Yup, I know you. You clicked on this article because, like me, you’ve ogled pictures of other girls dyeing their hair outrageous, colorful, cool colors, and always wondered how the hell they pull it off. And if you could, too.
I’ve been there, sister. I feel you.
For most of us with our morena complexion and Malay features, we’ve grown up planted with the preconception that sporting light hair color just won’t look good on us. Or that playful colors such as violet, blue, or pink will only make us look like clowns. But not anymore. People here and there are now dyeing their crowning glories with different colors, sometimes all at the same time, and they. are. pulling. it. off.
For me, though, I’ve always wanted to know how it would feel like to be blonde. There’s an old saying that blondes have more fun. Do they really? I wanted to know. And so, after a lot of contemplating, I made the decision to just go for it. What’s the worst that could happen, right? If I don’t like it, I could color it right back to black. Nothing to lose.
So I booked a salon appointment.
Chiara Echiverri of Design Studio welcomed me all smiles. “Wow, great place!” I remember was one of the first words I said to her. Located at Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road) just behind the Greenbelt area in Ayala, Makati, I would always see Design Studio as I pass by this place. But I was only seeing the place now from the inside. And it was looking good. As a New York, LA, and San Francisco concept salon, the interiors of Design Studio had that classy, minimalist and sleek feel. The salon also boasts of state of the art equipment to provide accurate, efficient, and the most comfortable experience for their guests.
Despite only opening this year, Design Studio already is the third salon under its management, Chase Group of Salons, the first two being successful businesses in the south. Some of their loyal customers are celebrities too, like Laureen Uy, a popular fashionista and blogger. So, yes. Know that with Design Studio, you will be in good, experienced hands.
“Shoot day. Really loving my highlights from @designstudioph” – @laureenmuy on Instagram
I was sat down for my hair transformation to begin. Chiara sat down next to me, chatting with me as if I were a guest in her house. I appreciated that. Fancy salons can sometimes feel a bit cold, but not this one. I truly can say that everyone was genuinely warm and friendly. She showed me all of Design Studio’s service offerings through an iPad that serves as the salon guide they hand to their customers. Chiara pointed out that they still have the traditional books, though, for older clients that are not too tech-savvy.
In Design Studio, they go the extra mile to make you feel at home. So much so that they serve this complimentary special house tea. I am not embarrassed to say I had more than one cup; it was just so good. It was sweet and comforting, which is exactly what I can say about my entire experience at Design Studio, too.
I showed them a peg photo I got from the internet of how I would like my hair to look. Light, almost blonde, but not too golden, I explained. With highlights. This is always the tricky part in getting hairstyled, in my opinion. Often times I feel most stylists are dismissive, or say yes without fully listening, and the result always falls short of my expectations. Happened so many times before to me. But not here. In Design Studio, when my stylist said, “okay,” I really believed in him.
The whole process took about 4-5 hours. But in between those hours, not only did I get my hair done, I also simultaneously got my nails done, had the best foot spa ever, and received a massage. All the while sipping my delicious tea, of course.
I am not over exaggerating—Design Studio’s foot spa is quite the blissful experience. I guess that’s why they call it the Royal Foot Spa, because it’s something fit for a king. It uses milk scrub and collagen (that amazingly turns to jelly), and even real petals. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Would be best if you head on over there and experience the magic for yourself. 😉
While I was busy being fascinated with the fancy things being rubbed (gently so, might I add) on my legs and feet, next thing I know, my hair was being blowdried. And it was looking good.
In the entire process, after bleaching strands of my hair for the highlights, we only stopped once as my stylist asked what color should we dye my entire locks. They showed me colors I could choose from. But…I didn’t know. So I said: “I just want it lighter.” To which my stylist replied to with a smile: “Okay, ako na bahala.” And again, I believed in him.
Finally, here is the outcome:
So. Was I happy with the result? I was ecstatic. Design Studio got exactly what I wanted. And, let’s face it, that doesn’t just happen all the time. I am even more impressed because I couldn’t explain in the beginning how I wanted my hair. But they got it, anyway. That’s good service for you!
It’s been a month after I got my hair dyed, and so to tell you, do blondes really have more fun? Well, I’ve gotten a ton of compliments for my hair ever since (everyone LOVES the highlights), and I do feel much more confident. But I don’t think I owe it all to the blonde, though. At the end of the day, I think it’s all about feeling great about yourself. And if you feel great, you really do have more fun. And with this hair, I do. I feel amazing.
Design Studio
908 G/F Arnaiz Metrobank bldg. A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Rd.), San Lorenzo Village, Makati, Philippines
www.facebook.com/DesignStudioph
(02) 899.99.77 / (02) 832.55.08
