Women have enjoyed getting ‘dolled up’ and finding various ways to adorn themselves for centuries. In the ancient days, red lip and cheek stains were highly popular, as were braided hairstyles, beads, jewellery, body piercings and a host of other beauty rituals. Nowadays it is all about wearing clothes that enhance their foremost features and acquiring chic hairstyles, make-up and nail artistry among other things to help them feel look and beautiful. It is for this reason that for many women, there is nothing like a makeover to lift their spirits, and a place that ‘does it all’ is but a step away from heaven’s door. Y’ashay’s Day Spa & Salon is one such place that provides their clients with a complete aesthetic package. Our Under the Dryer team paid them a visit, and aestheticians Tanya White, Lashanette Morgan and Keisha Peynado gave chic makeovers to four of their loyal clients.The outcome was amazing.

(Photos: Marlon Reid & Tameka Coley)

Ingrid Rattray — A Soft Updo

Ingrid wears her hair natural, and she enjoys changing her hairstyles every now and then to suit the occasion or complement her mood. She “likes to look and feel good” and “take care of herself”, and Y’ashay’s has always been the place for her. Today the salon gives back to her for her years of service with a makeover. She is excited about it, despite the fact that she is “not a big fan of make-up” and cannot wait to see the results. Here is what happened.

Tanya’s plan:

“I’m going to give Ingrid a very soft, versatile updo to highlight her features.”

Keisha’s plan:

“Since she usually doesn’t wear make-up, I’m going to go really light and natural which will work well with the hairstyle.”

The Routine:

Ingrid’s hair is already clean, so Tanya skips the shampooing and goes straight into the next phase – styling. Organic Root Stimulator Shea Butter is applied to her tresses for moisture and a light hold, after which her hair is braided in an upward sweeping motion towards the crown, using the flat-twisting technique. When this is finished, Tanya creates single twists at the crown which she secures with hairpins, leaving a few tendrils at the front for an ultra-feminine appeal. A dab of King Professional Styling Gel is rubbed gently into the hairline all around her head for a firmer hold, and Motions Light Hold Working Spritz is misted onto her tresses to finish. The capable stylist informs our team that this sophisticated ‘do’ can last for up to three weeks as the shea butter and tightness of the twists prevents unravelling. She also explains that when Ingrid needs a change, she can simply unravel the twists at the crown, allowing them to fall around her face for a new wavy look. Keisha then whisks her away for her make-up to complete the transformation.

Ingrid’s take:

“I just love it! I have been coming here for years and they know what I like, so I’m always pleased with the results. I like the make-up too, very soft and flattering.”

Kelsha Pottinger — Flame-tinged Flips

Kelsha has a bit of an edgy personality, so she likes to experiment with her hairstyles and favours shorter looks like the one she now sports. Of course, her trusty hairstylists know just what works for her, and they are happy to execute it. Tanya previously gave her some crimson highlights to ‘brighten up her look’ so today all she needs is to style.

Tanya’s plan:

“I’m giving Kelsa an edgy, curly Mohawk today to show off her highlights.”

Keisha’s plan:

“I will keep the make-up soft and girly so that the hairstyle is the main focus.”

The Routine:

The knowledgeable Lashanette preps her with a quick shampoo using Motions At home Lavish Conditioning Shampoo and Moisture Plus Conditioner. She then works a dollop of mousse from the same brand through Kelsa’s tresses ahead of wrapping and placing her under the dryer for 15-20 minutes. When her hair is dried, Lashanette removes her from the dryer and Tanya takes over to create the mohawk. She then applies a dollop of Fantasia IC Hair Polisher and Pump It Up! Spritz onto her strands and separates her hair into three parts with a rat-tail comb. The mid-section of Kelsa’s hair is then curled upwards into flips with a fine, barrel-heated curling iron, after which a generous amount of King Professional Styling Gel is used to flatten both sides, creating a Mohawk effect. Motions Oil Moisturiser Extra Conditioning Oil Sheen Spray is misted over her tresses for added shine.

Keisha then steps in and works her magic with “soft playful colours to play up the luminosity of her dark skin”.

Little wonder that Kelsa is all smiles… and grins after a look in the mirror.

