The idea of a blowout usually conjures up images of lustrous and curly locks, or sleek, straight and shiny hair typically achieved by an upmarket deep cleansing shampoo and conditioner, as well as a hair mask that visibly smoothens and conditions hair. What you wouldn’t think of — and in an upscale hair salon no less — is a DIY treatment that dates back to hundreds of years. Yet, Prep Luxe has turned to an age-old remedy for its pampering Mint & Egg Blowout, a favourite among its regular and new customers. To test its effectiveness, I worked the treatment into a pre-colouring process.
Contrary to what you might think, the egg and mint formula took months to perfect. According to founder Jacqueline Yap, the salon “took a long time to figure out the right ratio of eggs to water and our very special custom-made hair oil for the best results”. An additional concern was making sure “there is no smell of egg on your hair at any point during the one-hour blowout”.
For anyone who has ever had a hair strengthening blowout, the effect often leaves you with “stiffer and straw-like” mane but this treatment gives silkier hair instantly.
Naturally, this concoction isn’t just plain old eggs dressed with mint. The eggs used are derived from Freedom Range Company, a Singapore-based farm that raises “happy, healthy hens” who are free to roam. The nutritious eggs are combined with a refreshing blend of mint, blackcurrant buds, and lemongrass.
Hair is first treated to a purifying all-natural hair wash — fortified with Pro Vitamin B5 — to remove grease and product buildup. Then the serum-and-egg concoction is applied on hair and left on for 10 to 15 minutes. On its own, the treatment gives hair an incredible shine and bounce, but also provides a protective layer for pre-chemical treatments such as the pre-lightening process of colouring jobs. It effectively seals your hair with a hydrating gloss.
As the first step to my colouring process, my hair looked visibly smoother, and felt immediately soft to the touch. It also acted as a shield for my colouring treatment. Admittedly, I didn’t put the egg and mint formula completely through the ringer as I avoided bleaching. Instead, I opted for hair that looked as though it was naturally and beautifully lightened by the sun through the Signature Highlight of Prep Luxe’s new hair series. Two hours later, I walked out with hair that bounced with suppleness. Weeks later, my locks remain soft and manageable with no trace of the fried ends so often experienced with chemical treatments. As for the colouring job, my hair was clearly in good hands with Prep Luxe. The winner of 30 industry awards left my hair subtly lightened without the brassiness of brown hair dyes, thanks to a clever navigation of a base colour that was only two shades lighter than my hair, and a combination of highlights and lowlights of different tones.
All photos are courtesy of Prep Luxe
