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Raiz Salon
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
25 reviews for Raiz Salon
I too came here after reading the reviews on Yelp. Jamie did a great job of listening to what I wanted during consultation. She did not rush me at all. She also explained to me how to style my own hair (since I'm horrible at styling my own hair). The haircut she gave me was the cutest haircut I've had.
I'm very soft-headed and I hate when stylists pull too hard on my hair. Jamie did not yank at my hair causing me pain! That was a plus for me!
Even though I haven't been able to duplicate it exactly how it looked--that is only because I really have no skills! But, Jamie did really try to teach me how to fix my hair, and I would definitely come back again and ask for her!
I really only went to Raiz because I like my hair cut/layered with a razor versus scissors (which is popular in Japan). The cut was ok, actually in my opinion I would have wanted more layers and more hair cut off . Most people like having less cut rather than more right? not me.
The steps:
consult (translated, so kinda iffy) my male stylist only spoke Japanese
wash/massage-i thought it was average?
while my hair was wet he cut he "big" pieces off
then he blow dried it and razored the ends
then i was give the mirror to check the cut
then my favorite part! the styling. I soooo loved how SHE (not he, because an assistant did it) styled it! She used a curling iron and just enough hair spray.
I didn't get any tips on how to style my hair, or 2 washes, or a "massage"like some other reviewers?
overall, I'd go back to see "her" for styling
I paid $80 with tip for a cut
Ive been here countless times and to be honest, the service is so-so. i feel as if that this salon would greatly benefit from Tabatha's Salon Takeover on Bravo. Why? well for starters, some of the stylists are inconsistent & unproffesional. Jaimie is geat but she has a habbit of using bleach to lighten hair instead of using something else. Now the integrity of my hair is ruined. The woman is bleach happy. The color is great, even lovely. But I'm convinced she didnt have to bleach my hair to get it that light.
Second, watch out for Naomi. She is a great haircutter but when I booked for a highlight lowlight, I got her assistants instead & the one girl had the messiest uneven foil technique that I was actually nervous during the process. Naomi didnt even touch my hair, she was too busy doing 3 people's hair simultaneously. The one assistant did quite a sloppy job. I know what good foil wrapping is. She just slapped color on my hair & basically scrunched up the foil like it was paper. After all that, Naomi came over & did give me glorious cut & blow dry. Thats it.
I do appreciate that she was able to lighten my hair without using bleach but I do not appreciate her non-involvement in my color. If paid to see her do my hair, not her assistants. I do like tis place but some of these stylists need to step up their game.
Overall, I think Jaimie would be the best colorist were it not for her bleach obssesion. And Naomi would actually one of the best stylists in the place if only it was her that delivered it, and not the assistants.
I had my hair cut from Jamie. She was very nice. The consultation was good. She opened up the Japanese hair book and showed me a couple different pictures...
She washed and cut my hair. My haircut was average. I've had much better cuts but she was very pleasant throughout the process. She had quite a bit of hair knowledge so I was surprised when she took her razor, grabbed a bunch of my hair, and made such a blunt, straight cut to make additional layers. Now my hair looks frizzy when I put it up-due to those new layers.
Other reviews also talked about hair getting washed several times. Mine was only washed once.
What I really didn't like is that she started curling and styling my hair at the end of my cut before I took a look at it in the mirror. So I wasn't really able to see the layers, length, etc. When I got home and washed my hair I found some uneven layers.
I'm not sure if I will come back. If I do I think I want to try someone else...
I went because of Yelp. What all the other reviewers said was true. They have loads of Japanese hair magazines, it's tiny, everyone is Japanese, they give you scalp massages and hair washings x2 and cuts x2, they offer you Japanese candy and water while you wait, they call you "Kimberly-sama."
I called and got a same-day appointment for a cut and color. The total was $167 not including the tip. It took exactly 2 hours.
Why the 3 stars? Because I didn't get what I wanted!!! I got Yoshi, and the language barrier was extreme. He spoke the least English of anyone there that day. I caught bits of the Japanese he was talking at me, and he did have a repetoire of English hair words (like "volume"--he said that a lot), but I think he misunderstood what I wanted.
