First J-pop hit us with Japanese tv dramas and mini series and all those cool looking Japanese guys and girls and food. Then K-pop hit us with all things Korean. I’m happy – I love the food from both countries! 😀
But you know the one thing that is similar between the two? Awesome and up to date hairstyles! I’d been to a myriad of hair salons but never a Japanese or Korean one so when I was recently offered a chance to try out Min & Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio, I was only too happy to do so.
Min & Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio is owned by Min Byung Kwon (affectionately known as Min) – a Korean international hair stylist, together with Shunji Matsuo a Japanese celebrity hair stylist. The name might ring a bell when I tell you its the Shunji from the Japanese Shunji Hair Studio at MidValley Megamall. Min was the International Director there and used to travel between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and internationally until he decided a few months ago, to put down his roots and set up shop here in Kuala Lumpur – Bangsar to be exact – to our benefit of course!
When I got to the salon, Min checked my hair texture and told me my hair was a tad frizzy so if he were to cut it any shorter, I’d look like a mushroom. I appreciated that. No hairdresser has ever told me I might look like a mushroom before even if I did think it a few times myself! So, we did a soft rebond to soften this mushroom head.
I’d done rebonding once and ended up with chopstick straight hair. I hated it – no offence to anyone – but I had to do it to get a perm out. A “soft rebond” I was told only rebonds your hair to about 60% straightness so your hair retains its volume but is more manageable and sleek. I don’t know the technicalities of how it was done but you can see me looking rather like a cling filmed Queen Amidala above. The end result however is very natural and sleek without that Ju-On look associated with Korean or Japanese horror movies or without my hair looking plastered to my head – whew! 😛
Being bored with my current hairstyle and with a birthday coming up, it was time for a new look so I requested that highlights be put in, leaving it to Min’s discretion as to the color and the caveat that I was fine with bold colours. I ended up with streaks of red toned browns all over my head (the latest color fad in Korea and Japan I was told) and a sharper sleeker cut from when I first entered the salon. I was a little apprehensive initially I must admit but I loved the final outcome.
Min has styled the hair of local celebrity Deanna Yusoff and international celebrities Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger and Karen Mok; Korean celebrities Chang Dong Gun (from Eve’s Daily), Cha Inn Pyo, Saw Jin Woo and Ha Ri Soo. And I’m pleased that my hair too has been given the magical touch of Min! 😀
My mum saw me 3 days later and commented that my new hairstyle and colour made me look younger than before. Mums always know the best things to say don’t they? 😀 I’ve also been mistaken often for being Korean or Japanese but now I look even more so – eeps! But I’m probably going back to Min to get my hair done for a little while especially once the color and style starts to grow out! 🙂
Did I feel like I was cheating on my current hairdresser? Yes I unfortunately did 🙁 But it was so worth it 😛
Min & Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio is on the 1st Floor at Jalan Telawi 2 Bangsar Kuala Lumpur (the road behind Public Bank). The salon is large and airy with a minimalist design. As of October 2009 a haircut costs between RM60-98 for women and slightly less for men. Having Min work his magic on your hair will set you back RM98 which isn’t that crazy expensive as I had expected for an international stylist.
Hair color, highlight, Rebonding and perms cost between RM160-RM550 depending on treatment and hair length.
Min & Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio, 24-1 (1st Floor) Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59200 Kuala Lumpur For appointments call: 03-2282 9242
(Closed on Monday)
Promotions! Promotions!
Min & Shunji Matsuo Hair Studio has a current promotion of 10% discount off hair cuts or treatments until 30 November 2009. You can get it by either of the following:-
- Mention that you were referred from MyWomenStuff.com and/or
- Be a new first time customer
Appointments are encouraged. Enjoy your new hair! 😀
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
ooo.. i like it !!! looks so good on u 🙂
Thanks Bubbles!
lol. n i just had my haircut. i guess i will wait till my hair grows longer. den i’ll do stuff to it! 😀
u look great with ur new do!
Hi Plue
Ya hairdressers always prefer to work with longer hair – I couldnt wait LOL
Your new hair looks amazing!!! I really like it!! And the highlights really add an edgy touch to the wonderful cut! 😀
Now you got me itching to do something to my hair!! But gotta wait!! Need to grow out my hair first! haha! 😀
Hi Jenn
Thank you! Can’t wait to see what you’ll do to yours!
Wow… i think it does the new haircut and color looks very very nice !! Makes me want to go and check this studio out!
Hi Jess
If you do, don’t forget the discount! 😉
It looks even better in real life! I couldn’t stop staring at your hair… love them highlights
Thanks Connie! Its been a while and I love them too – dunno why it doesn’t show up much in pictures.
love the highlights aplenty!!! really nice….add textures to ur hair! nice!!!
Thanks Joey!
I love it! 🙂
Thanks GT!
I love your new hair color! I’ve never tried highlights would you believe that/ I’ve always been coloring my hair so it looks like there’s high and low lights, but never had the weird “alien looking” Treatment! I want!!! You look gorgeous!
Hey Nikki
I think you’d look awesome with some highlights in your hair. I prefer highlights because its less obvious when its growing out LOL
u look really great!!!! sigh. can i have tht hair too?
Hey prettybeautiful
Of course you can! Just get highlights in LOL… 🙂
wow~! so lucky XD
mine just let an auntie cut me hair
Hey Eliza
Mine was cut by an aunty too until I earned my own keep 🙂
you wore white to get your hair highlighted? very impressed! 😀 love the outcome though…and agree with your mum – you look a lot brighter with the highlights!
Hey Beetrice
You know what? I never thought about that! 😛 But I forgot to mention they make you wear a pair of kimono overalls which is really cute 🙂
Hi, that’s a great haircut and highlight! You look great! 🙂
Thanks Kim Fah!
Nearby my place, there is a hair saloon which is opened by Korean Hair Stylist too.
Wanna go try to make my dull black middle length hair into romantic Korean Natural Curl style but don’t dare to step in!
Hi Jean
Why not? No pain no gain! 😛
You look great, Paris! Fabulous cut and beautiful highlights!
Hiya Yani
Thank you!
Beautiful hair!! Love the color =) I also get mistaken for being Japanese/Korean but I’m actually Chinese. I wonder what features are causing this confusion 😛
Hiya Babybubblz
I know! I live where there are so many Chinese around and yet I still get people asking if I have Korean/Japanese genes >.<
i like the colour, it looks good on you. I’m longing for a hair cut too, need a change. how much did it cost for you to do all that?
Thanks Germaine
It would have cost about RM600 for the rebond and highlights for medium length hair like mine.
Paris looks so Kawaii 😉
Hi Ant
LOL I should have done the kawaii 2 finger pose eh? 😉
Oooh…very nice highlights! I got boring ones earlier cos they told me that the in color is natural! I like bold colors more.
And yes, you could easily passed off as a Korean lady of leisure!
Hi Sesame
Thanks I like bold colours too! Lady of leisure maybe not, but Korean maybe LOL…
Wow, the cut and highlights look very good on you! And here I am thinking of going for a haircut, still considering whether I’d splash out the moolah for a hairstylist that can work their magic on my unruly hair.
Hi Adrianna
Speaking from experience, my biggest luxury is always my hairdresser. Nothing is better than a good cut to boost the confidence 🙂
Aww..u look so lovely PB! I just had my hair coloured tho..:( Maybe I’d drop by for a fresh hair cut, seeing that my convocation is up next month..:)
Hi Jessica
Thank you! Do let us know how you liked the cut if you try it 🙂