Our Secret makeover
After going blonde and trying out all sorts of hair colors, we recently settled on darker, less shocking (and damaging) ones. It’s a good thing, too, for easier maintenance. We’ve been quite busy with non-blogging stuff lately that our last trip to the salon was weeks ago, during our visit to Korean hair and nail salon Secret B in Cebu. Because “Before” photos aren’t quite as fun, check out our little video diary above. Below are our resulting “After” looks, as well as shots of the salon.
Binkydoodles floral top, The Catwalk drape shorts, Martina-Martina necklace, Asian Vogue mary jane wedges, Fab Manila bag, Hobby Loft bracelets. Hype on Lookbook here.
Chemistry plaid button-down, Bench distressed denim jeans, Skechers boots, SM Accessories. Hype this on Lookbook here.
These days, I’m loving tops with cutouts at the waist as it helps create an hourglass silhouette. Other than that, it’s added motivation to stay fit. Haha.
It’s bringing sexy back. (Yeah)
A bevy of greens and browns and colored patterns. I don’t know what my seeming aversion to looking 100% poised and polished is all about, but for some reason, whenever I’m in something that would otherwise look too ladylike or glamorous, I end up throwing in a mismatched item to add silliness to the look.
We said we’d avoid cliché school-themed pieces for our school talks, but these mary janes are too cute. (And okay, they’re the highest shoes I brought to Cebu that won’t make me look like a dwarf next to Seph when we’re talking in front.)
While I don’t regret going blue or grey or blonde, I’m liking how clean-cut and dark my hair is these days. It seems like most people in the industry have hair like the citizens of The Capitol in “Hunger Games” so darker hair is what sort of stands out.
Minimal accessories. All from SM.
My ever-trusty lace-up boots. Whenever I don’t have the time (or patience) to style a head-to-toe look, boots are what I wear these to make any outfit look nicer.
Photo by our friend Lea Ann. This “ligawan” shot is in one of the classrooms of the University of San Carlos. We gave a series of talks that day at USC and at the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts about blogging, styling, photography, marketing and somehow inevitably, our love story. Haha.
Lea took most of our photos and videos in Cebu, and even volunteered her fingernails for Secret B’s gel manicure.
Cute, right? We wanted to include her in our Secret B video diary but she was too camera-shy! Yes, those were her nails getting gelled. If you can’t get enough of how cute the salon is in the video, here are some more shots.
View from the entrance and reception counter. Blue and pink Love Chic chairs!
We love the minimalist, industrial chic look.
According to owner Ms. Miya Kim, Secret B is a one-stop-shop salon based on the concept of high-end salons in Seoul, where clients come in not just for hair and nail services but for a full head-to-toe makeover and feel like a Korean celebrity for a day.
Opposite view.
This is where clients can discuss what treatments they want with the stylists, over tea or coffee. If only all salons had a waiting area as cute as this!
Behind the counter is the stairway to the second floor for nail and skin treatments.
View from the landing.
The main manicure area.
One thing we absolutely love about Korean aesthetics, whether it’s makeup, hair styling, or interiors, is how it’s always just simple yet striking. Look at those shelves!
We were told this room is for skin care services. Just outside it is the couch for pedicures and foot spas.
The painted butterflies? It gives the otherwise plain flooring an interesting quirk.
View from the pedicure couch as Secret B’s husband-and-wife owners look on.
Going to the salon is always a fun and empowering experience, not just physically. There’s just something about a makeover that makes you feel like a new person and gives you the inner confidence to take on anything.
