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| - I read the strong reviews of Chura and decided to come here. Boy am I glad I did! I almost went to another salon in Koreatown but when I called, their English was terrible and I was worried I would be misunderstood.
I have never been to a Japanese hair salon but really needed a digital perm because my mid length hair was flat and boring. I just went today and was happy with the results. I booked with Hiroki 4 days ago and went on a Sunday at 4 p.m. The place is not in the heart of Kensington market, almost at the corner of Spadina and Baldwin.
You need to make a reservation, don't walk in. This place is tiny but clean and well kept, only 3 salon chairs, one sink for washing the hair and there's NO TOILET. You have to use the one next door in the parking lot. So if you come for a perm, it may last 2 hours from A to Z (waiting for your turn to paying).
Hiroko asked me what I wanted, and showed me some magazine pictures, which helps. They have all the fashion mags from US editions to Japanese fashion. And Hiroko's English is good, so no worries. He cut my hair first, just to shape it for the perm.
I noticed there's lots of teamwork amongst the 4 employees. Hiroko (the boss) cut my hair, applied the solution with another colleague, it dries up in a Saran Wrap for 7 minutes, somebody else washes it out. Then, the perm rods are applied by 2 people and a 3rd person hands over some curling rod separator that looks like carpet fabric. Unlike a traditional perm, there's no liquid dripping along your neck, or forehead, and no need for Vaseline to be applied along your hairline. Everything is done quickly, professionally and efficiently.
The digital machine is only in my hair for 20 minutes, not more than that to my surprise. Once it beeps, the staff of 3 quickly comes and removes the rods. Don't be alarmed if the curls are super curly, another solution is applied and left in the hair for 10 minutes. Then, it's rinsed out and Hiroko comes back to dry your hair and explain what to do at home.
My hair didn't look dry and the trick is to use Biosilk right after you shampoo, twirl and blowdry with the nasal tip away from the curls, not straight in. Also, use hair cream or paste to keep the curls intact. Hiroko said I only need to return in 2-3 months for a cut. We'll see about that but I do plan on growing my hair maybe 5 inches longer.
The total price I paid was $130 including tips and tax. Everything before tips and tax is $109 for mid-length hair. Price goes up if you hair is longer.
Last thing is the place has some great pop music but everybody works in a silent mode. There's no yelling or loud chatter.
And there was a non-Chinese customer in the salon getting a straightening perm in case you were wondering if ithey serve non-Asian clientele :-)
Hope this helps. I plan on coming here for a haircut (only $33) since it's cheaper than my current salon in Yorkville!
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