Nowadays I get to sleep even longer... because I can now effectively skip most of my hair blowdrying process just to get half of this effect. This is all thanks to NINE by Sweet Basil, a Japanese hair salon that has just opened on Purvis Street. Here is to share what is their salon specialty is: straight curls, or more commonly known as perming. Many thanks to Claire for the collaboration! ❤  

NINE by Sweet Basil is a Japanese hair salon that opened its door in July last year. The NINE team is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology and research to do straight curls in the most gentle way and achieve a beautiful and lasting effect. This is different from normal perming which is much more harmful to hair. They are also the official hair salon for famous Japanese celebrities including Oguri Shun & Yamada Yu!

This is the 'before' picture of my hair before it's ready to be revitalized under the magical hands of my stylist, Yoshi. My natural hair is slightly wavy, but this is already after blowdrying. On a normal day, it is limp, shapeless and has the potential to go astray any time if I don't take care of it. 

It can get even worse but I don't like to put overly-awful photos in this space to scare you away... these are just show you how my hair can get very unruly on a regular day. Hair can really make or break your whole look of the day, and I didn't know that managing it under professional hands can make a marked difference.

NINE By Sweet Basil is very minimalist, clean, sleek and very neat. Upon ushering me to a private salon booth, Yoshi passed me this form to fill up to ensure that they understand my hair situation and needs completely before they begin. They make me feel very much at ease, even though I was initially quite nervous about what to expect there. At the end of the session, I realized that Yoshi really took care to make sure all my concerns and desired effects are achieved!! I thought I was being very demanding as I wrote it but it was no problem for him at all.

Every booth also has a bag container to protect your belongings before you begin the treatment. It is most thoughtful to have a cloth to cover it and ensure that no random chemicals or hair strands will fall into my bag. What's more, it is right beside me all the time, making it easy and convenient to retrieve my phone when I need it.

If you noticed, I added that a bad experience I once had at a hair salon was the strong ammonia smell from the colour dyes and other chemicals during the process. Before we began the perming process, Yoshi took note and asked me if the perming solution's smell was okay for me! The perming solution is made in-house by themselves, and it has no smell at all unless you sniff really hard at it close-range.

You get to choose your ideal straight curls effect from the Japanese magazines available at the salon, which you can get to flip throughout your session. There's something more attractive about their own magazines as their models are so pretty and they have so many to choose and pick from. There are many different styles on almost every page. If you already have a specific style you want from any celebrity, you can also show it to Yoshi! He is very flexible with any styles and very nice to work with :) I didn't thought of any specific person that I want, so I left it up to his professional acumen to decide it for me.

They will also provide drinks for you! Lucky for me, because I forgot to bring my waterbottle out that day... Do try their hojicha, which is a sweet special Japanese green tea which they drink during the summer for its refreshing taste. It was highly recommended and I enjoyed it a lot.

Before beginning the perming process, Yoshi helped me snip my hair to create the desired shape first. Yoshi was extremely neat and systematic when he handled my hair. It was something that is quite unprecedented in my experiences at hair salons. He brushed on the perming solution into my hair in a quick manner, and I felt very comfortable throughout the session.

They also had this U-shaped bowl to help contain all the perming solution during the session, to ensure utmost comfort to the customer! I really appreciate that little things that they do.

Here are some more pictures during the session! The perming process took a while, about fifteen minutes to let it set with the machine. Yoshi took care to come and check on me every once in a while that I did not feel neglected at all. He is very considerate in every step. 

I didn't manage to take photos of the washing process because... well I was too busy enjoying it. I must say that the head wash was amazingly satisfying. This is without question my favourite step of every hair pampering session. It is super shiok because the huge armchair is very plump and soft, with a leg rest that can be adjustable to a comfortable angle. He also worked through my scalp with warm water and super sweet smelling shampoo... after that I don't really know what happened because I fell asleep under the hypnotic massaging...

Their thoughtfulness extend even into the washrooms that customers may not visit! But honestly, their toilets are so nicely decorated and well-equipped, there are even q-tips, cotton pads, towels, and a lot more items for your convenience. Check out those matte-pictures pasted on the walls with stickers! I almost forgot that I was in a washroom.

Yoshi has seven years of experience in the hairstyling industry and it shines through when he does his magic. He is very passionate about his work, has a very pleasant personality to talk to. During the last stage of the session, his fingers worked nimbly through my hair and in the most interesting manner by swirling my hair and achieved a uniquely Japanese straight curls style that I really liked. I could see myself transforming into Ayase Haruka ('s hair) already, for the first time in my life. I love the effect!!!

After nearly four hours of hard work, my hair is done! It is said to be able to last for six months to a year. I'll be looking at how it change over the next few weeks and now I've had it for over a week.. it has actually gotten more prominent and natural looking than immediately after the straight curls session. Thanks Yoshi for making my hair look so pretty so I'll be all photo-ready for my exchange in the next few months!!

Some photos immediately after the session! So much more shapely that I never knew could be achieved in my usually messy mane. I couldn't even get this effect with an hour of blowdrying at home, but after I did this straight curls, it is reality for me now.

Some photos even after a week later! I did not even put any hair products or do anything special to it anymore and it looks incredibly soft and gentle-waves to the touch. In fact, I did not even comb it through with a brush but just with my fingers before I get out of the house now. That is how low-maintenance it is. So I can literally roll out of bed and look like this now.

If you're interested in doing the straight curls session or any other services with NINE by Sweet Basil, you can get 20% off by quoting my name or blog 'Amie'. They do not mark up prices during the CNY period/ Valentines Day period! How awesome is that? Here is their price menu (before discount):