3 women on what it is really like to dye your hair purple

“It’s the season of change, and there’s no better time to add some extra colour in my life (and to my hair).

I headed to the newly renovated 99 Percent at Orchard Central, where Master Stylist Fion Wong began the process of my hair transformation with an in-depth consultation.

She examined my lifeless bleached tresses as well as my skin tone and complexion in order to select the best violet hue for me.

The result: a cool pale violet shade, made from mixing purple and pink pigments, that perfectly complements my skin tone. I also tend to wear plenty of silver jewellery and lean towards pink blushes, so the cool undertone of the blue-violet definitely works for me.

The bleaching process was done gently and carefully by the team to avoid damaging my strands, and my scalp barely itched during the entire process.

To ensure that I wouldn’t look like the grinch when my naturally dark roots grow out, Fion kept the ends of my hair lighter and dyed the section nearer to my roots a darker hue by leaving the colours in longer.

I loved the Wella hair dyes that were used, as the light pastel purple came out beautifully with natural depth and shine.

The team also did a three-step Wella hair treatment to help protect the colour and hydrate my hair. As they say, out with the old, in with the new (hair colour).”

“I have to admit, I was slightly hesitant to take this hair makeover on as I had gone through a colourful hair phase several years ago, and was happy to keep my dishevelled, blonde, ’70s-inspired locks.

After some convincing, and the promise that the hair colour will fade beautifully, I decided fine — new year, new hair, new me.

I was sent to Maison Hair where I shared my deal breakers with Shiseido Professional Artistic Ambassador Ken Chong — I did not want to look like an anime character, and dealing with the regrowth had to be as low maintenance as possible.

While I had initially wanted to go more purple than magenta, Ken advised a mix of both to match my skin tone better and assured me that the effect will still come across as natural as possible (well, as natural as one could get with pink-purple hair).

One thing that neither of us foresaw was how porous my hair was due to its previous bleach jobs, so we had to go darker than we initially planned as my hair was unable to retain light pigments.

The result? Darkish, mauve-toned babylights mixed with AirTouch technique for a seamless blend with my roots. I have to say I’m kinda loving it and am fully embracing my villan/goth era.”

“The new Chez Vous: Private Space (where I got my hair done) truly lives up to its name – you get to enjoy a five-star hair experience in the privacy of your own little cabin.

In fact, you don’t even have to leave the chair to wash your hair as there’s a wash basin right in the room itself. The entire session is super pampering, think of it as a business class version of your usual hair salon.

Enjoy an IG-worthy high tea set, plus an extensive array of refreshing beverages, from yuzu chia seed sodas to coffee lattes and blooming flower teas (I tried the peach carnation green tea, and it looks as good as it tastes!).

Every detail has been taken care of to ensure that you are comfortable, and there’s even a selection of hand lotions and perfumes for use.

You can also request for perks such as the Neorhythm pad that supposedly soothes tired muscles with electromagnetic waves, and the Apollo Neuro device that relaxes you with vibrational frequencies.

A special mention has to be made of the Express Head Spa, which is one of the best head massages I’ve had in a hair salon.

A trip to the salon for a colour or bleach session can feel quite tiresome due to the long hours spent in the chair, but all these really help make the experience a thoroughly enjoyable one.

But of course, the main reason for going to a salon is to do your hair, and Chez Vous does not disappoint.

Based on my skin tone, my stylist, associate director Mogan Lam at Chez Vous, recommended a Viva Magenta colour (which just happens to be the Pantone Colour of the Year) that helps set off my complexion to give it a radiant glow.

And it was just as promised! I really love my new hair colour, and I think it makes me look “brighter” even with minimal makeup.

I met some friends for dinner after and they were all full of compliments. When I got home, even my usually reticent husband was like “Wa… Nice colour.”

Chez Vous also has the best after care service. I went home with a coloured hair mask and received tips on Whatsapp about how to take care of my new ‘do.”

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