Beauty secrets: Janice Kok

Janice Kok, 36

The chief barber at We Need A Hero has been in the industry for 16 years. She was previously an art director at Toni & Guy, where she was in charge of training the brand's hairstylists.

In 2008, Ms Kok was named as one of Singapore's top eight hairstylists for men by Urban.

What is the one product you would not step out of the house without?

Drawing on wing-tipped eyeliner, as it helps to open up my eyes and adds character to my whole signature look.

I like Browhaus' new Precision Eyeliner ($17.90, from Browhaus and Spa Esprit outlets). It is long-lasting and offers good control for bold strokes.

Which is your favourite perfume?

I like scents that are fresh and not overpowering.

At the moment, my favourites are Bulgari Blue (from $85) and Bleu de Chanel EDT (from $140) for men.

What is the one grooming service you cannot do without?

My bangs are really short; they fall slightly just above my hair line.

I have a cowlick at the hairline so I shave it a little to make sure that the line looks even.

The end result? It makes my small and round face look a little longer.

I get my bangs trimmed by my friend Jo Koh at Toni & Guy. We've been cutting each other's hair for the last eight years.

Because my bangs are so short, I have to make sure my brows are well-groomed. I go to Browhaus at 100AM to get them threaded and tweezed once every three weeks.

What, in your opinion, is the best beauty invention?

Intense Pulsed Light treatments because they can rejuvenate the skin while removing hair at the same time. My whole body has been IPL-ed.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have done in the name of beauty?

I've had so many things done to my hair. At 12, I got my fringe permed. When I was 21, I shaved it completely. Throughout my 20s, I had my hair dyed blonde, purple or red.

When I was 23, I decided to get a dreadlock perm in Japan. I had to sit in the salon for six hours and it was painful as my hair was weighed down with boards to get that tight perm. When the dreadlocks loosened, I turned my tresses into cornrows at the home of an African- American woman who was based here.

Share a beauty tip with us

The foundation of fuss-free hair is a good hair cut. When the cut is good, you need minimum effort to style it.

Men should invest in a good quality cut and consultation as it determines the longevity of the style. Then they just have to use a sea salt spray before a blow-dry to add texture, and some wax afterwards to finish the look.

This article was first published on July 18, 2014.
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