I usually see Yukari in the east village location but my girl wasnt available for a while and I really needed a haircut. I explained how scared I am of trying someone new especially with a traumatic experience in the past and they reassured me the person they assigned to me has 30 plus years of experience and I will surely be happy.....and now I am confident to say I am beyond happy! This was my first time seeing Motoki. Only took about 5 mins to explain to him how I wanted my hair to look. He gave me the most soothing hair wash and I let him do this thing. While he was blow drying my hair, my head actually kept falling because I kept falling asleep from how calming he made me feel. Sorry Motoki! The end result...EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED! He cut off the unhealthy ends but kept my length, and gave it a soft look. I felt and still feel so beautiful from my haircut! Thank you soooo soo much! Highly recommended! read more

Sei Tomoko Salon - Hair Salons Near Me - New York, New York

I've been coming to this salon for haircuts for 20 years. Staff is very polite and stylists always get it right. I have Asian hair and they know how to layer it gently so it doesn't look harsh or choppy. I hope they are open for many years to come. read more

I passed this salon by and they were advertising a 6 minute hair treatment for damaged hair. My hair is colored and highlighted and can get frizzy, so tried it. It really worked great! My hair is smooth, soft and shiny. Looks and feels great. They were super nice and gentle. I'll definitely come back for this again. read more

I came in about 2-3 weeks ago for a haircut, and it was probably the best haircut I've ever gotten! I waited a few weeks to see if I'd still like it after a bit, and I do - I totally love it. I came in with long, wavy/curly (2C) hair and got a bunch of layers + light bangs. This haircut by itself about $80. I also added on the scalp cleansing treatment for $37 which made my hair feel a lot lighter than before, but i only think this service is worth doing if you use a lot of products. Tomoko was the one who cut my hair and she did a fantastic job. I will go back to her from now on for my haircuts! Absolutely loved talking to her and the way she had a vision for how the cut would turn out. She also made sure to adjust the style i showed her in the photo to my hair type and face structure so it looks great both with a blowout and air-dried naturally. Would highly recommend a visit here! read more

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Very happy with my experience here! I've been getting cheaper haircuts for a while now and finally decided to try a pricier salon as my last few haircuts all looked a bit off and even worse when they grew out. I was a bit nervous since I wanted to get some Korean style curtain bangs and I haven't had bangs in years. Yasuko was my hairstylist and she cut the bangs exactly as in the picture I showed her and also improved my last sloppy haircut by adding shorter/more subtly angled layers which looked so much better than before! Super happy with the result and it is really worthwhile to have a more skilled hairstylist! The salon is also clean and you can tell everything is run very smoothly. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a more refined haircut. read more

I have been coming here for a haircut for years since I went to college nearby. I used to get the student discount but I'm an adult now (I think, still managing!). It's a typical Japanese salon so the service is excellent and attentive. I usually get Yukari or Takeshi to cut my hair. My hair has always been long past the shoulders but I do mix it up every 4 years and get a short haircut. Every time, the cut is amazing and they spend the time to create a relaxing atmosphere. The place is also super clean and well maintained. I'll definitely be back, it's a bit pricey but worth it since I don't go that often. read more

Over a span of 3 years, I've gone here over 10 times now to to get haircuts and trims. Yasuko is absolutely amazing. As a person: she's so warm and kind and I always leave with a smile on my face. As for style/cut: she's meticulous and gentle, and gives me thoughtful advice on what to go for. When I decided to try out bangs (blunt thick fringe at that) she did fantastic work in framing my face. As for the business itself: they run a tight ship and booking/reservations via phone is super seamless. read more

Yukari and Takeshi both took care of me during the height of the winter covid wave in November 2020. Excellent service, including extreme attention to covid safety. Covid safety is the best you can get anywhere. - temperature scan as soon as one steps in - hand sanitizer a must for all customers as soon as one steps in - you are asked to verify you will pay a low surcharge of N95 mask (like 3 bucks) as a fee for their covid safety. I happily said yes!!! - they wear PPE: n95 masks, and plastic gown. - they sanitize the seats - they are normally very clean and they are even more thorough than before Yukari and Takeshi are well mannered, interesting and great at what they do. You cannot go wrong with either one of them. I recommend both. Takeshi spent more time with me and I had very nice conversations with him and he pointed out some interesting details that I was very happy about. If you're looking for steals and deals this is not your place. If you're looking for good, careful and meticulous service and am willing to pay for it, then look no further. Overall the best in class. read more

