What Only an International Hairdresser Can Do — Designing Beyond the Hair, Into Each Client’s Background.
When you hear the words “international hairdresser,” what image comes to mind?
Glamorous fashion? The latest trends?
Or the ability to handle all kinds of hair types with skill?
All of those are true, but I believe the true value of being an international hairdresser goes deeper.
It lies in language, technique, sensibility — and the ability to read each client’s background.
1. Language — The Skill That Connects Hearts
I’ve worked in Tokyo and London, serving clients from all over the world.
Switching between English and Japanese has taught me that language is more than just a tool.
For example, when a client says, “I want to feel fresh,” the meaning changes depending on the culture.
In Japan, it might mean “light and clean.”
In London, it could mean “bold and new.”
Understanding the feeling behind the words —
that’s the first skill an international hairdresser needs.
2. Technique and Sensibility Are Shaped by Culture
Even with the same short hairstyle, the idea of what “looks good” differs by country.
In London, natural curls or uneven textures are appreciated as “charming.”
In Japan, balance and cleanliness tend to be valued more.
What I learned most abroad was the beauty of imperfection.
Being a hairdresser isn’t just about cutting or perming well.
It’s about designing a style that includes a person’s lifestyle and values.
My experiences around the world have expanded that sense of beauty within me.
3. Service — Designing Each Client’s Background
No matter where a client is from, the most important thing at the start is understanding.
“Why do they want this hairstyle?”
“How do they feel today?”
Sensing that background can be more important than the design itself.
Cultural expectations also differ.
Overseas clients often ask for professional opinions, while Japanese clients usually want their vision reproduced faithfully.
But what I value most is neither —
it’s to first “accept.”
Regardless of nationality, hair type, or culture,
I start by accepting how each person thinks and feels.
Only then can we truly find the hairstyle that suits them best.
What Makes an International Hairdresser Unique
Of course, it’s great to speak English or follow global trends.
But the greatest value of international experience is knowing that beauty takes many forms.
It’s okay to be imperfect.
It’s okay to be different.
The hairstyle that feels right to you — that’s what truly suits you.
Wherever you are in the world, people seek the same thing: to live as themselves.
My job as a hairdresser is to help make that possible through hair.
Summary
The strengths of an international hairdresser:
- The ability to understand feelings beyond language
- Global sensibility and flexible design skills
- Communication that reads each client’s background
It’s not only about technique, but also about sensibility and humanity.
Those three elements together make a truly “international” hairdresser.
