I’m not much of a tourist and my idea of a perfect vacation is sitting at home with a cup of jasmine tea, reading a book, with my dog sleeping under the bed. The only thing that excites me about travelling is beauty products and services. Really. I’m not just saying this because this is the travel special. My friends know that I will get a new haircut when I’m abroad, and when they go overseas they always let me know, so I can order goodies. So, what have been my amazing discoveries? Let’s start right at the top with haircuts.
You may have read my earlier post about wavy hair and how I didn’t realise how to deal with it until I got the right cut. This was in Malaysia, at A Cut Above in Bangsar. Do visit them if you want a life-changing haircut or a beautiful colour job.
When I travel to London, I always go to Viva My Hair – my favourite salon in the whole world. It’s in a tiny little lane in Soho (Lexington Street), just a stone’s throw away from Carnaby. It` is a quaint little place with literally four seats, vintage wallpaper and stylists that look straight out of the 60s. They offer wine or champagne instead of tea, and the cuts are beautiful, individualistic and very stylish. The most efficient and effortless haircut I ever got was at Femme Sistina in Rome. This salon has been around since the 1960s and they have given old Hollywood movie stars and European royalty haircuts.
I got my cut from Flavio, who made me stand and chopped off my hair when it was semi-dry in just five minutes. I swear that man’s hands move like a hot knife through butter. And of course, while we’re on the subject of haircuts, how can I miss Paris? The chain of Jean Louis David salons is great for a quick cut when you’re on the run. Their style is using an electronic razor for a cut. The result: hair that looks naturally beautiful.
The other part of travel is researching beauty products or stores that are a speciality of the city. Through my research, I found Breathe Fresh in Mitte, Berlin – my favourite organic beauty store in the world. The founder has the most beautifully-curated list of products that are effective and life-changing. He did not allow me to buy anything extra – just one face wash – even though I wanted to blow up every last penny. And he told me to dump my eight-step beauty routine in favour of sleeping barefaced at night. He also pointed me to Vitalia health stores in the metro stations to pick up manuka oil. This oil and the face wash (Julisis Silver Wash Night) have transformed the texture and clarity of my skin.
Then there are the pharmacies in Paris. I would skip the Louvre and spend my entire day in a French pharmacie. I have made many discoveries there – Innoxa Blue Eyedrops for clear, wide open eyes, Elgydium Blancheur, for pearly white teeth, and of course, Embryolisse for a glowing complexion.
And let me not forget Liberty in London, a mecca for niche, luxurious brands. I think London is really the place for luxury beauty. At Liberty, I discovered my favourite Rahua Voluminous Conditioner, which is completely organic.
Then there’s Selfridges – if there’s anything new in beauty, it will be here first, the latest being Nannette de Gaspe’s dry masks. And then there’s Sally’s on Shaftesbury Avenue, a store where all the beauty professionals shop. From the most powerful hair-dryers, to hair pieces, make-up and salon-sized products, you’ll find it all at Sally’s.
I also take a few classes of yoga every time I travel, so I am acquainted with some of the best studios around the world. My favourites include Urban Ashram in Manila, Mind Body Soul in Sydney and Triyoga in London. I could keep writing about my beauty discoveries in transit, but I shall wrap it up now. Just remember to research and taste all beauty goodies that the world has to offer!
A fortnightly column to remind you about all things skin deep
