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Dare I say hair and beauty... For the ladies

millyb

newbie
Posts: 1

Hi

I'm just about to pack my bags for an 18 month tour of S.E Asia and call me vain, but I have mental hair, in humidity I can look rather like a cross between Margaret Thatcher and a Mister Whippy icecream without the occasional cut by a talented hair expert that understands me when I say cow licks.. I am guilty of researching this little problem more often than visa requirements and destinations. Which I am slightly ashamed of. But in my quest I have spoken to loads of hairdressers that have traveled with the tools of their trades and financed some of their trips by doing a little shearing along the way.
I was thinking about starting a group, for hairdressers, beauty therapists (I don't fancy giving up a whole day to have my legs waxed and trying to explain my bikini line preference to a local, hairless Thai - lucky them), and the people that need them, so that they can hook up along the way. But before I go to all the effort, get in trouble with my boyfriend for wasted time on pointless stuff, I'd really like to know if you would have any thoughts.

I hate having my photo taken on any occasion, my boyfriend is using this trip to learn photography....
Having seen the kind of battering most posters get for this kind of stuff - I'm actually a little scared of posting this..

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#1 Posted: 12/10/2010 - 00:46
exacto

mahout
Posts: 1797
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hey milly,

i'm sure you'll look beautiful in those photos even with the extra humidity in the (h)air. i also think that you'll find plenty of quality hair-care and salon services throughout southeast Asia and particularly in Thailand. my wife has been pleased with the services she's had on our trips, including the bikini line waxing you mention. it's a global thing... cheers.

#2 Posted: 12/10/2010 - 02:59
busylizzy

under-employed
Posts: 1470
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My solution: ponytail holders.

My hair was longish enough in the back to get it into a ponytail, but I always had wispy bits sticking out on sides and front, which by the end of the day made me look like Witchy Poo. Eventually I figured out I could get use some small barettes/hair clips on the side to help hold it down.

There are hair "salons" everywhere you go, and places to get your waxing and other beautification done. My travelling partner went to some pretty dodgy looking places for a cut and shave - it made great photos opps for me! At the four-month stage, I finally relented and went to a small local place in Kampot for a trim of my flyaway bits. They definitely had a strange approach. For example, AFTER they cut my hair, they poured a bucketload of shampoo on my DRY hair and massaged it in to try and foam it up, without adding water. They eventually took me to the basin to wash it out and I got a wonderful head massage while they were at it. It was all a bit strange, but I survived.

Honestly, when you're on the backpacker trail you just stop being too precious about stuff like that because it's too damn hot, and there is just so much else to focus on (in my opinion, anyhow). If things get really bad, you will always find somewhere to go for a tidy up. And then plan for massive overhaul when you return!

I'm not sure about the likelihood of your success in organising a group of hairdressers together but I imagine it would be difficult due to logistics, facilities, etc. But good luck if you decide to give it a go!

#3 Posted: 12/10/2010 - 03:01

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glomer

beach masseuse
Posts: 86

This is probably an excessive solution, but there is a newish salon process to do with keratin that can make your hair straight/frizz-free for several months.

#4 Posted: 12/10/2010 - 07:35
jasinorbit

flashpacker
Posts: 34

Head scarves, Long thinish ones.(worn similar to a headband) Does the trick

#5 Posted: 12/10/2010 - 08:57
Nokka

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 240
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Hey, Millie - you sound just like my wife. She calls her hair 'snakes' when the humidity gets to it. At times even I had to giggle at her frizzing up hair; at home its usually so immaculate - with hairdresser bills to match.

We found big cities (unsurprisingly) to be the best bet. Bangkok, for sure - plus she had it done in another couple of places. The big shopping malls in Bangkok had some decent places (not cheap either) with cutters used to Western hair, plus a bit of research on the expat site thaivisa.com gave results.

Bikini line she found more difficult, in that in many countries in the region they simply didn't do it. Or used very old-fashioned methods, but hey what do I know.

Overall, she was fine and I think the biggest thing to remember is that when you are travelling - things like flyaway hair really don't seem to matter that much.

#6 Posted: 13/10/2010 - 16:20
AbigailatPe-
nhandInk

beach masseuse
Posts: 90

Threading, waxing, manicures, pedicures etc not a problem to find anywhere.

Hair cuts are quite possible, although you may not get quite what you wanted. I'd avoid hair colouring or other chemical treatments, unless you're happy to pay a lot for someone who's been trained in western hair.

Hats are a girl's best friend when it comes to dodgy locks - you can look cool and keep the sun off your head at the same time!

#7 Posted: 25/1/2011 - 11:56

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vh81

newbie
Posts: 1

Hi there. Good to hear, that there are several places to get your beauty things done.
I wonder if anyone can actually recommend a waxing place in Bangkok and/or Ko Phangan? Thank you!

#8 Posted: 23/5/2011 - 15:36