount of work needed like a simple comb or

CARE FOR YOUR CURLS

Washing is important

BUT everyday washing can strip the hair of its natural oils, which are the best way to keep your curls healthy! Purchase a shampoo and conditioner that is designed

specifically for curly hair and is laden full with moisturizers but also has frizz reducers. Amalina Komari, a 22-year-old student from National University of Singapore says, “I wash my hair once every two days because I have very thin hair and frequent washing would affect my scalp and make my hair greasy, which means frizzy curls! It is every curly girl’s nightmare.” Never brush curly hair! Brushing curly hair will only promote frizz and damage the cuticle! Use instead a wide-tooth comb or simply your fingers to gently detangle your hair. However, many girls with curls rave about the effects

of combing your hair after applying conditioner, before rinsing. It helps the conditioner to effectively reach each strand. Shobanu, a 19-year-old student from the School of Business Management cannot live without her wide toothcomb and olive hair oil. Her hair regime is elaborate and takes two hours. “I will start by conditioning my hair with olive oil for an hour before combing with the wide tooth-comb. I comb my hair in sections as it is easier to work through tangles that way, which takes up another hour.” She then washes her hair with shampoo and proceeds to dab it with a dry towel. “I finish my work of art with a serum named ‘SEXY AND BOUNCY CURLS’ that my hair stylist recommended and then I’m good to go!”

“Curly hair is naturally dry so it’s important to make sure that you condition your hair. I usually just use olive oil and do a coconut milk hair mask – the typical Kara brand that you can get from the supermarket – once every two weeks.”

Save time by NOT blowdrying your hair

You get to escape the tedious process of blow-drying your hair with a valid reason: heat has an additional drying effect on curly hair. You should therefore ideally allow your hair to air-dry. Sure, you would have to wake up early but this leaves you with time to make yourself a nutritious breakfast. “I avoid washing my hair in the morning because since I have long curly hair, it takes a really long time to dry. When I get home, I will thoroughly wash my hair with a good shampoo and conditioner – in my case I use Sunsilk! – And I will leave it to dry while I do my homework and eat dinner” says 19-year-old Durga.

a note from me to you

have heard many too often stories of Asian children being ridiculed for

their curly hair. I do agree: it is not the norm to have curls. If you take a quick glance around you now, many would have naturally straight hair. But before you commit to a painstaking three hours or more on the salon chair while your hairdresser holds a flat iron, you need to tell yourself that you are beautiful. An advice I wish I could have given my sister. I am unfortunately not gifted with silky hair as smooth as satin’s touch. My hair days hover between wavy to split ends but I do try to deal with it by purchasing highly marketed Japanese products that promises coveted locks. My sister however has curly hair. Really, REALLY curly hair. She’s the only one in the family with these loud and tangled curls that would bounce every time she moves. Her friends called her ‘noodle-head’ because it was springy just like a noodle. I watched her go through her peer’s taunts till she turned 20. She decided it was enough so she made her way to the salon to get her hair straightened once and for all. She paid a hefty sum to sit torturously on the salon’s chair for hours, getting her hair tugged and flattened at. She was happy, but not for long. The straightened hair made her look flat. Her hair looked funny without all that funny volume going on and she soon began to miss her curls. “I wouldn’t say I regretted it. It was liberating: to be given the choice to choose how I want my hair to be. Thankfully, straightening my hair wasn’t permanent, and it lasted me a good 2 years. Now I’m just happy to have my curls back, albeit slightly damaged!” If I ask you what you love, the answers will likely roll off your tongue. You love to read. You love to write. You love birds, music, tattoos, your mom, your brother, sister, daughter, your best friend, and your dog. How long do you think you could go on and on before you said, I love myself? “If I could turn back time, I would not have made the decision to straighten my hair. I shouldn’t have conformed to the sort of ‘ideals’ others have set. After 22 years, I am finally proud of my curls.”

