Alex Carbonell: Master of makeovers

DEAR RISSA,
I’m a very busy doctor with long, limp hair. I would like to have a new look with a short, wash-and-wear hair but still maintain a stylish and chic appearance. Could you recommend a list of salons where their expertise is short hairstyles?
LAURICE

When it comes to short hair, three hair masters come to mind: Henri Calayag, Alex Carbonell, and Jing Monis. These three are all pillars in the hair industry and I love them to bits! Henri is special to me because he fixed me up for the first milestones in a girl’s life — prom and graduation ball! He made me feel like the most beautiful girl in the room. Jing, on the other hand, was the first to touch my virgin locks when I started modeling. Fashion director Ariel Lozada brought me to him. He was the first to color my hair and transform my one-length hair into fa-shionable layers.

I’ve always worn my hair long and I look back at my hair history and realize that for drastic cuts and makeovers, it’s Alex Carbonell who I turned to with confidence. I’ve had my ultra-long locks chopped to a chin-length bob and even had lovely one-length hair to restyled blunt bangs that graze the eyes. While writing this, I realized that he’s been looking after my locks for the past 10 years!

Despite my fine straight hair, Alex can effortlessly give soft layers without sacrificing body. Plus, his cut is so good that short hair is easy to manage even as it grows longer. When I was growing out the chin-length hair that Alex gave before, it still looked effortlessly great even at that awkward in-between stage. In fact, there have been many times during a fashion show or photo shoot that the hairstylist would comment on how good my haircut was. “Ang ganda ng gupit mo. Sino gumawa?” I would be bowled over! Imagine, despite not having gone for a trim with Alex during that growing-out stage, other hairstylists would still compliment his haircut? That’s how impressive Alex Carbonell’s haircut is.

For a new wash-and-wear look, do go to Alex Carbonell. He is particularly exceptional for first-timers who want to go from long to short. Alex is responsible for the amazing short hairstyles of actress Jolina Magdangal and makeup artist Xeng Zulueta, who both went from long to short. It was also Alex who cut the wigs of Ruffa Gutierrez, Toni Gonzaga, and Bianca Gonzales for the movies and teleseryes that required them to wear short hair.

Who are perfect candidates for short hair, or even a pixie cut? “There are no rules today,” Alex explains. “We’re done with the era where face shape dictates your hairstyle.” A truly good hairstylist can make any hairstyle work for you, no matter your face shape. If your face is rounded, he can easily manipulate the haircut with longer bangs or a longer nape to create a chi-seled illusion.

It’s no wonder that so many showbiz celebrities and fashionistas trust Alex for their tresses. Among them are Toni Gonzaga, Iya Villania, Bianca Gonzalez, Isabelle Daza, Raymond Gu-tierrez, Aljur Abrenica, Diether Ocampo, Tim Yap, Daphne Oseña Paez, and Hindy Weber-Tantoco. When Ben Chan wanted to make a difference in the hair salon industry with Bench Fix salons, he appointed and entrusted Alex Carbonell to train all the hair technicians on the latest and the best methods to everything there is to know about hair. Alex Carbonell has been the chief creative and learning director for Bench Fix salons for the past decade. On top of that, he serves as chief creative artistic director for Studio Fix salon, which is also under the Bench family. In fact, Alex Carbonell is so in demand that he has not just one Studio Fix salon in Makati’s Greenbelt area but two!

Alex Carbonell’s Studio Fix salon is located at the 4th floor of Greenbelt 5, Makati (tel. nos. 501-3062, 501-3064, and 0927-576-7698) and the 3rd floor of Greenbelt 3, Makati (tel. nos. 720-5962 and 0916-393-9641).

RISSA

The Eagle has landed: The best thing about American Eagle Outfitters is you get the designer cut and look at a price that is a happy steal. American Eagle is now open at Bonifacio Global City.

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The skinny on buying pants

DEAR LUCY,
My sister remembers that in an interview on some style feature on TV (or was it in a magazine?), you mentioned your favorite brands for trousers and denims.  Can you share them with me? And what do you look for when buying pants?
TESA

For trousers, I am partial to Banana Republic, particularly in two cuts — Sloan and Martin.  They fit especially well if you choose the material that is a bit stretchy as it feels very comforta-ble and hugs the body snugly but in a way that is not too tight.  The only downside to this particular material is that the trousers have to be dry-cleaned because they really shrink when washed and dried the regular way.

For denims, I still love the fit of 7forallmankind, but of late, I am smitten with the denims from American Eagle Outfitters which just opened.  The Artist cut in a deep blue wash is stretchy and very soft, and goes with everything.  I love how it fits.  The Skinny Crop in a vintage wash is very sexy, too, especially when worn with heels.  These two are my current favorites and I bought them in multiples because I practically live in them. The best thing about American Eagle is the price!  You get the designer cut and look at a price that is a happy steal!  While at it, check out their underwear line.  It is adorable!  

American Eagle is now open at Bonifacio Global City.

LUCY

Hot news: Nivea Sun Protect & Refresh Invisible Cooling Mist is non-greasy, non-sticky, and not white. Best of all, it’s got SPF50.

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RX: Sunscreen for some fun in the sun

HEY, REGINA!
I hate wearing sunblock, but I know I have to this summer. Are there any tolerable formulas out there that aren’t sticky?
CARLA

Not just this summer, girl! You have to wear it all the time! Luckily for you, the sunscreen gods have heard our prayers and answered promptly with super lightweight formulas that go on transparent and feel quite watery.

If you’re hitting the beach, one of my new faves is Nivea Sun Protect & Refresh Invisible Cooling Mist. It’s an aerosol, so reaching difficult places is a lot easier, giving you absolutely no excuse not to reapply, plus it feels nice and cool on your skin. It’s non-greasy-non-sticky, and not white, and best of all? SPF50/PA+++!

I’m adamant about using sunscreen every day, but I hate feeling like I have too many products on my face, so I’ve really, really liked the watery consistency of Shiseido’s Perfect UV Pro-tector. It doesn’t feel gross, and gives my skin just a little hint of dewiness that looks good under BB Cream, plus it’s also SPF50/PA+++ and highly water resistant, so I use it when I hit the beach, and I use it in the city.

Please, do your skin a favor and stock up on the sunscreen! No excuses!
 

REGINA

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil. Send Regina Belmonte your questions at vivatregina.tumblr@gmail.com or tweet her @vivatregina.