At the beginning "consultation" phase, he asked me how I wanted it cut. My hair was almost to my elbows. I said cut one inche to remove damage. I've been having family members cut my hair in a blunt style for awhile now (okay, since I was born, withonly 1 other "nice" haircut under my belt and a few from fantastic sam's, so I was nervous about going into a salon--I don't really live in that world, and I liked what reviewers said about not having to make idle chitchat with the stylist while being stylist.) Anyway, I wanted to keep it long. He suggested layering for more volume. I said ok. He said he would cut 1" in back and 2" in front. Okay, sure.
Another girl took me to a curtained area and washed my hair. Then Yoshi cut it. Instead of 1" and 2", it was more like 4" and 7." Luckily I am not too picky about my hair. Then he started cutting random pieces at 3" from the roots. I have really super baby fine hair to begin with, so it's kind of precious to me to have it long. I must have looked ill about the three-inch from my scalp thing, because he explained that it was "for volume. short, more volume." Okay. As long as I didn't end up with one of those scraggly over-layered hairdos I would be all right. He blow-dried it. It looked okay?
Then he said I would have to blow-dry it everyday. I told him, 'I don't own a blow-dryer." He said, "In Japan, everyone has a blow-dryer." I think in the US, everyone has a blowdryer too, except for me. I can't be bothered to do it. Sigh. Hopefully the haircut will look ok without maintenance.
Now for the color. I specifically asked for red highlights. As in, I said it three times, and once in Japanese, and he repeated it back to me to be sure. He asked how chunky, I said small. Then he did the foil thing. I sat under a heat lamp for awhile. They took me to be shampooed again. I got the scalp massage with "scalp mousse" and a neck/shoulder massage. Then they took the towel off, and I saw that I had brown highlights. Not red. He started blow-drying when I asked where the red was. He said it would be $200 and my hair would get damaged. Actually, another stylist had to come over and translate for him because I didn't really understand. Um...what? I didn't make a fuss, but I was very disappointed that the red part of my coloring request didn't come out...since it was my only want.
I give three stars despite my haircut (which might grow on me, but I don't know about layers on such thin hair) and my non-requested dye-job. I think all the five-star reviews are intimidating me into giving the three stars? I don't know. There was parking, shopping nearby, and the staff were polite. I just didn't get the haircut or the color I wanted, which I think should be the main component of a review for a hair salon.
The other customers I saw there were all Japanese-speaking. I mean, I speak a bare minimum of Japanese, but not enough to hold a conversation or talk about how I want my hair. Also, they were all men. I wonder why? One was a 2-year-old boy getting a haircut in his mother's lap, one was a 13-year-old boy who might have been a model (?), and one was a wiry 30-something getting a perm.
I would go here if I spoke better Japanese.
**Okay, it's three days later and I look scraggly like a poofy, dried-out dog. I cannot go out with my hair down for a long long time. Minus to 2 stairs. I miss my blunt cut. I don't want ugly scratchy layers!!! I It's cute in a ponytail, though.
I went back again to a girl named, Naomi. She was very nice and she really did a great job with my hair even though she may have layered it a bit too much, but I'll go back. I'll probably try another person. I'm kind of in love with the salon and the process rather than a particular stylist. I hear Hitomi is really good (from a friend) so I'll probably try her next. I recommend this place. :D
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/20/2009
Okay, i don't want to be the first person who doesn't give this salon 5 stars, but I have to be the… Read more »
If I could get a haircut every month here I would! At $60 for a complete mind blowing haircut experience, it is worth every penny. 4.5 stars!
I came here as a recommendation from my auntie who also had a positive experience. My appointment with Yoshi was a full service hair treatment. It starts off with a sit down consultation, cut, wash(es), massage, cut (again: he's a perfectionist!) and style.
When I first came here, I browsed through some Japanese hair magazines to find the right style to keep my long hair. Yoshi and I found the right cut and he promised to keep my length. He definitely kept his end of the bargain. You know he's got skillz when you notice a few months later when your hair grows out that the style still looks fabulous.
After cutting here and there, a few scalp & shoulder massages and hair washes, the transition was everything I wanted and expected. This place knows how to specifically cut Asian hair. Yoshi's technique of using his scissors and blades comes with many years of training both in Japan and Hawaii.
After an enjoyable chat with him using my broken Japanese, I walked out with the perfect haircut. He never pressured any products on me which was a nice change. His clientele included men as well.