Went in to get my hair cut after 7 months of a bad hair cut I'd gotten at the same salon right before lockdown. I couldn't get an appointment with Yukari, whom I noticed gets the most positive reviews on Yelp, next to Takeshi. I tried earlier, but she was very booked up. So I'd gotten another colleague instead, who is very sweet, but gave me one of the most incompetent haircuts I'd ever gotten. She's mainly the salon manager, so haircutting isn't her specialty, and it shows. For 7 months I had a haircut where one strand on the left side of my head was noticeably longer, and no matter how I parted my hair, it always stuck out. I know I should have just cut it off. Never in my life, though, have I had a hair stylist do that, and it was unpleasant to live 7 months with such a bad haircut. The longer my hair got, the less noticeable the unevenness was, at least. I stuck with the salon, though, knowing the stylist made all the difference. As soon as I was able to go back to my office, I made an appointment at Sei Tomoko and asked for Yukari. This time, because of the pandemic, she wasn't booked well in advance and had lots of openings. First, she has a really calming presence and gives you lots of space to relax and zone out. I fell asleep in her chair as she cut my hair. Second, she gave me the best haircut I've gotten in NY, and the 2nd best haircut I've gotten in the past 10 years. She's so skilled that I can wash and dry my hair without styling it, and it still looks sharp, as if I did style it. The lines are precise and clean, and swing and balance are perfect. I'm so happy that my search for a good hair stylist is over, and I went back to the salon even after the first experience with the different stylist. They are very careful with PPE and COVID precautions at this salon. They took my temperature when I walked in, and the hairdressers are covered in protective gear. I've gotten tested since then and I am in the clear. read more

I hate getting my hair cut, and getting it colored is right up there with going to the dentist. First, it takes forever. Second, you have to stare at yourself for hours in a bad mirror. Third, you have to make polite conversation with the stylist, an introvert's nightmare. Fourth, there is usually all manner of discomfort to put up with - the stylist washes your hair with water that is too cold; a knot forms in your neck while you lean back towards the sink; the stylist forgets about you and hair dye eats into your skull. Fifth, there is always that hipper than thou attitude that so many salons cultivate. These are all the reasons I get a haircut and professional color once, and only once, a year. Sei Tomoko is different!!! As soon as you step inside, you notice it feels peaceful. It's actually quiet. Good jazz is playing softly. The woman at the front desk will offer you tea. Everyone is incredibly friendly and hospitable. There is zero snobby attitude, just friendliness. My stylist - I wish I could remember his name - radiated good will and talked minimally. Somehow, he made me feel comfortable. The bad mirror is still there, but maybe that is just my face? The chair where you sit to have your hair washed is amazing! It reclines fully so your neck doesn't hurt. Of course, the water was just the right temperature. My stylist gave me a complimentary massage that was probably the best I have ever gotten (this is a service they provide - needless to say, I will be booking a fifteen minute massage the next time I come in for my hair). And last but not least, I got a fabulous cut for a very reasonable price. I can't wait to come back! read more

Sei is the best hair stylist I've found in NYC for Asian hair and at a reasonable price of less than $90. I've been searching for decades. Fabulous read more

Been coming year for a couple of years. Love my stylist Yasuko, she's very talented and really nice. She just knows what to do to manage my hair and I always leave satisfied. I give her a rough idea of what I want and she always makes a few suggestions according to my face shape and my hair natural movement, which always turns out better than I wanted. Love her! read more

I've been going here for almost 8 years now and they always manage to make me the happiest customer! All the hair stylists are amazing! My hair is super long and I needed something lighter for the summer. Takeshi was the one who cut my hair this time and I'm so pleased! He listened to exactly what I wanted and kept making sure with me if the length was okay (since I was worried about it being cut too short). My hair is so much healthier now and easier to manage~ Definitely recommend going here, and if you're a student, you get a discount! read more

