Models in streetsmart outfits, a business suit, evening dresses and wedding ensemble, strutted on an improvised stage inside the salon to show off the cuts and crew of Choa’s forecasts of the new look and color of hair and makeup.

From the stylebook to the ramp, the revolutionary cuts and interplay of colors to match came alive. 
The looks for hair and make up were defined into urban edge, ethereal goddess, halo, crystallizing straight, sophisticated elegance, and blushing bride... all depending on the preference of the discriminating customer.

Choa defined “urban edge” as an asymmetrical cut playing on lengths. He used  the razorsharp jagged cuts to re-create the spikey look.

Ethereal goddess, as the name implies, is inspired by Greek goddesses with their long curly locks.

Halo, on the other hand, is all about hair coloring to draw attention to details of the haircut.

Crystallizing straight, is the adoption of Japan’s innovation in hair straightening.

Sophisticated elegance is offered to those who are always on the go. The shifting look of the layered bob defined this style.

Lastly, for blushing brides ... look for the shimmer of the eyes with hints of peach or pink, the rosy and glowing color of the cheeks, and the shine of the luscious lips.

The artistic visuals and informative text compiled in the stylebook are like a first aid kit for hair and makeup emergencies. It also contains suggestions on how to maintain or enhance one’s look and style.

Let’s face it, most people who go to salons more often than not, don’t know what to do with their hair. It gets frustrating and you have to rely on the hairstylist as to what goes with what, what suits you best, etc.

Most hairstylist may push for the “latest trend” disregarding the possibility that it may not suit you, but you finally agree out of boredom or just for the heck of it.

“In the salon industry, 80 percent of our clients go there because they want to feel good. Immediate gratification yan, e . It’s what makes you feel good. We want sudden change,” explained David Choa.

The risk here is that the feeling of euphoria may be temporary because on the day, your hair doesn’t go the same as it did fresh out of the parlor.

Choa admits that hairstylist are not born magicians who can “resurrect” or transform something that is absolutely irreparable. He said that it’s not necessarily anyone’s fault.

Besides, we’ve been influenced into using the products of our Western counterparts.

“First and foremost, everything that we have right now is thrown at us by our Western counterparts… hindi rin naman bagay for Asian market [which is not suited for Asian market],” stressed Choa.

According to him, the lack of education when it comes to proper hairstyle and products is partly to blame. The Philippines lacks the resources and that we don’t have enough proper or professional schools for it.

He said that one has to use the right product for the right problem.

“Product A may be the best brand in the world but then again, it may not be the right choice of product to use for this person’s hair.”

Thus, he hopes that with the stylebook, he could help clients come to a decision or at least guide  them in what exactly suits them. He also relates his own experiences and frustrations as a salon customer, way back.

“The competition is tough right now, so how do you differentiate yourself from other salons? Everything, everyone is the same. But it’s the little things that matter. I believe there’s a market.

There’s a hunger for this book.”

“It’s easy to bend the rules once you know the rules,” he emphasized.

With a little help from a professional hairstylist and a good stylebook, knowing what suits you best and what works for you are guaranteed to make a new you.

“The [style of the] future all boils down to what becomes comfortable,” Choa said.