HAIR LOSS

The Balding 101 Balding is often seen as an indication of growing old. As the saying goes, when you got to go, you got to go. By Sameer Ashraff

Photo Sources: Foter.com

f you’re seeing more of your scalp than you’d like, fret not; you’re not alone. Based on the ever reliable web, 70% of men across the globe experience noticeable hair loss by age 80. What is more worrying is that the same statistical source reveals that 40% of men aged 35 will sadly fall victim to this unfortunate loss. As a youthful 20-year-old, I’d like to believe that I’m at the prime of my life. I dare not imagine how life would pan out for me 30 years from now. I’ll most probably be old. OK, who am I trying to kid. Forgive my digression. The idea of growing old scares me to the depth of my heart. Imagine waking up one day only to be greeted with aches all over, saggy skin and a head full of nothingness. Scary, isn’t it? I love my hair. It is probably the best asset I possess and to lose it would be tragic. Losing my hair would be comparable to having a vasectomy - once it’s gone; it’s gone for good. Maybe the process can be reversible but results

are never guaranteed. Yes, it is that After a few searches on the Internet, tragic. But as it is with life, we’ve got I discovered this practice; along to deal with it. with several others that I faithfully Doctors have cited hair loss as a believed (like how hair loss comes hereditary condition called Androfrom my mother’s side), weren’t genic Alopecia. These men have exactly true…to some extent. suffered from an overdose of a hormone known as 5(alpha)-reductase, which morphs testosterone into W? , NO o be shy re dihydrotesosterone (DHT). DHT will K t cause follicles to sprout shorter and YOU are said ew that anes D I f D men ; the the o one finer hairs before eventually dying ld r ved e d t ba p ar e lant out. Mos or res r the to transp t r As a kid, my mother would diliquie or ove d a hai a gently apply coconut oil on my hair, loud have h . ig claiming that the process ”stimulates that ar a w e hair growth”. Growing up, I discovor w ered the wonders of hair wax and the miracles it could do with my mundane straight hair. With good comes bad, and I started getting conscious of the determents wax could do to my spiky do. So, akin to an 8-year-old’s fear of the dark, I was afraid of losing my hair. Alas, I bought several hair products – conditioners, shampoo and what not all for the sake of preventing hair loss.

Photo Sources: Foter.com

MYTH BUSTERS

ontrary to my belief, hair products do NOT cause hair loss. Hair wax, sprays and gels do not contain any active ingredients that encourage male baldness. If this doesn’t rid you off your worries, experts suggest using hair products that have more natural based ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Chamomile. Go ahead and mix as much gel, wax and spray as you like to achieve that funky hairdo that you always wanted. But be discreet about it because your trendy hairdo could be the cause of hair falling off.

HAIRSTYLES

Styles that put too much pressure on your hair follicle such as cornrows or ponytails (probably only applies for females) can have a huge influence on hair loss. With that said, cutting your hair will not make your hair grow thicker. The next time you head to the barbers’ in an attempt to salvage your balding head, remember: less is not more.

BulKING UP?

For all you bodybuilders out there,

who believe that steroids have no side effects on hair, think again. Research has proven that anabolic steroid, which increases the levels of male hormones, will cause your hair to fall. So think twice before you pop one in before a workout session or if you’re looking to enhance your efficiency in bed.

SEX LIFE

Staying in the areas of sex, it is incorrect that frequent ejaculation causes baldness. To date, there has been no proven link between constant ejaculation and hair loss. It is also not a fact that the more sex you have, the less hair you’ll lose. Hold your horses, guys.

THRILL SEEKERS

For the thrill seeking, hair losing, depressed ones: standing on your head does NOT cure hair loss. Yes, you’ll experience an influx of blood circulation but your attempts at keeping your hair will only lead to a terrible migraine or (worst case scenario) a head injury. But don’t

worry, researchers have revealed that long exposure to the sun will not cause effect your hair quantity. Hair depletion occurs at the follicle level. Fortunately, your hair acts as a shield against the glaring sun to protect the roots.

YOLO* MINDSET

Just like me, if you’re in your twenties and living with the “I’ll worry about hair loss later on when I’m old” mentality, it’s time to change your thinking. This unforeseen epidemic can strike when you’re in your teens and is common among 20-30 years old.

