Walking on Sunshine Salon Mont Kiara
Monica Tindall
While the beautiful garden-themed, daylight-filled spacious digs of Walking on Sunshine Salon in 163 Retail Park might be an initial attraction, the quality of service and results keep people returning to this stylish hair salon in Mont Kiara.
Walking on Sunshine Salon & Café
On the first floor of 163 Retail Park, Walking on Sunshine Salon, Mont Kiara occupies a glass-wall-lined lot above the street. Filled with plants and natural wood and with a generous amount of space between chairs, the space is happy and welcoming. It’s been a good two months since my last hair salon visit. I’ve had a wonderfully active summer outdoors, but my hair has suffered. I’m hoping the team can get me looking fresh and tidy once again.
Consultation
I have in mind what I want before visiting Walking on Sunshine Salon in Mont Kiara – a colour, cut and treatment. However, I’m not sure precisely about what direction to go. I want an expert’s opinion and am grateful for my stylist Tesmen. He takes into account my height, colouring, hair type and desired results when suggesting a plan. I feel comfort in his confidence. He has obviously done this many times before and has worked with a mix of expats and locals, Caucasian and Asian hair. He has extensive education and experience with international products for diverse hair types. Tesmen assures, though, that no matter what category you are in, he customises a plan for everyone. “Each person is unique, and so is their hair,” he notes.
Colour
My primary goal for colour is to cover the grey. Tesmen advises that to keep it fashionable; we don’t want to go too dark or bleach the hair – the only two ways to truly cover all the grey. Blending two colours is the way to go – much more exciting than a boring single shade, says Tesmen. He says that following his plan, the grey might not be fully hidden but will look natural, nice and fun. Somehow, he is going to make the grey disappear within the rest of the head.
Walking on Sunshine Salon uses Number Three from Japan, which offers an extensive range of colours that are vegan and halal certified and gentle on the hair and scalp (the Color Conscious & Recroma line for my needs). Pre-colouring, I’m wrapped in a gown, towels and plastic poncho, ensuring my clothes and skin are safeguarded. Scalp protection is applied, preventing any discomfort for possibly sensitive skin, and I enjoy this very much after the workday as the product is lightly massaged in.
Overall, the colour is left on for about 40 minutes with different methods for the roots, the top-to-mid section and the rest of the hair. The team have their work cut out for them as my roots are a mix of grey and natural brown, the upper third is a single colour, and the bottom two-thirds are the remains of highlights. Prices varying depending on hair length and type of colour used. For my extra long hair and varying shades, the price was RM 420.
I sip on a green tea latte as I wait and am welcomed with more choices if I so desire. The café section of Walking on Sunshine Salon has a solid beverage list with barista-style coffee, juices, teas and a bunch of cheerful caffeine-free lattes such as ginger, pumpkin and purple sweet potato.
I’m escorted to the basin for a rinse before the next step, a scalp and hair treatment. I can’t quite tell the colour as my hair is still wet. I’ll have to wait until the final blow-dry to find out.
Scalp and Hair Treatment
The scalp and hair treatment (RM 320 – varies with length and type of product) is designed to nourish. Also using the Number Three range from Japan, it’s formulated specifically for post-chemical treatments. After the hair is rinsed and lightly shampooed, the cleansing formula and treatment are applied. An oxygen machine softens the hair and scalp and assists in absorption. The four-step procedure uses products from the Yululuka line– Citrusbalance Cleanselotion, Citruscleanse Shampoo, Citrusglow Treatment and Herbalaccela Milk. All are appropriate for sensitive skin, and Tesmen says all skin should be treated as such following any chemical process. The end result is supple, smooth and shiny hair with improved scalp condition.
Cut
The cut (RM 118 with senior stylist) is last. I’m happy to chop off a bit to be rid of dry ends but still want to keep some length. Tesmen agrees, saying that for my overall height and facial features, long hair is a good look for me. He has a solution for the dehydrated ends – light layers. These will discard the moistureless tips while preserving the hairs’ reach below the shoulders. I’m also not happy with my thick-cut fringe and have been trying to grow it out a bit. He promises to help in that area too – allowing the bulk to grow by gently layering it into the length while thinning out the part closest to the forehead.
Walking on Sunshine Salon Results
It’s hard to imagine what the final result will be until it’s properly blow-dried. As the style comes to life, I’m in good spirits. My head feels lighter, a welcome benefit for the especially hot weather that has dominated the past week or so. The strands also feel softer and more flexible. The fringe is 100 times better than before, and the colour is rich with flickers of warmth. Tesmen says the shade will gradually lighten as I wash it, with the colour stabilising in around one month’s time.
Post Hair Colour & Treatment Care
When I ask about how to best maintain the colour, Tesmen recommends nourishing the hair and scalp in general, not solely specific colour care. Overall moisturisation, balancing the PH and avoiding harsh environments is good for both colour endurance and the overall health of the hair.
Walking on Sunshine Salon Review
I’ve had a positive experience at Walking on Sunshine Salon. The plant and light-filled spacious setting with a full café-style beverage list is only the start. It’s certainly lovely environs to pass a few hours, but the bottom line is the stylists are knowledgeable, professional and have vast experience serving international guests. I’m pleased with my cut, colour and treatment and would recommend this hair salon in Mont Kiara to friends without hesitation.
Reasons to visit Walking on Sunshine Salon Mont Kiara: beautiful salon filled with plants and natural light; in-salon café serving a variety of beverages as part of the salon service; vegan and halal-certified products; professional stylists with vast experience with international clients.
Walking on Sunshine Salon
1F-01,163 Retail Park, Jalan Kiara
Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
https://walkingonsunshine.my/
+60 186 69 2000
Walking on Sunshine Salon Opening Hours
Daily: 10 am – 8 pm
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What a world of difference between the before and after! I have come across some ladies who carry grey hair so elegantly. Sadly I am not one of them.
Makes me thing of the song by Katrina and the Waves.
Wowwwww!!! This has got to be the nicest salon I have ever seen, so well-decorated – love that old antique car and all the greenery. Your hair does look very nice after what they did with it!