Serendipitous Short Hair at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell

Serendipity occurs when something wonderful happens unexpectedly. Because you don't plan for it to happen, the beautiful or happy event that occurs serendipitously becomes all the more poignant, as if touched by grace. It can happen from the profound and deepest aspects of life (such as love) to the most mundane and kikay of things, like finding an amazing dress at the mall when you've just planned to go there to window shop, and even better, finding it on sale. Or it can happen while getting a haircut.  A few months ago (I know it's been months but better late than never!), serendipity happened to me in the hands of my favorite stylist, Alex Carbonell.

Color & Hair Treatments at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell

 

As most of my dear readers already know, my go-to hair stylist is Alex Carbonell of Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell salon. And it's simply just a bonus that among the top posts on this blog are my posts on my experiences with Alex, either from the first time I had my hair cut at his hands or the first time I had my hair colored with him.  In fact, readers who have left comments on my posts have also attested to how well he cuts hair and the superb service they themselves have received at Studio Fix.

And I was even happier when I went back again to Alex  in July when he told me that he had several customers who told him that they went to Studio Fix  after they read my blog. And so before I tell you about my latest Studio Fix experience, I'd like first to thank all those who have read my blog and were encouraged enough to take my word and try out Alex and Studio Fix. Alex even thanked me for sending those clients his way, and it was indeed truly heartwarming :) Here in Sunset Goddess Manila, I really feel happy and quite honored whenever I receive feedback about my posts and I'm glad I'm able to share such fab "finds" as Studio Fix with you :)

Post-Digital Perm Hair Care Guide

THINKING OF HAVING YOUR STRAIGHT HAIR PERMED? READ THIS FIRST BEFORE GETTING A DIGI PERM!!
A few weeks ago, I got my hair permed for the very first time at Bang's Tony and Jackey and told you all about my (virgin) digital perm experience in this post.

As I mentioned there, the main thing that I felt after leaving the salon and a few days after was disoriented.  After living with straight hair for all my life up until that point, I felt confused and a bit lost on what to do with my hair. And while still in that disoriented state, I sort of panicked, which led me to buy products that I realized only later on were not really what I needed.  I did ask a lot of questions from my Korean stylist, Anna,  but I felt like it's a hit or miss---as in, you have to ask the right questions or else you won't get the proper information. So the thing is, what questions are you supposed to ask?

And I noticed that while there are so many articles and blog posts on other girls' experiences on their digi perms, there aren't that many that tell us formerly straight-haired girls about what to expect and what to do with our newly permed hair AFTER we leave the salon and deal with it in our daily lives. After all, we already paid so much for the perm itself and risked taking this step to the world of waves and curls. So we might as well enjoy this new hair and be sure to maintain it properly. 

So I came up with this guide, which is a compilation of my own experience and tips from other real women who've had their hair digi permed.  You will also find my essential shopping list for digi permed hair (because I don't want you to go through what I did---panicking and overbuying!).

The Digital Perm Experience

I have been blessed with God-given straight hair.  Never had my hair rebonded, relaxed, or permanently blow dried.  And you know what they say, girls with curly hair want to have their hair straightened while girls with straight hair want to have curly hair.  

And that is so true for me.  Over the years and for so many weddings and events, I had dipped my toes into the world of curls and waves using curling irons (or hair straightening irons used to make curls) in salons.  And more often than not, I've had the frustrating experience of seeing the gorgeous curls wilt and straighten after only a few hours, especially in  Manila's humidity and heat.  That's because with the blessing of straight hair also comes the challenge of hair with fine strands and thus, my hair cannot maintain the curls made with an iron, unless my hair is "set" first under rollers before being curled. And even if I buy a curling iron and attempt to curl my hair myself, I know I will just damage my hair in the long run with the prolonged exposure to heat.

And so it was that after years of envying real girls and celebrities with luscious waves and after months of dilly-dallying, I finally had my hair permed about two Saturdays ago.  I had my hair permed in Bang's Tony and Jackey, the Korean salon which has invaded the Philippines and is almost a household salon name.  As I recounted in this post, I've had an almost-traumatic experience with this salon a few years back when I had my bob trimmed (Buendia Makati branch). But I've also said that I will reconsider going back due to a former boss' good perm job.  Recently, one of my best friends also got her digi perm in Tony and Jackey (Magallanes) and I took that as my sign to finally have my perm done.

