NYLON tries: Chez Vous Advanced Sugar Hair Lamination

Hair Lamination has been around for years, but only recently started trending as more home kits are advertised online. It follows the same general concept of laminating paper; hair is coated with a layer of laminate (oils, gelatin, keratin or other active ingredients), and this is sealed over the hair strands using heat — in this case, a flat iron. The whole point of laminating hair is to correct damaged and frizzy hair, making it appear sleek and glossy, and making it much more manageable. This sounds a lot like a keratin hair treatment, but there are some key differences to both procedures:

  • The in-salon process for hair lamination takes around 1 to 1½ hours. A keratin treatment has you stuck in the chair for around 4-5 hours.
  • Hair lamination is far more affordable than a keratin treatment (approximately half its price, depending on which salon you go to).
  • But a keratin treatment lasts between 4-6 months, while the effects of hair lamination last around 2-3 weeks.
  • Also, a keratin treatment will result in straighter and flatter hair. Hair lamination will retain some natural “bounce” to your mane.

Above: The interior of Chez Vous located at Ngee Ann City.

In Singapore, Chez Vous hair salon at Ngee Ann City offers an exclusive hair lamination treatment called, Advanced Sugar Hair Lamination. This is a result of a year of in-house experiments and development, to formulate a treatment that is specific to tackling the frizziness caused by Singapore’s humid climate. The laminate is made up of ceramides, collagen, hydrolised silk and natural oils that repair the hair internally and add gloss to it, as well as two strenghtening actives: Hydroxypropyl Gluconamide and Hydroxypropyl Ammonium Gluconate. There’s also Hyaluronic Acid complex, Camu Camu fruit extract and Bixa Orellana seed extract that deeply condition and smooth hair. This entire patented formula improves the quality and strength of hair, and of course makes it look better.

Above: The hair mask (in white) applied as part of the hair lamination treatment.

I visited Chez Vous to give this new hair treatment a try; my hair technician was Director, Victor Liu, and together with his assistant, the treatment was done quickly (within an hour). I could see results even after the first wash and blow dry, which was just halfway through the process, and by the end of the hour, my hair was visibly smoother and shinier, and softer to the touch. Here’s the before and after:

Above: Before and after the advanced sugar hair lamination treatment at Chez Vous.

It’s been a week since the treatment and I’ve washed my hair almost every day; and I’m pleased to say that the smooth effect is still there, and my hair definitely falls better. I would recommend this treatment if you have an event coming up and just want your hair in better shape. Plan it for seven to 10 days before your event so your hair isn’t so flat and looks its best. This treatment also goes well with hair colouring since it’s not harsh and doesn’t strip hair of colour. It’s also a great alternative to keratin treatments as it’s far more affordable and takes a much shorter time in the salon. Chez Vous advises maintaining the effects with the Oribe Gold Lust shampoo and conditioner that’s available directly at the salon.

Above: one of the private cocoons at chez vous.
Advanced sugar hair lamination, starting from $235, available at CHEZ VOUS hair salon, 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City Podium, #05-05, Singapore 238872, tel 67329388.