Marc Teng started as a hairstylist and now also counts makeup as part of his portfolio.
He lived and worked in Paris for many years before coming back to Singapore. Considered one of the most creative hairstylists in the city, he picked up the Hairstylist of the Year award at the 2017 Singapore Fashion Awards, and has worked with international brands, models and celebrities over his two-decade-long career.
Below, he answers three of his most-asked beauty questions.
What can I do to grow my hair faster?
Keep your hair as healthy as possible by keeping it hydrated and nourished. Avoid shampoos containing sulphates; these are harsh soaps that will strip the hair off its natural oils. My recommendation is Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Wash Shampoo. It is SLS/SLES-free, and gently cleanses and conditions the shafts without weighing down the hair.
After shampooing, pile on the conditioner. Prevent heat damage from styling tools by using a thermal style protector, such as Ouai Heat Protection Spray, which is light and leaves a shine and doesn’t flake when you brush out your hair. Both products are available at Sephora. Breakage is a major deterrent to hair growth so a regular trim will help too!
How do I deal with damaged hair with excessive treatments?
Various hair procedures such as bleaching and relaxing can damage hair badly. Bleaching strips of its natural oils and fibres, leaving hair cuticles open and results in moisture loss. To repair your hair, you need a deep conditioning protein treatment will help to strengthen the hair shafts. The Kérastase Fusio-Dose Concentré Vita-Ciment is an intensive reconstructive treatment for weak, damaged hair as it fortifies the hair fibres to add strength and resilience.
How to get more volume?
Wash hair with a volumising shampoo. These types of shampoo clean the hair gently and add fullness to your hair. My recommendations are Kevin Murphy Angel.Wash for fine coloured hair and IGK 30,000 Feet Volumizing Shampoo. Towel dry and blow dry your hair upside down while it’s wet. This will lift the roots. When hair is half-dried, spray on a volumising product at the roots to boost the lift and continue drying hair in the same way until dry to set the lift. Try the Kevin Murphy Anti.Gravity.Spray or Ouai Volume Spray.
You many also change your parting so that the hair will go in the opposite direction of its natural growth to exude a chic 90’s flip. For a more dramatic volume, tease the crown area and set the set with hair spray.
Cutting shorter top layers into your hair will also help give a lift to your crown. General rule of thumb to achieving volume is never use any opaque or translucent products on your hair. They tend to contain creams or oils that will weigh your hair down. Dry shampoos at the roots also give a great boost and helps to keep your style longer. Try IGK 30,000 Feet Volume Powder Spray and Percy & Reed No-Fuss Fabulousness Dry Shampoo. All from Sephora.
(Main and featured image: Henri Pham/Unsplash)
Lionnel Lim
With more than 20 years of experience in fashion, design, retail, editorial, styling, advertising and public relations, Lionnel Lim was the stylist for the first issue of Prestige when it debuted over 18 years ago. He has come full circle with his recent appointment as Senior Society Editor. Known in the society circle for his eclectic preferences in fashion and design, Lionnel is privy to exclusive parties and trusted for his style commentary and choices.