Cream Silk's Customized Solution + My New Hair Color

I color my hair "as long as I can remember".  

From boxed color treatment to having it done professionally at salons.  Given the chance that my hair could talk, well..let's not go there.

BUT, in my defense, I take care of my hair dearly!  I use conditioner on a daily basis and use hair treatment at least twice a week.  

So imagine just how many tubes of conditioners I use up in a month?

That's why I was squealing with joy when I received Cream Silk's newest range called Customized Solutions.  I noticed that they also changed their packaging with more "relate-able" models as they are our country's well-known personalities (Heart Evangelista, Coleen Garcia, Nadine Lustre, Pia Wurtzbach, Yassi Pressman, Julie Anne San Jose, and Rachelle Ann Go.)

The 7 customized solutions covers all Filipinas' Hair Needs, from Standout Straight to Hair Fall Defense, Damage Control, Stunning Shine, Dry Rescue, Dandruff-Free and Color Protect. 

I'm sure like me,  you probably wanted to try ALL variants.

But since I color my hair a lot!  And I recently had my hair "Balayage-d" at HairShaft Salon, Podium, Fred Penales went all out with Ash tone Balayage.  My hair is extremely light with all shades of Ash and I can imagine my hair getting dry in a week's time!  SO I'm definitely arming myself with Color Protect Conditioner from Cream Silk and so far, the experience was wonderful!

Erase and Rewind

How do I erase and rewind?

Well, aside from a quick staycation with the family, don't get me wrong, I do have "me-time" din naman!  And usually, "me-time" pertains to me spending 1 full day driving myself to my favorite "beautifying" places, kahit na opposite directions pa sila!  That's how worth the visit they are!

First stop:  NAILS

As much as I know how to do my own nails, I crave for that manicure pedicure session with a side trip of short-yet-sweet massages between cuticle care.  I usually do not go to any nail salons because I got hurt so many times with nail artists with heavy hands!  (If you can relate, pa-share naman your experiences here!)

I've had once where 8 out of 10 of my toes were bleeding from a super "robotic" nail technician who didn't seem to hear my complaints and screams!  I was too young back then so I just kept my mouth shut and bear the pain!

Obviously, I've matured (bakit ang haba ng kwento ko?  LOL), so I make sure to pick a place where they do not only take care of your nails, I have high requirements for staffs too!  They should be friendly, but also knew when to give you that much needed "quiet time".  

That's me with the friendly staffs of Nailaholics, Glorietta Branch.  Since I'm always in a rush, I always go for manicure and pedicure session with a quick polish application.

Of course, if you have more time than I do, feel free to try their other services like Foot Spa, Hand and Foot Paraffin and so much more!  They have packages for you to choose.

Then, there's brows!  I have my brows fixed at Benefit Brow Bar at least once a month.  Obviously, my schedule depends on where I will be so I actually rounded up all branches of Benefit Brow Bars and truthfully, I can't seem to pick a favorite as I get 101% good service from all the Brow Artists!  Holler to all the Benefit Brow Artists who has done my brows (ang dami nila!)  They are all super friendly, professional and really good!

Always ask them to shape and teach you how to do your brows after Brow Wax session.  I like how my brows changes PER brow artist, I get a good look on how my face changes on different brow styles and shapes!

New Year, New Look!

As much as I thought I won't have any "me" time before year ends, I'm glad I was wrong!  My schedule for the 27th freed up a bit and my mom-in-law can help me look after Kyle for the whole day so I've decided to squeeze in as many things I can do in a day (para sulit ang biyahe)

I was scheduled for a Post-Christmas get-together with good friends for brunch and decided to take a short trip at Benefit Greenbelt Branch for my much-deserved brows!  (By the way, I've tried ALL their Brow Experts on Almost ALL branches in Metro Manila, they are all good!)  

Traffic isn't that bad from Makati to Ortigas so I've decided to finally go all the way to Podium for a Hairshaft Salon date with Angela.  

Angela was my "Hair angel" who recommended me to Fred Penales of Hairshaft salon and I told her I got hooked with his magical hands when it comes to hair color!  I was SHOCKED when I entered the salon as the place was packed with women with the same goal as me: "New Hair for the New Year!"  No matter how busy the place was, I still see a lot of smiles and laughter from the staffs which made me feel comfortable immediately!  

