The last time I had my hair chemically straightened was last January at the L’oreal Steam Bond Launch Event. The very first time was several years ago at Ricky Reyes Salon, the first to offer rebonding services in the Philippines. Unfortunately, I was unable to chronicle the experience.
Almost nine months have passed since my last rebonding session and this is how my hair looks now. Notice how it’s waving all around my face. I’m still thinking if I should get it rebonded or not because compared to my coarse curly hair from years back, it seems more manageable now. What do you think?
Anyhow, I’ve gotten some rebonding questions from readers recently and I thought I’d compile a short guide on the hair straightening services I have tried thus far. If you are considering this pricey procedure (it always costs a few thousand pesos) I suggest you read through this post before going for it.
#1 Japanese Magnetic Hair Straightening at Shuji Kida Hair Salon
I first had this done back in 2009. Please pardon the freaky watermarking and the small photo sizes. I was not very blog-savvy back then. The procedure made my hair super smooth, straight, soft, and shiny like it had never been before. My waves/curls were at their worst at the time too. Back in 2009, that length of hair cost P6,500 to straighten (I’m sure it’s more expensive now that it’s 2013). Today, if I were to have my hair rebonded again, I would definitely have it done at Shuji Kida Hair Salon. You can read my complete review about how exactly the procedure goes HERE. Six months after I had it done, it still looked good.
Fast facts about this service:
- A Japanese stylist who’s nothing short of a perfectionist does it.
- It yields the best results among ALL the rebonding and straightening services I’ve tried.
- It lasts at least six months or more, depending on how fast your hair grows. The treated areas don’t curl again — your problem will be the regrowth.
- You can color your hair maybe 7-10 days after the procedure.
Shuji Kida Hair Salon
Ground Level, City Center Bldg.
338 Ortigas Ave., San Juan City
726-9928
#2 YUKO Japanese Hair Straightening at Akira Hair & Make-Up Studio
I got this done back in 2011 when I was at my fattest so please forgive my balloon face. It cost me P2,500+ since I got a deal from a group-buying site. I wanted to try getting my hair straightened at a cheaper Japanese place. As you can see, my hair did become stick-straight afterwards but it also looks more stiff compared to after I got it done at Shuji Kida Hair Salon. Read my full review HERE.
Fast facts about this service:
- It’s cheaper than Shuji Kida Hair Salon’s even at full price.
- Hair looks a little stiff with no body. But I don’t blame the YUKO system for this, it’s the way the stylist handles the iron. The Japanese stylist at Shuji Kida makes sure he irons your hair in a roundabout way such that it still has body and shape afterwards. The Pinoy stylist who did my hair at Akira ironed it super flat and stick straight.
- A Pinoy will always do it unless you request for Akira himself and I think it’s more expensive if he actually does it.
Akira Hair & Make-Up Studio
G/F A Venue Mall
Makati Ave., Makati City
621-3460
#3 L’oreal Profesionnel Keratin Steam Bond at Bench Fix Salon
I had this done last January 2013 and it’s officially the last hair rebonding session my hair has gone through. I got it done for free as a token for attending the launch event. While it did get rid of my hair’s kinks and my hair looked pretty good afterwards, it was still not as soft to the touch as it was after having been straightened at Shuji Kida Hair Salon. My hair’s length and thickness would have cost P7,500 to do. Read about the full details of this treatment HERE.
Fast facts about this service:
- It’s the fastest — only 3.5 hours for my entire head of hair. At Shuji Kida and Akira the process took at least 5 hours or more… although I had longer hair back then.
- It’s convenient since there are Bench Fix Salons practically everywhere.
Find a Bench Fix Salon via this link – http://www.bench.com.ph/bench-fix-salon/location.php.
#4 L’oreal X-tenso Shine Bond at Salon ESA
Okay, this is kind of unfair since my hair was just rebonded at Shuji Kida Hair Salon six weeks prior to the before photo up there on the left. When I went to Salon ESA I didn’t know that the Shine Bond service was a rebonding service, I thought it was a treatment! But then I was already there so what the heck. Good thing it did not damage my hair, lol. The photo on the right is the after result. What I noticed was the Salon ESA folks are really good at ironing… like the Japanese dude in Shuji Kida. Your hair has body afterwards and doesn’t fall flat and stiff. You can check out how the procedure went HERE. This service costs P8,000 for long hair like mine above.
Fast facts about this service:
- Salon ESA stylists are very knowledgeable and they’re good at ironing hair.
- Like the L’oreal Profesionnel Keratin Steam Bond Service, I was done in 3.5 hours so it’s also fast.
- Next to Shuji Kida, Salon ESA would probably be my second choice when it comes to rebonding.
Kerastase Institute by Salon ESA
G/F 6750 Ayala Ave., Makati City
819-1040 / 819-0886
I’m still thinking if I should get my hair rebonded or not. What do you think? Should I go for it again?
Like this post? Subscribe to this blog by clicking HERE.
Let’s stay connected: