Laoag’s Best Kept Beauty and Wellness Secrets

I thought of posting my beauty and wellness picks that make the cut. I also uncovered my friends’ best-kept secrets. When we delve into the world of beauty, we will realize there is such a thing as “hiyang.” What works for me may not work for you or the other way around.

Hair Salons

Erika Frances

The staff at the newly renovated Erika Frances salon for men and women are nice and pleasant. I like hairstylists who focus on what they are supposed to do which is cut or color hair based on a consultation with the client. After all, it is the customer who will be wearing the look. Jessie Domingo’s good work ethics and training from top Manila professionals are his strengths as senior stylist of the salon. He does fab makeup as well.

Everything is Orly and Essie if you want your nails done, plus they have a nail dryer, which is important when you’re in a hurry.

Ericka Frances is at the Cristina II Building beside Enrico’s supermarket along Gen. Luna Street. Look for Jess or Alpha. Local phone number is 077-6707619 .

David’s Salon

If you like a David’s Salon anywhere else, you will perhaps like the David’s Salon at the SM Hypermart in Laoag.  It is a full service salon with a staff trained by Mr. David Charlton himself. Receiving a mini massage that goes with every service is a perk. To boot, they don’t scrimp on shampoo:)

Another David’s Salon is located at the 2nd level of Robinsons Ilocos, San Nicolas.

Queenie’s

Ms. Mely Tagatac-Lao is the hands on owner of Queenie’s (formerly Queen’s). Over the years, they have built a loyal clientele. Very convenient for people on the go, Queenie’s closes quite late, a nice factor other salons fail to realize.

Quennie’s is on western Rizal St, beside Town Bakery.

Red-G Salon

Reggie is known for edgy cuts and hair tattoo. He has his own salon located along S. Hernando Avenue near the RCJ Lines terminal. A lot of students and young professionals I know go to him for regular cuts.

Star Salon

The old F Salon (on S. Hernando Ave.) is now Star Salon. Adir is back! I like the way he styles pixie hair, short yet feminine. Usually, a stylist who works well with short hair also works well with long hair. Star Salon uses L’oreal color which is a plus. Don’t you love glossy color that is gentler and lasts longer on the hair?

Ramir

This is another shop that closes late, even later like 9 PM.

Ramir trained under the late George Bantolino. From my observation, the professional stylist specializes in layered looks. Well-heeled individuals seek his services, but it doesn’t mean he is expensive.  You’d normally find students and his neighbors in his little shop on Castro Avenue, near the Kids Kollege.

Cut

Jolan is so good with hip boy cuts. He knows his blades well. I go to him when I want buzzed sides. The Cut is on Rizal St., fronting One.O.Five.

Makeup

Mara’s Crib Beauty Center

Mara Manuel is such a celebrity makeup artist in Ilocos. In the biz for 5 years now, she’s done memorable weddings and photo shoots in Ilocos. The young professional has become so adept with the airbrush makeup technique. Women of all ages love her color palette which is far from the wild side. Interestingly, she can do elaborate looks just as good.

She’s also an events planner, a beauty consultant and a personality development trainor.

Find Mara’s Crib in Brgy. 10, along Lagasca St. in front of the Dingras terminal. Save her cellphone numbers, 0908-1200447 / 0908-8626835.

Nail Care

The Nail Lounge

There’s only one salon I go to for professional gel manicure and it’s The Nail Lounge.

On evenings when I want mani/pedi, the salon is there to rely on. They have popular nail polish brands like China Glaze, Zoya, Essie, OPI, Orly, The Face Shop, Revlon and my fave, KleanColor, which usually lasts a good 2-3 weeks. Kids will adore their non-toxic sunny colors.

For those who desire nail art and nail caviar, The Nail Lounge does anything that’s new and fab. Try their velvet tips. I also recommend their milk or peppermint signature foot spa.

The Nail Lounge is on Gen. Luna St., near the Fariñas Caltex Station. Call them: 077-6703631 / 0917-5743362.

Ellitoes Hand and Foot Care Center

If you prefer mani and pedi under dim lights, Ellitoes is consistently quiet and softly lit. I like it pleasant and relaxing. Even without requesting, the staff would readily offer a blanket or cover for the legs. If you need to have body massage, mani-pedi and foot scrub, all in one session, Ellitoes is the place to go. Check them out at 65 Rizal St (near Papa Pau’s Diner), or give them a ring on this number, (077) 670 4281.

Spas

Garry’s Traditional Thai Massage

From afar, you’d think Garry’s Traditional Thai Massage is unreal. But not until you’ve tried one of their signature massage services. I always get a combination of different massages like foot, body and back. Everything is discounted if you go in before 6 PM. They close at midnight. Be forewarned that there are no beds around.

Luis Clinic and MedSpa

Friends swear by their foot spa. I’ve tried it myself and I sank in a dream. The treatment rooms are really nice. The spa offers facial and special body massages and treatments. Prices are a bit on the expensive side because it is a medical spa.

Personal Grooming

Helena Felice Salon and Spa

Helena Felice Salon and Spa offers a plethora of beauty treatments, but I usually go there for waxing. I just had another underarm waxing today. Ericke, when she was based here, also frequented the straightforward salon for waxing treatments. The minty goo they use leaves the skin soothed. I’ve tried other salons before, but I always go back to this one. Visit Helena Felice on P. Acosta Street.

REM’s Beauty Parlor

I heard a lot of good things about the threading and waxing treatments from REM’s. I actually went there today, but they were closed, maybe for a house call. Would you believe it was a guy who tipped me off? The shop is on Gen. Segundo Ave. (Bacarra Rd.).

Skin Care

There are two skin specialists that made the list. First, because they both attract a wide clientele. Second, they are up-to-date when it comes to treatments and services. And let us not discount the fact that both are licensed doctors.

Dr. Merely Naidas
Merely Naidas Skin Clinic
Giron St. (South of Kingdom Hall of Jehojah’s Witnesses), Laoag City
077-771 3497

Dr. Pia Castillo-Luis
Skin Clinic and MedSpa
One.O.Five, Rizal St. (with  a branch on P. Gomez St.,Laoag City)
+63 77 771 3385

Others

To complete this post, here are the other relevant names when it comes to staying physically attractive. But then again, beauty is only skin deep.

Vanity Play at Red Dot

The one and only store in Laoag that carries imported drugstore and high end brands and upcoming quality local beauty brands as well as makeup tools is Vanity Play inside Red Dot. I always get dizzy choosing from the select items on display. Where else can you snatch a Tom Ford lipstick or a Beautyblender?  You have to see for yourself. Red Dot is on F. R. Castro Avenue near the foot of the bridge.

Zumba Class by Nenuca Corpuz

I stay away from gyms in Laoag. Firstly, I’d rather go hike somewhere or just walk around the city. There’s this fitness class, though, that is attracting a lot of ladies in Laoag. I went to check the 3rd floor of the CAP Building and it seems like a well-ventilated space to do a fitness routine.

Have a nice time, everyone!

Photographed by Blauearth © Blauearth™ All Rights Reserved 2009-2014