Goldilocks in Japan

It`s that time of year again. No, not when seasonal allergies erupt in full (I, for one, haven`t been able to wear make-up in days), and not when you find yourself trudging around in your winter coat amidst hoards of weather savy pastel-coat attired Japanese (that would have been me, yesterday, 4pm). The split ends are unavoidable, the roots are showing, and we can`t put it off any longer–we must get our hair cut.

The problem is, as my hair is as stubbornly Western as the rest of us, I require a special kind of hairdresser.

The Japanese are blessed with incredible hair: it is thick, has natural volume, and it is straight but can hold curl. However, it is very very black and coarse. So, most styles that they pull of effortlessly with minimal hairspray would collapse on my head, yet the chemicals they use to dye would do all kinds of assorted evilness to my locks.

I should add that as a foreign women, I have an additional problem: the desire to be thought beautiful. It is not a difficult feat in this country, where even if they vehemently disagree with that assessment, they will still smile and tell you that you are very very cute to your face. However, the Japanese go gaga for blonde hair. It is a proven fact that if 3 foreign women go out, the one with the blondest hair will get the most attention, regardless if she`s fat or if the dye job is a mess. This is also the same case for men and I seriously know more than a few who have gone blonde to increase their appeal with the locals.  

So, at times, I`ll admit it: I want to make my “golden” hair (a polite term for darker blonde) champagne blonde and bask in the subsequent attention. But, I am not sure it is worth it. I am as vain as the next girl, but I feel like to change my hair merely to grab more attention would be shallow, even for me. Thus, I will not indulge that craving–after all, my sparkling personality is enough to make up for my lack of glimmering flaxen hair. At least, this is what I`ll repeat to myself as a mantra as yet another light blonde friend is lapping up free drinks as I am shelling out 750 yen for a chuhai.

ANYWAY, in terms of a haircut, my biggest piece of advice is  please do not just “walk-in” for a cheap cut at a local salon. If you want a trim, that`s fine, but if you want to actually change something, go to someone who is a specialist with Western hair. I know, I know, you were low maintenance in your home countries and never paid more than $30 a pop, but unless you want hoards of students/coworkers/friends pointing out the unfortunate results of your attempt to save money, you really have to do a little bit of research and be prepared to pay a little more money than usual.

How much money, you ask? In my experience, under 10,000 man ($100) but over 3000 yen ($3o). Honestly–cut out the club cover for one week if you must–this money is well worth the investment. It is more expensive for a dye, but once again, let me stress there would be a very high chance that if you go to a usual salon, your hair will turn orange.

Now, how to get the hair cut? First of all, make a reservation. If you know Japanese, then use it. If you don`t, then that`s fine too, but I should add that if the hairdresser can`t speak English, then they probably didn`t study overseas and you don`t want them touching your hair. However, most hair salons have three options: cut (kutto), color (kara) and perm (pama). Sound familiar? Recently, straight perms are popular too. Next,  as you hopefully know your days of the week, times, , and how to ask how much something costs, that`s pretty much all you need for a stress-free reservation.

What else? I strongly recommend bringing a picture of you with your ideal haircut or a model with a similar haircut. However, if you don`t have one, then here are a few relatively simple phrases which can convey what you want (although let me emphasize again that if he/she doesn`t speak English, you should be a little worried):

—- o kittekudasai
Can please cut my —-?

—- wa so no mama de ii desu.
Can you please leave this as is?

—-o kudasai/ —-de onegaishimasu (like ordering beer!)
I would like —-

In my experience, they take longer than foreign hairdressers (don`t squeeze in a cut before work) and usually massage you during the shampoo, which includes putting a steaming towel over your face and pummeling your back. It is nice, if you aren`t claustrophobic and prone to anxiety attacks.

Finally, here is what I know about good places for haircuts throughout Japan, all who specialize in foreign hair. I hope this saves you some Googling:

Tokyo

Sin Den Tokyo: http://www.sinden.com/j/colour.html
Dude: http://www.dude.jp/
Tachibanal: http://www.hairdress-tachibana.com/p/
Shape Salon: ://www.shape-salon.com/english.
A place in Shibuya called Marcel.
Dada Cubic: http://www.dadacubic.co.jp/

Kobe

Hair Studio Billy: http://hairstudiobilly.web.fc2.com/

Fukuoka

Nakamura Biyoushitu/Nakamura’s Modern Beauty Salon (no site)

Osaka

boy: http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~boy/i/intro.html
Craive: http://www.craive.biz/

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