♥ Princessa's Royal Diary ♥ - Royalty has never been so PINK!

My hair is like my pride and joy, it has to be long even though deep down I know the length is somewhat the root to my hair problems. It all started 15 years ago during a trip abroad with my family. We were at this delightful hotel in the outskirts of the city. I can't really remember where exactly this was but I recall the fateful incident that totally changed my perception of hair length and of course, my dressing.

My sisters and I were in some shop at the hotel lobby, looking at butterfly pressings. They had this huge selection on display; if we hadn't known better, we'd have thought we were in a butterfly museum if something like that even exists. Everything on display was purchasable and I had my eyes on one. I intended to purchase it if not for the response the sales girl gave.

I vaguely recall how the conversation started, but it eventually took a turn for the worse. I was young then, and pretty much heartbroken after.

My hair was short, really short. The cut resembled that of what you see on the head of boys that are forced to serve our nation. It was a horrible cut, one that I wasn't pleased with from the very beginning. It wasn't a choice, mind you. The rules in my school were strict and I was punished for breaking one of it - the hair length rule. For that, I had a bowl over my head while the headmaster chopped off my hair - not literally but you can imagine what I'm talking about here. It was a sad day indeed.

As I was about to ask how much the butterfly pressing cost, the lady asked if I was a boy or a girl! Seriously, what the hell?! Do I really look like a boy, no seriously, do I?

That was the start of the rest of my life. A life where my hair length would always be below my shoulders, ALWAYS! I had to be certain that no one would ever ask me this question again. Boobs came along the way, but still... I just had to be sure.

Since then my hair has always been long. The worst decision I made was constantly dying it. Once the dying started there was no turning back. I couldn't bear to see the top dark and the bottom light. The two tones were just... ugly.

As time went by, my hair texture went from bad to worse. Being fine by nature made matters worse. My hair started falling pretty badly, and I got really worried. I even went to a specialist to check if I was going bald. The result however...

Apparently, my hair wasn't falling. Results came out showing that I was probably the most stress-less individual that went for this test. My percentage of hair lost was like 4 percent, which was sooo much lesser than the average person. The hair fall was not from the root but breakage. My hair was so very fine. It breaks easily, too easily.

With my newly learned knowledge, combing my hair became a fearful event. I could never bear to look at the comb after it ran through my hair. I could never face the amount of hair tangled and left at its teeth. It was a painful sight.

That aside, my hair was pretty much flat because of its fine nature and weight due to length. It had no volume, no density. A little clay at its root and the use of hair spray would probably do the trick. However, this would become a tedious routine and honestly, I feared that more hair would fall. The extra chemicals would probably cause more harm than good. And let's not forget how difficult it is gonna be to comb after. The amount of conditioner required would be unimaginable.

Being invited for the new Essential Intensive Hair Mask trial was heaven (exaggerating a bit). The results were remarkable! It was simple to use and very much affordable - considering how much hair treatments cost.

For this trial, I had to somewhat "bribe" the bear to "photographically" take down every step. And of course, the results after.

Let me just take you through my journey.

We arrived at the Platform Salon at roughly 4pm.

Notice my hair?

Well, due to its lack of volume, whenever possible, I accessorise either by putting on a head piece like a rose clip or such, or simply a hairband (which isn't exactly that simple). Today, it was a hairband. One with a huge ribbon and crystals all around.

My appointment was set at the same time slot as Nadia (better known as nadnut). Nad is a good friend. One of the few bloggers that I keep in somewhat constant contact with. Blogging has exposed me to many individuals but not all of them are really worth the title of being called a friend. Nad is one of them (as in she is worthy). She is kind, helpful and willing to go the extra mile. She never judges based on appearances.

We had a couple of laughs, and chatted a bit.

Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming number of customers at the salon, we couldn't have our hair done together (not forgetting I was a little late and she was early). Only after she was done was I able to begin. I was a little jealous, her hair looked good. She looked good.

I have to say, Essential went through quite a bit of trouble setting up the place. I've been to Platform Salon once before, about a year ago. I was pretty sure they didn't have this set up. And what a pretty sight it was.

They even had a notebook setup for us to surf and *ahem* tweet, which I did.

I was quite intrigued by their website, so much so I was basically starring at it, reading.

Janice, the lady from Kao, was a doll.

Before my treatment I was telling her my hair problem. She remembered every detail and translated it perfectly to the stylist.

My problem wasn't really out of this world. It was quite common. But because of the problem, I couldn't use just one range of Essential hair care, I had to mix and match.

Nuance Airy shampoo (the pink bottle one) to help with volume.

Rich Premier hair mask (the orange one) to repair the damaged ends caused by the constant dye jobs.

Fyi, apparently the shea butter helps repair my hair damages. And it has like 3 times more high purity honey and milk protein to protect and strengthen my hair! I sooo need extra strengthen, you know with the easy breakage and all.

It's always nice to have someone else pamper you.

Someone to wash, treat and dry your hair.

Chamber maids are the perfect addition to a princess' household. But not everyone can have one, and I obviously do not.

So, it's up to me now. I had to DIY, or at least learn a thing or two.

I always thought hair treatment was a bitch. It is to a certain extent, just not as tedious as I had imagined it to be. Apart from taking a little more time than simply shampooing then combing right after, the additional steps include:

Applying the hair mask, or simply putting some on your fingers,

and running it through your hair.

You can feel the difference while applying. No joke.

DIY was fun, but having someone do it for you still rocked.

Oh yes, you have to keep the hair mask on for 15 minutes or so.

According to the stylist, putting on a shower cap would do good as well. Although I kinda looked like some Egyptian or a sister from a Catholic church.

After 15 minutes, you'll have to wash it off. So no, it's not stay on.

The results?

Extra volume and shine!

Just look at the photos!

My hair seems so much more radiant. And if you touch it, it feels smooth, soft and silky (but not oily)... even till the very end!

I look happy, and for more reasons than one.

It's nice to have a good hair day.

Thank you Essential!

So now, let me ask you! Do you want fabulous hair? Do you want to be happy like moi?

If your answers are yes then... get the hair mask today and let the pampering begin!

PS: Yes, I took the liberty of having a haircut as well. Dig the new hair style (though not significantly different from before) and it only cost SGD40!