I've been to plenty of hair salons and haven't found one that I've liked so much that it'd be my go-to place. This place does come close. It's very similar to services in Asia - you get complementary tea or water, a head massage and a back massage. The woman who cut my hair started off with looking at how my hair was already cut and could tell right away how to do that if I wanted the same. They were all really courteous. Overall, would come back again. P.S. if you pay with cash you don't have pay taxes read more

Causcasian hair beware. Went in for two color process: bleach then a second color on top. They fried my hair. I left with fried, bleached hair with uneven orange spots where my brunette shade didn't lift. Had to trouble shoot and camouflage at home. What a nightmare. I guess they rushed the bleaching phase and didn't take the proper time to do it right. read more

This is the only salon I will go to for Japanese hair straightening. I made the mistake of going to a place in Brooklyn a few years ago, and they badly damaged my hair. I was nervous to do the process again (even though Sei Tomoko always did it perfectly). But Motoki really took his time to assess my hair and it came out great! Thanks Sei Tomoko read more

I cheated on my regular hair stylist of 7 yrs and it was worth it! Chieko was my stylist and after getting the haircut i envisioned I think I will have to say bye bye to my old stylist. I have long thick hair and she knew how to cut the long layers i wanted. Her technique was very meticulous. She was also very sweet and warm. The salon itself is modern and clean. The shampoo chair was so comfortable and my neck didn't hurt. The head massage was very relaxing and they also do shoulder I think but I declined bc I had to get back to work. Whats great is that i got a quality haircut for only $50, which is such a bargain in NYC. I felt great after the cut and I left with bouncy fresh hair. The only downside is that I can never replicate the styling when I do it myself. read more

Wow service here is truly amazing! I've been living in NYC for years and have yet to find my go to hair salon and I think I found it! They are just all around great, and reasonably priced. I just got a 3 inch trim (nothing fancy) so I can't speak too much on the skill level but from past reviews seems like most customers are happy! I'm definitely coming back to get balayage in the summer! So glad I found my go to hair salon! read more

Ive always wanted to grow my hair out long even when my hair was super damaged from bad home bleaching and dying in high school. Takeshi cut most of my remaining dead ends off a year ago and my hair was soo soft and fluffy. This year I was still trying to grow it out long again and he was able to thin out my hair and snip the ends and I lost almost no length! :) Maybe just about an inch. It's been half a year since and my hair still has no split ends and it's never been healthier Thinking about it now in quarantine, I really hope everyone is doing well & staying healthy and safe. I very much miss this place read more

I have been going to Sei Salon since 2002. Every 6 months for the past 17 years I get the Japanese hair straightening. Always comes out unbelievable great. Plus I get a haircut too. Tomoko does my hair. The prices are competitive. The salon staff is very friendly. If you currently get your hair straightened at another salon, I guarantee you will be just as happy at Sei with the straightening plus I bet the price will be more competitive. read more

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I have been getting my hair cut here for years. Yasuko is the absolute best. She is a delightful person and a fierce stylist, able to work within your preferences with grace and precision. She answers all of my annoying home care questions knowledgeably and leaves me not just looking good but feeling good every time I come in. As for the establishment itself, Sei Tomoko is always well-organized and clean. Everyone is friendly. Price-wise, I receive a student discount so it's an extraordinary deal for the quality of cut I get. If one didn't get the student discount it would be about average pricing for a high-quality cut. To be honest, I'm only writing this review because I'm leaving NYC, therefore I don't mind letting it out that Yasuko is NYC's best-kept hairstyling secret. I'll be out before her availability disappears! ;-) read more

The moment I discovered this salon I never went anywhere else. I've had several cuts from various hairstylists, but Takeshi is by far my favorite. He slays it every time. read more

I have been to this salon for many years to see Tomoko and have never been disappointed with her styling. She is always very friendly and highly skilled. I love the salon and Tomoko so much. Even with this "new normal" with the COVID-19, they provide excellent services while very carefully following through the protocol and keeping the salon extremely clean. I highly recommend. read more

