Seven years ago, two passionate dreamers turned on a single lightbulb — both literally and metaphorically — and lit the path for what would become one of the Philippines’ most recognized and trusted names in hair color transformation: The Color Bar.
Founded by JOF & Darwin, The Color Bar began not as a salon empire, but as an idea. A vision born out of equal parts artistry and analytics, fueled by the courage to take risks and the unwavering belief that beauty — real, empowering beauty — begins with authenticity.
For Darwin, the journey to The Color Bar was anything but conventional. After years in the corporate world building a career in business analytics, he made a leap many only dream of: starting his own business.
“Like anyone in corporate, I had that dream of creating something of my own,” Darwin shares. “Even if I didn’t have experience in the salon world — or even hair for that matter — I knew I could build something meaningful if we played to our strengths.”
And those strengths were complementary. While Darwin brought in the strategy, the numbers, and the brand-building savvy, JOF, a Paul Mitchell educated stylist with world-class hair coloring training from the U.S., brought the creative firepower — and a vision for a salon that would focus primarily on color.
At a time when most salons in the Philippines were generalists, The Color Bar made the bold move to specialize — and that became its edge.
The duo started small — a modest setup inside a condo in BGC. But what they lacked in size, they made up for with passion, precision, and purpose. Every color formula was meticulously crafted, every client treated like the first. Not too long, they opened their first branch in BGC in 2018.
Within six months, partnerships with major brands (P&G, Unilever, and MEGA Magazine) happened (drawn to the quality of work and the authenticity of their story), which became proof that maybe something is being done right. “We didn’t set out to make noise,” Darwin explains. “We just wanted to do good work and maximize what we had — every post, every review, every client mattered.”
This strategic, data-informed, heart-led approach is what has made The Color Bar not just a salon, but a lifestyle.
At the core of every transformation is JOF, The Color Bar’s Head Stylist and co-founder. With a US license in cosmetology under his belt, JOF isn’t just a stylist — he’s a color storyteller. Known for his expertise in color theory and formulation, he’s mentored aspiring stylists through The Color Bar Academy, a natural extension of the salon’s commitment to education and innovation.
JOF’s superpower lies in his ability to blend technique with intuition. Whether it’s a lived-in balayage, a bold copper revival, or an icy platinum makeover, every client sits in his chair knowing they’ll leave with something uniquely theirs.
Fast forward to 2025, and The Color Bar is thriving with three branches, a loyal community, a growing academy, and a reputation for championing individuality through color.
But like all great stories, it hasn’t always been easy. From navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic to balancing business with a personal relationship, Darwin and JOF’s journey is one of resilience and respect.
“There’s a shared passion we have,” JOF reflects. “And while that sometimes brings intensity, it also brings purpose. If the passion ever disappears, that’s when we know it’s over — but that fire is still burning strong.”That same fire is what fuels this year’s celebration: The Color Bar turns 7 — and we’re celebrating with a bold, beautiful campaign called Seven Shades of Slay.
To mark our 7th year, we’re spotlighting seven signature color stories — each one inspired by the transformations we’ve been honored to create over the years.
These Seven Shades aren’t just pigments on a chart. They’re statements. Emblems of identity. Reflections of power, softness, rebellion, elegance, and everything in between.
Throughout June, we’ll be unveiling these shades as creations brought to life by The Color Bar team – shared through stunning transformations, reels, and special client features. Think of it as our living color story — one shade, one slay at a time.
It’s a love letter to the past seven years — an ode to the craft, to our team members and to The Color Bar.
