Sei Tomoko Salon

I’ve had Mio and Nana here and they’ve both done a great job.
Very meticulous, clean, friendly, nice. Basically everything you could want in a salon.
Got a basic haircut today ($ 50), Mio made a few suggestions that I loved. Wash with massage and a meticulous cut for a little over an hour.
Super friendly.
Can’t ask for anything more!

Sei Tomoko is my favorite hair salon in NYC! They offer student discounts, a head massage AND back massage before having your hair cut and give you a hot towel for your neck while you’re getting shampooed. The ambience is wonderful and the stylists are all excellent. Would highly recommend this establishment.

I’ve gone here 3 times for a haircut. They seem to know only one type of deconstructed layered cut, which is not what I want, and even when I show a photo and try to explain I still get the same cut I don’t want (and is not flattering on me). It might be due to language/​culture differences.

Mutsumi is an angel.
So sweet and understood exactly what I wanted. I really appreciated her advice on the style I wanted and followed it! I’m glad I did! The shop is so clean, peaceful and the staff is so hospitable. Will definitely be back for my perm in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the new look and restaurant tips, Mutsumi!

I’ve only been to Yu at Sei Tomoko but she is fantastic. She takes the time to find out what you want and her cuts are perfect. All the staff are friendly, the salon is clean and nice. The prices are great too (especially if you’re a student as they have student discounts).

I’ve gone to Yuu at Sei Tomoko twice now and I can honestly say it’s the best haircut I’ve ever had. 1. the price is unbeatable 2. the service is exceptional, prompt service, a mini massage, great products, clean environment. 3. The actual «product» of my hair cut has been top notch, she understood what I wanted.
For background — my hair is semi curly but I blow it out most of the time. I only got a haircut, no dye, and I go to the salon 3 – 4 times a year.

OK so I have lived in NYC now for over 2 years and never once have I gotten my haircut while I have been here. No I don’t have dreadlocks or anything like that, I’ve just had so many bad experiences that I refuse to put my hair fate in the hands of anyone I don’t trust so I have waited for 3 – 4 months stretches between when I can see my stylist in California. It so happens that I am in a stretch where I won’t be able to get home for nearly 6 months (sad but true) so I was desperate to find someone who could cut my hair. Based on a recommendation from a friend I booked an appointment with Nanako.
I was a bit skeptical of whether this salon would be the right place for me — it is all Japanese stylists and employees, and although this was lovely and came with some equally lovely perks (yummy japanese tea, warm and tidy studio space) i was worried that my hair texture and thickness was very different from your average Japanese client so this might not be a good fit.
I was so wrong — Nanako did an amazing job and she is an ARTIST when it comes to texturing and layering hair. If you have thick and unruly hair, do not be afraid, just come to Nanako. She listed to all my concerns and requests, and quietly worked her magic leaving my with expertly shaped and textured layers. She was also very quick! I have lots of very long hair and somehow with wash, cut, and style I was out the door in 45 minutes? And their prices are so reasonable, less than even your average midrange salon. Finally she herself is very very sweet and really takes pride in creating a relaxing experience for her clients. This is probably TMI but she did some little details like her shoulder massage and taking care to dry your ears after shampooing that really gave her service a warm and enjoyable experience. Come here you will not be sorry!

I’ve been with Yu for close to a year now and haven’t looked back. First, I was saddened when my longtime hair dresser moved away suddenly, but it was meant to be because I met Yu! Now, she even cuts my toddler’s hair with ease and he usually can’t keep still for more than 2 seconds. With Yu, he totally understands he’s there for a hair cut and sits patiently while she does her magic. She’s very attentive and knows her stuff when it comes to input on hair styling depending on your life style and hair type. The salon is very clean and all the staff are friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend Sei Tomoko and their stylists.

Got my haircut here after reading good reviews about it. Thought I would give it a try and glad i did. Mika cut my hair, she asked me what I wanted and listened. I left with lighter, healthier looking hair. She took her time and it was so worth it. I love my layers! The head wash also felt great. Nice, hot towel they put on your neckline. :)

I’ve been here twice, both times for a haircut. The first time my hairdresser was Mika, who is quiet but does a great job (but does not accept student discounts). My second time was with Yu, who accepts student discounts, is friendly and also cut my hair the way I requested it be cut. In general the space is BEAUTIFUL and calming, the staff are meticulous, polite and detail-​oriented and all in all this is definitely my preferred salon.

Not accustomed to salons, but the experience here was nice, so I will be returning next time I need a haircut.