Sei Tomoko has to be the only place that i will ever get my hair cut at. Yukari was my stylist and did an exceptional job. We spent the whole time chatting away about different things and she gave me the hair cut ive wanted my WHOLE life. She was very polite and professional in giving me options on cutting my hair and telling me ways to make it look better. Sei Tomoko definately made a client for life read more

Nothing but good things to say about this place :) my hair grows fast so I can't afford to pay $80 (what usual high end Japanese salons charge minimum) every time I want a trim, especially if I'm not looking for a drastic change. When I called for an appointment I asked how much a haircut is and she generously said she would check who the most affordable stylist would be at the available time slot. I appreciated that she was transparent about the pricing. My trim was $50, which is $30 cheaper than my usual place! Yay!! The quality of the haircut is amazing and the shampoo/massage is heavenly. Overall the experience was great and I will definitely be back. read more

I love Sei Tomoko! Most recently I saw Yukari for a trim. She has the most professional and warm energy. It was my first time seeing her, and after only a few moment I instantly felt I was in good hands and could relax. My hair looks so great! read more

I have been going to sei tomoko salon for several years. Tomoko the owner works magic on my hair. Japanese straightening changed my life. I went to other places and nothing compares to sei tomoko salon. My mom comes with me for cut and blow out. read more

I wish I could give zero stars. FALSE ADVERTISING beyond explanation. I was given false pricing, false cancellation policy info, and untrue information about the hair treatment I was seeking. I went in under the impression I was going to get a Japanese straightening that would take three hours for 300 dollars. (A bit overpriced as is because I have short, fine hair...) and that were I to cancel I would be charged 20. I went in, found out it would take all day and cost 450. ABSURD! I chose to cancel and was charged 59 dollars. I left with the exact same hair and fifty dollars out of my wallet. This place sucks! read more

I really wanted to like this place. Really. I tried so many maybe too many times. I had given it so many chances to show me that it could do a good job, but it had disappointed me over and over. Now, I am just so done with it. I started going to this place when I was living in NYC. My first stylist was Tomoko, yes, the owner of the salon. I thought she did a so-so job. My hair always looked ok, just ok, nothing spectacular. I'd try other pricier salons here and there when I had $$, but when I couldn't afford it, I'd go back to Sei-Tomoko and try a new stylist. And they had failed me over and over. The second stylist I tried at Sei-Tomoko gave me the worst haircut I'd ever had in my entire life. I am still angry about it to this day. His name was Takeshi. My hair was very dry at that time, so when he suggested that I got a shorter haircut to start fresh, I agreed. He give me a haircut that had uneven layers and looked so rediculous that I almost cried when he finished the cut. The first thing my friend said to me when she saw my hair was, "Don't worry. It will grow back." No one dared to mention the haircut in front of me. You know how bad it was. I was scared to go back to that place after the awful experience. It took me almost a year to grow my hair back. I was so determined to grow it back that I hadn't had another haircut for almost a year. Finally, I couldn't wait anymore. My hair was so out of control that I wasn't able to style it at all. But, again, I was out of $$. Since I didn't know any good stylists in LA, I decided to do my hair in NYC when I went back to visit. Sei-Tomoko was the only cheap place that I knew had decent reviews. So, I came on Yelp and found Osamu. I went to Osamu during my visit in NYC. It took me so long to finally grow my hair back. I was hoping he could do a good job or at least give me a normal haircut. Unfortunately, he failed. He turned my hair into this unattractive shape. The layers were too high and uneven (again) that I looked like a stupid 80's rockstar wannabe. It was just rediculous and upsetting. Plus, he didn't offer student discounts. It has been a few months since I visited Osamu. The only hairstyle I can do now is ponytail. When I grow these stupid layers back, I'm hoping to find a good stylist. I am so sick and tired of bad haircuts! As for Sei-Tomoko, I do not believe I'll ever give it another try. It had failed me too many times, I'd be a fool to go back. read more

