Go for a royal star treatment with Empire Salon
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde for Empire Salon. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE
Most celebrities are particular about how they look, especially when they are out in public. During shoots and other engagements, they have a gaggle of stylists working with them for their hair, makeup and clothes. Indeed, their choice of beauty experts says a lot about them.
Trusted among the high-end clientele, the Filipino-owned Empire Salon counts several celebrities among its loyal customers. Nearly two years since opening its first branch at the ground floor of Hotel InterContinental in Makati, followed by a second at the Forum South Global in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Empire Salon has kept high standards of service and impeccable work.
The list of its famous clients include Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Philippine Prima Ballerina and art director of Ballet Manila, who now endorses the salon after a personal recommendation of her family and a close friend. Because she always graces special events, TV shows and make public appearances and pictorials as the face of Ballet Manila, Lisa has very specific need when it comes to her look.
“I usually allow my stylist and make-up artist to do their thing. I give them almost a free reign. However, if I am really uncomfortable about some suggestions (like having a haircut) then I say no. I’ve had long hair all my life. It will take me a while to decide on a big change like getting a bob,” she shares.
Singer-actress Ayen Munji-Laurel echoes Lisa’s sentiment. “I look for competence of the stylists who will do my hair and makeup. They should know, understand and respect what I want. But if they know what they are doing, I’ll respect it also,” she said.
Thankfully, Empire Salon is staffed with highly competent and London-trained stylists and technicians, who put a high premium on client trust and satisfaction.
Depending on her schedule or demands of her job, Ayen visits the salon twice a month. And while she is an artist who thrives on keeping her image fresh, she admits, “I’m very careful of changing my looks so it takes ages to reinvent (myself).” These days, she’s fond of her short hair, “for comfort and because it suits me.”
Ayen Munji-Laurel. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
It does help that the stylists at Empire Salon’s top stylists and chief makeup artists have all gone to London beauty academies for basic and advanced training and theory education, backed by hands-on training. At the salon, they each focus on their specialties to give clients undivided attention.
When it comes to salons, Ayen notes, “Guest relations should be their strength. They should be able to explain well why they would recommend a treatment or a haircut or makeup style.”
Like Ayen, most people also go to salons to relax in a quiet environment, and that only happens when they are comfortable in their surroundings. “Good thing with Empire, they have semi-private rooms,” she adds.
Cherrie Gil for Empire Salon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
These private rooms can be booked in advanced or used by walk-in guests availing of more than P5,000 worth of services. The Forum branch also has two massage rooms with Lazy Boy seats, and a nail bar.
Missy Elizalde. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Being a dancer, Missy showcases her talent through movement and expression. As such, she feels hair and makeup is “important in making an impression, and they can define how we come across in many social situations.”
Although she doesn’t wear makeup on a daily basis, she knows it helps in her career “because it completes the look and lets audience appreciate your facial expressions that complete the act.”
For her beauty sessions at the salon, she looks for “good service and friendly faces who are skilled in their work so that I am comfortable in their care.”
Empire Salon’s friendly personnel and elite professionals make people like Missy feel right at home.
Aside from Lisa, Ayen and Missy, award-winning actress Cherrie Gil , actor Luis Alandy and former MTV VJ , now actress & host Donita Rose are the royal ambassadress of Empire Salon. These are only a few of the celebrity clientele that swear by the Salon experience. Although they each believe real beauty comes from within, their choice of salon helps bring it out for the world to see.
Donita Rose for Empire Salon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