? KNOW financially e DID YmOoU b to d ure t

.Bu re ru bald man Women a fe with a ntersa u d o n c a y secure their hair r e b m u rital a tn baldies ou comes to extra m round it o n g e d h a w e h s part s the ney make affairs. Mo eh?

*YOLO : You Only Live Once

BALD at 25 Get close and personal with Gabriel who suffers from premature balding

e was just 25 when he started balding. Frustrated, Gabriel Masil grabbed a razor blade and shaved his hair off. While his decision might seem drastic to many, he hasn’t looked back ever since. Now, at 34, Gabriel has embraced his imperfections and is proud of the decision he made some nine years ago. Filled with confidence and pride, the Design Architect admits his hair loss was initially worrying but with the support of his family and friends, he managed to pull through. In an exclusive interview with Catch, the first time father of a beautiful baby girl candidly opens up with all things bald. Catch: Was balding at an early age considered tragic for you?  Gabriel: I started balding when I was 25. Initially, it was worrying but I would not say it was tragic. I did try to use better shampoo to curb the problem but to no avail.

C: Do feel that your pride was ripped off when you start losing hair?   G: No..not at all. I’m not losing my scrotum. Now that would be pride lost, wouldn’t it? (Laughs). Majority of us associate hair loss to growing old but personally, it depends on how you define growing old – age wise or physically old? Many men below 30 are far worst off physically then men above 30. I guess age is really just a number. But to me, it’s how you are physically that determines your true age. So with all that said, I guess balding can be linked with growing old if your’re unfit and out of shape. But if you’re physically conditioned, it doesn’t really matter. C: Hair loss equates to having a mid-life crisis. What is your take on this? G: No, I don’t think so. I actually felt invigorated and rejuvenated after going bald. It was like I was a new man (laughs).

C: Do you feel a sense of inferiority complex when you walk on the streets   and see men of the similar age to yours, sprouting a head filled with hair?  Definitely not. In fact, I’m actually more confident. I guess it is only human to think that the grass is much greener on the other side. For example thinking, “What would it be to have a Mohawk or a Backcomb?” or “If only my hair is blue..or should I dye it red?” But I’m practical. I’m happy that I don’t have to spend money on shampoo and I don’t have to spend time on combing my hair and styling it. Plus, I think I’m pulling off this mean and cool look very well (laughs). I think I look more handsome and neater too. Bald is the new beautiful.

Suitable Hairstyles FOR BALDING MEN Shaggy Layers So you hair is thinning on the top but you’re not exactly looking for a super short hairstyle…Give Shaggy Layers a try. It’s easy – all you have to do is tousle your hair and let it fall where it may. This hairdo definitely subtracts a couple of years off your age and if executed properly, it’ll add a suave bad boy look to you, which might just spice up your relationship with the missus. But if it fails, you’ll look like a sleepdeprived grumpy old man.

Crew Cut

When your already thinning hair requires a shorter look, a crew cut would be ideal. This hairstyle works as it blends the thinning hair with the rest. With your hair short on the sides and a tad longer on the top, it forms an optical illusion that more hair is present that there actually is. The illusory cut intertwines the thinner areas with the thicker areas, making you look 10 years younger.

Photo Sources: Foter.com

f, unfortunately, the several hair treatments and possible transplants you go for fail to fruit any bearings, do not be disheartened. It is not the end. Learn to embrace it. There’s no need to be ashamed of your misfortunes. As famous footballer Wayne Rooney puts it “ I was going bald at 25, why not?” While the Manchester United striker has since spent a great amount of money on a hair transplant (and its working albeit in a slow rate), not many of us can afford it. But we can definitely afford his optimism starting from the very basic form of embracement – acceptance. Here are a few hairstyles you balding men (I know, what irony) can pick up. The best part? It doesn’t cost a fortune.

HAIR LOSS

Natural Look If you’re balding and you know it, clap your hands (OK, pardon my humor). If you’re not bothered by your looks and have no problems with nature running its course, this is the best hairstyle for you. Well, technically it still is your hairstyle. No perming, rebonding, trimming, thinning or whatsoever required. Leave it Au Naturel. If you’ve succeeded in doing so, I take my hats off to you, my good sir.

