Sunday, November 28, 2010

Hair History

Pretty much all my life, I have this fizzy unruly curly hair. I had my hair straightened at the neighborhood parlor when I was in high school; but it lasted for a week - I kept on tying my hair so the straight-ness did not last long. I never tried permanently straightening it again. Even when cellophane was big in high school and rebonding was a huge hit during college, it did not interest me. I always had this feeling that my hair would turn out like a walis-tambo when straightened. Eeeeeek.

I decided to lose the bangs when I entered college but the ponytail stayed. there was not much to do with it so I had always had it trimmed in the neighborhood parlor - Php 50 back then, now 70. Then came the era of Reyes Haircutters where I could have a shampoo + haircut + blowdry for Php 50.

I decided to do something during my 4th year in college - I cut my hair short. I had long hair since the 4th grade so it was a serious decision. Since it was a big step, I decided I would do this right and I would have my hair cut in Ricky Reyes in SM North. The price of a haircut was steep for a student's budget - Php 180. I braved to go inside the salon and had my hair cut short. I planned to go back to the Reyes Haircutters when I had to trim it but my mom really liked my haircut - so she offered to sponsor my quarterly haircuts in Ricky Reyes.

The hairdressers/haircutters just love upselling stuff to me. They always suggest that I SHOULD color my hair and I SHOULD have my hair rebonded. Then they move to suggesting that I SHOULD let them trim my eyebrows. I never took any of their suggestions. First, it was an unnecessary expense. Second, I actually like my curly hair. The white streaked curly hair is a family trait that I actually like. So back off. There were times that I found their upselling so darn irritating and borderline rude that I start to ignore them and pray they don't do anything weird during the haircut.

I soon outgrew my short hair and returned to having a long hair in a ponytail when I started working.I decided to try out David's Salon with Sarah. I paid Php 295 for a haircut. It was okay - well, that's because you can't really do anything with my hair. When I changed employers, I learned that there were expensive haircuts *gulp*. You could say that some of my officemates had a taste for the salon of expensive haircuts and I was swayed to try some of them out.

I tried Regine's in The Link - Php 300. The salon was the most upscale I've been in so I felt so VIP during my two haircuts there. Cuts were nice but of course, my hair was blah as usual.

I decided to bring the bangs back and I wanted to do it big time. I saved up for a Tony and Guy haircut. The women's haircut of a senior stylist there costs a raging Php 750. Of course I did my research and learned that the customers still tip the hairstylist and the assistants (but I didn't do that because I am just kuripot). I printed out pics of haircuts with side-swept bangs and requested for such. But the hairstylist did not agree with me - he said my hair is not amendable with that type of hairstyle. I was given bangs of some kind but not the kind that I want. But *ding ding ding*, I liked the layered cut he did to my hair. My curls looked...soft yet still curled.

But I had not given up my desire to have bangs again. So I frequently read forums and learned about Piandre. I had my hair cut for Php 380 - still pricey but it was relatively inexpensive. Still no bangs. I decided to try out Park Jun - which cost Php 800/ haircut from a senior stylist. The stylist said that if he gives me bangs, i had to blow dry everyday. I lied and I said yes, I can do that. teeee heeee. He cut me side-swept bangs but it was still not the style I wanted. *sigh*

Yesterday, after five months of no haircut, I just felt the need to get my locks trimmed. I decided to go back to Tony & Guy but I opted for a junior hairstylist this time - Php 650/haircut. I reiterated my want for bangs - she said okay - but she did not do it. MEH. I kinda gave up on it on the end and I didn't bother reminding her. But I like the waves of my curls now.

Maybe there is this placebo effect ongoing when I get an expensive haircut. It provides this boost of self-confidence. I feel like my locks are more manageable and the curls are well-defined. I get compliments and I've been asked many times where I had my perm done. :P I feel like it moves more nicely. My sisters still tell me that is really no difference but I feel otherwise. Also, the upscale salons do not hardsell any of their services. All of them still offered to rebond my hair at the start. But when I decline, they leave it at that. No more pangungulit. It makes the salon experience more enjoyable.

Nope, I don't remember all the names of the hairdressers. But getting a haircut has become quite an adventure over the years. I just feel like writing about it tonight.

And I still love my white-hair streaked curly hair!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What To Do With Old Starbucks Planners

'Tis the season to be jolly...Falalalala-lala-lala....

It is the season of Christmas Carols, midnight sales, empty envelopes and sticker collection. I collected every Starbucks Planner ever since I joined the working force (2007-2010).

I only used the 2007 planner for 3 or 4 months. Then I found it too bulky to carry around.

2007 planner still in use. I didn't use it as a planner. I used it to list all my expenses. Each peso was crucial to an auditor with a measly salary. :P













So I didn't want to throw them away and no one would use an old planner right? So I just used them as a ...scrapbook of sorts.

I pasted Movie Tickets in the pages of the 2007 Planner.





















I pasted movie presskits and memorabilia in the 2008 planner.















I need upcoming projects for the Starbucks 2009 and 2010 Planner, the This Journal Will Actually Change Your Life Planner, and the 2008 UP Centennial Planner.

So I'm off to spend and gulp down more calories for the 2011 Planner.