A few weeks ago, I was invited by the lovely people at L’oreal Professionnel for a Steampod experience at Albert Nico. I admit that I said “yes” to the invitation faster than you can say “Steampod”. I get my hair rebonded every 3 months because it becomes unmanageable if there’s no straightening.
The media were given a glimpse of Steampod at the launch of Albert Nico’s book, “When Dreams Come True” last month. To recap, Steampod uses continuous high steam pressure unlike the conventional flat iron which uses heat to smoothen and straighten hair.
X-Tenso Care range
Steampod is used with L’oreal Professionnel Straight Care (X-Tenso Care) platform and specially designed vapo-activated styling products which promise longer lasting smoothing results, deep reparation, exceptional smoothness and shine, sealing ends and up to 2x faster service in the salon.
It’s not just about straightening or Steambond as Steampod offers more than that. It can also be used for Steamcare Service which is a hair fibre treatment/reparation service with X-Tenso Pro-Keratin Care for smoother and mirror shine hair. The Steamcare Service can be done for all hair types or as a follow-up treatment 1 month after the Steambond Service. It takes about 1.5 hours for the Steambond Service (depending on hair length).
Steampod definitely doesn’t look like the average rebonding tool. For one thing, it is bigger and broader and there are outlets along the device where the steam comes out. It’s really a very innovative product as it took 5 years of research and development, a joint effort between L’oreal Professionnel and Rowenta.
Steampod Products
The Steampod products correspond to different levels of hair sensitization or hair damage. There are 2 Replenishing Smoothing Creams and 1 Serum. These Creams are used for the straightening process and have been formulated specifically for the Steampod so you can’t purchase and take them home unless you have a Steampod. One of the Creams is for Normal to Low Sensitized hair while the other is for Sensitized to Very Sensitized hair.
Before the process
Although I’d gone for conventional rebonding less than 3 months ago, my hair was already looking frizzy. Actually, it takes a matter of weeks before my hair starts looking like it needs another rebonding session but I try not to go too often as I know that constant and relentless rebonding will exacerbate hair damage and make my hair even more dry than it already is.
My main hairstylist for the Steampod session was Oscar who was assisted by Keith for some parts of the process. The straightening was only going to be a few inches from my hair roots as the rest of my hair wasn’t so in need of straigthening.
The process began with the 2 stylists spraying an ultra-protective pre-treatment on the parts of the hair which would be treated. This was the first of many products which would be used including the X-Tenso Moisturist (Smoothing Cream), the Steampod Vapo-Activated products and the X-Tenso Care Platform which promotes straight, smooth, shiny hair and replenishes loss of keratine through chemical products and exposure to UV rays.
None of the products used on my hair throughout the process smelt overly chemical. I’d say that on the whole, they were actually rather pleasant. The entire process was the least unpleasant and painful rebonding session I have ever endured. In fact, I hardly noticed the time passing. It could have been due to the gentle pulling of my hair with the Steampod. Unlike the conventional straightening iron where I can feel the heat when it gets too close to my ears, I didn’t feel much heat with the Steampod and there was hardly any pressure on my hair when Oscar was using the Steampod. Sure, I could feel the tension as my hair was being pulled but there wasn’t that “ouch” factor which is present in all my previous conventional rebonding sessions.
Of course, it also helps to forget that you are in the middle of what is a tedious process for the stylists when the salon owner is as genial and personable as Albert Nico. Despite his busy schedule, he is extremely hands-on and greets every single customer who walks into the salon, whether they are famous personalities or not and whether he is personally attending to them or not. I have never met a top stylist as friendly, garrulous and down-to-earth as Albert Nico. During my 4 hours in his salon, I actually felt quite at home especially when he asked me what I’d like to order for my lunch from Pappa Rich. Yes, he doesn’t even send one of his staff to ask. Not only does he obviously has the skills that have put him at the top of his profession, his people skills amaze me.
As with all rebonding sessions, a mask is used during the Steampod process and in this case, it is from the X-Tenso Care Platform. The Steampod Replenishing Smoothing Cream used on my hair was the normal-sensitized one as my hair isn’t that damaged (thankfully!). This was applied after the final rinse and didn’t need to be washed out.
After blow drying, the Steampod is used the 2nd and final time. The Steampod Protective Smoothing Serum is used before and after the Steampod. After all my previous rebonding sessions, I have never seen the shine as I’ve seen in my hair after the Steampod session. Not only was my hair straighter (for that is a given), it had a shine and hydration that has always been lacking in my conventional rebonding sessions.
After the process
With Oscar
With the Maestro, Mr. Albert Nico
Overall, I enjoyed this rebonding session immensely mainly because it was a relatively pain-free experience and besides, who wouldn’t look good when they’ve come out of Albert Nico’s salon? Steampod services will be available at selected L’oreal Professionnel Salons from October 2012. The price of the services has yet to be confirmed/determined but it will be pricier than conventional rebonding/treatments because of the technology involved not to mention the top-grade quality of the products used during the process.
Thanks to L’oreal Professionnel Malaysia and Albert Nico for the Steampod experience.
what price for steampod experience?
At the time of my treatment, they hadn’t set the price yet. Prices would depend on hair length too. If you’d like an estimate, please contact info@albertnico.com or call 03-2141 3807.
Hi there, I wonder how is your hair’s condition now after 5 months?
– Is it still smooth/manageable or limp/static/frizzy?
– Do you still need to rebond your hair every 3 months now?
– Lastly, do you feel that you lost less significant of hair after steampod?
After reading your review I’m thinking of giving steampod a try instead of volume rebonding.
Hi
1. My hair has natural curls so I have to go for rebonding every 3 months or so. I have undergone conventional rebonding (not Steampod) in November 2012. The Steampod session in August was good in that my hair didn’t feel dry/limp/static/frizzy. My hair only starts getting unmanageable when it grows longer because the growth makes the top part of the hair look too thick and unsightly.
2. Yes, because of the reason stated above, I do have to rebond every 3 months but like conventional rebonding, Steampod process can be done on the part of hair where you need it most and doesn’t have to be on entire length of hair.
3. No, there has been no significant loss of hair after Steampod.
If you do go for it, do please let me know your experience. Thanks for your questions!
Thanks for your fast reply.
Mind if I ask why you would you continue to choose conventional rebonding over the Steampod?
As you stated steampod gave you a better result and satisfaction.
Good question. Cost factor. My hair is past shoulder length and even though I would only get half the length (from roots onwards) Steampod-ed, it’d still cost more than double what I pay for conventional rebonding. Depends on one’s budget – because I have to go so frequently, my budget doesn’t allow for the indulgence of Steampod sessions.