Cheer Factor: Nikki finds some friends are worth being loyal to

NIKKI Gil with friend Vicky Sumbillo: A lasting parnership.

Nikki Gil was 7 years old when she first met Vicky Sumbillo, who regularly came by for the entire family’s hair care home service.

When Vicky put up South Salon in BF Homes, the Gils were among her first regular clients. Show biz had not even found Nikki at the time. The salon branched out to Westgate Tower in Ayala Alabang, and the family turned up there, too, if only to show support for Vicky and her husband Henry, who had become their close friends.

CHRISTOPHER de Leon

Vicky says Nikki loves coloring her hair, especially in a deep ash brown. And because, in her job, the singer-actress is exposed daily to hot spotlights or direct sun, and routinely use shampoos, hair dryers, sprays, gels and other chemicals, she has to come in frequently for what is called a build-up remover treatment. That is to say, when she visits the salon, Nikki is prepared to spend serious time. Thus her locks, despite all that “abuse,” remains smooth, shiny and bouncy.

Durability treatments are required as well, including one that restores natural oils. “Pampering” is how she calls her hair regimen, an overused term, to be sure, but she insists it’s the most accurate.

Nikki has been wearing hair extensions of late, Vicky reveals: “She’s trimmed her hair a little short, just to give it a break. But when she needs it long for a certain style or occasion, she gets the extensions.”

TIRSO Cruz III

Once weekly, on Saturdays, South Salon stylists visit ABS-CBN from Alabang, or from Vicky’s new branch in A Venue on Makati Avenue in Makati City, to do Nikki’s hair for the weekly show “E Live!” or other TV guestings. The branch will be formally inaugurated on Tuesday, September 20.

Henry, meanwhile, has been Christopher de Leon’s hair stylist of choice for years as well. The actor is said to visit regularly, because his preferred look is clean and young.

Other South Salon celebrity clients include Tirso Cruz III, Verni Varga, Boy2 Quizon and Senator Pia Cayetano.