He excitedly welcomes us by the entrance. Dressed in white from head to toe, he’s every bit the image of a hotshot hairstylist and style icon: tall, sleek and hip.
“Hello, I’m Laurent,” he offers a handshake. “Let me show you guys around.”
It’s been a while since I last met with him, yet every encounter always feels new, and his warm offer of coffee is quite disarming. Inside the bright and spacious confines of his new home, the L1H2 by Révage salon/clinic, there is no doubt that Hebert is in his element.
After doing one makeover after another over the past nine years in the country, Hebert exudes a sense of comfort with the demographic he has lovingly dedicated his craft to. The new salon, warm and inviting, reflects his renewed vision and thrust for the business—positive and personalized.
Starting his own business proved to be an eye-opener for Hebert.
“First comes your friends. I didn’t expect loyalty and a generous outpouring of support from them,” he recalls. His whirlwind transition to going solo climaxed just a few months back and, by the beginning of February, he was in business. “I was personally moved because, when people believe in you, they want you to go on,” he adds.
Life project
Hebert’s comeback required a name for his new “life project.”
“I wanted to have my name on it and at the same time reflect science. I thought of putting my initials and making it sound like a chemical formula. So I added subscripts and came up with ‘L1H2,’” he shares.
“L1H2 by Révage; ‘Révage’ is a word that evokes a French spirit, an aggressive, on-the-go oomph factor,” he explains.
Not so long ago, Révage: The Science of Youth stood alone as a clinic specializing in aesthetic dermatology. Managed by husband-and-wife tandem Dr. Dino Pastor and Dr. Iris Shelly Tagud-Pastor, the business now adds hair and color to its many offerings.
We had an immediate feeling of lightness as we continued into the salon. A hall divides the hair section, Hebert’s, and the skin section, Pastor’s, so you clearly see two completely complementary worlds.
We reach the hall and end up at the Color Room, Hebert’s favorite place in the salon.
“This is where my customers relax and talk. I’ve noticed they wanted it more private, where they could be themselves and voice out their ideas,” he narrates. “You see, this is where I store all products. This is where I make them see and understand the process.”
In the next hour, Hebert shares what the business meant for him and his new lease on life.
“I care about my customers. This is a project of friends. They come here to celebrate friendship and beauty, as well. That’s why I make them feel at home. This is giving back for the bond throughout these years,” he begins.
He then emphasizes the value of exclusivity, as seen in his transparent method of consultations, to establish trust.
“Doing hair is not only a practice. It is an understanding between your fantasy and the reality, that’s my motto,” he reveals.
So far this philosophy has been the foundation of Hebert’s take on the business. “I prefer to lose a customer than to put her at risk,” he states.
Though L1H1 uses purely organic products, setting customer expectations has been the key.
Working with Eric Real, his longtime assistant; Jessica Lagos, his HR; and Dr. Iris, his business partner and co-owner, the future looks brighter for Hebert. He’s on a mission to uplift and give back to the beauty industry, but he plans to take things one day at a time.
As more friends and their referrals experience L1H2 by Révage, Hebert remains grounded and grateful. “I’m now on my own,” he ponders. But the power of friendship made all the difference. “It’s time,” he concludes.
L1H2 by Révage is located at Unit 3D, 3/F, Seibu Tower, 24th Street, BGC. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Follow him on Instagram: @l1h2byrevage.