Pep up & Pamper
The Chronologiste Ritual is a sensorial 60min in‑salon treatment to purify and revitalise scalp and hair—with oh-so-good massages involved. Best if you’ve been having permanent bad hair days and/or your scalp has been equally annoyed.

The Promise
Chronologiste, Kérastase’s premium line that’s superfood for scalp and hair, sees an upgrade this year with abyssine added to a long list of nutrients. This sugar, extracted from volcanic cracks in the Pacific Ocean, is said to have healing and regenerative powers. The salon treatment also uses mimetic caviar pearls (the membranes preserve the efficacy of active ingredients) in the treatment mask.

The Treatment 
My treatment at J’s Salon (tel: 6834 0012) started with a firm but relaxing shoulder massage. Soin Gommage Rénovateur, a detoxifying pre-shampoo gel with fine exfoliating grains was applied to my scalp and wet hair. Wonderful scalp massage; rinse-out; shampoo with hair-fortifying Bain Revitalisant. Next, a single-serve capsule of salon-only Mimetic Caviar was mixed with the Crème de Régénération treatment mask and stroked on from hair roots to tips. My head was wrapped in a towel, and my therapist delivered an upper back massage that rivalled many masseurs. After a rinse, Parfum en Huile, a perfumed finishing oil, is applied before my hair was blow-dried, for extra shine.

Review
My hair was glossy and particularly well behaved for two washes following this treatment. My oily scalp felt more balanced for about a week and I didn’t need daily washes.

Try It
At Kérastase salons (listed on Facebook.com/KerastaseSingapore), which also retail Chronologiste products for home use.

Above & Beyond
Japanese salon Branché, at B1-33 Capitol Piazza, exceeds all expectations.

Expect
Award-winning Japanese stylists skilled in the latest techniques; top-notch amenities and innovations. There are just three extremely spacious hair workstations, so the salon will never have the busy racket of larger outfits; the large VIP room serves one customer at a time for ultimate privacy.

The Treatment
I tried Refined Colour, a technique created by Branché that creates a “3D-like effect” with subtle nuances. Top stylist Kai explained that my hair would look more lively and different as it moves. I was settled into a large armchair in the VIP room with blanket and a small bolster to rest my arms on and handed an iPad, which displayed images as Kai took magnified scans of my scalp. We then chose base, highlight and lowlight colours (customers can choose from L’Oréal Majirel or ammonia-free Inoa dyes), which he applied in foils he folded and lined up with extreme precision in rows along my head. Amusingly, the Yume Swing chair in the VIP room reclined like an airplane flat-bed and was then moved 45 degrees towards the sink so I did not even have to step out of my chair for a hair wash.

Review
Kai cleverly hid highlights in the lower layers of my hair because I didn’t want overly bright streaks. I particularly liked how hair is washed with carbon dioxide-infused water; soda water is slightly acidic and closes hair cuticles so it feels smoother and also soothes scalp sensitivity—which Kai later proved with another scan that showed the redness on my scalp earlier had all disappeared.

Side Treats
Throughout my two-plus hour treatment, I made three orders of different drinks from the menu, and loved the matcha latte that was served in a traditional bowl with a bamboo whisk, along with Japanese mochi and squares of Godiva chocolate. Service was exceedingly polite. All customers become Branché members with various benefits, and later that night I received an e-mail with a link to my personal inbox; Kai had sent before-and-after photos of my hairstyle and scalp scans. A very nice touch.