I just found my new hair salon. I had a great experience with stylist Aya. Appointment starts with a wash, scalp massage, and warm towel at the base of your neck. Delicious. While I waited between the wash and seeing my stylist, I enjoyed a shoulder massage and was offered tea or water. They even found a charger to save my dying phone! As expected, the service was attentive, polite, and friendly. My hair: untreated, straight, shoulder length asian hair with some cowlick issues. I'm also growing out my bowl bangs and assymetrical bob, so needless to say, I was in need of some major help. Aya cleaned up my hair with soft layers, gave me beautiful sideswept bangs that will grow out nicely, and basically made me presentable again. Overall: $45 with student discount, in and out in 75 minutes. Perfect service. **Note: you can pay for the cut with credit card, but tip must be in CASH! read more

Upon my first visit here, I had my hair cut by Tomoko, one of the owners. She was precise and gave me a beautiful, flattering, haircut, exactly what I had been looking for. The great thing about this salon is the service.For only $30-$50, you get a mini spa experience with your hair service! When you enter, everyone chimes in unison "Hello!!" in their adorable Japanese accents. Then someone takes your coat and places it in a wardrobe and offers you green tea or water. After your shampoo, you get a brief neck/shoulder massage. Excellent! And when you leave, everyone sends you off with a "Goodbye!"!! also in cheerful unison. I haven't been here in awhile, since I discovered Glenn Jason Hair Design. BUT...I wanted to still recommend this salon for the affordable experience. read more

I love the manager, Takeshi Iikura (that is a double "i" not an accidental lowercase "L"). He takes his work very seriously and will triple check to see if he understands what kind of haircut you're going for. He will take a good 5-10 minutes flipping through magazines if you, like me, cannot seem to decide on (or describe) what you're looking to do. He is very knowledgeable about hair and will make sure to tell you if a certain haircut (or bangs) is hard to style. He gave me the best, most versatile bangs ever. They can easily be side-swept or, not as easily, made into full bangs. It's only my own hair's fault that I have a hard time styling it straight down as full bangs, but it was great that his cut gives me the option to do so. At $50 + tip, he's a little pricier than the rest of the staff, but that's still cheaper than any other stylist you'll find in New York. I have also had my hair straightened here (Japanese straight perm) by Mr. Sei himself, and it was the best few hundred dollars I have ever spent. It was my first straight perm ever, but I have seen other friends' straight perms that always looked flat-ironed out (absolutely no body) or faded after a few months. I also love the conditioner they sell here too- Molto Bene B:OCE Treatment CC. read more

After getting my hair cut in Chinatown for the past couple of years, I wanted to find a new place. After doing much research on Yelp, I saw that Sei Tomoko had great reviews and decided to book an appointment with Aya (previous Yelpers had raved about her). BEST DECISION EVER! I LOVE my hair cut from Aya. She is very attentive and detail oriented about the cut and style she gives. We had great conversation throughout the whole appointment and I will definitely be going back to her again and again. Everyone at Sei Tomoko is very professional and super nice. Now I know why many of my friends rave about Japanese hair salons. There is a very calming and professional ambiance that makes you feel comfortable knowing that you are in good hands. The appointment started with an assessment of my current hair and what kind of cut I was looking for, followed by a comfortable hair wash and scalp massage. Once I sat in the haircutting chair I received a neck and shoulder massage (amazing as well). Aya then asked if I would like hot Japanese tea or water and then lined various magazines on the small table near the seat. She then proceeded to give me my cut (long, soft layers and sideswept bangs). She also recommended that I get layers on the ends of my hair to give me more volume and texture. I am by no means "high maintenance" and never expect to get this much service at a hair salon. But I have to say -- for $45 my whole experience was luxurious and very enjoyable. I will DEFINITELY be going back and will recommend Sei Tomoko (and Aya!) to all of my friends. FYI - Accepts credit cards, but tip in cash. read more

This place is great! A lot of the time, you won't be able to get a appointment until a week or two after the time you call, but I think that just shows that they prefer to give each customer a lot of attention rather than over-crowding the place and making it assembly-lineish, which a lot of hair salons do. I've only had Osamu cut my hair, and he is great! Very friendly and nice, and amazing hair cuts. He gives beautiful shape to hair that I haven't even seen in Japan (I personally think Japanese hair stylists blow most American ones out of the water). Nice, polite customer service, just like any other respectable Japanese place. read more

