Meet the Stylists Jay (Designer)
Stylist: Jay
Main Branch: Dublin Salon
Q: Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What are some of your career highlights?
A: Born in a family that ran a seafood business, I pretty much ate fish every single day growing up in Miyagi prefecture, Japan. Now that I think about it, I was always surrounded by people indulged in the field of Art. My sister was an Art person, as well as my close friend who wanted to become a hairstylist. So I guess it was natural for me to pursue beauty school. School was lots of fun. I met such wonderful women there— no wonder I got good grades! After I graduated school, I moved to Tokyo and gained experience at several salons. Throughout my career in Tokyo, I got the opportunity to work for Japanese magazines and beauty events, which was awesome.
I decided to come to the U.S. because I always had an interest in meeting new people in a foreign country. Especially with my sister living here, it made it even easier for me to jump right in and move to San Francisco. I'm also really grateful I got the opportunity to be the hair makeup artist for a major Japanese TV Network that documented the 50th Anniversary of the Super Bowl. Lady Gaga's national anthem was so touching I was bawling. I'm currently hustling and bustling at Viange Hair.
Q: What's your specialty?
A: Cut, color, up-dos and hair photography. I'm also studying Western makeup styles, since it's quite different from Asian makeup.
Q:Why did you become a stylist?
A: I'm not gonna lie. I thought becoming a hairstylist would magically turn me into a lady-killer. Well, I guess it was a success because I now have a beautiful fiancé!
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: I wasn't quite the popular kid back in the days, so being able to meet and interact with beautiful women and making them even more beautiful is what I love about my job.
Q: Tell us about your aspirations.
A: I want to be able to make people laugh when communicating.
Q: What do you do on your free time?
A: Weight training, taking care of my goldfish, going to new restaurants, studying English... and of course spending time talking with my fiancé, as we're in a long distance relationship.
Q: What’s your favorite quote?
A: I'm always fortunate.
