Aveda Exclusive Salon – Shoppes at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur
Monica Tindall
They say a change is as good as a holiday, so I’m at Aveda Exclusive Salon to mix things up a bit and hopefully emerge with a refreshed feeling similar to a post-vacation glow.
Aveda Exclusive Salon has just opened in the Shoppes at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur. The leading global hair boutique delivers a complete hair transformation experience. It features expert haircuts and designs, texturising, colour and highlight services, and rejuvenating hair and scalp treatments. I want it all!
Aveda Exclusive Salon KL
Located on the third floor of the Shoppes at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur, you can find Aveda Exclusive Salon by taking either of two sets of escalators to level three or going directly with the lift from the ground floor behind Club 21. There’s also access from the adjoining Four Seasons hotel.
Although the salon is bordered by glass walls, it still feels private. There’s not a lot of foot traffic on this floor, so the space feels intimate and discreet. White walls and marble are accented with black mirror frames and furniture. Several potted plants add a fresh, green complement. French tunes humming from quality speakers bolster the classy feel.
International Director Edwin Wong, originally from Hong Kong, heads the salon. He is an expert in the science behind Aveda products and sincerely answers all my questions. Besides being vegan and based on natural botanicals, Aveda impresses with constant research and improvement. Edwin informs me that a team constantly searches the globe for plants, studying their benefits and refining active ingredients with the latest in science and technology. Every year, Aveda’s formulations are updated, demonstrating the ultimate commitment to progress.
The Consultation – Aveda Exclusive Salon
Unlike many salons, where you go in and tell the stylist what you want, Edwin carefully analyses my hair. His in-depth consultation involves him examining my locks strand by strand, from root to tip, noticing changes in texture, colour, and structure. He takes a history of my treatments over the past two years and, while listening to my desires, tells me what I can realistically expect and what is recommended for the healthiest hair.
We decided on a touch-up of the roots and, at the same time, drawing the colour down to the ends to even out the multiple shades my hair is showing due to several experiments over the past two years. I’ve been considering a darker shade, but Edwin recommends a warm blonde to neutralise the contrast and reduce the look of separation as my greys come through.
I want to keep my hair long, so Edwin suggests restructuring the shape, cleaning up the ends and cutting some subtle layers to frame the face.
Colour
Before the colour is applied, Edwin dabs Aveda Patchouli essential oil around the hairline. Not only does it protect the skin, but additionally serves as relaxing aromatherapy. After each strand is meticulously covered, it only sits for around 10 minutes, penetrating quickly, before washing. Unlike many colours, there’s no chemical smell, and I don’t have any itching or tingling sensation. Instead, it’s refreshing and lightly cooling. It’s very pleasant.
As mentioned, the colour is primarily to touch up the grey roots, but Edwin also blends it down to the ends to even out the onslaught of colours my hair has seen in the last 18 months. It’s a thorough and meticulous application. Time is taken to ensure every strand is evenly coated. It’s by no means slow, though. Edwin works with speed and proficiency.
Aveda’s Full Spectrum Permanent is a vegan-friendly formula for lasting but gentle hair colour. It’s low in ammonia and has a soft floral fragrance. The range of colours is vast. I want something close to what I already have (Number 7), but I can’t help but admire the rainbow of hues – aw, so pretty.
Treatment
At the same time the colour is rinsed out, Edwin adds an Aveda Botanical Repair treatment in three stages. One primes hair for the colour. Two is after the colour, a hair-strengthening additive that fortifies hair and helps prevent breakage. Lastly, three is a bond activator, penetrating to the cortex to ignite deep strengthening.
Stress-release Massage
Once the colour and treatment have gone through a final rinse, I’m treated to a short massage with a refreshing Stress-fix Composition Oil. The attention to my neck, shoulders, upper back, and scalp is heavenly.
Cut
We finish with the cut, refreshing the shape and framing the face. Edwin is clearly highly skilled, fast and efficient in method, yet meticulous in checking and refining.
I leave feeling refreshed and love my new colour. It’s subtle but enough of a change to feel renewed.
Reasons to visit Aveda Exclusive Salon – Shoppes at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur: A director who truly takes time to examine the hair, understand its needs and give a realistic evaluation; consideration of not only the hair condition and client desires but also the complexion and face shape in recommending a suitable style, colour, or treatment; pleasantly-scented, low-chemical Aveda products; discreet location in the Shoppes at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur.
Aveda Exclusive Salon KL
L3.08 Shoppes at Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur
145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Link to Aveda Exclusive Salon on Google Maps
+6 03 2381 2688
@avedaesthetichairdressing
Aveda Exclusive Salon KL Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
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