When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do:The Art of Acceptance I Learned in London and How It Shapes My Hair Design Philosophy

There is a saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Whenever I hear this, it reminds me of my life in London.

I missed Japanese food so much that I tried desperately to find the ingredients, or paid a fairly high price to eat at Japanese restaurants. But no matter how hard I tried, it never became “that taste.” The flavor was different, the atmosphere was different—something just felt off.

This wasn’t about money. It was because I was forcing something into my life that simply didn’t belong to that environment.

It wasn’t just food—your lifestyle, fashion, even the type of housing—all the same.

Things that match the local environment feel more natural, easier to live with, and less stressful.

This understanding actually applies directly to choosing a hairstyle.

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■ You don’t need to become “someone else’s material”

For example, someone with naturally curly hair saying, “I hate it unless it’s completely straight,” and getting a full straightening treatment.

A person with naturally fine or thin hair desperately demanding a hairstyle that makes it look much thicker.

Or someone with a lot of hair wanting an extremely “light and thin-looking” style.

I completely understand the feeling, but when you go too far from your natural material, it starts to look unnatural.

And more than anything, it hides “your natural charm.”

When I was in London, I worked with every kind of hair texture every day.

African, Asian, European… the textures were completely different.

So, for example, forcing a “Japanese silky straight” look onto everyone simply doesn’t work.

Hair—just like personality—becomes a source of insecurity when you deny what you naturally have.

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■ A 5:5 balance between natural features and insecurities is ideal

From my experience,
“The ratio between embracing your natural features and hiding your insecurities” is most natural when it’s about 5:5.

For example…

• • Natural features 4 : Insecurities 6
  → Approaches the kind of “unnaturalness” you see with excessive cosmetic surgery
• • Natural features 5 : Insecurities 5
  → Balanced, effortless, and natural
• • Natural features 10 : Insecurities 0
  → Extremely unique and fully expresses who you are

Of course, there’s no need to make insecurities zero.

But your “natural material” is something you should value.

Hair texture, skin tone, bone structure, facial features, atmosphere—

These are the materials that make you who you are.

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■ “Reversible treatments” preserve natural beauty

If you really want to make a change,
choosing a reversible design is the key.

• • Semi-permanent straightening
• • Not-too-strong perms
• • Colors that do not disrupt your skin tone
• • Highlights without bleach that blend with your natural hair

These kinds of “reversible designs” don’t destroy your natural material.

And they enhance your charm in a natural way.

Especially highlights without bleach,

they allow you to “keep your natural hair while just changing the vibe.”

It’s an extremely compatible method.

You don’t need to force yourself to become someone else.

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■ What fits the environment, you, and your hair texture makes life easier

When I lived in London, the more I embraced the local food, lifestyle, and culture, the easier things became.

Hair is the same—the more you accept your natural material, the easier it is to handle and the more beautiful it looks.

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”
isn’t simply about conformity.

It’s about this very natural principle:

“Choosing what fits your environment and who you are makes life easier.”

And the ability to accept your natural material—

is far more powerful in making you beautiful than trying to erase your insecurities.

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■ Finally: Your “material” is not a flaw, but an asset

Whether you have thinning hair or white hair, a lot of hair or very little,

whether your skin is light or dark,

whether your face is round or sharp,

all of these are part of your individuality.

By not denying them, and bringing the balance back to “5,”

your natural charm will always shine through.

As a hairdresser, my work is not

“to force drastic changes,”

but to design your look in a way that makes your natural material look its most beautiful.