Here I stand, under bad elevator lighting on my way to see a new hairstylist.

I've been full of apprehension and second guessing my decision on accepting a complimentary haircut. (Why the drama? I'm a licenced hairstylist of 20 years and sometimes with free, you get what you pay for.)

I had a hairstylist here in Singapore already; I went to him for the entire 2 years that I had lived here before, 2007-2009. His haircuts were perfectly fine. Zero complaints.

Well... I received an invite for a wash, cut and dry with: 

Komachi The Hair Cult, a Japanese-influenced hair salon where all the stylists are from Japan and have years of experience in the hair industry, with one of them even studying and working with the prestigious Vidal Sassoon Salon in London.

Intrigued with the invite and of course checking out the salon online - I eagerly accepted... then started back-peddling in my mind. I even sent a high maintenance email to the pr person requesting that I get a hairstylist with similar experience as me to cut my hair. Yes... I really did request.

I have to be honest; I HATE HAVING MY HAIRCUT. I hate sitting in front of a mirror with soaking wet hair looking like a drowned rat in an ugly cape, with bad lighting - HATE IT. I could choose to flip through magazines as I have my haircut, but then I feel like I am being distant and not present with my stylist. Yes, I am high maintenance.

Tsuji began to analize my hair. Confident but quiet, she asked me questions with broken English: Do I style every day? Tongs? Round brushing? Air dry? Do i want change? etc etc... She made some suggestions, I loved them all; a fringe was on the list but as I told Tsuji, my husband is not big on the fringe. (must be love, I take in account my husband's opinion) A short while into the haircut she said 'Your husband does not like the fringe because you would look cute with the fringe and he wants you sexy.' (I shared this insight with him, he did not deny it)

 I always tell stylists to 'layer and texturize the snot out of it'; but this time I just embraced the suggestions and watched the SHEAR MAGIC happen. *cough* I know: 'Good one!' (thanks!)

I really love her cutting style which is quite familiar to me as it's how I like to cut; watching the flow and movement of the hair and working with it, not against it.

 One texturizing technique that she was doing I did find very cool and unique - I wish i had a video to show you; the best way to describe it was as if her scissors were mini swords slicing into the hair, but more texture than the typical 'slicing', it was also her wrist movement as the blades glide through the hair shaft - it was a very cool and fluid looking motion that resembled a Tim Burton scene - but  more on a serious 'Andrea's getting a haircut' level.

*Tsuji tells me during my cut that I naturally have more hair on one side than the other. I know, I tell her. (follow up note below)

Well - here is my reveal:

 FYI: I am truly thrilled with my cut.

i have found a new hairstylist.

*Sidebar: Nearing the end of my haircut Tsuji asks me 'How did you know you have more hair on one side? Clients don't normally know this.'

I reply 'Um. I'm a hairstylist.'

Poor thing - starts nervously laughing and tossing out funny comments - think of an episode of Punk'd, but for hairstylists. She obviously wasn't told that I was a fellow stylist; not that it's any big deal. We laugh and I make a joke to her publicist that she should remember she is working with someone who has sharp tools and not to upset her.

 BTW!! If you happen to have seen this tweet:

@fazabdulgaffa Overheard in Komachi Hair Cult: @AClaireBeauty barking orders at her hairstylist. Hair gurus make demanding clients!

SOOO not true! My Diva-esque colleague and friend Faz was getting a complimentary treatment at the same time, (no cut as she is loyal to her hairstylist: Me). Check out Faz's blog to see what she says about her treatment.

You can also check out Komachi's Facebook page here