Hair Sets in Tokyo; What they are and how to book them
BY DEVIN RILEY MULLIGAN
If you have a special event coming up in Tokyo and want your hair done for it, here is how our hair sets work, what each option includes and how to choose the right one.
What a hair set is
A hair set is styling for a particular occasion, not a cut or a colour. We pin, twist, braid, curl and shape the hair you already have into an updo, a chignon, a half-up style, a ponytail or something more detailed, so it lasts through the ceremony, the dinner and the photos afterwards. You leave ready for the event.
Some sets are simple and elegant, like a sleek low chignon with a few touches of gold leaf, or a soft half-up twist tied with a velvet ribbon over loose waves. Others take more construction: braided knots, layered buns, several techniques in one design. Both kinds are on our menu, and the difference is mainly time and technique.
Why choose Assort for your event
Tokyo has a huge number of salons, and choosing a stylist for something as personal as event hair can feel overwhelming. That is especially true when most booking websites are built for local users and assume you read Japanese. At Assort we promise quality service and a comfortable consultation in English or Japanese. You can explain your outfit, occasion and the feeling you want in the language you are most comfortable with.
Our name comes from assortment, a mix of many kinds, and from the idea behind it, 十人十色: ten people, ten colours. Ten guests at the same wedding should not leave with the same hair. We have no house style that we push on everyone. We start from your hair, your outfit and your event, and design the set around them.
How the appointment works
Every set starts with a consultation. Tell us about the event, what you are wearing and any accessories you plan to use. A reference photo helps if you have one. We will talk through what suits your hair's length and density and what will hold best for the occasion. Then we build the style and check the finish with you before you go.
Please note that our hair set menus do not include a shampoo or blow-dry. If you would like your hair freshly washed and blow-dried as part of your preparation, book our Shampoo & Blow Dry as well. Details are below.
What to book
A Standard Hair Set, JPY 6,600, about 30 minutes. This is for simple everyday and guest-style sets: a basic updo, a chignon, a half-up style, a ponytail, a simple braid, or a typical wedding-guest or party set. If you are attending a friend's wedding or a dinner and want something polished and reliable, this is usually the one to book.
An Advanced Hair Set, JPY 8,800, about 60 minutes. This is for sets that need more time or technique. That includes Japanese-style hair (和髪), complex updos, detailed chignons, designs matched to a photo or combining several techniques, and any style that takes more than 30 minutes because of your hair's length or density. Braided knots and layered multi-technique looks like the ones above fall into this category. If you are not sure which set you need, book Advanced or ask us. It is better to have the time and not need it.
Shampoo & Blow Dry, JPY 4,950, about 60 minutes. If what you really want is a smooth, bouncy blowout rather than a pinned set, book Shampoo & Blow Dry. This is also the menu to add if you want a fresh wash before your hair set.
All prices are a guide, and the exact price is confirmed when you book online. Hair sets are available at Assort Tokyo only and are not offered at Assort Osaka. These out-of-hours times cannot be booked online, so please contact the salon and a stylist will arrange the booking for you.
Make it yours
The details are what make a set personal. Bring the ribbon, clip or ornament you want to wear and we will build the style around it. Tell us whether you want your fringe soft and face-framing or swept away, whether you like a clean, sleek finish or a few loose pieces around the face, and whether you prefer a romantic or a more graphic look. Volume, gloss, braids or bold curls can be worked into most occasions. We will be honest about what will hold for the length of your event.
Visit us
Assort Tokyo is located at 2-10-28 Kita-Aoyama B1F, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan, a short walk from the Omotesando and Aoyama streets, open seven days a week from 10:00 to 18:00. Tel: +81-3-5772-6461.