My Current Hair Situation

Dry, blah, wild and crazy!

Yes, those are just some of the adjectives to describe my current hair situation!  I've done Balayage  ala Hairshaft-style 2 months ago and because of my extremely busy schedule (Kyle Nash going to preschool and all), I can never sit inside a salon for longer than 2 hours because seriously, who has time for that if you have so much stuff to do?

BUT, on rare days like an event at Podium where Hairshaft is located, I rushed to the extremely busy and packed salon after Watsons Kiss Aging Goodbye event.  Thankfully, they accommodated me even with a full house!  

As much as I'm tempted to have my Balayage refreshed or maybe change a new hair color, I just had to go for what I really need!  A hair treatment (for my parched hair) and another session of Brazilian Blowout because I can literally see some "frizziness" creeping through from my roots!  (Not a good sight guys!)

Now looking back at my most recent Hairshaft visit post, naka-red din pala ako nun!  Why do I have this tendency to wear red everytime I visit the salon?  Must be the excitement?  Or maybe I just want to belong!  (check out their wall in this photo)

Nikki with the masters

#Dennisign, #Fredified, #Orbelifico. #Miguelized and #Carled

That day, Ian was the one who assisted me, he has amazing massage skills!  All my tension knots were gone in an instant after just a few minutes of back massage!  Thanks Ian!

HairShaft Podium Balayage Experience #Fredified

When Angela visited me during my salon treatment more than a year ago, I knew back then that she will be my perfect "hair salon date"!  No amount of blow-drying and hairwashing can stop us from sharing stories!  

And as you all know, I had my last Hair Coloring Treatment done at Vivere Salon last April, it has been more than half a year so my hair badly needs some TLC.  And that day finally arrived!

All thanks to my dear hair-salon friend Angela for working around my schedule to have our hair #Fredified !  I've seen how her hair transformed (all #Fredified) and they all look amazing!  So I mentioned to her I definitely wanted to tag along with her on her next salon trip!

I love my ash brown color which I have been sporting for more than a year!  But I seriously needed a change and I'm definitely comfortable to have it done at HairShaft salon!  If you search for the hashtag #Fredified on Instagram, you'll definitely see amazing hair transformation so I'm really excited to leave my hair to the hands of the hair master Mr. Fred Penales.

Salon Report: Hairshaft Salon, Podium

First things first, Happy Belated Birthday to my dearest blogger friend Lush Angel and to Mr. Fred Penales of Hairshaft Salon!

2 years ago, I had a hair treatment that took me hours (story HERE) and good friend Angela visited me as she lives close by and a quick chat turned into hours of fun memories! (with Mr. AMW sleeping at the background).  From then on, we knew we are best salon buddies!  And I got pregnant, gave birth and the rest was history!

Because Angela enjoyed my company so much!  *laughs*  (This is my blog, walang hihirit hahaha)  She invited me to have another "salon date" with her at Hairshaft salon (her favorite salon) at Podium.  Because of the location, the long-overdue salon date didn't happen until that fateful day when we both attended Burt's Bees 30th Birthday event and both of our cars are coding and we'd rather spend hours pampering inside a salon! 

Let's talk about Hairshaft Salon, I heard about Hairshaft way back when I used to work at Ortigas area.  My colleague always have good hair day and when asked about where she usually have her hair cut, the answer is always Hairshaft Salon, Podium!  So can you imagine the excitement of me finally meeting the "GODFATHER" Fred?  Owner of Hairshaft Salon?

With all the gorgeous "after" photos of Angela with her gorgeous locks, I knew I had to pry myself away from Baby AMW and finally have my much-needed haircut!  Sorry baby, you may appreciate a nice-looking mommy when you go to school in the future! :P

A group shot prior to our hair-makeover!

"groufie c/o Samsung NX Mini"

Now let's talk about the salon itself!  Upon entering the salon, on a weekday, you would be surprised to see the salon almost full!  Angela told me this is the first time she saw the salon not that crowded.  I mean seriously?  On a weekday?