Treat yourself to a fresh start
by Arina Kuznetsova
What better time than the New Year to update your image, change your style, or give your body a wholesome treat. For many of us in Japan, it’s a challenge to find an aesthetic salon that can be trusted, and an amazing hairdresser who knows exactly how to match your color or find you a style that will meet the latest trends in hair fashion which, most importantly, suit you. Look no further! Here are some of the most amazing Tokyo salons that welcome foreigners and offer supreme services.
The recently opened Resplendir, in fashionable Aoyama, is an undiscovered oasis providing complete satisfaction from top to toe. The first floor of this spacious three-story building houses a manicure salon offering superb nail care and creative nail art design, a hair salon managed by Toshi Oguma who has eight years of experience working for the most prestigious hair salons in England, and a cosmetics counter, where professional artists not only beautify you for any occasion, but also offer advice on the latest makeup styles and trends.
The second floor offers aesthetics for men ranging from hair cuts to facials, patented technology for thorough ear cleaning and reflexology massage in stylish Japanese, Balinese, and Scandinavian-style rooms, as well as a VIP room.
However, it’s the mysterious basement that really sets this place apart from the rest. Once a month, water from Israel’s Dead Sea is brought exclusively to Resplendir for the highly developed real Dead Sea Spa. A 15-minute session not only medicinally treats your body with its high mineral composition, but also eliminates 1,000 calories. There are numerous courses to indulge in such as: detox, cellulite care, a special facial course, and a tent sauna releasing the steam of 11 herbs. A three-month pre-wedding plan, and half/full-day spa courses are also available.
Aoyama is also home to Hayato New York, a salon highly qualified in foreign hairdressing. Practicing the concept of harmony between external and internal beauty, Hayato strives for the individual expression of every customer while keeping the style as simple and natural as possible. Hayato uses Redken hair products, imported directly from New York, which unlike the heavier dyes found in Japan, are much kinder to foreign hair. All of the staff are proficient in English and have been trained in Hayato’s original shop on East 23 rd Street between Park and Lexington Avenue in New York. The owner, Hayato, flies to his salon in New York every month, bringing back the latest touches of New York style. His cutting and coloring techniques make the salon famous not only among expatriates in Tokyo but also among natives of New York and London. (The London shop will be open next month). Hayato was the first salon I have visited in Japan that was capable of taming my naturally curly hair, leaving me completely satisfied. The special service Shiatsu massage with every cut, perm, and color gives you deep relaxation and eases all tension in seconds. The salon has an art gallery, which exhibits collections by young international artists every month and also offers accommodation in its two members’ resorts in Izu and Yuzawa (Nakazato). Why not take advantage of Hayato’s ten percent discount to all Weekender readers on their first visit?
Last but not least, I would like to introduce my latest discovery, an award winner in the UK for best avant-garde hairdresser of the year 2003, Roberto Perozzi. Having worked with Trevor Sorbie for six years in his London salon and assisting on fashion shows for Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Dior, Fake London, Moschino, and many others, Roberto is now working in Tokyo dedicating 100 percent of his time to session work and private clients. For those who like to experiment and stay up-to-date with fashion, there really is no better match. Roberto is very passionate about hair and will create a unique and unforgettable look for you.
Resplendir — Tel. 03-5466-6887
5-3-20 Minami Aoyaima, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
www.resplendir.jp
Hayato NY — Tel. 03-3498-9113
3F 5-9-3 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
www.hayatosalons.com
Roberto Perozzi — Tel. 090-482S-1 704
robertoperozzi.blogspot.com
