Narrow Bangs Can Make Your Face Look Bigger — The Importance of Balance and Contrast When cutting hair, it’s important not just to shape the hair itself, but to consider how you want to present yourself through that style. Do you want to make your neck look slimmer? Make your face look smaller? Appear more youthful? As a hairstylist, I believe my role is to design styles tailored to each person’s specific goals. Common Mistakes When Trying to Make the Face Look Smaller One style I often see around town is where people make their bangs extremely narrow and cover the sides of their face with hair in an effort […]

This Is the Technique I’m Not Good At — And Why I Choose to Say It Out Loud Many hairstylists promote the areas they excel in. On social media and websites, they highlight statements like “I specialize in this technique” or “This is my area of expertise,” emphasizing the advantages for potential clients. Of course, that’s an important part of attracting new clients. But can clients truly trust information that only lists what someone can do? I actually believe it’s more important to be honest about what I can’t do. Why Do I Talk About What I Can’t Do? People tend to care more about avoiding loss than gaining something. […]

Turn Everything Into My Work. Turn Everything Into My Way of Life. In our everyday lives, we receive countless services. Shopping at the supermarket, dining at a restaurant, getting treated at a hospital, having our hair done at a salon, getting the car repaired, getting a massage… These days, many things can be done entirely online, but we still often visit stores and interact with people face-to-face. And in those moments, we always connect with “people.” For better or worse, we experience all kinds of things. Turning Both Good and Bad Experiences Into Fuel Sometimes we encounter incredibly kind and pleasant service, while other times, we might deal with poor […]

Brighten Your Gray Hair ― A One-of-a-Kind Highlight Just for You We humans carry many clues to beauty that we find in nature. When we gaze at the green of forests or the blue of the sea, we feel calm—that’s instinctive. Because we’ve spent so much time coexisting with nature, we find comfort and beauty in its shapes and colors. Gray Hair as a Canvas to Enjoy Color, Not a Negative When people start to notice gray hair, many think negatively: “I want to hide it,” or “Does this make me look old?” But here’s how I see it: Gray hair is a canvas that can be any color. Imagine […]

Why Do People Who Enjoy Being Themselves Look So Attractive? People who enjoy bold hairstyles or fashion often radiate a sense of richness in spirit. And surprisingly, those who appear “ordinary” sometimes seem a bit more reserved. This is something I occasionally notice after meeting many people as a hairdresser. Those who express themselves are enjoying life Vivid hair colors, extremely short cuts, daring super long styles… People who choose what may look “flashy” often give the impression of being confident and truly enjoying life. They are not doing it because it’s “eccentric,” but because they honestly want to express, “This is what I want.” In that attitude, I sense […]

I No Longer Just Sell Hairstyles Being a hairdresser is often seen as a job where the goal is simply to cut and style hair. But I’ve chosen not to stop there. Because what clients are truly seeking at a salon isn’t just a “hairstyle.” The Concept of Limitless Added Value Even with the same cut or color, the value felt can vary greatly from person to person. People who want to relax in a calm salon space Those who want to chat and talk about work, family, or relationships Clients who wish to spend time quietly and reflect without interruptions Guests who want to enjoy a delicious drink Each […]

A Commitment in Life: Always Being Home When My Child Comes Back ⸻ “What kind of personal commitment do you have?” Work, family, hobbies, play… it can be anything. Everyone surely has some kind of core value that they just cannot compromise on. My own commitment this time is not about my work as a hairdresser, but about my family. It is to always be home when my child comes back from school. And to also be there in the mornings to take them to school and pick them up. This is time that cannot be bought with money, and moments that cannot be regained later. Children grow day by […]

No One’s Face Is Perfectly Symmetrical — What Nature Teaches Us About the Essence of Hair Design No human face is perfectly symmetrical. The height of the eyes, the shape of the nose, the lift of the mouth corners, the jawline, and the skull structure — everything is slightly different from side to side. In the world of hairdressing, being able to cut hair symmetrically is often considered a skill. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it suits the person. If you cut hair to be perfectly even like on a mannequin or wig, it can actually end up looking unnatural. Asymmetry Creates What Truly “Suits You” What I focus on […]

The Richness of Japanese Nature Through the Eyes of Someone Who Lived Abroad I spent many years working in the heart of London. Both Japan and the UK have their strengths and areas for improvement. This isn’t about which is better overall, but today I want to talk about “nature.” Japan is an incredibly nature-rich country by global standards. It has four seasons, forests, rivers, oceans, and lives in harmony with beautiful flowing water. If you live abroad and visit Japan, I highly recommend not only exploring major cities like Tokyo or Osaka, but also taking time to enjoy its natural beauty. The changing seasons, the clear air and abundant […]

What Makes a Hairstyle Stylish? What exactly is a “stylish hairstyle”? You can mimic trendy styles, celebrity hair colors, perms, or straightening you see on social media or in magazines. But I believe that alone doesn’t make it truly stylish. The “Intention” Behind a Hairstyle To me, a stylish hairstyle is one that makes others think, “That person’s hair looks great.” It’s not just about being well-groomed. It’s about having a clear reason behind the look: “This is who I am, and that’s why I wear this hairstyle.” “This is how I want to live, and this is how I express it.” That’s what I mean by a hairstyle with […]