Human ♥ Nature's Flagship Store

A few weeks ago, I was in the Commonwealth area in Quezon City and so I was able to visit the recently opened flagship store of Human Nature.  I've been using Human Nature for some years now, ever since I first discovered it at Sesou Nature Source's store in Glorietta. Then I bought my Human Nature products from a dealer in my former office. I found that getting from a dealer is more convenient and I was sure to be able to buy Human Nature's full range of products. While Human Nature is also available in stores like Beauty Bar, Shopwise, or Rustan's supermarkets, I always get frustrated with their limited product offerings there.  

So, I was like a kid set loose in a candy store at Human Nature's flagship store.  It was a big and well-designed space, and of course, stocked with all of Human Nature's products  that I could possibly want.

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, Revisited

After a year of wearing bangs, it's time for a hair update. And where else will I go but to Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, and to get a cut from Mr. Alex Carbonell himself.  As you've read here, I went to Alex about a year ago to get bangs.  Now it's time for a revisit.

As usual, I was welcomed by attentive and courteous staff at the reception/waiting area. I booked two days in advance and I like that they even texted to remind me a day before to confirm my appointment. This practice also reminds clients, just in case they forgot about the exact time of their appointments. 

I told Alex that I wanted to grow out my bangs and get some long layers.  I readily confessed to him that  over the year, I went to stylists from Fix Lab and Fix salons (also Studio Fix's sister salons) which were conveniently nearer to me and since I only had my bangs trimmed. In my last trim, I got full bangs, which you can see in this picture from October. 

However, the full bangs became problematic now that I'm growing them out.  It seemed like all the volume was on the top of my head.  Also, I badly, badly wanted to have my hair colored professionally. The last time I did so was years ago and it was just a full color job, with no highlights.  Since then, I just had my hair colored DIY from a box. The only advantage of having hair colored that way is that it's super cheap.  Now that my colored hair has grown out, I hated the brassy coppery color along the ends and of course, the roots growing back.

Here's a picture taken of me on the day of my cut with Alex, with misshapen bangs and hair color which badly needed correcting.

For a Wednesday afternoon, I was surprised to find that there were a lot of clients in Studio Fix---a testament to Alex Carbonell's growing loyal clientele and to how much Studio Fix has grown in just a short time. The first time I've had my cut there two years ago, it seemed like it was the only establishment open on the 4th floor.  Here's another "before" photo:

I love Studio Fix's attention to details like plastic covers for the clients' bags

Then Alex cut my hair.  As always, he worked his magic with just a few snips here and there. Case in point, my problematic growing-out bangs. I think he just made about two snips to my bangs and yet, those two strokes made all the difference. The thick volume was instantly gone and right away, I had more manageable bangs that I know would transition effortlessly as I grow them out. 

Then we came to hair color, where Alex once again proved why he's one of the best, if not the best, hair expert in town.  I told him I want something "drastic"---meaning I want a bold, blonde-ish color. Ash blonde. I could only articulate what I wanted using key words.  But it seemed like he knew right away what I was talking about. He said something about J.Lo's hair. I haven't watched American Idol in ages so I had no idea what he was talking about. So I just told him I trusted him.  Then he wrote up an order form for my hair color and turned me over to his assistant, Ellie, who performed the coloring at Alex's precise directions. 

Ellie instantly recognized me from my blog post on Studio Fix, which I really felt happy about.  It's true, "Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell" is one of the top search terms on this blog! :)

Chatting up Ellie as he worked on my hair, I instantly got the sense that he was very experienced and well-trained---an impression which I get from all of Studio Fix's staff, from the girls in reception to the assistants washing our hair.

Ellie executed hair color instructions from Alex which seemed so complicated that I won't even pretend I understand it.  It was a combination of highlights and full color, placed at precise areas and with varying amounts, which I found quite novel since it was actually the first time I had my hair foil highlighted.

I came in at 1:30 in the afternoon and all the highlighting and coloring were done by 5:30.  From the the three hours of sitting, I was able to learn many things from Ellie---like the fact that Studio Fix color their clients' hair using the Schwarzkopf brand (and with no ammonia at that) and the fact even visiting international hairstylists have marveled at the "pyramid" technique that they use for highlighting and coloring. Also, Alex suits a color job not only to each client's preferences but also to her skin tone, which makes the hair color and highlights unique and matched to each client.