Prisoner Look

Don’t be fooled by its title, this haircut isn’t meant for prisoners. Commonly known the Buzz Cut, this do is catered for those who have plenty of hair everywhere – except the crown of their head. Buzz Cut works well to hide your thinning or absent hair. Since the hairstyle comes in differing lengths, it is a look you can execute throughout the balding process. The look can help create an image that’s sophisticated and rugged. With the company of a little stub, it will definitely roll back a year or two off your aging features.

Clean Shave

If you’re sick of maintaining your already dying (sounds tragic huh?) hair, it is time to shave it all off! The clean shave rids you off your worries of judging eyes and it’s cooling to your skin! Imagine walking down the streets of sunny Singapore with the wind blowing against your baldhead. Pretty therapeutic, isn’t it? It is definitely a bold move to simply shave off your hair. But if you have a strong emotional threshold and are not bothered by what people think, go right ahead.

Photo Credit: Amazon.com /KristineButterfy/thegraphicsfairy.com

YOUR

HAIRYTALE

ENDING

Quit pulling, and try some of these hair growth Holy Grails. Restore your broken trust and walk that ramp with bouncy locks to go in 3…2…1!

How many times have we gone to the salon and left with hair cut too short for our liking? We’d pout, caress our hair, and complain, “I wish I didn’t get that haircut in the first place!” because there’s nothing that you can do to undo what has been done – except maybe to get hair extensions at a whooping $150! You could wait it out for a few months (or years, if you have slow growing hair like mine) to achieve a length you could only dream of… or you could try out some of these products that’s sure to turn you into Rapunzel within a few short months.

Castor Oil

Castor oil works better than most hair oils as it has healing benefits and contains anti-inflammatory properties – both of which promotes hair growth. You can choose to pick up any bottle of castor oil but try out Hollywood Beauty’s Castor Oil With Mink Oil. The cream-based U.S. product only requires a small amount to work with. Deborah Aldridge, a Yahoo! contributor, suffers from hair thinning but when she gave castor oil a chance to a work its magic, she noticed gradual but obvious improvements to her receding hairline. While Aldridge doesn’t find the process at all pleasing, unlike the coconut oil, castor oil doesn’t emit a smell at all! amazon.com; Available at: USD$4.29 (excluding shipping fee)

Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamins

Eating supplements is a fast and easy way to get your hair growing ten times faster, figuratively speaking. There are many brands available in the market right now, but the quickest and easiest alternative you could buy right off the shelves would be GNC Women’s Hair, Skin & Nails Formula. A bottle can last you a month with daily intake. Depending on your hair type, you can expect to see results as early as four weeks. Fair warning to those who are vegetarians as according to GNC’s official website, the product contains fish. Available at: GNC; $43.95

Not Your Mother’s Way To Grow Shampoo & Conditioner

This set of shampoo and conditioner is the Holy Grail of all hair growth shampoos and conditioners. The salon-formulated products are made with essential vitamins, herbs and bioactive extracts that are sure to allow you to “let down your own hair”. The sulfate-free duo not only leaves your locks strong and bouncy but also keeps your hair smelling like fruits. Kaci M., a reviewer of the products on Beautylish, even said her hair grew out four inches within four months of usage! That’s about a fistful worth of hair, in case you’re wondering. amazon.com; Available at: USD$18.66 (excluding shipping fee)

Photo Credit: Christian Cimoroni

MAINTENANCE

HAIREALITY Three ways to achieving healthier hair, two minutes of your time and one absolutely beautiful mane.

CHECK

123 H

oney, your hair, a lot like your body, needs to be treated like the shrine it deserves to be! Without proper care and devotion, your follicles will weaken and wither away over time. No one wants to suffer from hair loss and have bald patches on their head, do you? Achieving beautiful, healthy hair is not difficult, and it is not expensive to maintain either. The journey to realising your dream of having swoon-worthy hair like Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, or teenage heartthrob, Zac Efron, is obtainable… only if you put in the time and effort. Allow me to show you exactly how!

