Keep yourself looking healthy and gorgeous this winter with new hair- and skin-care goodies
By Bharti Legros
With cold and dry weather outside and overheated air indoors, your beauty regime needs even more care in winter. Just in time, Japan’s juggernaut of a beauty industry offers some seasonal treats to add to your arsenal.
*mouseover to
enlarge images
Aveda’s new Dry Remedy hair-care system is designed to moisturize even the driest, most brittle locks without weighing them down. The line includes a daily shampoo and conditioner, as well as a weekly treatment masque. All are made with a high-performance blend of pomegranate, buriti oil and palm, designed to penetrate deep into hair for maximum moisturization.
Shampoo & Conditioner: ¥2,940 each. Treatment Masque: ¥3,675. Available at Aveda: 5-5-21 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5468-5800. Open Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun & hols 10am-7pm. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.aveda.co.jp
Seacret helps rejuvenate your skin and nails with minerals found at one of the earth’s lowest points. The chemical-free Dead Sea Nail Care Collection comes with a custom-designed buffing block, nail file, nourishing cuticle oil and body lotion. Each side of the buffer has a separate function to help your nails achieve that naturally polished look. The cuticle oil softens the skin and helps prevent dryness, and the hydrating body lotion is instantly absorbed to leave skin supple and silky smooth.
Nail Care Collection: ¥4,515. Available at the Seacret kiosks inside Akasaka-Mitsuke and Shinjuku stations. www.seacretspa.co.jp
On October 31 The Body Shop debuted the Warm Amber Body Care Coffret, a lineup of five body-care cosmetics bundled up in a nifty-looking box. The collection comes with shower gel, body butter, body scrub, a bath sponge and candle, and ingredients include all-natural coconut and palm oils to give your skin a natural-looking and radiant sheen.
Warm Body Care Coffret: ¥5,565. Available at The Body Shop stores throughout Japan. www.the-body-shop.co.jp
Last but not least is The Makeup collection from Shiseido. The Silky Eye Shadow Quad lets you create the season’s en vogue chiaroscuro effect with soft rose and wood tones. The Automatic Lip Crayon is a multi-use liner and lipstick available in five vibrant hues, designed for long-lasting and ultra-moist color that never needs sharpening. Finally, the Accentuating Color Stick is a blush that enhances the natural clarity of the skin. The champagne flush color is good for giving a radiant glow this winter season.
Silky Eye Shadow Quad: ¥4,200. Automatic Lip Crayon: ¥2,415. Accentuating Color Stick: ¥3,675. Available at over 300 locations including department stores Isetan, Mitsukoshi and Matsuya. www.shiseido.co.jp/e
Super Foods
A local health expert gives tips on using the grocery store as your pharmacy
By Bharti Legros
Satoko Ozawa knows her food. The board-certified Holistic Health Counselor and member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners is a master of the art of “defensive shopping.” This means treating the grocery store as a one-stop pharmacy.
Believe it or not, whether you’re battling diabetes, skin disorders, depression, cancer, heart disease or the common cold, Ozawa says all Holistic Health Counselors will prescribe roughly the same regimen:
* Eat less food (five small meals a day) so that you
only ever feel 75 percent full
* Decrease intake of animal protein
* Increase fresh fruits and veggies
* Eat whole grains whenever possible
* Reduce or avoid refined and processed foods
Of course it’s not that simple. Certain medical conditions come with food restrictions, and others require boosting or reducing intake of this or that vitamin or mineral. But the best way to stay fit and healthy, Ozawa argues, is to eat healthy foods that are unprocessed. These days, shoppers have such an extensive choice of products, each with increasingly confusing labels boasting dubious health-related claims. Ozawa jokes that ingredient lists now read like a newspaper article.
Companies have integrated additives so well into our food supply that many of us can no longer tell the difference between processed and non-processed foods. Add the fact that you are living in a foreign country and sometimes not sure of what you are actually buying, and the above guidelines become a little tricky. That’s where Ozawa can help.
Her work, she says, “is mainly accomplished through a series of individual and family counseling sessions and using this information to formulate personal strategies for creating a balance between food and your health.” For a personalized dietary plan, Ozawa will research your condition, culture and lifestyle before proposing a certain regimen.
If necessary, she’ll even accompany you to your local or preferred supermarket to help identify and decode what you’ve been eating and what is available.
