HAIR SPA

I took a seat at 'Hong Kong's first Hair Spa', L'Esprit Kerastase, which opened in November, and had every right to be cringing over the initial hair and scalp analysis: I care for my hair about as much as you pamper a rental car.

As 'top stylist' Samson (talk about playing to one's strengths), in his black muscle-t, flipped his fingers through my locks, I imagined him discovering the truth: 'You've repeatedly been swimming in the polluted ocean, wear a malodorous motorcycle helmet and yet haven't shampooed for more than a week.'

But it wasn't so bad. 'Your hair is greasy,' he says, 'and, um, does your scalp itch?' The incense was fired up, I was ushered into a cotton robe, offered herbal tea and for the next 90 minutes immersed in a world where Parisian flair intersected with Asian ingenuity, an ultimate destination of 500 sprawling square feet that unshackled my hair, body and soul, morphing the hairdressing experience into a holistic revival.

OK, the PR spiel comes on a little strong but amid a natural decor of wood and milky glass partitions, smooth pebbles and bamboos, I savoured no less than three head, neck and shoulder massages, the scalp massage 'activating micro-circulation and increasing hair density'. Other touted benefits include the reconstruction and revitatilisation of fragile and chemically treated hair and the instant elimination of dandruff.

After an initial massage, my hair was washed with one of six shampoos selected according to my type. The scalp treatment followed, one of three choices again selected accordingly - 'sensitive scalp' in my case.

The cool, soothing effect felt like a skull lozenge. My hair was rinsed, massaged, and then a restructuring spray was applied and left to sit for 15 minutes before it was rinsed. Then more massage.