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
Nice~~You look great with the highlights!!
Hi Slowbrogal
Thank yoU!
He really did a nice job with your hair (nicely layered) :D. Looks very feminine and stylish at the same time.
I’m gonna go cut my hair short dis week. Already cannot stand my long hair. Should I bring ParisB’s picture as reference? 😛 <- not sure on what style to sport next…hmm.
Hi Irene
I actually liked that he took of some of the wispy layers in my previous cut. It was bugging me 😛 And ever since I had my hair cut short(er) I’m not looking back!
Aha! I was wondering how come your hair looked so sleek on Saturday – it must’ve been the effect of the soft rebonding. Thumbs up for the look and the color! You look stunning… 😀
Hey Rinnah
Thanks! I think its the rebonding too. Lucky I didn’t look like a drowned rat! 😀
oooh awesome! You’re hair looks fabulous! *.*
And RM60-100 is not expensive! My hairstylist asks for 20USD for a simple haircut! And she’s a nobody (although a very good nobody =D)
That RM550 is a bit crazy, but I can imagine the results ^.^ However, to pay that much regularly is a bit….ahem
Hi Maryinwonder
Ya I can’t bring myself to pay that much every month but maybe once or twice a year 🙂
I agree with ParisB, you dont have to do rebonding and color at the same time. can separate into 2 visits 🙂
Love the haircut and the highlights. You look gorgeous!
Hi Gio
Thank you!
wow… tats awesome! I was thinking of going short but my hair is a bit frizzy 2, which will make me look like mushroom as well… But from ur pic i know where 2 get my hair cut now… 😀 How much did u pay 4 the cut, perm n colouring?
Hi Pinkcloud
Everything would have cost about RM600 – not cheap but you don’t have to do colour the same time as a rebond. In fact, personally I’d do them separately to give the chemicals time to really work on your hair.
hi paris you look stunning with the highlights! 🙂 goes really well with your complexion 🙂
Hi Aretha
Thank you! It must be why that color was chosen for me 😀
Very nice! It suits you 🙂
i’ve had my hair cut my min before, and i have to say he does do a good job. you look great!
Hi Stephanie
He’s great with hair isn’t he? Thanks! 🙂
What lovely highlights! I’ve come to the point in life where after years and years of having black hair, brown hair, red hair, orange hair (oh yeah, it was freakin’ orange. When I was growing it out in Japan, my Japanese mates called me ‘pudding hair’. It’s what they call people with roots showing, hence making your head look like a pudding :P), burgundy hair, etc. When I moved to Australia, I decided to dye it back to the original colour (dark brown), and then found out I looked best in my original colour. Life hair lessons indeed 😛
But now that i’ve seen your highlights, I have to say I’m tempted once more. Hmm ….
Hi Tine
I know what you mean about going au naturale with your hair colour. I went the whole gamut too and have been enjoynig my natural hair colour for the past 4-5 years. I guess the 5 year itch set in LOL…
Im thinking want have a hair cut,any good introduce ?
Hellu…..i’m very interested with shu uemura product especiallly for a rebonding . Now i’m planning to rebonding my hair?For ur acknowledgement, my hair in a long category (more than shoulder). Can i know averange rate for that if im going to rebonding my hair here? TQ