After waiting for the designated time for the color to work into my hair, I also got the most amazing head massage ever while my hair was being shampooed and conditioned, something that I also remarked on the last time I was there. In the end, the 3 hours of sitting was all worth it when I saw how the color came out after it was blow-dried. It was EXACTLY the shade I wanted and it was amazing how they came up with it knowing that they used a mix of different shades and textures.

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Once again, Alex Carbonell has worked his magic. Alex told me that I haven't left the salon yet and there was already another client asking for bangs similar to mine! Before I left, I had my hair styled with a curling iron (mainly because I wanted to see how I would look like if I have my hair permed).

 

Then of course, my real test of a good haircut (and now, also good hair color) is how it looks like the the day after, when I've already shampooed and styled it myself: 

Since it was the first time I had my hair highlighted in a salon, I thought I would be charged both for the highlights and hair color---so I was expecting to pay upwards of P5,000 plus Alex's haircut fee of P1,200. So I was super pleasantly surprised to learn that my total charge was only P2,350, which is the fee for full color for medium length hair---and because Alex waived the haircut fee!

Another quick note on having hair color done professionally.  I had this notion that having highlights and color done in salons is super expensive, especially for a salon of Studio Fix's level.  In fact, I first thought of just having my cut in Studio Fix then just having the color done in a Fix salon, which has cheaper prices for color services.

But after having my hair colored and highlighted in Studio Fix, I thought that I got really great value for money. For the amount I paid, I got exactly the great hair color I wanted in the shade that's perfect for my skin tone, with each and every strand meticulously colored/highlighted, and had an amazing head massage to boot---and all at the expert hands of Alex Carbonell and his well-experienced colorists and assistants.

Oh and to preserve the job on my newly-colored hair, I'm now using Pureology shampoo (P1095,  available in Studio Fix, Fix Lab, and Fix salons). It has anti-fade ingredients but what interests me is that it has no sulfate (a chemical that's harmful for the scalp and found in most commercial shampoos).

Lastly, I don't know if I was given the free haircut because of my blog post but nonetheless, super thank you to Studio Fix! For my readers, I don't have anything to disclose---my only relationship to Studio Fix is that I'm a client and I gave good, raving reviews only because I was really, really satisfied with the level of service that I received. At the end of the day, I'm just happy to share with you how happy I am with my cut and with my hair color and I know I will be back for touch ups and other services.

Here's a picture of Studio Fix's services, which I took because I know so many are asking (please click to enlarge):

Stay Fabulous! Cheers! 

My other posts on Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell:
Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell and A Hair Story

Color & Hair Treatments at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell 
Level 4, Greenbelt 5
Makati City
Telephone: 632-5013062 and 632-5013064

Quality vs. Quantity

Happy new year, lovely people! With the new year comes a new set of resolutions.  I prefer to call them "promises" to myself (somehow it has a nicer, more definite ring to it).  And one of these promises is that I will prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to shopping.

You see, I do have a lot of clothes and it's only lately that I've realized that throughout the years, I just bought and bought without any regard if they were investment pieces or made of good quality.  In other words, I bought for the short-term and not with the end goal of building a really great wardrobe. While I have some surprisingly classic investment pieces, it seemed that quantity, and not quality, was still the overarching theme of what I have.  And the same goes for my shoes, bags, sunglasses, makeup and accessories.  And now that we're growing up and with a new year, I guess it's the perfect time to make a change. 

(This realization has also been inspired by the article "Invest in Your Wardrobe" which I have reposted here.)

So here are my top picks/ classic must-haves for starting my year with this promise: 

1. The Oversized Gold Watch  

A gold men's watch is a big trend now (hello, arm parties!) but I also see it as a classic that will last for years. I decided to upgrade the cheap gold watch that I've been wearing to this chronograph watch from Michael Kors. It's not exactly Rolex or Cartier-expensive but it's not too cheap either. And just because I'm on the hunt for quality doesn't mean that I'm not watching out for opportunities to save.  So instead of buying this here in Manila, I asked my friend Alice to buy this for me in the States, which saved me more than 100%.