Email SatokoOzawa@aol.com or call 080-6569-1030 for more information.
|
Work the body
Nip and tuck your way to perfection with the city’s best plastic surgeons
Akai Medical Clinic
Akai Medical Clinic isn’t just all about plastic surgery. Its lineup of services includes laser and photo RF treatments, cosmetic dermatology and anti-aging treatment plans—each tailored specifically to the desires and concerns of the patient. Using non-surgical treatments, the clinic can make minor flaws like freckles, large pores, unwanted hair, acne, rosacea, and tattoos vanish. Cellulite? Banish it with Vela Smooth. Wrinkles? Botox is quick and requires virtually no down time.
The popular clinic, with locations in Omotesando and Yokohama, is run by
Dr. Hidemi Akai, a board-certified plastic surgeon who trained at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. Yuko Tani, who is also board-certified and is a skin-care specialist. Both have a wealth of experience dealing with foreign clientele and regularly treat patients from abroad, employing some of the latest technologies to help each individual reach their desired look.
Over the last few months, AMC has increased its offerings to include Rhytec Portrait Plasma Skin Rejuvenation, a non-laser treatment popular in the US but still new to these shores. Patients who suffer from sun damage, large pores, acne scars or wrinkles can revitalize their skin using Rhytec, which uses pulses of ionized inert nitrogen gas to regenerate the cells beneath the top layer and reveal fresh radiant dermis below. Unlike some laser treatments, Rhytec is suitable for anyone’s skin. AMC’s other new offering, Affirm, covers similar conditions. The treatment uses a fractional laser to stimulate collagen production, which results in new skin cells.
Affirm and Rhytec may help with the same issues, but they cater to different people. “There are many clinics with lots of devices, and they will always tell you that theirs is the best,” says Dr. Akai. He advises listening carefully and researching your options. “Before the treatment, learn about the procedure, devices and doctors.”
Of course, Akai Medical Clinic also performs surgical procedures like breast augmentation, reduction or lift—and liposuction on the thighs, back, neck, arms and legs.
“In other clinics, during the consultation, the doctor may not offer a range of methods for getting the preferred result,” adds Dr. Akai. “At AMC, if you want the tip of your nose reshaped, we can offer five different methods for how to do that, and explain how we do each one.”
3F KNK Bldg, 3-5-17 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5771-4114. Open daily 11am-8pm. Nearest stn: Omotesando, exit A3. See website for details on the Yokohama branch. www.akaiclinic.com, amc@akaiclinic.com
Azabu Skin Clinic
Azabu Skin Clinic’s Dr. Kawashima and her staff are proud to serve all of Tokyo’s residents. Thirty percent of the clinic’s customers are non-Japanese, so the doctors and nurses
are experienced with all
skin types.
Azabu Skin Clinic treats every imaginable skin ailment: smoothing lines with Botox injections; beautifying and improving skin conditions with Photofacial, Polaris laser or Titan treatments; healing acne scars with a CO2 laser, TCA and Fractional Resurfacing; and whitening skin. Dr. Kawashima reports that a photofacial treatment is the clinic’s most popular method to improve skin blemishes, as it takes only 20 minutes to lighten the skin and revitalize its elasticity.
Dr. Kawashima is also certified to perform one of the most popular treatments at her clinic: the innovative non-surgical procedure known as Therma Cool. With UV exposure and aging, skin slackens over time, and until recently plastic surgery was the best option to turn back the clock. But patients who have tried Therma Cool look like they’ve had a facelift without going under the knife. Approved by the FDA, Therma Cool uses radio frequencies to lift and tighten, and the effects have been shown to last for 1-2 years.
Recently, Azabu Skin Clinic added Fractional Resurfacing to its treatment menu. This versatile new technique uses 100 to 1,000 microscopic laser beams per square centimeter to replace coagulated tissue, remodel collagen and speed up the natural healing process. Fractional Resurfacing can be used to treat acne scars and enlarged pores, as well as pigmentation, wrinkles and sagginess of the skin—all without surgery.
Additionally, Azabu Skin Clinic offers various relaxation treatments to choose from. The thermal treatment comes highly recommended, particularly as the seasons change and your skin begins to dry out.
To keep on top of the latest science, Dr. Kawashima attends not only Japanese conferences but also those offered by the American Academy of Dermatology, as well as the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She strives to always offer the most effective treatment and introduce the most advanced techniques and information to the patient.
Azabu Skin Clinic is driven by commitment to the highest quality, the latest technology and an excellent sense of beauty. The clinic prides itself on always offering the appropriate procedure for each client’s unique needs. All of the staff are women, and English-speaking doctors and receptionists are at the ready. So give Azabu Skin Clinic a call and bring out your skin’s beauty!
