Celebrated hairdresser Saisuda Chuaviwat showered more than 300 salon owners from 10 Asian countries with inspiration at a recent show in Phuket, debuting her "Rare Species" collection. 

With more than 30 years' experience, Saisuda is at the forefront of her field. She's been the primary ambassador for L'Oreal Professionnel Paris in Thailand since 2003.

The "Belle de Nuit" show - held during the first L'Oreal Professionnel Asia Business Forum - was presented in the haute-couture style made famous by Alexandre de Paris, where Saisuda trained in September.

There, she learned about the latest trends in hair colouring, which tend to explore the beauty of the night, hence the show's title - and that of Saisuda's new range.

"The more we search for rare species, the more valuable and special qualities we find," she says, "and in this case I was inspired by the beauty of exceptional species of birds and snakes."

The new colour trends are darker, in green, purple and black, but Saisuda only used them as a starting point for her inspiration.

She delved into Thai mythology about garuda and naga and came up with thrilling results.

Having travelled the world, Saisuda is proud to report that Thais are the most trusting clients she's ever found, the most amenable to fresh ideas.

"I'm glad that Thais are willing to try out new hairstyles and colours. My Italian hairdresser friends feel jealous of me!" she laughs. "And there are more customers all the time who are willing to experiment."

Thailand has an estimated 50,000 hair salons, and Saisuda trained many of their stylists. To beginners, she recommends patience - you need at least three years to become a good hairdresser, she says.

"The downside of Thai hairdressers is that they tend to be quite hasty. They only want to study for short period of time and then they expect to be really good at it, which is impossible.

"In fact, the better the hairdresser they want to be, the more time they should give themselves to learn - two years for the course work and a year's experience in a real salon."

Asked often by younger hairdressers how they might reach her pinnacle, Saisuda warns that it's not easy, but says the most important quality is perseverance - times 10.

"The young generation tends to give up too easily," she says. "When I'm creating a new hairdo, if I can't get it the first time, I'll redo it again and again.

"I might eventually have to admit I can't do it, but normally by the third try I can. People often get worn out just before they reach their goal. I wish they'd just keep trying, because they might not realise that they've almost reached it."

What does Saisuda say to people who style their own hair at home, only to find that it looks nothing like a salon creation? They have to keep in mind, she says, that a professional stylist knows what to do with the natural state of hair.

"To me, beauty is about imperfection. I won't buy flowers that have identical petals - that would be 'plastic'. Likewise, if your hair is straight, you should keep it that way, maybe add a layer. If your hair is cu rly, just try to organise the curls neatly."

The ultimate Saisuda tip, though, is the definition of simplicity. After washing your hair, wrap it in a towel. Then put on your makeup, get dressed, do whatever else you need to do.

By the time you're through, your hair will be almost dry, so apply any finishing products you like.

Done.

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation