Flying Colours

EVERYONE needs inspiration, and sometimes that includes your hair. And when your hair is naturally, stubbornly straight and fine as mine, you'd understand its dire need for some excitement. Hence, I was relieved that Calvin Wong, the creative director of Groom Artistry salon was more than happy to experiment with my locks.
The salon was known as The Edge Hair Studio before it found a new home in The Intermark Mall last March, and while the establishment has been around for five years, Wong himself has 14 years of experience under his belt. He's trained under his uncle – "a famous hairdresser in Hong Kong" – and Toni & Guy Malaysia and Singapore; as well as styled for editorial spreads, hair and runway shows, royalty and celebrities – of which the regulars include actor and MMA fighter Peter Davis, and stand-up comedian Kuah Jenhan.
Granted, Wong has proven his credentials for the job, but over my two-day visit to the salon, what really sealed a pleasant experience was the hospitality and quality of service provided by the "Master of Blades" and his team.
Building a rapport from the get-go, Wong enquired about my style preferences, fashion no-nos at work, and (if none) how wild I was willing to go; offering suggestions and taking into account the condition of my hair. I realised that salon visits can sometimes feel like you're at the dentist's – especially when the hairdresser is anything but enthusiastic – but with Wong, it was akin to chatting with a long-lost friend so I was instantly put at ease.
And because I was keen to own the futuristic fashion of granny hair à la 2NE1's CL and Kylie Jenner – which warrants the ravaging and painful process of bleaching – it was essential to feel safe in the hands of my hairstylist. To minimise damage, Wong used 6% hydrogen peroxide to lighten my locks. It took four layers aka five painstaking hours to perfectly bleach the lower, inner section of my hair, before grey dye can be applied. (Apparently, my hair's sluggish embrace of bleach is a sign of its good health.) The middle and outermost sections were painted a coat of ash brown and blue-black respectively, to add dimension and an illusion of volume to my mane.
To counter the inevitable consequences of bleaching, my scalp and hair were then pampered with what could make incredible desserts with their velvety rich texture and delicious scents: Makarizo's Texture Experience treatments in mint sorbet, and vanilla with milk extract.
After hours of sitting through the sting and heat – if you've doubts or a sensitive scalp, please inform your hairstylist to avoid brushing the roots when bleaching – I was relishing the cool sensation of mint sorbet on my head. The protein-rich milk extract treatment helped replenish moisture and maintain elasticity of my hair, while its heavenly scent of vanilla was a mood booster.
Comfortable as the salon chair was, and tasty as the teas were, it could have felt like an eternity if not for the conversations I shared with Wong and his team. Their effort to forge a bond with their clients – toddlers, working professionals and expatriates alike – was more importantly, sincere; as I witnessed many of them stepping into the salon and breaking into excited chatter like you'd see at a family reunion.
Above all, Wong's dedication to his craft was truly impressive as he, together with his assistant, have proven that Groom Artistry would stop at nothing – in my case, the duo worked past business hours – to offer a service of the highest quality.