2. The Red Pants

As I've shared with you in this post, I've been on the hunt for red pants and  I thought I scored a good deal with the pants I found for P595.  It was only later on as I was wearing them that I realized that the fit wasn't that good, the stretch denim made the pants tend to fall down as I was walking, and the pockets were peeking out.  All in all, I wasn't too happy about them. So I decided to practice my "quality over quantity" principle and got myself a pair of colored denim pants from Zara. Although the color isn't as bright a red as the cheap ones I bought, I do love the coral red color of the Zara pair. It's nearly five times the price of the cheap pants but what I really paid for was the quality and the fit. 

3. The Black Ballet Flats

The search is over.  (Or at least until I finally get my hands on a pair of Repettos).  I have found my perfect pair of black ballerina flats with Topshop's Malachy3.  It's 100% leather
and I can't wait to wear this pair to death.

4.The Breton Shirt / The Striped Shirt

I have amassed quite a number of striped shirts, especially Breton shirts. Perhaps this is something where it's ok to go lean towards quantity instead of quality? Anyway, since is a classic that I see myself wearing for years, I upgraded from my usual department store and bazaar shirts and got myself a piece also from Zara. It's made from organic cotton, and feels very soft and comfortable.

5. The Bright Pink Lipstick

When I was a teenager, I read somewhere in Vogue that a girl only needs five lip colors. And one of them is a true pink color. That's true now, as it was in 1995. And for me, that true pink lipstick is none other than Nars Schiap. It has the perfect semi-matte formulation, doesn't feather, and is very long-lasting. I don't want to wear cheap lipsticks again!

6. The Aviators

There are only a few sunglasses that every girl must have, and one of them is a classic pair of aviators. And of course, for aviators, it has got to be nothing else but Ray-Ban.I chose mine in the uber-classic Arista lens with a gold frame in an updated size.  I love how the lens change color depending on the sun level.  I love how it makes me look classic but trendy at the same time. I know I will love this pair forever. 

I know I won't have an easy time staying away from my old habits when it comes to shopping.  After all, these habits have been with me for years. I guess I'll always be on the look out for good, bargain finds.  But now, I want to be more conscious of what I buy and how it fits in my wardrobe, in my room (which I keep forgetting is a finite space!), and in my life---whether they're cheap or expensive.  

I'm not saying that expensive items are necessarily better. But we can't deny that usually, those that are of good quality come at a price.  And I've also realized that most of the time, expensive stuff have a built-in "shopping chilling effect"---meaning, since I'm not paying dirt cheap prices for them, then I'd be more likely to consider if I really, really want/need them (instead of impulsively buying them just because they're super cheap). 

What about you---what are your promises/ resolutions for the new year (whether it comes to fashion or otherwise)? I hope we all get to fulfill them :) Cheers! 

Five Things Friday

{Longchamp Le Pliage Love}

Inspired by Cupcakes and Cashmere, today is my first Five Things Friday post---a post of things that are making my day, inspiring me, and making me happy this week.

This week is all about rediscovering the basics and at the same time, indulging in a bit of adventure. Like finally giving in to the basic chicness of Longchamp Le Pliage totes (and amassing my new collection in just a few short weeks). And then, rediscovering Cyma's Roka Salata---a salad that reinforces my goal to eat healthy. Also, reinforced the necessity of a natural eyeshadow palette (a girl cannot live without at least one). This week was also about obsessing over George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. Indulging in this fantasy series made me rediscover my first love---reading. And finally, what could be more exciting than booked airline tickets? :) Here's to a great weekend and week ahead, filled with happiness and love! Cheers! :)

{The to-die for Roka Salata via}


{3 girls, 3 brands, 1 basic natural palette}


{The series that will be another classic for this generation. I want to finish this before the series shows on HBO Asia!}


{Looking forward to another holiday coming up this week!}

Domestic Goddess: Lemon Sugar Scrub

This Sunday afternoon, inspired by Ashley of Turquoise & Teale, I decided to make my own homemade lemon sugar scrub.

Based on this recipe, all I needed were the following:

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon zest (grated)
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

For each batch of 1 cup of sugar, I used up 1 piece of medium lemon (I got 4 lemons in SM Supermarket for around P60). I also used extra virgin olive oil since that was only what I found in the house---I don't know if that has any effect on the quality of the scrub but I suggest using regular olive oil since that's cheaper :)

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell & A Hair Story

Last Saturday, I decided to get a cut in the salon, from the hair stylist ,that's fast becoming my favorite, Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell.