I used to be really really anxious about haircuts. Every time the stylist changes I always worry that my hair is going to end up different and weird. I have a lot of hair, and because it’s so thick it’s definitely difficult to style. I used to go to Novella on 3^rd Avenue but literally one of the guys there treated my hair terribly, didn’t do the layers correctly, and basically it was so bad I had to get another appointment at Sei Tomoko the following week. Since then, I never left and have been coming here for 2 – 3 years.
The stylists here are all so nice, patient, and knowledgeable. My appointment has never lasted less than an hour, and they literally are SO detail-​oriented that not a single strand is out of place. I kind of felt bad for my stylist today who painstakingly blew dry my hair layer and layer and THEN fixed all the ends and everything. So impressed.
They also wash your hair in such a nice and relaxing way, use great products, and the massage they gave is such a nice touch. It’s so good that I always consider getting a massage right after my appointment.
If you have a student ID I would definitely take advantage of the student discount. Their prices changes with that but I’ve always paid between $ 40 – 45, and trust me I’d give them $ 80 if it was asked of me. Because of the price I always tip the stylist more than I typically would because honestly, it’s hard work to work with my hair and I appreciate it so much.

This is a long overdue review.
I have mixed feelings about Sei Tomoko, i’ve had great cuts and then i’ve had a (singular) cut that drove me to tears for the first time in two years.
The salon is extremely clean, modern, and peaceful. The receptionist is friendly and always asks to take your coat and bag, and offers you anything from green tea to coffee.
Hairwashes are good as they come. No serious head massage is given but I love the smell of the shampoo and conditioner they use – something almond based as far as I can tell.
Yu is an amazing hairdresser. She listens to what you want but isn’t afraid to give you recommendations based on your grooming habits. I told her i’m pretty low maintenance and don’t enjoy blow drying my hair every day. She offered up two options: an edgier style that required more primping and something simple but low maintenance. Naturally, I chose the latter.
From what i’ve heard from my male friends, Yu is good with short hair. My hair is on the shorter side so I feel comfortable going to her. She did an amazing job with neatening my bob up, my cut lasts for months and I never feel the need to go in for trims until absolutely necessary (4 months later). She’s also a great conversationalist and I never feel awkward telling her about my personal life LOL. But also, she respects your need for silence and i’ve had haircuts when i’ve simply sat there for an hour staring into space/​reading a magazine.
My terrible experience was with a man that I have not seen at the salon since. I asked him for a simple hair cut, just a long bob with some layers because my hair is pretty flat (goddamn azn genes). When I looked up at the mirror it didn’t look like he had created many layers because it looked really matte and boring so I asked him to change it up a little.
A few minutes later I was in tears. Not even kidding, I looked like shaggy from Scooby Doo. He ran a razor through the base layer of my hair (right where it ends at your neck) and the layers were flipping out in different directions. I left in a hurry because I was so traumatized!!! I really regret tipping him.
You know how your friends generally sugar coat their words if you ask them how you look, well mine just straight up told me I looked bad – that’s how bad the haircut was. I mean if it’s any indication I hadn’t cried that hard since my ex boyfriend broke up with my two years ago.
So the next day I went back and Yu saved me. She wouldn’t even let me tip her because she recognized how horrible I looked and felt. I had to tie up my hair for half a year but at least it grew out in a decent shape.
I can’t say enough about Yu’s abilities and friendly disposition – I highly recommend her.

Sei Tomoko is a treasure to behold: clean, modern, affordable, consistent and the lovely staff is eager to please. My stylist, Yu, is beyond talented and takes tremendous pride in her work. I have rather manic hair: curly here, wavy there, and extremely tempermental between seasons. It’s thick and coarse and generally mean-​spirited. Yu has been miraculously coercing it into submission for a few years now. Her cuts are really easy to style — hair magically falls right into place and grows out beautifully. Yu continues to work wonders on this unpredictable mop and always has new ideas for me. Thanks for making me look good, Yu!

I’ve been going to Sei Tomoko for 5 years now, can’t believe I’ve never left a review.
In addition to being one of the people I’ve known longest in New York, Mika is an absolute treat, both as a stylist and conversationalist. All I have to say is how long it’s been since my last visit, and I get a consistently solid haircut which gets more attention to detail than is expected or required.
Nana fills in when Mika is on break, same quality experience there as well. The rest of the staff is extremely friendly and professional, love the quick massage after the wash.
If you’re looking for a salon to call home, highly recommend!

I had an appointment at 4 pm, I was late 15 minutes because it was my first time in New York (noob). We went back and forth on the MTA and finally reached the destination.
Yuu greeted me professionally and happily, and led me the way. I had such a great time, and I was surprised that they kept my reservation, for being late. I’m so grateful!
I had so much fun with Yuu. She asked me what I’d like,
And she was so informative of what she’ll do and show me. We talked about japan and animé and all other things.
I wish I lived in NYC to come here for my haircuts!
Yuu, have a wonderful time back in Nippon! :D

