Between all the makeover shows on air, with self-proclaimed fashion pedagogues quick to trolley out witticisms on dying trends, few take the untrammeled route and go for simple and effective advice – the kind that doesn’t involve costly surgeries (like Extreme Makeover) or self-esteem-maiming in the form of post plastic-surgery pageantry (like The Swan).
Philip Tordjman, the latest recruit of First Aid Salon, is a chatty Frenchman, prone to waxing about the charms of Filipinas ("Two of my girlfriends were Filipinas," he says in an accent that sounds like a combination of a Frenchman’s lisp and an American’s crisp twang) and his switch from artist to hairstylist. Having studied charcoal portraiture at Les Beaux Arts ("The Harvard of art schools," he explains), Philip made the career shift from drawing to cutting hair. He laughs after I ask him if he missed his original calling. "I wasn’t very good anyway," he says good-naturedly of his sketching abilities. A stylist with no technical training, he learned through practice, working on friends in France and people who came to him through word of mouth. His style, he says, is more instinctual. He gravitates towards a more naturalistic process. The hairstyles he bequeaths on customers don’t come from popular magazines with immaculately-thin blond actresses posturing on the cover. The cuts he make, instead, result from the angularity of the customer’s face and how the hair falls naturally.
"It was a natural progression," he says. "I was drawing the face like a graph, making these definite shapes, to cutting hair in the same manner." That manner, of course, is organic. Inspired by the oddest things (he cut his Filipina girlfriend’s hair in sharp half-moon layers, like the markings of a bear claw on a tree – which was something he saw in a movie), he finds originality and practicality the two essential things every stylist should covet.
So far, his style has brought him success. A host of his own salons in San Francisco (where he was based for 13 years), a shampoo line that was featured in WWD, ID and Elle magazines (which he later sold) and a stint as the stylist of choice to several Hollywood celebrities (Mandy Moore, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani and Meg Ryan have all submitted to his scissors) later, Philip came to Manila after a six-month-long period of travel. "I came here to see the country, where many of the people I know came from – in San Francisco, after all, there were many Filipinos," he says. "They were clients, friends, colleagues."
After seeing the popularity of the Bench brand, and, in particular, the Fix salons, Philip was intrigued by the brand’s range of influence and became interested in being part of the team. "A few talks later with Bench’s top people, and I am now a member of the family," he says warmly.
After working with First Aid Salon’s (Bench’s upscale branch located in Greenbelt 3) regular clientele, it soon became clear where Philip’s real talents lay. "I’m a listener," he adds. "I ask clients what they want, how they normally wear their hair, the kind of length they like. The key things stylists should always ask is: what do you like about your hair and what don’t you like? If they only ask those simple questions, the job is already half done," he says simply.
To set an appointment with Philip Tordjman at First Aid Salon, call 757-4976.
Best for: Spiky or wavy looks
How to use it: Lighter than the molding clay, it works for practically any hair type. For short hair, apply stick in a circular motion and mold hair as desired. For long hair, apply from roots to ends. It can also be used by rubbing the stick unto your palm, then just massage hair to style.
The look: Anything goes
Best for: Medium to long hair. Includes olive oil to condition hair.
How to use it: For a subtle look, apply a small amount to wet hair. Place on one side of the hair at a time and work through with your fingers. Comb through and blow dry. You’ll get a sleek and shiny finish. For more volume, apply to dry hair. It’ll define your curls and make your locks look naturally wavy.
The look: Naturally tousled hair
Best for: Short or spiked hair
How to use it: Apply to the tips of your hair and style to your preference.
The look: Textured hair
Best for: All hair types
How to use it: To make it look thicker, apply on dry hair. Using only the lower half portion of the hair, work through the strands to give it volume.
The look: Big and bold
Best for: Medium styled to short spiked hair. "It’s also good for updos or curly styles," says Philip.
How to use it: To define curls, simply place on several strands together to achieve fuller curls.
The look: Twisted and curled