Yuko by Oliver Daminar at Urban Retreat
Oliver Daminar is arguably the UK’s most skilled hair straightener. His system of choice – Yuko, a Japanese method that’s adored by all who’ve tried it – is extremely popular, due to the fact that, unlike most straightening systems, this one conditions hair.
Yuko was invented by a Japanese hairdresser and is now a household name in Japan. The brand is shrouded in mystery, as the protein formula is said to undergo a special electromagnetic process that gives its molecules more penetration power.
Regular high street straightening is very damaging. Alkaline solution is applied before endless combing makes hair lie flat before a neutralising fluid is applied. Perming uses the same chemical, but instead of being combed, hair is curled. The effect lasts up to for two months.
The Yuko process is similar but the difference is that after the solution is applied, hair is covered in a protein mixture of milk, silk and keratin, which is then ironed over. This protein mixture fills in the bonds broken by the perm solution and is sealed into the shaft by the heat, resulting in very soft, very shiny, poker straight hair. The results last between 3 months and 1 year.
Daminar was trained in Japan, before doing extensive research on European hair to enable the company to bring the system here. He opened salons in Los Angeles and London, before travelling around the UK as Head Yuko Trainer. Today he is based at Urban Retreat at Harrods. Short Hair £260 Medium Hair £300 Long Hair £360
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