7F Hagiwara Bldg 1, 1-3-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku. Nearest stn: Ebisu. Open Thu-Mon 10am-7pm, Tue-Wed 11am-8pm. Tel: 0120-005-327 (toll-free). www.azabu-skinclinic.com
Ciel
Since opening eight months ago next to Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, Ciel has attracted patients from all over the world with a wide variety of cosmetic surgery options. From anti-aging treatment by needle injection to facelifts to more technical treatments like osteoplasty, Ciel does it all.
Dr. Oda has performed more than 50,000 operations, and his skills are well-known in the industry. He provides thorough support, from consultation to aftercare. Ciel employs the latest technology, such as a digital X-ray machine for nose surgery and liposuction, so patients can be assured of a detailed and precise consultation throughout the course of the treatment plan.
One popular procedure called “point suction” is available for those who would like to lose weight in specific areas. Even for people with near-perfect bodies, point suction is an easy way to maintain that physique. Models and entertainers often come to Ciel to take advantage of the array of treatment options. For privacy purposes, the clinic welcomes customers who wish to book at certain times or secure the entire clinic.
As a special deal for Metropolis readers, Ciel is offering a 20 percent discount on its popular liposuction and point suction treatments. Call for more details.
2F 6th DMJ Bldg, 4-12-8 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5775-3341. Open daily 10:30am-8pm. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.ciel-cl.com (Japanese)
Plaza Plastic Surgery
Let’s face it: you want a plastic surgeon with credentials. And Dr. Robert Kure has plenty. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kure is the former chief resident in plastic surgery at UCLA. Now head surgeon at the Plaza Plastic Surgery in Hiroo, he gives in-depth consultations in English, helping clients choose from an array of cosmetic surgery treatments—from tummy tucks to Asian eye procedures to walk-in rejuvenating treatments (10 minutes for a quick dose of Botox or Restylane). Dr. Kure’s specialty is Botox which he uses not just to provide fuller lips or lineless faces, but also to treat ailments ranging from migraines to tennis elbow. Dr. Orito, another US board-certified plastic surgeon, is also on staff.
Plaza Plastic Surgery also helps you combat aging in the form of laser therapy, which treats everything from fine wrinkles to rosacea, spider veins to tattoos. The state of the art laser even performs lifts and tightening on-site. For more in-depth procedures, Plaza Plastic Surgery offers outpatient liposuction, micro-fat injection, rhinoplasty, eye surgery, breast augmentation, facelifts and non-cutting procedures for Asian eyes. Make an appointment to see what Dr. Kure can do for you.
4F, 5-5-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5475-2345. Open by appointment only. Nearest stn: Hiroo. www.plazaclinic.net
Takagi Skin Clinic
Takagi Skin Clinic in Shibuya uses the most up-to-date technology to address a wide variety of skin care concerns. Dr. Takagi is a specialist in dermatology with over 35 years of experience. She holds a degree from the Japanese Dermatological Association and was formerly a research fellow at UCLA Medical Center, one of the world’s leading institutions in the field of cosmetic surgery and dermatology. Takagi Skin Clinic focuses especially on non-scarring cosmetic and wrinkle treatments, skin tightening and lifts.
To rejuvenate and offset signs of aging, Takagi offers Botox, Photofacial and liposuction procedures. Facial or neck liposuction is also effective for removing localized fatty deposits in areas that are often more plump than they need to be. The clinic uses FDA-approved Evolence and Cosmo Derm for immediate and long-lasting facelift injections, and Reviderm and Restylane for lip augmentation. Takagi also offers Thermage, a radio frequency skin rejuvenation treatment that tightens and remodels skin through collagen contraction and heat.
When it comes to acne-related scars and redness, Takagi offers the latest in iClear and Cool Touch II laser treatments. The Meso Roller skin treatment uses microscopic needles to stimulate collagen in the skin for a natural healing effect. The technology can be used for skin lightening, facelifts and reduction of acne. And as a special for Metropolis readers, the price for three sessions has been reduced to just ¥100,000.
Sweating too much? Dr. Takagi is the only doctor in Japan certified to perform surgical procedures that cure axillary odor caused by excessive perspiration. The procedures barely leave a visible scar, and there is a no-relapse guarantee. With over 2,000 successful operations under her belt, Dr. Takagi ensures that this method is proven safe and effective. As a non-surgical treatment alternative, she is also certified in Botox injections to treat excessive perspiration.
