Just the right bounce: Sandy (right) styling Pwint Phyu Nyein’s hair with classic hair rollers, at her salon in George Town, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Old school plastic curlers, cold perm rods, vintage hair irons and time-worn leather chairs.
These hairstyling tools and equipment evoke a simpler era.
Yet, these hairstylists have remained for decades and still deliver results on par with today’s sleek, modern salons and at a reasonable price.
Hairstylist Lim Poh See, 68, who has been in the business since 1973, continues to use the same tools, and she said they work perfectly and deliver great results.
“My customers are regulars. They know I do not have fancy equipment, but it does just as good a job as the new, swanky salons,” she said when met at her shop here.
Poh See, who received hairdressing training in Singapore and Thailand, uses those skills to perm, dye, straighten and style her clients’ hair.
“I cut and style hair for both men and women.
“Some of my regulars have been coming here for 30 to 40 years.
“They usually come once or twice a month, either for a haircut or a special occasion hairdo. Others come for routine upkeep like dye touch-ups,” she said.
Despite many new salons operating, Poh See said many customers still choose her outlet for the convenience and value.
“People still come to my place because they don’t need an appointment and the price is affordable,” she said.
Poh See added that her salon is open daily, except on the first day of the Chinese New Year.
“I only charge RM15 to RM20 for a haircut, and RM50 to RM60 for hair dyeing,” she said.
Hairstylist Sandy Lim, 44, still relies on the same equipment she bought when she first opened her salon 19 years ago.
“Some of my tools are even older because I used them for practice before opening the salon.
“They are solid and reliable, unlike newer ones that tend to break easily. Even my customers prefer these older tools because they like the results,” she said.
Sandy said her regular customers feel at home, knowing exactly who is going to do their hair, not a random stylist like in bigger salons.
“I have built a strong rapport with them, and that familiarity makes them feel safe,” she added.
Many of her customers are from families living in the nearby housing area.
“Often, they come together and hang out while I do their hair.
“They are regulars, and many of them are average earners.
“It makes me happy knowing they can afford to come as a family and get their hair done,” Sandy said, adding that she charges RM15 to RM20 for a hair wash and cut.
