As you long-term loyal devoted readers (yup, there is ONE) know, I am always struggling to get good blonde highlights. I thought I had found my hair soulmate - AND, as an extra added bonus, she also read coffee cups which I'm totally into (fortune telling) (for free BTW). I really liked her. She always had good gossip and funny stories. We laughed, we cried, we drank coffee, I got my hair done. I got so many compliments on my hair - even from the women in Kuwait Customs at the airport (which was a real shocker since I am used to people not talking to me). I loved my hair.
That is, until I started wondering why it felt so thin. Why did it look so dark all of a sudden. Heeyyyyy ... where did all the blonde highlights go... oh SH&T!! They're not there!!! WTF!
A blonde girl's worst nightmare come true. I inspected and every chunk of blonde highlight that she had done was missing - from about 2" off my head. Holy SNAP! (Thank God, you couldn't tell unless you got up close and started pawing through it, but still.)
Lawsuit material where I come from....
Long-story-short, Sally overprocessed. I called her. "You went swimming in the sea. Salt water makes it fall out." Uh nooooooo. I haven't been in the sea in over a year.. I'm like dudette, I hate to break it to you, but you left it in too long, or used volume that was too high (like using 40 volume on caucasian hair that isn't black to begin with). Some stylists like using higher volumes because they are lazy - it takes much less time to process, but it does much more damage.
Went to the States and I had it done by the galpal my sister goes to, Shannon. She doesn' talk much to me, but then later, my sister tells me all her gossip. "Shannon said your hair was fried to sh&t when you walked in there." Oh, nice compliment. Anyways, she fixed what she could and I bought about $200 worth of hair care product (Rene Furterer - my new best friend) to bring back to Kuwait with me. (They have Furterer here, but not the entire product line.)
I am ready to go out into highlight world again....
So, where to go, where to go? I don't really want to go back to the other 2 places I've been: Strands and Cutting Edge. I always feel like a dog with its tail between its legs; going back to a salon that you have cheated on for another. The whole self-made-guilt aspect is a big turnoff for me. I'm sure that they wouldn't even remember me at The Cutting Edge now; it has been bought by someone else and the new owner doesn't know me or refer to me by the term of endearment that the old owner did: "Trailer Trash". Not very nice (at 70+ KD per month). Anyhooo...
So I have been hearing whispers about Tony & Guy in Kuwait at the Corniche Club. I had to do a background check to verify that they are indeed THE Tony & Guy of London (they are - I think the other salon with the same name in Kuwait is a knock-off/Kuwaiti brand theft, but I might be wrong). I called the old one and they said they were not affiliated with the one at Corniche Club, so to me that can only mean they are not original.
Here's what I have learned about Tony & Guy in Corniche Club: Their colorists' name is Emma and she worked at the Tony & Guy salon in London for 10 years (did you have a breakdown, honey, and decide to move to Kuwait???). They have other ladies who do cuts (and are priced depending on who does you - 23/26/29 KD). Foil highlights are 58-58 KD for a full set; 37-47 KD for a partial. So, I made an appointment for highlights (I don't have a fancy-schmancy short/trendy/technical haircut so I am opting out on that).Tony & Guy's phone number is 6617-8889 and their website is: http://www.toniandguykuwait.com/.
Pity Party Warning: I am totally down on my appearance at the moment because of the eye thing and the distinct lack of blondeness. I need some serious pampering and I will let you know how it goes at T&G (she'd better use 10-20 volume or else.) Once again... am I vain?... HELL YES.
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ReplyDeletePlease delete my first comment. Too funny, the top part of the comment was for my blog. I don't know how that got on your blog. I blame it on the meds I'm taking for 2 weeks. Sorry for that! Ooops!
ReplyDeleteYour eye infection sounds horrible. I was thinking that maybe your sister could see a top doctor in the US and describe your symptoms. If she explains you are in Kuwait (under a doctor’s care) hopefully he could advise her on what he would recommend that you take. I hope your eyes are much better soon.
I look forward to hearing about your hair appt. Best of luck!
im a dude and i worry about how my hair looks, having spent a fortune on hair products etc,
ReplyDeletebirds of a feather,
I've tried all the 'western' salons here because when I went to the others, they just didn't get what I was asking for. I have pale skin, green eyes and dark brown hair and for some reason they couldn't figure out how to give me highlights WITHOUT red in them (I wanted caramel or gold, always turned out auburnish) Anyway, my last salon trip was a freeekin DISASTER. I wanted a body wave, as i wanted more volume. I went to one of the more popular salons for westerners and FU**ed up my hair BIG TIME. I looked like I belonged in a horrible 80's video. I had to get it chopped off, it was beyond repair. I went back to her (big mistake) she chopped it but it was still bad. I had to find a professional. I went to Tony & Guy. She was fantastic and did an amazing job with what she had to work with. From now on I will only go there. They are truely professional and know what they're doing. I'm sure you'll look great!
ReplyDeletefor natural you were born with blonde locks check out Cleo Salon: 22401010 / ask for Amira
ReplyDeleteif i didn't know some gals personally then would have sworn they were natural blondies
HI, BOTH Tony & Guy salons are linked & are both part of the Tony & Guy chain from London. They opened in Shaab with 2 british Tony & Guy trained stylists, they have both left & there is a new Scottish lady running the salon now. She also over sees the one at the Corniche Club. They have a page on facebook where you can read all their qualifications & training etc.
ReplyDeleteI havent been to Cutting Edge but I tried Strands when I first arrived in Kuwait but I wasnt impressed. Tony & Guy are expensive but they have always done a good job for me.
I need to get my hair done too. Was TOny and Guy a very good place to go? Would you recommend it??
ReplyDeleteThat's right DG! They should be using a low volume peroxide. And if they offer extra conditioning packs, get that as well. Please take the time and tell them what you've been through as far getting color elsewhere. I'm a HUGE proponent of experiencing a consultation... so don't get short changed on communicating with your colorist. Tell her all your fears and expectations. I'm sure after the chat, you will be at ease. I hate when people skimp on this. Your color will be a corrective service, so be prepared for the higher end price... It's worth it though.
ReplyDeleteIf the London Brigade is working there or has trained the staff there, I expect nothing but perfection. Toni and Guy has high standards worldwide.
I have many friends back in the states that work for Tigi as educators and they travel abroad bringing all those influences back. At my TV gig, we all use Tigi products there because they cater to all types of hair textures and offer unique styling options. My favs? Bed Head- Hard Head Spray and Sexed Up.
Anyway girl, I'm sorry. I'm rambling all on YOUR blog! You know this subject is near and dear to me. Call me when it's finished. Whether or not you get it cut there. You will at least need a trim after a color. And I already have a style in mind...
Hello there, i know your post is almost a year ago, but did you never updated us on the results with Toni & Guy. How was it? How much did it cost?
ReplyDeleteI recently tried highlights at Sloanes in Salmiyah. Lisa is the name of the colorist/stylist and she did a fantastic job. Would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone.
ReplyDeleteJoan
IT is not considered prostitution to be clipped by the other gender. please be fair and respectful to other's cultures!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 12:48. We live in an ISLAMIC country where it is indeed considered prostitution if a person of the opposite sex touches you for money.
ReplyDeleteAre you a man? Walk into a women's salon and ask for a haircut. Are you a woman? go to a men's salon and ask to sit down and get a haircut. The salon will be closed and lose their license and the owners may be jailed.
I assume you are Kuwaiti. Know your own kaanoun. Ask a lawyer. And, why are you so presumptuous that I am not respecting this culture? I know the culture. I know the law. Apparently, you do NOT.
Fabulous blond highlights guaranteed at The Cutting Edge. As you said the ownership of the salon has changed as have most of the staff. There is no need for the "tail between the legs" come in for a freebie, give us your comments - good or bad, we would love to hear them. All British stylists including a Vidal Sassoon trained girl who does the most amazing precision cuts. Get your nails done while your at it!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Cutting Edge. I will come in and check you out again soon. I appreciate your kind offer.
ReplyDeleteI went to Toni and guy and it was the biggies mistake of my life :(( I ask the girl for dark blonde /caramel hi lites natural looking and I got pammy Anderson bleach blonde zebra strips !!! And as for the cut well a could of cut it better my self I have long hair and all I asked. For was a trim and side bangs I got a trim that consisted of 5 inches and my side bangs we side steps awfull never had a hair cut or color like that in the states
ReplyDeleteToday I had my hair coloured by Faye and hair cut by Natalie at Toni and Guy, Al Corniche Club, Gulf Road. I am extremely happy with both. Also included was a mini head message after washing my hair and a mini back massage - the chair at the hair washing sink is a massage chair!
ReplyDeleteI certainly recommend both Faye and Natalie and look forward to my next visit to Toni and Guy, Kuwait