This is a true Japanese salon experience. They take the finesse when it comes to treating their clients. When you start your appointment, they will take your purse and belongings into a closet and before they wash your hair, they will offer a dish for your earrings. The receptionest also brings magazines to your station for your entertainment. Classy!
You will not be disappointed and you'll walk out feeling like a million buckaroos.
Domo arigato Yoshisan! Ja mata!! Satomisan
I even had pictures of the way my son wanted the hair done, but Naomi just could not reproduce it! The cut was so bad that he had to re-do it in Japan on his fall break. Maybe the 2 male hairstylists that go back and forth from Japan is the one you have to ask for.
After reading reviews on yelp... I decided to get my haircut at Raiz while visiting Hawaii for the summer.
Came here the other day. Called and made an appointment with Naomi... they couldn't see me the same day, so I settled for the next day.
Naomi has been cutting hair for about 8 years. She started cutting in Japan and has been in Hawaii for a year... she's really nice.
YES:
+ getting my hair washed twiced. Before and after cutting.
+ getting tips on how to blow dry my hair
+ head & shoulder massages
+ lots of magazines to look through for hair styles.
+ free parking.
+ walking out hair free. Naomi made sure I didn't have pieces of hair from the cut on my face.
NO:
- waiting throughout my appointment
MAYBE:
~ Okay price for a cut. $62. 83 plus tip
Overall... I like my new haircut. I'm still trying to get used to the new look. If I'm ever back in Hawaii and in need of a haircut, I'll be sure to come back again... and maybe try another stylist... since I'm sure all of them rock.
Arigato Naomi & Raiz Salon!
i'm always tentative to try a new salon/stylist. hair is just so personal and there's so much that could go wrong. with that said, i'm really happy with this place.
it's been one week since my haircut, and i'm really loving the way it looks. for me, i hate to judge a salon immediately after a cut b/c i can never repeat the styled results unless i have 40 minutes to spend on my hair every morning - not realistic.
naomi cut my hair and did a great job. she was honest with me and really listened to my concerns (low maintenance, stylish cut, don't like to blow dry, must air dry well). i pointed out hairstyles that i liked and she told me what would and wouldn't work based on my hair type -- i love and really appreciate that kind of honesty from a stylist.
cost: $62 - pretty great deal for the quality you get. plus, they'll also give you a head/neck/upperback massage!!
My cousin and I were debating about whether to go to J Salon or Raiz. We decided that I would get my hair cut at Raiz and my cousin at J.
Kelly Hitomi is the one who cut my hair and halfway through, my cousin decided to have Hitomi cut her hair as well.
Why? Because Hitomi had beautiful hair and that's a good indication that the person cutting your hair knows what to do or where to go. (And she liked what Kelly was doing so far.)
We both ended up really loving our hair cuts.
Everyone was really nice when we came. We got a shampoo and conditioner wash, towel wrap around the hair, a hair cut, blow dry, another wash and then a massage! they sprayed something in my hair (it was cold...maybe it was just a blast of air? but the assistant said it was for my scalp. Then Kelly looked me over and continued to cut and then another blow dry. All that for $60 + tax (2.38?) and a $20 tip. I liked how she didn't try to force conversation on me. At times I find it awkward making small talk, so I'm glad I didn't have to. I did say at the end, "You're great."
But this is the most important part.
I love my hair.
I get anxious when I go to get my hair cut because of past experiences. I'm kind of a tomboy but I do like to look pretty here and there, so I think it's really difficult for some people to cut my hair because finding a balance between tomboy and girly is difficult.
Kelly looked at me, asked me some basic questions (length, bangs, light, layered) and BAM. she gave me an asian hairstyle that was similar (as my cousin and sister put it) to the pretty asian boy hair cut but long enough to look a little girly.
Perfect.
I am so happy. Hitomi is my new go to girl.
My cousin loved her hair as well. A couple weeks ago, another stylist damaged her hair with bleach, making it similar to dry wheat. My cousin went out and bought Kerastese and Shu Uemura to strengthen her hair. She still didn't like how her hair looked.
After Raiz, she was so happy. Her hair looked healthy, and Hitomi listened to what my cousin wanted (she has long hair and didn't want it cut too much, just enough to remove the damage, but also to add a little style to it). She said she should've just gone to Raiz before buying all those products (which cost about double the hair cut).
