Top hair care tips by veteran hairstylist who worked with Hong Kong singer Sandy Lam

Our hair is often referred to as the crowning glory and often what makes or breaks our overall appearance. If you haven’t already, make 2024 the year you invest in yourself and start with your hair. But how do we get there? Yahoo Life Shopping got in touch with Gina Lau, co-founder of The Hair Shop located in Paragon, who has styled the likes of international celebrity Sandy Lam, to share her top haircare tips and no-nos when it comes to hair care and styling.

We understand life can get hectic. That’s why Yahoo Life Shopping has taken the liberty to suss out relevant products based on by veteran stylist Gina Lau’s tips.

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Yahoo Life Shopping: What are the top 3 hair concerns of your customers?

Gina: Greying hair, frizzy hair, and hair loss.

Can you share your top tips on counteracting each of the 3 main hair concerns above?

Greying hair - Highlight the hair in a cool colour, which helps to camouflage the greys when they do eventually come out. A colour that works well on Asian skin tones would be ash gray. Another non-chemical solution people could do is to use anti-ageing shampoos and similar hair products to help slow down the ageing process of hair which is usually a case of losing the colour pigments.

Desert Essence, Shampoo, Italian Red Grape, 8 fl oz (237 ml)

Desert Essence, Shampoo, Nourishing, Coconut, 8 fl oz (237 ml)

Frizzy hair - Due to the humidity in Singapore, our hair tends to become unmanageable as it ages. At The Hair Shop, we do an anti-frizz treatment i.e. keratine treatment, which is a protein-based treatment, that helps to add volume and smoothen the hair. It is not a chemical treatment, contrary to popular belief. Using products at home tends to be a short-term solution and requires a much sterner upkeep.

Giovanni, 2chic, Frizz Be Gone Smoothing Hair Mask, Shea Butter + Sweet Almond Oil, 5.1 fl oz (150 ml)

Queen Helene, Mud Pack Masque, Toxin Relief, Anti-Aging, 8 oz (227 g)

Hair loss - This has many reasons: It could be due to medication, genetics, scalp issues, stress, etc. Generally speaking, maintain good hair hygiene and keep a healthy diet. Anything past that, we would recommend a range of solutions depending on severity, from using hair tonics to even seeing a doctor if the hair loss is very severe. The first step is to run a scalp analysis report, to determine the next best step and recommend the best treatment plan.

Pura D'or, Anti-Hair Thinning Biotin Shampoo, 16 fl oz (473 ml)

Andalou Naturals, Shampoo, Age Defying, For Thinning Hair, Argan Stem Cell, 11.5 fl oz (340 ml)

There's a lot of talk on the Internet and claims that greys are reversible. Is it even possible to reverse greys or falling hair? Is there anything we can actively do to prevent greys/falling hair?

Greying hair is irreversible. It's a by-product of ageing, where your hair loses its colour pigments. Using creative colour application techniques, we can hide the greys in a way that looks visually pleasing, catering to the individual’s age and skin tone.

Hair loss can occur for a myriad of reasons, and in some ways, it can be prevented. It isn't exactly right to say hair loss is reversible as hair naturally regrows itself. Specifically, genetic hair loss is something that can be slowed down by targeted treatments but it is at this moment impossible to reverse it.

What are the top lifestyle habits that are very damaging to the hair? And what can we do to reduce hair damage?

1. Self-colouring/bleaching at home

2. Poor hygiene

3. Irregular sleep

4. Stress

Keep up a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and regular sleep. We highly recommend individuals consult their hairstylists for colors, treatments, and even products.

What can one do at home if our schedules do not allow us to visit the hair salon regularly?

We recommend individuals take on a regular hair care routine. Here’s how:

Step 1: Wash and condition your hair

It is important to use the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type.

Step 2: Towel your hair dry and apply a leave-in hair mask

There are two types of hair masks, leave-in and wash-off. We prefer the former as it is much more convenient and less time-consuming. The latter usually requires 20 minutes before you can wash it off, and we advise you to do this treatment in the salon.

Step 3: Blow dry your hair and apply hair serum

There are many types of hair serum and it is best to consult a professional before purchasing one. It is usually used to treat unruly hair and give it a healthy shine.

Giovanni, 2chic, Repairing Super Potion Hair Oil Serum, Blackberry + Coconut Oil, 2.75 fl oz (81 ml)

SheaMoisture, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner, 11.5 fl oz (340 ml)

Earth Science, Deep Conditioning, Hair Masque, Olive & Avocado, 2 oz (59 g)

Earth Science, Deep Conditioning, Hair Masque, Olive & Avocado, 2 oz (59 g)

Mielle, Strengthening Hair Masque, Rosemary Mint, 12 oz (340 g)

What are the main ingredients we should look out for in our hair products?

It is best to avoid sulfates- and parabens-based shampoos as these ingredients can strip off your treatments.

Do hair supplements work?

It is difficult to say as it will vary per individual and their specific conditions. It is best to consult a medical expert if you are experiencing severe hair issues.

Any tips or tricks we can do to make our hair shine?

It is important to choose the right products as hair varies greatly per individual, and overuse can be damaging to your hair and/or scalp.

We highly recommend coming to our salon as we carry a full range of hair care products from Kevin Murphy, K18, and more for both men and women. Most importantly, we will provide professional opinions on the best products for your individual hair needs.

What are the current hair trends?

Curtained bangs, shag bangs, and tousled textured hair for women, and perms, undercut, and spiky textured hair for men.

In your years of experience dealing with hair, what are the top no-nos when it comes to caring for our hair?

1. Not understanding your own scalp and hair conditions.

2. Using unsuitable over-the-counter products.

3. Colouring is a very delicate job. Box dyes may solve your hair needs once, but, likely, you will not always get the same desired result. It is also very easy to damage your hair with uneducated use of chemicals.

4. It is important to choose the right stylist that understands you and your hair needs.

5. Work with your hair professional – it is helpful to keep an open mind when you meet your stylist and discuss new suggestions and ideas.

About Gina Lau

Gina Lau, an established hairstylist in Singapore, has 38 years of since she started her salon in Paragon, which was then known as Promenade. A stylist for top celebrities such as Sandy Lam and Dick Lee, Gina was the head of the styling team for the 2008 Elite Model Search in China. Together with her business partner, Sam Koh, they have built a clientele spanning several generations. They also co-authored 'The Hair Book, Easy Steps to great styles', judged hair competitions, and many more.

About The Hair Shop

Founded in 1986, The Hair Shop has seen the styling of several generations. They offer bespoke hair services and strive to be the one-stop solution for all hair care needs. From cuts and color to treatment and homecare, they promise a fulfilling experience catered to every individual. Their hair professionals have built a wealth of experience over decades, and are sure to provide you service like no other. The Hair Shop is at Paragon #05-06, 290 Orchard Rd.