Takagi’s newest treatment is Gentle YAG, a laser-based treatment from the US that works wonders to rejuvenate skin, remove unwanted hair, and treat sun-burnt or dark skin. There is no risk of scarring, and makeup can even be worn immediately after treatment.
Clearly, Takagi Skin Clinic offers a full palette of services to meet every clients’ desires.
3F Nabi Shibuya Bldg, 36-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3462-2807. Open Mon-Sat 11am-6:30pm, Thu & Sat (by appointment only), closed Sun & hols. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.takagiclinic.com/english
Palaces of pamper
Indulge in a massage, spa treatment or expert haircut at these top local salons
Afrodita
Afrodita, a goddess of beauty and love, presides over this Yokohama salon. The stylists here use a cutting method called d’pincesu (French for “like a paintbrush”), which works with the shape of your head, the volume of your hair and the direction your hair grows. This edgy technique of bundling up the hair and dry-cutting gives you a hairstyle that is unique and flattering.
Owner Yoshiko Morimoto worked in New York and at Vidal Sassoon in Los Angeles before opening Afrodita in 2001. Her clientele included entertainers and models in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Yoshiko is also a colorist who uses high-quality hair dye imported from the US, which allows her to employ a superior foil technique. This gives Yoshiko complete control of a person’s hair, and she promises “perfect results every time.” She also says the color looks like it’s growing out of your head naturally; her clients don’t have to deal with root lines and require fewer touch-ups.
Yoshiko believes that the best way to deliver personalized color and haircuts is to get to know her clients personally. She believes that there is a perfect cut for each individual, that’s why she schedules personal consultations to learn about their lifestyle and desired appearance. Yoshiko enjoys discussing hair styles with all of her clients, and the consultations are complimentary. Afrodita is also looking for hair models. Contact the salon for details.
1F, 2-108-1 Sengencho, Nishi-ku, Yokohama. Tel: 045-311-0139. Open Wed-Sun 10am-7pm, closed Mon-Tue. www.afrodita.jp
Beauty Star Salon
Beauty Star Salon is located near Yokohama’s waterfront Yamashita Park, which provides a relaxing environment for you to enjoy your treatments. The salon is known for its experienced and skilled staff, cutting-edge technology and professional aftercare service.
One of Beauty Star Salon’s most popular programs is the endermologie diet treatment. Compared to other slimming plans, endermologie is effective for removing cellulite, and clients can expect immediate results—perfect for those special occasions when looking your best matters.
Beauty Star Salon also offers tanning treatments, as popularized by celebrities worldwide. The coloring process is extremely quick and guarantees the tone of your choice. Results appear rapidly with no risk of skin cancer or spots caused by UV treatments.
Beauty Star Salon is Yokohama’s number one beauty salon, so call and make your reservation today.
2F Yokohama Euro Tower, 76-4 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama. Tel: 045-662-2352. Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, closed Sun. Nearest stn: Motomachi-Chukagai. www.beautystar.co.jp (Japanese)
Dude
When foreigners arrive in Japan, the first thing they do is look for a doctor and a dentist that understand their needs. The next important step is usually finding a stylist who knows how to work with all types of hair. Japanese
and Western hair are fundamentally different, as
is the shape of each person’s head, neck and shoulders. Therefore, totally different techniques come into play.
One classic example is the way Japanese hair and Western hair reacts to thinning with a razor: Japanese hair can cope with a lot of thinning and will still look very healthy, but try employing this technique on Western hair and your locks become a complete disaster. Kaz at Harajuku’s Dude truly understands Western hair. The salon offers free consultations in English, hair coloring products imported from overseas, and
a relaxing environment with groovy music. Kaz believes that
a hairdressing appointment should not be stressful, but a chance
to just chill out.
6-5-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3400-3901. Open Mon & Wed-Sat 11am-8:30pm, Sun & hols 11am-8pm, closed Tue. Nearest stn: Meiji-Jingumae or Harajuku. www.dude.jp
Environ’s Tokyo
Environ’s Tokyo is Japan’s first and only official studio for training with the innovative Power Plate vibration system. This exercise device represents a new dimension in wellness solutions. It is suitable for all ages, lifestyles and physical abilities. Power Plate equipment uses the principles of Acceleration Training to transmit waves of energy throughout the body, activating muscle contractions between 25 and 50 times per second. Effects can be seen after sessions as short as 15 minutes a day, three times a week.
