Michio has been cutting my hair for over 12 yrs. I am a diehard fan and rarely let anyone else cut my hair (only when I am living in another city and cannot make a trip to NYC). In fact, there were many times over the years when I held off getting a haircut just to wait for him to cut it until I could get to NYC.
What makes Michio so great is that he is a *superb* technician AND a true artist. This is a combination that I personally think is very hard to find. His cutting technique is extremely good and he also has an eye for beauty. He particularly excels at shaping hair to flatter the shape of your face. My cuts are so well done that they last (i.e. still hold shape) even 4-5 months later. I consistently receive compliments both right after a cut and months afterward. btw, I am Asian with long, straight hair. Like most Asian hair, the hair is thick and there is a lot of it, which makes my hair look heavy. Michio understands Asian hair and is very good at cutting layers that create texture and movement (without necessarily the appearance of layers). The Before and After is significant. The look he creates for me is soft, elegant and feminine. He is also such a cool, nice guy.
The other great thing about this salon -- the shampoo! They shampoo your hair like they do in Asia (Japan, HK, Taiwan), i.e. massage/scrub/scratch your head much longer than most American salons, and it's done using a scrubbing technique that you find in Asia. I personally love this kind of shampoo, so I look forward to this every time. It finishes with a brief shoulder/neck rub. Other Japanese touches include being served hot green tea (or some other drink). The interior is done in a modern, elegant design. This is a stylish, classy salon without the pretensions of one.
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