Renée Johnson — Curly Mohawk

Renée confesses to our Under the Dryer team that she really does not know anything about haircare, and would much rather leave it all to the capable stylists at Y’ashay’s, so she “somehow” finds herself at the salon every week. As a result of her frequent visits, she too was chosen for a special makeover treat. She seems very curious to find out what Tanya has planned, and mentions in passing that she has always liked the Mohawk, so Tanya hatches a plan. Anticipation is at its peak, but Renée simply has to wait and see what they have in store for her. Lashanette gives her a shampoo to jump-start the process.

Tanya’s plan:

“A Mohawk, a curly one… which is the softer version. It suits her personality and hair type better, in the same way that Kelsha’s reflects her edgy vibe.”

Keisha’s plan:

“I’m going to use bold, vivid hues on Renée to brighten her skin tone and complement her bubbly personality.”

The Routine:

Lashanette first shampoos Renée’s hair with Creme of Nature Sunflower & Coconut Detangling Conditioning Shampoo then conditions with Kiwi & Citrus Ultra Moisturising Conditioner. After which, she towel-dries her hair and hands her over to Tanya, who divides her hair into three sections, secures the centre with a hair clip and blow-dries both sides “to get the full effect of the twists”. This, she explains, is an integral part of the styling process, given the texture of her hair. When this is finished she moistens the centre section liberally with Dark & Lovely Softening Oil Moisturiser and King Professional Styling Gel, which she also applies to the sides for a firm hold ahead of flat-twisting towards the crown. Tanya tells our team that the combination of moisturiser and styling gel will create curls in the centre to further enhance the hairstyle. She then creates a ‘mound’ at the front of her hair which she secures with hairpins, leaving the rest of her hair to fall freely in the centre. She also spritzes this section with High Beams Temporary Spray-On Hair Colour in Gold for added boost, ahead of misting her entire head with Motions Oil Moisturiser Extra Conditioning Oil Sheen Spray to finish.

Renée’s Take:

” Oh, this is so nice! I love the colours of the make-up, especially the green. I feel so pretty!”

Jodi-Ann Thompson — Silky Smooth

When Jodi-Ann agreed to participate in the makeover session, the entire Y’ashay’s team knew they had their work cut out for them, and relished the opportunity to transform her. Jodi-Ann is an unapologetic tomboy, a member of her football team, an ardent sports fan and she loves wearing jeans, T-shirts and sneakers, with her hair either in a ponytail or a braid. She is very curious to see how things will turn out, though just a tad concerned about “not looking like herself”. After a bit of coaxing, she allows the team to get to work and even manages to enjoy it… and work in a few squirms of course.

Tanya’s plan:

“I don’t know when I will ever get this opportunity again, so I plan to go all out and give her something very girly (laughs), (Jodi-Ann’s eyes suddenly get wider) ‘yes, Jodi, VERY girly,’ she continues. I’m going to give her bangs, curls, flips, the works.”

Keisha’s plan:

“For Jodi, definitely bright colours… she is such a cute girl and she does not acknowledge that fact very often. She doesn’t like to look too girly because she thinks it will attract too much attention, which is exactly what I’m going for today. I’m having fun already (laughs).”

Jodi-Ann’s sidenote:

“Make-up?! You never said anything about that. What did I really get myself into?”

The Routine:

A giggling Lashanette walks her over to the sink for her shampoo with Motions At home Lavish Conditioning Shampoo and Moisture Plus Conditioner. When this is finished, she generously spritzes her hair with Tame Crème Rinse, moulds it and places her under the dryer for 20 minutes, after which she removes her and uses a blow-dryer to straighten out the kinks. Dudley’s Creme Press is then worked through her tresses to facilitate a shinier, smoother finish before Lashanette flat-irons her tresses. Tanya takes over when this is completed to style her hair into indentation curls or flips with a medium, barrel-heated curling iron, misting with Pump It Up! Spritz for a light hold as she goes along. She also separates a bit of her hair at the front and uses a razor comb to create side-swept bangs for “a sleeker, more girly look”. She then spritzes Jodi-Ann’s hair with High Beams Temporary Spray-On Hair Colour in Gold “just to frighten her a little”, which completes her fab new ‘do.

Jodi-Ann’s take:

“It does look nice, drastic though. I think my mommy will like the pictures, but I know I can’t wear my hair like this on the road, way too much attention.”

Of course, this causes an uproar in the salon, and after much chiding and coaxing, she agrees to hit the streets with her hair blowing in the wind… only for today, of course.

Hair and make-up by Tanya White, Lashanette Morgan and Keisha Peynado of: Ya’Shays Day Spa and Salon

94 J Old Hope Road, Kingston 6. Tel: 927-9515