Acceleration Training on Power Plate equipment offers a host of benefits, ranging from an immediate improvement in blood circulation to increased muscle strength and flexibility, improved range of motion, decreased cellulite, increased bone mineral density, reduced pain and soreness, and faster recovery after injury. The benefits of the unique three-dimensional vibration technology have been shown in extensive academic and independent scientific medical research.
Environ’s Tokyo offers training on both a one-on-one and group (3-4 people) basis. Each session lasts 30 minutes, and the trainer monitors your body condition throughout. For Metropolis readers, the first session is free, so call today to book yours.
4F Ishizuka-Yaesu Bldg, 1-5-20 Yaesu, Chuo-ku. Tel: 0120-799-411. www.environstokyo.com. Open Mon-Fri 12-8pm, closed Sat-Sun & hols. Nearest stn: Tokyo.
Feel
Aesthetic salon Feel offers an escape from everyday life, transporting you to a tranquil beauty-therapy resort. With all the deluxe comforts of a far-flung healing salon, this convenient Azabu-Juban spa seems miles away from the bustling streets of Tokyo. Experience a traditional Thai massage, called “Nuad Bo’Rarn,” which energizes and adds vitality. With 2,500 years of history, Thai medicine has its roots in the Indian traditions of ayurveda and yoga. Feel’s methods eliminate stress while attuning the body to its senses. Consultants discuss the ailments and complaints of each customer before selecting the right treatment from the varied menu, which includes options such as natural healing, hormone balance therapy or stretching the body. The rapid results of these treatments have attracted big names from the realms of entertainment and sports—and now you can be pampered like the celebs.
2F, 3-7-11 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3455-5775. Open Mon-Thu 1-11pm, Fri-Sun noon-midnight, hols noon-10pm. Nearest stn: Azabu-Juban. www.feelweb.jp/en, info@feelweb.jp
Genuine
Among the staff at Genuine are bilingual stylists and colorists who have been trained around the world. These are skilled professionals with diverse experience working at Louis Licari New York, Toni & Guy Paris and other world-famous salons. Staff members utilize top techniques from Asia and the West, enabling them to satisfy customers from all around the globe. Genuine offers clients a wide range of services that are a cut above the rest.
Hair coloring is the most popular service among foreign customers—thanks to the Genuine Color Counseling System. A similar service is very common in the United States and Europe, but here in Japan it’s extremely rare. Based on an analysis of eye and skin shades, the Genuine Color Counseling System determines unique and customized hair tints that are best suited for each individual. The system also results in natural highlights that are sure to meet the demands of international clientele. For a more natural look, hair coloring at Genuine can also be followed with eyebrow color and shaping.
One of the salon’s more innovative services is the head spa treatment, which involves a special hair- and scalp-care course. Using a mixture of Eastern lymphatic massage techniques and Western aromatherapy, this pressure-point treatment is designed to rejuvenate both mind and body. What’s more, Genuine’s roomy, comfortable seats are designed specifically for each treatment, providing maximum relaxation. A visit to Ginza’s Genuine will certainly satisfy the sophisticated needs of Tokyo’s men and women.
3F Duplex Ginza, 7-10-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3569-3235. Open daily 11am-8pm. Nearest stn: Ginza or Shimbashi. www.genuine-salon.com
Hayato New York
Hayato New York’s Tokyo shop welcomes clients from around the world. All the staff are bilingual, which makes visiting the Omotesando salon seem like a trip to a different country. Hayato’s stylists are experts when it comes to understanding all types of hair. The reason? Hayato himself spent more than 12 years developing a training program for his staff, all of whom spend two years working at the salon’s New York branch and learning English. Only after that training do they make their debut as professional hairstylists.
Over the next 12 years, Hayato aims to expand internationally by opening at least six new shops. The goal is to become a salon known and patronized globally, with the first step being a new salon in London.
All of the products and solutions Hayato uses are imported from the United States and available exclusively at Hayato New York. The salon’s guiding concept is to establish simple and natural hair designs for any type of hair texture. In keeping with this philosophy, Hayato recently hired a specialist in African hair. The stylists at Hayato New York are looking forward to seeing you!
3F, 5-9-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3498-9113. Open Mon & Wed-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun & hols 10am-7pm, closed Tue. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.hayato-ny.com, tokyo@hayato-ny.com
Home
Unless your apartment comes equipped with an internal sun that tans you safely and evenly, a Hawaiian masseuse, relaxing smells, and a way for you to lie around while fat is burned off your body, then consider a visit to Home. The salon’s “sun” comes in the form of airbrush tanning, which gives an immediate, even coloration that makes you look like you just flew in from Ibiza. Not only that, you avoid exposure to dangerous UV rays and the possibility of looking like a lobster. The airbrush tanning technique lasts as long as a real tan—10 days to two weeks—because of its deep-skin penetration. For a full-body bronze, Home charges only ¥6,000, or ¥4,000 for partial coverage.