I believe the base pay for a cut is $60 flat regardless of who you get, so it doesn't matter if you get 5 ft cut by Ken or 2 in cut by Naomi, it'll still be $60.
I highly recommend Raiz.
OMFG, I died & became a Japanese actress!
Well, that's how my hair looks like anyway, thanks to Naomi. My hair alone can easily be in the pages of JJ or Can-Can magazine. I didn't come like this before entering Raiz. In fact, my hair was dull, dead & very dry. There was no shape or style. I basically had a desert of hair on top of my head.
At first, I was a little turned off by Naomi because she was soo soft spoken, sweet & gentle. You see, I usually had stylists that were loud and sassy, with lots of attitude wearing some piece of black leather... aka happy men. So throughout the entire procedure, I was preparing myself to be disappointed. But, when the whole process was over, she transformed me into Cinderella.
On top of that, the massages are amazing, I used all my control not to fall asleep. I got massaged on my scalp, behind the ears, neck & shoulders. It's amazing what strong & mighty hands comes out of this petite Naomi.
It's $60 a haircut. It took about an hour & a half. This is great value considering you get an amazing hair transformation, intense scalp massage & you get to read the latest Japanese fashion magazines.
My hair grows unbelievably fast (guiness book of world records fast) so i get a cut every 25-31 days. Not to mention i have super thick hair.
Anyway, my hairstylist from Ala Moana - W left for San Francisco and i was forced to find a new one. Once i find one, i stick with them, I've only had 3 hairstylist in the past 10 years. My friend recommended RAIZ, so i checked it out.
First they give you this ultra-relaxing head massage and shoulder massage. I would almost just go there for that. In fact, if i may suggest - take 10 minutes off from cutting my hair and add 10 minutes to the massage.
Haircut - since they are all japanese they are used to cutting asian hair. I am japanese and prefer the way they cut it. their method seems to suit my head/hair. did i mention i have tons of thick hair?
So far, i've had naomi and hitomi. Both are good but I'm going to try all the stylist before i settle on one.
Pros: friendly service, professional. Scalp Massage...put you to sleep.
Cons: a little pricey, especially if you have to go once a month. so i had to take off one star.
Back where I grew up on the East Coast, I had a salon I went to religiously....once I moved here I had a really hard time finding a salon/stylist I liked. I've tried no fewer than 16 different salons since moving to Honolulu back in 2001....after some truly harrowing experiences at some of those salons, I'm so happy to have found this place.
My stylist is Hitomi. She was really friendly & professional without being too pushy.
Also, Linzy L. is right about the magazine selection!! ...For you English readers who are confused at my enthusiasm... one of those Japanese magazines cost about $15 at Hakubundo....so getting to read like 6 of them in one shot is real treat :)
Also, a really good thing about the location...I can leave my bf at D&B or Borders while getting my cut so he doesn't get too grumpy during the wait.
got my hair cut, styled, and highlighted, the price was a STEAL for what it is n I LOVE my HAIR. Jamie made the masterpiece that is currently dancing on my head. fabuloussssssssssssss
I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv this place! I had Naomi cut my hair and it was fantastic! I wasn't expecting much, due to other overpriced hair salon that cant cut hair....i wont say names...like regis. But she blew me away with her skillz man. i'm definately going back every couple of months for ever
i decided to try raiz after reading all of the great reviews. this is a great little salon nestled in the corner next to bucca di peppa. i'm originally from new york and was dedicated to a small japanese hair salon in the west village, so i've been trying to find that same of feel here in hawaii. after trying several hair salons over the past 4 years, i can honestly say i have found it. although smaller than more of the popular salons, i found the space well utilized... it actually seemed bigger than what i thought it would be considering how small the storefront looks from the outside.
i made the appointment on friday night for saturday afternoon, which had several openings. i decided to go with whoever's available and was scheduled with naomi. naomi is soft-spoken, but that is ok with me since i'm not very chatty myself. plus, she was doing major work on my hair - naomi cut 8 inches off of my hair and transformed it from a shapeless blob to a sleek cut. during the styling portion she gave me pointers on the different styles i could go with my cut as well as how to achieve the same look down to how i should blow dry my hair. gotta love that. i usually go home and have no idea how to get my hair in the same condition i left the salon.
total for my cut was about $63 w/ tax and took about an hour and a half - a little more spendy than i usually go for haircuts, but totally worth it! remember it isn't just a cut & style, it's a shampoo-condition-cut-shampoo-massage-blowdry-cut & style. and not to mention a great haircut. thank you so much naomi! i'll definitely be back in a few months when i'm ready to go with a shorter, more daring hairstyle.