HABITS

Did you know that the last few inches of your hair are the weakest? This will eventually lead out to damaged strands and split ends. Habitual brushing will only make it worse too. Instead, opt for regular trims every few months to snip an inch or two off. Many women see significance difference in their own after adopting this habit!

DYE JOBS

Go blonde or dye your hair darker, but know that doing so often will leave you looking like a science experiment gone wrong. Bleaching lifts the protective coating around your follicles, making it dry and brittle. Give your hair some ‘space’ after each dye job. Ideally, your next dye job should happen three months after its previous.

DIET

What you eat makes a difference! Ditch the runs to McDonalds and go for healthier options. Health is wealth, so increase your protein intake by eating more eggs, salmon and yoghurt, or try red lean meat! Remember to drink up too to keep yourself hydrated. As a rule of thumb, drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Your skin will benefit from it too!

YOUR HAIR NEEDS Is your hair screaming out for help? Here is a few products that might come handy to you.

Ellips Hair Vitamin Don’t let size fool you – these small little bubbles are perfect for hair treatments on the go. Just pop them and apply the serum on your mane, and expect your hair to look healthier and more reviltalised. Depending on your hair length, each bubble-like capsule is also sufficient for one to three applications (so share away!). These hair vitamins would help in hair problems like split ends or dry and damaged hair. Where to buy: Healthcare or beauty retailers i.e. Venus Price: $1.50 for a pack of 6; $10.90 for a bottle of 30

Gatsby Moving Rubber You’ve probably seen their whacky advertisements on YouTube and Facebook a million times. Come on sing it loud – I CAN GIVE YOU GATSBY! Be it a spiky edge or wet look – long or short, male of female - Gatsby caters to all. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye, the wax is long lasting and can do wonders to your hair!. Here’s a short fun fact: Formed in 1978, the then president Mr Hikoji Nishmura named his brand Gatsby after reading F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Perhaps Gatsby Moving Rubber could just make you look as suave as Leonardo DiCaprio! Where to buy: It’s everywhere! Price: S$9

Lucido Super Hard

The best part about this hair spray is that it comes in a lovely shade of pink. Despite the name, Lucido-L’s Super Hard Hair Spray does not make your hair look super hard and instead gives a smooth finish to your look. Spray a small amount and it can keep any hairstyle firmly in place for hours (even on a humid day!). Unlike most hairsprays, this does not flake when dried. Where to buy: Local departmental stores Price: $9.20

Who doesn’t love Japanese products? The Japanese are constantly innovating to make life easier and their recent discovery for healthy hair now comes in a 100ml bottle. Essential introduces Hair Essence, an intensive leave-on treatment to instantly repair hair surface for a long-lasting shine, EVEN for the last 15cm of hair. Price: $17.90

Photo Sources: Foter.com

Essential Hair Essence

Inifiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret Conair has revolutionised how every woman around the world curls her hair. Unlike curling wands everywhere, the Infiniti Pro by Conair Curl Secret requires very little effort to create three different kinds of volumised hair curls. The new technology, claiming to work on any and every hair type, is a cheaper alternative compared to its counterpart, BaByliss PRO Miracurl Nano Titanium, which retails at USD$170.00 on Amazon.com. Unfortunately, both products are currently still unavailable in Singapore. Where to buy: www.amazon.com Price: USD$99.00

Out Of Bed Clay by Dominate For those who haven’t heard of hair clay before, it is a product that is very similar to your usual gel or wax. However, the most noticeable difference is its matte texture – having little to almost no gloss or shine to it. This particular one (that is part of Dominate’s Salon Series) has a texture and consistency that is perfect for messy and grungy out of bed hairstyles (flip to page XX and 56). It’s hold is pretty strong as well (at a number 4 on a 5 point scale), so you don’t need to worry about going to the men’s room for constant hair checks and adjustments! Where: Major retail stores i.e. NTUC FairPrice Price: $9.95

TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray TRESemmé has been used at the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week for years, so just imagine its level of credibility. A lot of people tend to forget to use a heat protecting spray when styling their hair, which calls for hair damage. The TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray is one of the best heat protecting spray available in the market. Local Guardian stores, however, currently doesn’t stock the product. Although it is a little more expensive than what one would expect to pay for such a product, the product comes in a huge spray bottle (236 ml) and a little goes a long way! Where to buy: www.amazon.com Price: USD$7.54 (excluding shipping fee)

Looks better on: Unlayered medium to long hair lengths 1

How-to: The Fishtail Braid

Split your hair into two sections, both in approximately of equal volume.

