Ever been to Spoilt in Green Point? It’s a lovely little salon that offers both hair and beauty treatments.

I was invited to experience a Redken Chemisty Shot All Soft protein and moisture treatment (from R200). It helps reinforce your hair with protein, but still keeps it nice and soft thanks to hydrating ingredients like avocado and olive oils. According to Neville, one of Spoilt’s friendly stylists, too much protein alone can actually make your hair feel hard.

After accidentally puncturing the salon’s fancy pleather chair with the heel of my stiletto boot (OMG, OMG, OMG!), my hair was washed and treated in the basin.

Next, I had to sit under a heat lamp while it was still in my hair to improve product penetration. As it was a cold, miserable day, this was actually kind of awesome. I also got to sip on a delish, foamy cappuccino.

Finally, the treatment was washed out and Neville gave me a nice blow out to reveal shiny-looking locks that were soft to the touch. Also, as I have very fine, often volumeless hair, I was pleased that the treatment hadn’t weighed it down in the least.

Neville reckons Redken’s Chemistry Shot treatment is ideal for anyone wanting to minimise hair damage, be it from too much heat styling or chemical procedures. However, for truly healthy, shiny-looking hair, you need to do your bit at home and invest in good quality products.

‘Salon products contains ingredients that have been hydrolysed (made smaller) so they can penetrate your hair’s shaft much better than anything you’d find on a shelf in a chemist’, he said. To compliment a One Shot treatment, he suggests something like protein-infused JOICO K-Pak shampoo (R235) and conditioner (R245). You can then use the brand’s reconstruct mask (R330) ‘after shampooing, before conditioning’ once a week.

Also, Neville reckons you can’t survive a cold Cape Town winter without a good heat protection spray to compensate for the fact that you’re probably reaching for your hairdryer more often. Over time, blow drying can be just as damaging as flat ironing. His favourite spritz-on heat shield? JOICO Smooth Cure thermal styling protectant (R170).

Once I was all dry, I got handed over to Natalie who whipped out a barrel tong and gave me super pretty wave curls. (Just so you know, Natalie’s a veritable hair styling super star and has worked with a slew of both local and foreign celebs including Hilary Swank.) We chatted about our mutual love of gelish nails and she showed me some of the new colours that Spoilt has just gotten in.

I love that pretty pink shade sitting second from the top of the wheel. It’s called A Petal For Your Thoughts and is part of gelish’s new spring collection. I’m actually convinced it’s the same colour I put on my toes before my holiday in St Tropez which is still going strong. Gelish on your toes is like a total summer staple.

Anyway, if you’re wanting to spoil yourself, be it to a hair or beauty treatment, I can totally recommend Spoilt. And if you go there and spot a small gaaitjie in one of their chairs know that I still can’t apologise enough.

Love, love

Leigh