I went to Raiz again...I called on Friday to make an appointment on Saturday, so I asked for whoever was available. I got Hitomi- she was FANTASTIC!!! Whenever I go to a salon, I'm never completely satisfied with the outcome. However, with Raiz, I always come out 100% satisfied with my cut. I told her how I wanted my hair, she really listened to what I wanted and cut my hair to suit my hair type. I am DEFINITELY going back to her again. Next time, I think I'll be going in for a straight perm.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/11/2008
I read excellent reviews of this salon on Yelp, so I decided to give it a try today. I saw Yoshi,… Read more »
This place is wonderful =)
1. The service is great. They are very friendly and nice.
2. They wash your hair many times and the products they use smell really good. They even put these plastic things on your ear so you don't get water or dye in it.
3. I really like the music they play.
4. They give shoulder and neck massage and really good scalp massage.
5. It's really nice and clean in there
6. Really good magazine selection
7. They style your hair really nice
8. I always leave feeling very happy!! .. which is great for them.. because i tip a lot when happy... haha
I've seen Hitomi for several years now, since 2004 I believe. I live in SF now, but every time I visit home I make sure to book an appointment with her. She's easy to talk to and understands what you want. The place is super clean, good music, tons of Japanese (& English) magazines to peek through while you get a haircut, a neck & shoulder massage after the cut, 2-3 thorough shampoo/hair wash (probably the best wash&dry I ever got).
They also sell all the wonderful products in their salon that they use on your hair :) The best salon in Hawaii !
I get my hair cut here because:
1) Hitomi
2) They wash your hair AFTER they cut it too! I've gotten my hair done at a couple of well-liked Hawaii salons and I've NEVER had anyone wash my hair after the cut. It's such a small detail that makes a big difference.
3) The neck and shoulder massage.
4) Great music selection.
I absolutely love my hair when I walk out of this salon.
I just found out my regular stylist MARIKO is no longer there and moved back to NY. I will have to find another stylist, but my friends are definitely happy with Hitomi or Masayo. I love their styles so I will definitely check them out for my next appt!
If I recall correctly. Haircuts under $40. A wash, little massage (head & neck), AWESOME cut, then a style out the door!
Be prepared to wait for an appt though. They are in demand! No longer a "secret". :)
When I use to live in Honolulu back in '05, I love getting my hair done at this place. Professional and friendly atmosphere. I payed a reasonable amount of money and I got high class spa like treatment. I wish they would open up RAIZ Salon here in Southern California, especially in Los Angeles.
Hitomi was my stylist and loved every cut & color she gave me. She inspired me to be a hairstylist that I am today!!! And she's wonderful with children's cut as well!
I would recommend to book your appointment with her as soon as possible.
I have tried TONS of salons from cheap to expensive. Never have I found a place that was cheap enough but decent in cutting, OR had a great cut that was worth the pricey tab. I am by far very picky when it comes to haircuts because I watch the way the stylist cuts my hair.
Raiz Salon was absolutely fabulous. I had Naomi and then another guy that washed and massaged my head. Naomi was great because she asked me what I wanted and listened, gave me tips, and spent a great deal on my hair cutting it and polishing it up at the very end. She did not make me feel uncomfortable either.
The shampoo guy (didn't get his name!) was awesome! I had my hair washed twice! and both times was really comfortable- good wash, gentle and short massages. After the second wash he sat me down and gave me a head and shoulder massage. It was a new head massage experience for me, but it was nice. Pretax, my tab was 50. Then add tax and tip for both ppl cuz they both did a great job. It was well worth it. I have found my go-to salon!
I'm VERY picky about how my hair is cut.... especially since having it cut in Japan. The staff at Raiz are professional and the atmosphere is friendly. If you speak Japanese, you can have some fun conversation with most of the staff there. My guy is Tachibana-san.