Admittedly, this was only the second time that I was going to have my hair cut by Alex. I'm the type of girl who likes to develop a relationship with the person cutting my hair. Whether from Doc from the neighborhood David's (who moved to a different branch) to Kei Rivera of Toni & Guy who first cut my hair into a precision bob in 2007 after 13 years of long hair. I was so impressed with her attention to every little detail of the cut that after leaving Toni & Guy, I even followed Kei to Basement Salon and when she migrated to Australia soon after, I scrambled searching for a worthy replacement.

2007. Kei from Toni & Guy

In the search for my stylist, I experienced a nightmarish incident with a know-no-English Korean stylist in Tony and Jackey (although I'll reconsider having my hair permed there based on a boss' recent nice big curls). I was traumatized by having my hair cut by somebody who couldn't even understand a word I was saying. Another Korean stylist who knew Tagalog had to step in and save my hair. My cut in Tony & Jackey was super cheap compared to other salons but the precision (which is the most important thing with bobs) left much to be desired, as you will see from this pic:

2008. From Tony and Jackey Makati

Then I even got my bob styled in late 2008 with Chiyo Tagami of Sei Salon, the Japanese stylist famous for giving Gretchen her super short bob at the time. When I told her if she can replicate Gretchen's bob on me, she told me, "But the shape of Greta's head is perfect!" Ang taray! But at least she could understand English and Tagalog. I was still happy with my cut with her, even with the P1,500 price tag. She cut my hair really short and it grew out really nice. I wasn't able to take a picture but this was how it looked close to that time Chiyo cut my hair. For me, one of the tests of a good haircut is how well it will grow months after the stylist cuts it. And I certainly had my money's worth with Chiyo. :)

Later on, I grew out my hair and I was back to being a long haired girl again. Fast forward to 2010, when I first had my hair cut by Alex Carbonell, THE Alex Carbonell I later learned. He was referred to me by my good friend from Samar, Joel Estrelles, who is also making his name in the world of wedding hairstyling.

What I instantly liked about Alex was that he was pleasant but was not too machika and thus, didn't come off as fake. And of course, it goes without saying that I liked how he cut my hair.Very gentle and respectful and effortless. Yet you could see the results. The first time he cut my hair, I wanted long layers. In my mind, I was thinking "rich girl layers"---as in you know that cut which most ladies who lunch have? Just the right amount of layers and waves and body. And without so many words, he got it. :)

With Alex Carbonell at Studio Fix (September 2010)

Of course, this was the salon perfect version---as in fresh from rollers & a professional blow out. In real life, I am not a lady who lunches ---YET! (hehe) so I will save that cut for a later chapter in my life. In the meantime, I had to have a cut that will work with my often stressful weekday mornings. I never ever blow dry my hair at home and the only wind my hair gets daily is from the electric fan. Or sometimes, no time to do even that at all. And no time for daily conditioner either! And yet I must say, even with my God-given straight hair, the cut still worked. :)

September 2010

After five months (!! so guilty of not getting hair properly trimmed!), and with the layers now all over the place, it's finally time for another cut with Alex.

March 2011

Studio Fix is actually the high end salon of the Fix group of salons (Bench) and Alex is not only the creative director but a partner in Studio Fix as well. He's available in Studio Fix only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Tuesdays and Thursdays, he trains the stylists of Fix salons. It's best to book your appointment with him in advance. I called in my appointment the day before and the earliest slot for Saturday was already at 4 pm. A cut by Alex (as Creative Director) is at P1,200.00. For me, the relaxing feel of the salon (even if it was full) plus the awesomest head massage ever while my hair was being washed were already worth half the price. And of course, with the cut itself, I was definitely happily satisfied.

This time, I had wanted super full bangs (incidentally like Bianca Gonzales', whose hair Alex has been doing for the last decade). But as Alex was cutting, he found that something about the direction my hair was growing made him suggest to just give me not-so full bangs which I could later style sideways as they grow. It was just as well because I was kind of having second thoughts with the full bangs due to the coming humid summer months.


And he even told me that I could come cover for bangs trimming FOR FREE :) Love! And I loved my hair even more after I went home and styled it myself, sans the blow dryer--perhaps the real test of a good haircut :)

A few days before the cut:

And after:

If you're looking for a stylist who cuts really well and with with whom you can even build a hair relationship, Alex Carbonell is the man :) Cheers!

Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell
Level 4, Greenbelt 5
Makati City
Telephone: 632-5013062 and 632-5013064