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I’ve been talking to you about what I’ve been doing to get back in shape in time for our prenup photo shoot, but it wasn’t until the last minute that I realized there were two other crucial things I needed to do, too: get my extra long hair a trip and get a gel manicure and pedicure so my nails will remain picture-perfect even when we shoot at the beach or on rocky terrains, as my prenup concept dictated.

Photo by Love Train Studios

Unlike a lot of women and typical beauty girls, I don’t really have a regular hairstylist and nail salon; I go where it’s most convenient at a certain time. So since I work out in the area, I decided to hit Vivere Salon for my hair trim and Nailaholics Nail Salon and Spa for my gel mani-pedi a few days before our scheduled prenup shoot; I found it convenient that the salons are right beside each other at the fifth floor of SM Megamall. I also like Nailaholics’ relaxing beach-inspired decor. It was fortunate that both had ongoing promos at the time of my visit that I thought I’d share with you, along with my salon experience.

Vivere Salon’s All Tressed Up promo

My hair is growing too long, and while I don’t intend to cut it short until after the wedding, I must admit my tresses were badly in need of a trim. And if I also hadn’t sworn I wouldn’t color my hair again until I needed to, I also would have done so, especially since Vivere Salon has an innovative hair coloring technique called Hair Contouring, currently at 15% off (price starts at P3,850). It includes a free haircut, too!

Who knew contouring now applies to not just makeup? Hair contouring is one of 2017’s biggest hair color trend that redefines the standards of hair coloring. This new, revolutionary technique accentuates one’s facial features and is designed to suit one’s unique facial structure, making it truly bespoke. Hair contouring requires an expert colorist’s eye to achieve a beautiful, personalized, and striking look as colors are carefully chosen based on one’s facial structure, features, and skin tone.

“Consultation is the first process in hair contouring to identify the hair type and face shape. It is important to get the client’s opinion as to what look they want to achieve. When we contour our clients’ hair, we usually base it on the shape of their faces and their lifestyle. Usually for a round-shaped face, which is common for Filipinas, we bring out her best facial features by creating a light color underneath and applying a darker color for the crown area to create volume, combined with the right haircut to emphasize the color. We also take in mind each client’s hair type and texture to avoid damaging the hair,” explained Vivere Salon’s Creative Director Hector Real. Vivere Salon is home to internationally-trained hair experts, who all went to the Vidal Sassoon Academy.

Since I couldn’t try Hair Contouring myself, I just asked for a trim but allowed one of Vivere Megamall’s senior stylists, Dave, to play with my hair a bit and give it the TLC it needed. Dave said he liked my hair’s natural waves and would give it a cut that would enhance it, perfect for when I get them styled for the prenup shoot. He even suggested I could easily enhance my waves daily by simply tying my hair in a bun while still damp, and then letting my hair down in big waves when it dries (I already do this!).

Dave noticed that my hair was soft, but he suggested a Nourishing Treatment to tame the locks, treat the brittle and damaged strands, and make my hair easier to manage. The treatment lasted around 15-20 minutes, and Dave’s assistant stylist, Rodel, gave me such a great head and back massage—ask for him when you visit the branch! I appreciated how careful he was with my fragile hair, too. Then, he gave my hair a blowout that made my locks fall in soft waves around my face. Here’s how I looked immediately after my hair cut and treatment:

This is my first-hand experience of Vivere Salon’s #EducatedHairStyling campaign, which recognizes that beauty is a mixture of the technical and art. The science behind hair and an understanding of latest techniques and trends make perfect balance in achieving a tailor-fit cut and hairstyle that matches each customer’s personality and lifestyle, allowing more people to see the difference a good haircut makes. Vivere Salon is reportedly committed to ensuring all their stylists get the best hair education. See for yourself in how my hair looked at the prenup (top photo and below).

Photo by Love Train Studios
Hairstyling and makeup by Stephen Tronco

The All Tressed Up offer is available now up to September 30, 2017 on all Vivere Salon branches: Ayala Fairview Terraces, Gateway Mall, Robinsons Galleria, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Robinsons Midtown, Marquee Mall, Festival Supermall, SM Megamall, Trinoma Mall, and Glorietta 2. Visit Vivere Salon’s website for more details and promos.

Nailaholics “Escape to London” promo

The quaint Hamptons-inspired nail salon is giving its customers a chance to win a free trip to the enchanting city of London. By simply availing any of Nailaholics’ pampering packages anytime between now and September 30, 2017, a customer is entitled to a raffle entry for a chance to win a 5-day, 4-night vacation for two to London! The draw will be on October 11, 2017.

Nailaholics has several hand and foot care packages on its service menu that you can choose from, and since I needed a gel mani-pedi, the one that works best is Color My Cabana (P1,690), which includes a gel manicure, gel pedicure, and foot spa. Check out the pale pink shade I chose in the photos above. The nail technicians who worked on my manicure and pedicure did a good job pampering me. My pedicure even outlasted my gel manicure (I wasn’t able to use Gelish for my manicure, which by now I know I should have insisted the technician use—but she said it was hard to apply).

Nailaholics has 57 branches nationwide, with the newest one in SM CDO Downtown Premier in Cagayan De Oro. Watch out for more exciting and rewarding promotions from Nailaholics on its website and Facebook page.

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