Other offerings include lomi lomi massage (which is fantastic), hot stone treatment (divine) and aromatherapy (pure bliss). And then there’s the Alex-S, the ultimate diet and relaxation machine. This device uses an electromagnetic infrared light system that burns fat and cellulite, stimulates muscles, and drains lymph nodes—all while you lie there on your back. The Alex-S burns off as many as 800 calories—that’s two Big Macs—in 30 minutes. It can work your entire body or perform spot treatments, and you can choose your own specialized course. The cost is ¥5,250 for a 30-minute trial (one time only) or ¥10,000 for a standard hour-long sessions. Depending on how committed you are to a machine doing all your fat burning, you can invest in 10 sessions for ¥80,000.
103 Odakyu Minami-Aoyama Bldg, 5-12-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5467-0191. Open Wed-Mon 11am-9pm, closed Tue. Nearest stn: Omotesando. www.hometokyo.com, staff@hometokyo.com
Igrek Paris
With locations in France, Portugal and Japan, Igrek Paris is a hair salon with an international presence. The flagship shop is based in Paris—hence the name. Of Igrek’s 14 locations in Japan, the Kagurazaka branch is especially popular with foreign clientele, thanks to its English- and French-speaking staff. Igrek Paris uses only L’Oréal products, including shampoos and conditioners from the brand’s Kérastase line.
Staff members at Igrek Paris believe in the concept of “natural beauty.” This means employing techniques to bring out clients’ inner glow, skillfully working to achieve the most fashionable looks for each individual. The salon’s atmosphere is calm and comfortable, enabling both clients and staff to communicate in a relaxed and private atmosphere. Nothing makes staff members more proud than to gain clients’ trust and send them into the world with newfound confidence.
6-68 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku. Tel: 03-5206-7188. Open Wed-Sat & Mon 10am-7pm, Sun & hols 10am-6pm, closed Tue. Nearest stn: Kagurazaka or Ushigome-Kagurazaka. www.igrekparis.com
Shape
Shape is a favorite of Metropolis readers. In appreciation of all the support, the salon is offering a free scalp treatment—valued at ¥6,300—for anyone who mentions Metropolis when they book a haircut. Shape’s lead hairstylist, Dan Suzuki, trained at Vidal Sassoon in London and brings the brand’s expertise in cuts and coloring to this stylish salon, which is conveniently located just 30 seconds from exit 6 of Akasaka station.
Another highlight of Shape is the free espresso bar. Dan invites your friends, family and anyone else who wants to watch you get your haircut to come by for free espressos, organic Chinese and Japanese teas, or mineral water. Or, if you prefer a hush-hush, celebrity-type hair experience, reserve Shape’s private room, where you (and your friends, if you like) can enjoy the utmost privacy and VIP treatment. Shape’s genial staff all speak English and love to chat, so enjoy a professional pampering in one of the friendliest salons in town.
4F Atomukokusai Bldg, 6-3-16 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3568-3666. Open Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm, closed second Tue. Nearest stn: Akasaka, exit 6. www.shape-salon.com/english
Hair Lounge Soleil
Newly opened Hair Lounge Soleil is located just minutes away from the upscale Tokyo Midtown complex. The calm, wood-accented surroundings create a relaxing atmosphere, while a separate shampoo room offers privacy and helps provide an at-home feeling.
Along with Soleil’s professional cut, coloring and perm services, the staff also offer scalp care and various head massages. This is based on the belief that beautiful hair grows from a beautiful scalp. Soleil’s hairstylists boast international experience and are always striving to provide the best service. The likes, dislikes and different needs of both foreign and Japanese clientele are easily met.
Especially popular among foreign customers are the foil highlighting procedures. First-time customers are offered a free head massage course, along with other special discounts. Hair Lounge Soleil is committed to ensuring that each customer leaves with a beautiful hairstyle and a smile on their face. Stop by today for a style suited for the approaching winter season—and be sure to bring the coupon from the ad (below) on your first visit.
3F France Bldg. 4-11-8 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3746-0068. Open Mon-Sat noon-9pm, Sun & hols 10am-7pm. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.hairlounge-soleil.com
