I am offering this space to our e-mail sender, Jane, who had just rebonded her hair at Salon De Rose.

Dear Carrie,

I have been curly all my life. I had been envy about people who have long
straight hair, and I used to wonder how it felt like and looked like if I
have it.

Around 2 years ago, when hair rebonding started to flourish, I decided to do
it. But then of course, it is quite expensive for my hair since it would
take time for the hair chemicals to be absorbed.

When it all started, I was cautious about how my hair should be and choosy
about how it should be treated, most especially that some friends like me
when I’m curly. Nevertheless, I was tired of the same do. It was time for a
change.

So it has been a routine for me to have it done every five months. I tried
a few hair salons in the quest of finding out which one has the best service
and price, of course. Just lately, I have to do it again. When curl meets
straight, it is quite topsy turvy. If your work requires you to be with
people frequently, looks and impression matters.

When day-off came, it was time. It was my only time, but also had other
errands to do, thus time was limited for me. So I headed to the mall, SM
City, with things juggling in my head. So everything has to be done in the
mall. I headed to Salon de Rose. Usually hair rebonding takes 4 hours or
more with my hair, and that time they offered less. Isn’t that long enough?
But then I agreed and splurged for it. I decided to give it a try. I had
doubts though about the quality of their work based from some friends’
comments, but they deserve the benefit of the doubt. Plus, technology
progresses, so there could be improvements.

Two hair stylists were working with me. They both took each side. They had
different ways in working the hair. So I thought, as long as I get the
result, I’m ok. I had it cellophaned too. They advised that hair after
rebonding would not look alive unless a cellophane is done over it. So I had
it. I looked like bald at that time since hair usually after the process
would look so limp and straight and no volume yet. Only after the third day,
could you notice the texture of a natural straight hair and the outcome of
the job.

Hair is not also allowed to be wet for 3 days, to allow the chemicals to
work on the hair. So as not to waste money, instructions have to be
followed. After 3 days, it was time to wash hair. So I did with the regular
shampoo and a hair conditioner. I wasn’t happy about the outcome. There were
sections on the hair that wasn’t properly done. It was the on the right
side, near the cheek. So it was on a very obvious area. A week after, I had
to go back to Salon de Rose do a back job.
Upon reaching the salon, I presented the receipt. Fortunately, they agreed
to have it re-done.

In contrast with other salons, when a back job is done, their hair staffs
would recover, and I would be pleased in the end. With their second session,
it made my hair worse. I was not a happy camper. Lesson learned. Be cautious
about salons which already have specific downbeat reputation. Just follow
friends’ advice, before regret comes.

I guess this is more like a rant rather than asking for an advice. But I feel that it’s my duty to inform the rest of Cebu what services are worth for the taking and what’s not. To Salon de Rose, touché.

All the best,

Jane

To Jane,

I feel your pain. My hair, too, was once butchered by some stylist. How? Let’s just say my cousin called me “helmet  head” for the rest of the evening until I had the chance to have it redone at another salon early the next day. The lesson of our story is fairly simple, don’t trust your tresses to anybody. Before you step into a salon, be sure that the people who’ll be working with your hair have all the right credentials. It would also be more convenient if you can get recommendations from friends or family even before you have booked for a hair appointment. After all, hair is not just hair, it is our crowning glory and through it – we make our statement.

I hope through Jane’s story and my “helmet head” tale, we all have learned our lesson, and possibly save ourselves from another set of anguish and remorse.

Always,

Carrie