PROS: great cut, great service, brief massage, free hot tea /​water (refilled without me having to ask!), they don’t push products on you, VERY clean (floor is swept constantly by a worker during the haircuts so it doesn’t pile up on the floor), really professional blow drying (based on me watching them expertly blowdry and style two women with longer hair who had their hair cut)
CONS: can’t really think of any except that during the 2 hours I was there (includes wait time, since I came early), I didn’t see anyone ever wash/​clean their scissors
Long version: After much research, I came here to get rid of my long locks in exchange for a pixie cut. My stylist, as per my request, was Nanako (also called Nana), who accepts student ids for a discounted hair cut (not all stylists at the salon do). I came in with several pictures of what I wanted, and she was able to look at my face and the texture of my hair and tell me what would realistically work for me before I got my hair washed.
The shampoo smelled heavenly. I think you get one wash with shampoo and one with conditioner, but it could just be shampoo twice. You also get a nice hot towel around your neck and a brief scalp massage during the rinse. During the toweling off, your ears are wiped clean. When I went back to the chair, I received the briefest of brief shoulder massages (2 – 3 minutes?).
Then, Nanako got to work. I really like that she didn’t just grab a chunk of my hair in a ponytail and chop it off. I think she realized that with this drastic of a change, the conservative approach was necessary. She clipped my hair into sections expertly (no pain at the roots! no wet chunks of hair flopping in my face!) and began cutting. She worked on the layers slowly and it took a while before it was the length that I wanted it, but I didn’t have to say anything. Nanako was a very focused and you can tell that she really sees the details by the way she works. This was also the first time I’ve had my hair cut that the stylist didn’t overdo it and take off more hair than I wanted.
After she finished and I gave my approval, she took me back to the sink to rinse my head off. Once most of the stray hairs had been washed off my neck and scalp, she blow dried my hair and styled it with wax and a little mousse. Because I told her I’d never had my hair this short before, she showed me a few styling options and gave me some tips on how to manage my new cut. Overall I was very happy with my experience, and I would happily go back to Nanako. Total cost = $ 42 + tip.

Out of a myriad of Manhattan salons, I decided to make an appointment for a makeover haircut and single-​process color at Sei Tomoko’s East Village location. Although I’ve ventured to another hair salon, used the same stylist for a number of years, I desired change. It was a good risk taker. Comparatively, Sei Tomoko is reasonably priced for a high-​end Japanese salon (about $ 55-​$ 65 for women’s cut). They are open until 8PM on weeknights, which is convenient for those who have busy work schedules, like myself.
Mika was my assigned stylist. Overall, a friendly and genial staff, though there may be slight language barriers. This is why I advise bringing pictures. I brought a photo indicating the exact look I wanted and described any adjustments (longer length, etc.). She understood completely and worked fast but carefully and methodically between the single-​process coloring and cutting. All together, it was about a 2 hour process, including the shampoo portion. You can also request for quick shoulder/​back massage. I had about 6 inches worth of hair chopped off. I was admittedly nervous while she was cutting away, but she made it a point that she will stop if I’m not comfortable. I sat still, allowed her to do her thing, and the end result was better than expected. She did a fantastic job of matching the cut to the picture. I was happy overall. I even made a second appointment for half-​head highlights, and I certainly look forward to that appointment.
Generally, Sei Tomoko has an excellent set of stylists who are fully focused and experienced. Their staff is all Japanese, so this is authentic. The salon itself is big, spacious with simple décor. I advise booking an appointment weeks ahead to guarantee a specific time slot. If looking for a reliable high-​end, but economical choice Japanese salon, Sei Tomoko is a really great option.

The staff was extremely friendly and accomodating from the start. I was trying to make an appointment for both my husband and I at the same time on the same day. They were able to schedule them 30 minutes apart.
When we showed up, we were pleasantly surprised that they were able to move up the other appointment and we were able to have our hair cut at the same time. They also served us green tea while we were waiting.
His stylist was Nana and mine was Akiko. They both did a very good job and really listened to what we wanted. I am someone who often suffers from haircut trauma and it was truly a relaxing experience. It also helped that they gave us a massage right before the haircut!
The cleanliness level is off the charts. There was a lady who swept every time my hairdresser made a cut; the floors were perpetually spotless.
In terms of price, it was around $ 45 – 50 /​person. They did not differentiate between men or women haircut prices. It is similarly priced to other Japanese salons such as Hazuki Hair and is very reasonable for women cuts (not sure what the going rate is for mens).
This is a great place to get your haircut! The staff are polite, the stylists are good and you get a massage.

I had passed by this salon before and saw the unique interior design; I never thought of actually coming until I read the Unilocal reviews (this was in fact the first salon that came up on Unilocal when I searched «haircut for women» near «nyc.»
I couldn’t be happier — it was among the best haircut experiences I have ever had. I was looking to cut about 5 inches off my long hair (for summer!) and saw that the price was decent (on their website). I called for a same-​day appointment and they were able to accommodate me and the price was just as decent as I expected it to be (great quality for the value you pay).
Very meticulous and polite and attentive service throughout (the ladies all say «thank you» as you leave). Great, great service and efficient too (I have long hair, and was only there for an hour total). The best hair washing ever — including a warm towel and massage as other Unilocalers have mentioned. The green tea they give you is just fabulous (make sure you request the tea instead of water).
Akiko cut my hair and did such a great job — she constantly checked the length and asked me a few times if it was what I wanted. It was Perfect by the time she blow dried it out! I LOVED my experience here and only wish I had discovered this place sooner.