A Day of Pampering at Asian Clinic

I felt like such a manang (old woman) last year.  Prevented from using hair treatments because of the pregnancy and then facing the challenges of adjusting to my new mom roles had me at such a fix that I find myself foregoing my usual beauty regimens.  Pathetic, I know!

December was a different matter though.  Knowing that a number of events were lined up for me and the family (including the Little One's baptism), I just knew I had to venture out and do something with my hair.  Good thing, too, as my Asian Clinic voucher from Ebay.ph's kuponan was just about to expire.

Photo credit: makati.olx.com.ph

I really didn't know what to expect when I bought the voucher.  Having been a loyal customer of David's Salon since 2003, I have never ever had my hair done in any place else since then.  I'm a very picky client and I've been known to cry (no kidding) if I don't like the style done to my locks.

All I knew about Asian Clinic was (1) their location and (2) they received good feedback from customers who also bought the similar voucher I had for the same head to toe pampering session.  Nevertheless, I scheduled an appointment and gladly prepared myself for some much needed indulgence.

Come In.  We're Open.

The very first thing that entered my mind upon stepping inside the salon is "corner beauty parlor." 

Inside Asian Clinic

Admittedly, if this was a scouting trip, I'd nary give a place like this a second glance.  Like almost everyone I know, I've had my nightmarish fill of neighborhood beauty parlors -- the wrong cut, the too harsh chemicals, the unprofessional staff -- to last me a lifetime.  It took all my strength to prevent myself from doing an about face.

The decor reminded me of good, half finished, intentions.  The owner might have had this grandoise idea of setting up their shop to have a more French countryside feel, but me thinks the lack of a budget may have deterred this project from actually looking as it should have been in her vision.

Reminds me of good, unfinished intentions

But I should have known better than to judge a book by it's cover.  What really stopped me from turning back was this.

Wall of appreciation

Asian Clinic plastered small notes of appreciation from their satisfied customers in a portion of their wall.  Further scrutiny showed that handwritting styles on the notes varied and were obviously written by differnt people so I deemed it safe enough to proceed.  J

The Services

My voucher included a total head to toe pampering session which included a L'oreal extenzo hair rebonding, cellophane, haircut, blowdry, foot spa session, manicure and pedicure, and all of this for only Php999!  So you see, it was just too good a deal to pass up regardless of how the place looks.

Once inside, I was cheerfully ushered into a seat and asked to fill out an info sheet.  It was a nice gesture as the form asks their customers for allergies to certain chemicals and if there were specific beauty-related services that they had had done prior to their appointment with them.  It gives Asian Clinic personnel an idea of what to use and if there are any restrictions to their current sessions.

With all the services included in a single voucher, it was a good thing that I scheduled an appointment for 9:00 a.m. and that the staff knew beforehand just what to do.  So while my hair was being treated (anyone who's had her hair relaxed knows how long the whole process takes), I has already enjoying my footspa...

Bubbly...

... and mani/pedi.

Ohhh...

The Results?

I couldn't be a more happy customer!  My nails were done perfectly, minus the pain I'd usually experience from other neighborhood beauty parlors.

You won't usually find me wearing colored nail polish.

And my feet came out looking fresh and pristine.

So fresh!

And my hair?  It's as if I had it done at my regular salon (minus the hefty price tag)!  So happy!

Photo taken during the Little One's baptism, a few days after my rebond session.

Any Downsides?

This being a neighborhood beauty parlor, expect the staff of be a little noisy at times.  I was armed with a thick paperback that time but couldn't concentrate because of the talk happening all around me.  They do have a TV so it's either you watch whatever show's on or, in my case, talk to your very lovely and attentive hair dresser.

I Recommend...

1. Setting an appointment really early.  As my hair dresser told me, they are offering the head to toe pampering package on a number of group buying sites and are swamped everytime.  I came in at 9 in the morning and we finished everything by 6 early evening.  Yes, it took that long.  So imagine if you came in at a later time. 

Another advantage of getting an early appointment is you avoid being placed inside their "other" makeshift parlor area with the closed windows and the AC on full blast.  This might cause problems for those with asthma as the fumes from the hair rebonding chemicals circulate inside this poorly ventilated place.

2. There was also an instance when my hair dresser used a broken old hair iron on my locks during the final stages of the rebonding session.  It burned some strands off my head and hurt like crazy everytime it caught my hair in between the plates.  If this happens, I strongly suggest you ask for a new iron lest you endure the rest of the session in agony.

Other than those mentioned, I think Asian Clinic delivers good results and are well manned with friendly and approachable personnel.

***

Asian Clinic Skin Care Science and Slimming Center
4658 Cuangco St. corner South Super Highway
Goldrich Mansion, Pio del Pilar
Makati, Philippines
T          (+63 2) 758 2589 / 728 5263
E          asianclinicmakati@hotmail.com
W        http://www.asianclinic.net/