Nah, not the little chocolate cups you get from the grocery.

February 29, 2012 became a special day for me, not because it occurs only every four years, but I got my hair curled  digipermed that day! Yey me!

My hair is naturally wavy. I had my hair rebonded a few times already since I graduated from high school. That means, I have worn straight and “walang-sabit” hair for more than five years now. Until, I learned about digital perm.

I researched online about the digiperm craze and Google has been very generous to have all the things I need to know about the treatment. I’ve seen quite a few blogs that talks about it – the history, process, the actual process, the expected and actual result, even the aftercare tips. My main concern was where to get the treatment.

After a few clicks, Beauty Brick Hair Art Studio appeared to be the most recommended salon, next is Tony and Jackey.

I checked T&J first since they have a branch in the south (Festival Mall, Alabang). They have promo packages on their website that really caught my attention. They offer two kinds of digiperm, Aqua Setting & L’oreal Setting. Both in any length promo for 1,500 & 3,000 respectively. However, when I visit the salon the receptionist told me that the Aqua Setting digiperm is just for “virgin” (never treated with chemicals) hair. Since my crown and glory has been friends with straightening medicines, I should get the Aqua Setting. And, the P1,500 promo for any hair length does not include the additional treatment needed for preventing hair damage (I’m not sure if they call it Keratin Treatment).

After all budget computations, I decided to give Beauty Brick a try. I really think fate brought me there. Haha!

I attended a seminar in Makati for two days. Even before day 1 I have been pondering if I should visit Beauty Brick since I am in the area already. I asked few people about their opinion and one friend insisted that I should and even said she will go with me. So there, I texted BB at 10pm of February 28 to ask for an appointment the day after. (Yeah, sometimes I am obsessive-compsulsive, sometimes.)

Fast forward to “the experience”.

Beauty Brick is quite hard to find. We even hired a taxi but still got lost. Jupiter is really a long street so for those who would go there, the biggest landmark is Top Grill Restaurant. Beauty Brick has a really small and almost unnoticeable sign. Its situated in a building where RCBC bank is. It is not far from the Reposo area. Tip: ASK for directions.

When we got into the salon, we  were greeted in chorus by the staff and of course, the famous Mr. Shin – the ONLY hair stylist in Beauty Brick.  They asked for my name, looked for it on their notepad and crossed it out. I noticed that they really give priority to those who have an appointment. Tip: Book for a schedule before going there.

They have a nice waiting area and have plenty of magazines (some are Japanese) to read. I never really get to browse some pages before I was called for shampooing.

The staff are very approachable and they don’t leave you naive of what they do to your hair. Each one of them explains what they are putting on your hair and even ask if you are comfortable with the process. Like when one staff washed may hair before and after medicines he asked if I like hot or cold water, tells me if it requires only cold water, asks if the strokes were okay, if i want it to be rinsed more. When they put caps or towels on you they would ask if your comfortable with the fit or is it too tight. That, for me is an A++++ in service.

Mr. Shin doesn’t speak much English or Tagalog, but before leaving he says “Thank You. Sala-mat po.” Good thing his interpreter, though busy assisting other staff, is very alert. She knows when she needs to come near your seat to translate everything that Mr. Shin says. In that case, no hassle in communication. They will always ask for your approval before doing any step in the process.  So you feel you are really taken cared of.

Digiperm treatment, as far as I can remember, involves seven to eight procedures. Wash & Rinse – Medicine – Wash & Rinse – Curlers / Rollers – Machine – Medicine – Wash & Rinse – Blow Dry / Finishing Touch. After all those steps. Here’s the result….. *drum roll*