Job Discussion Forums

AussieChick · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Posts: 5

Hi all,
I'm planning on traveling to Matsumoto in Nagano-ken quite soon. My hair is currently blonde (unaturally, of course!), which I really quite like. I hate to sound like a bimbo, but is it relatively easy to find good hairdresser who would be able to dye my hair regularly in Japan?
Thanks! Very Happy

Stella · Joined: 22 Mar 2003 Posts: 17 Location: Japan

Sherri · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2003 2:26 am Post subject:

You can have it done in Tokyo, especially at the hairdressers around the Hiroo, Azabu, Harajuku areas but it costs a fortune, esp if you have your roots done every 4-6 weeks. What I do is bring over my own whenever I go abroad to the USA, UK or Australia and do it myself. Miles cheaper, quicker and easier. Whenever I go to a hairdresser for a cut, even at Trevor Sorbie in London, they tell me that the colour looks great and that they probably couldn't do better (I use Clairol Nice and Easy). Of course if you want highlights or something more complicated, then you will have to see a hairdresser.

DON'T just go to a local hairdresser, Stella is right, their products are not made for gaijin hair and you will regret it!

ryuro · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 91

DON'T DO IT!!!

Heed the warnings from the others on this board. This may be wierd coming from a guy, but I also often had my hair dyed blond and when I lived in Tokyo I shelled out a small fortune at one the best, most reputable places in the city and they still f@#$ed it up.

I was lucky enough to find an Aussie lass who styled hair on the side and she did a great job at a fraction of the price.

Now if I ever get the urge to change the color, I usually wait until I'm away on vacation somewhere.

Strange that a country as advanced as Japan can't handle "gaijin hair", yet other Asian places like Thaliand and Hong Kong have no problems- so good luck.

Cheers,
ryuro

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

There's a product called "Men's Hard Bleach" that works the best of all the commercially available dyes/bleaches. You can definitely find it at stores in the Kanto area with the other mens' products.

Felix · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 34

Here in Taiwan my girlfriend got her hair died blond and it came out fine - UNTIL she tried to die it back to brown. The brown (her natural color) didn't stick and washed out after about a week. The blond die, geared for asian hair I suppose, must have filled her hair to capacity. So, if you go blond you may have to stay that way - unless you want to let it grow out.

AussieChick · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Posts: 5

Thanks guys, it looks like it's back to brown for me! Very Happy

Aqua78 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Posts: 19 Location: St. Paul, MN

I'm going to cry. I love my fake blonde hair. It needs to be highlighted with a certain type of bleach - bottled dye makes it look horrible. I guess I'll get it done right before I leave home, and then... Crying or Very sad

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Standard warnings and disclaimers aside, I've been notified by several female ex-pat friends that a recent phenomenon in the town we live, has been an increase in the number of signs in front of the shops indicating that they specialize in gaijin hair.... I haven't seen this myself yet, but I suspect the growing number of foreigners around here combined with the economic slump has prompted some businesses to try a new strategy.

Whether this is true or not, and whether they will be able to do your hair as per your liking, I dunno. But I DO know that it's possible to find a good hairdresser -- I have and he did fantastic work with my cut & style!

Good luck! Smile

As Das Fads · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 44

I have yet to find a hairdresser in Ibaraki that hasn't farked my hair completely when all I want is a cut. I've tried taking in pictures, taking a Japanese friend, everything, but still they insist on the bloody feathering look that every Japanese woman has. My first experience with a hairdresser here, the stylist asked "do you wear your hair backwards or forwards"?....I should have walked out then and there....

Just out of interest has anyone had their hair straightened? Straight Perm I mean, in Japan (yes i know, it should be Parm Wink

)

Stella · Joined: 22 Mar 2003 Posts: 17 Location: Japan

locagrl814 · Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 58

Yeah I would also like to know about anyone's straight perm experience. I think I'll have my hair straightend in Japan. I'm tired of blowdrying my hair every single day!