Grab a smaller section of about half of an inch from the end of your hair in section A and cross it over to section B. Drop the smaller section.

Repeat step 2 and 3 until you have almost reached the end of your hair or until you have reached your desired braid length.

With a hair tie, tie the braid to hold it together.

Looks better on: Medium to long hair lengths 1

How-to: victory rolls

DUration: 5 minutes

Apply mousse to your entire head, then curl your hair into big curls with a hot curler.

Separate the larger section of your fringe starting from your fringe parting, going down to the base of your ears. Tease this section.

Roll the fringe slowly until you reach the base of your head, keeping that circle intact. Use as many bobby pins as you need to keep it in place. Spray again with hairspray.

Repeat on the other side of your fringe.

Grab another smaller section of hair from section B and cross it over to section A. Drop the smaller section.

If you have a finer set of hair, fan the braid out to make it appear bigger.

DUration: 20 minutes 3

Spray a good amount of hairspray onto said section and carefully roll the hair inwards starting from the end. Try to make a circle about the shape of a fifty cent coin.

Let your curls hang loose or tie it up in a bun.

How-to: pompadour

With a blob of hair pomade, run your hands through your hair to spread the pomade. The amount of pomade you need depends on the thickness of your hair.

DUration: <5 minutes 3

Comb the pomade through your hair, running it on the sides straight back. For a classic hair parting, make a deep side part, or comb the top of your hair upward.

Comb the back lightly to blend all the layers. Pull slightly at the top for more lift, and shape the top very gently with a comb to achieve a cliff shape.

Looks better on: Long hair lengths 1

Tie an elastic band halfway down on each of the two sections at the same length.

Section your hair into two evenly distributed sections.

Clip one loop off to the side. Secure the loop with bobby pins. Repeat the same steps on the other side.

Hair with short sides and long

Take a little hair clay and rub it into your fringe to the opposite side, away from its natural direction. It’s okay if it doesn’t all stick to that one direction.

Create the middle piece of the bow. Take the loose strand of hair (step 2) and pull it back over and through the middle of your bow sections.

Looks better on: hair at the crown 1

How-to: The indie

Separate a small section of hair and put it away for now.

Pull your hair back into a ponytail.

How-to: hair bow

DUration: 5-10 minutes

Tuck the strands of hair securely into the hair tie.

DUration: <5 minutes

Now slowly going up and away from the fringe, mess it up a little (using your fingers to scruffle it) with a tad more clay.

Let’s partay!

Photo Credit: stylisheve.com/ daylife.com/ love-craft.co.uk/ victorhugohair.com/ nursefancypants.com/ pinterest.com/ AlphaMConsulting/ Cinthia Truong/ insaneone188

Looks better on: Long fringes

PLAY!

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON YOUR HAIR?

MINS

WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU USE? WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU USE? Mud

Just shampoo Just shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, serum... every hair product in Watsons. Then why do you take such a long time?

OK, you’re rich, I get it. I’m NOT JEALOUS. Stop showing off.

HOW DO YOU DRY YOUR HAIR?

I have very long, long, long, long, long, long hair.

Oops

SEXY HAIR. YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO GOOD INSIDE.

Air

Hair dryer

Stick it in the oven

HAIR-VERAGE LOR

Only Shampoo

Shampoo and Conditioner

Body Soap

Go bathe now PSYCHED! They both lead to this question: HOW DO YOU DRY YOUR HAIR?

Air

Hair Stick it in dryer the oven

OK, you tried. try again, harder.

Yes, duh

Are you kidding?

No Maybe

You’re lying

NO FRIENDS? YEAH, IT’S THE HAIR

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to cut it short.

goodbye.

CATCH DEC 2013