I am a poor student, but I wanted a nice haircut, so I searched around yelp to find this hair salon. Ryosuke was the only one available. I was told that he was new, so I was a bit hesitant. But oh boy! He gave me the exact haircut I wanted! And it was only $35! (No need to ask for student discount, because it was already the cheapest price. I guess it was because he's new, but he's very good!) He didn't talk a lot, which I liked because he was really focused and I was get out of the salon with a great haircut in 40 minutes. Don't get me wrong, I like to chat, but I've sat in salons for hours because the stylists were too talkative and I wondered if they were paying enough attention to my hair. Ryosuke examined my hair very often. And it was as if he could read my mind. Every time I saw something not perfect, he immediately fixed it without my saying anything. I have perfect bang, perfect layering, and perfect hair length! He is very skillful, and super polite. I'll go to him for all my future haircuts! read more

Great service, great deal. I was extremely impressed by the unwavering attention to detail my hairdresser showed. I felt like he was using tai chi technique whilst snipping perfectly sculpted sections of my hair. Also, when you leave, everyone in the salon bows and says, "Thank you!!!" Friggin adorable. read more

My sister and I have both been going to Osamu for years. He cuts hair brilliantly. I trust him with my hair. I started going to Sei Tomoko Salon back in 2003 when I was a student on a budget. Not only are their regular priced haircuts wallet-friendly, but they give student discounts! Score! The added bonus of the scalp and neck massages were huge as well, although there were times when this was skipped. (Not a big deal because it's already so cheap!) I remember being startled a little bit the first time I walked in because as soon as I came through the door, everyone greeted me in Japanese. Where else does this kind of friendliness happen in NYC (in English or any other language)? read more

After I was told that Ken my hair stylist at Kiwa Salon near FIT was returning to Japan I was so lost! I was worried that I would not be able to find someone I could trust to do my hair. But I landed here tonight, last minute, sort of by chance. Tomoko did my hair and she is hands down AMAZINGLY talented and such a genuinely nice person. She was conscientious and detail oriented. I had a 6:30pm appointment and she did not rush in doing anything. She took time and care even when blow drying my hair. She didn't have to blow dry my hair as beautifully as she did. I felt so guilty because I did not walk out of the salon until 10pm! Tomoko is someone you can trust with your hair!! Her being genuinely kind and caring is a bonus!!! read more

After three years in NYC, I think I've finally found my go-to hair salon. A little background: for four years, I faithfully went to one stylist in Cambridge, MA. Since graduating from college, I've been at odds to find a salon where I can just go in, say "do what you need to," and be perfectly happy on the way out. Completely given up finding that salon. With that said, I did love my experience at Sei Tomoko. For $35 + tip (I'm still a student), Kaori did a wonderful job cleaning up my two-month-old haircut. It was Halloween, so everyone was dressed up and passing out candy. Yet I think what sold me was the shampoo -- it's specifically made by and for the Sei Tomoko salons, and it was a wonderful honey almond scent. Was tempted to buy a bottle for myself, but I have too many shampoos at home and the scent didn't come in conditioner. Anyway, it was a pretty slow afternoon, so I swear Kaori spent at least half an hour blow-drying my hair. By the time she was finished, it was sooo soft and straight I couldn't stop touching it. Will definitely be back...in fact, maybe I'll start having my hair cut every 8-10 weeks, as supposedly girls are supposed to do to maintain their 'do.' read more

I loooooove getting my hair cut here! Starts with a shampoo, condition and scalp massage, then moves to a shoulder massage. Would I like some tea? Why yes I would! Then a great haircut, then (if you're a guy, like me) you get a second wash at the end to get rid of the extra hair. Overall, it's just such a pleasant experience. True story: The last time I was here, I had to go to work on a Saturday afterwards. I waited 20 minutes for the train, which wound up running on the wrong track, meaning I had to transfer so that it took me an hour to get uptown. I was so relaxed after the haircut, I just didn't care. Seriously, I love this place. A few things to note: * The student discount is only for some of the stylists, so booking in advance is required, but I've gotten two haircuts here (one with the discount, one without, because I didn't plan ahead) and both were high quality. * You can pay by credit card, but can't tip by credit card, so bring cash. * Plan to tip separately for the stylist and the wash/massage assistant. read more