M Matoi Hair Studio

I consider myself fortunate to have found Leo as my hair stylist over 5 years ago. HE IS THE ULTIMATE BEST!
I don’t know why I didn’t write about him sooner but I just got my hair cut today and remembered how AMAZING he is. He listens to you and takes the vision you want for your hair, and makes it 10x better. I can say that I fully trust that anything he does with my hair will be 100% to my liking. We all know how hard it is to find someone who produces a good hair cut, and I would say I found my hairstylist soulmate for life!
He is so happy and his bubbly personality makes you love him even more! He genuinely listens to you and treats you like his family. I would recommend him to everyone I know without hesitating.
His location in the Imperial Plaza is also very convenient because you can park in the structure for free! But make sure to schedule a haircut/​color ahead of time. He is so great, he is nowadays booked a month in advance! But totally worth the wait!!!

Love this place! Great customer service, clean, and conveniently located in town. I often work late, so Cari, who I go to regularly, also has late hours on certain days, so it works out perfectly. She is one of the most sweetest persons I know and does an amazing job! Satisfied every time I go there to see her validated parking is conveniently in the building as well.

My hair artist, Christy, was fantastic. Here’s why:
–listened to my haircut needs
–relaxing head massage during hairwash
–constantly checked to see if i was alright with the drastic change i was requesting (she cut off slightly less than a ft of hair)
–very friendly and not pushy to cut it her way
–told me to come back within a week if i had second thoughts about my hair as she would adjust it
–very personable and warm-​hearted
THANK YOU FOR THE SWEET HAIRCUT! Will definitely come back!

Over the past 7 years Ive been extremely fortunate to have found my GO TO hair stylist. And can I just say shes SOOO much more than my hair stylist but has become one of my closest friends. You know that ideal salon experience where you can spill all your deepest darkest craziest secrets to and come out with amazing hair? Cari ann is exactly that! Ive visited other stylists but along with being juggled with what it seemed 10 other people at the same time cari blocks out enough time for one on one time with you so that its a quick and painless process.
My hair has definitely been through a lot to spur of the moment black box color to wack cut jobs and somehow cari always finds ways to bring it back to life. I couldn’t possibly gush of how much I absolutely adore this girl. Shes so knowledgeable in her field and will completely work around your budget and lifestyle. You will not be disappointed! (:

I Love Cari Ann! She is such an amazing hairstylist! I trust her completely to cut, color and highlight my hair. She explains how to style, maintain and suggest products to upkeep my style… Love the Kotoko Oil, cannot live a day without it. I get a lot of compliments on my hair and I always refer them to Cari Ann.

Cari Ann is the BEST!
She has done amazing things with my hair and it is still healthy and full!
I have gone from bleach blonde to silver then blue and then back to square one.
She has a great eye for color and I always get compliments on it.
She gives me great advise on how to take care of my hair and products I can use.
I trust her completely, and am never worried because I know she will make my hair look awesome.

«I can’t say enough good things about Leo Lieu! Leo and his team is amazing, wonderful, talented and are thoughtful stylists.
I am glad that I finally found a stylist who really understands men’s, especially Asian men’s hair. Every person that Leo works on looks spectacular! He really listens to his clients.
I appreciate the fancy coffee and biscotti but, it’s a treat to visit Leo at M Matoi Hair Studio.

I got introduced to Cari Ann through a good friend. He told me he’s only trusted her with his hair and has only gone to her for the past few years. 2 years later I can confidently say she is amazing at what she does. She’s also so friendly and funny. She even makes recommendations based on face shape, life style, and how often you plan to return. And I can say I too won’t trust anyone else but her to cut, color, and style my hair.

Christie saved my hair after two other stylist’s had ruined my hair. I went to Christie after going to Studio 6 in Waipahu and they completely damaged my hair by over processing it.
Christie gave me a beautiful lavender color that she mixed up herself just so I could love my hair again. After about 2 weeks the color washed out and my hair was still damaged so I went back to her change me back to dark and cut all the dry, damaged ends off. She did such an amazing job with my layers, my hair looks and feels so much healthier than when I first came to her. Christie is an amazing stylist and gives you her full attention and she’s the sweetest person too. You won’t regret having her do your hair

M. Matoi Salon is one of the best I have been to… Friendly staff, clean, SHOPPING, etc. I went to Jaime Torres but he went to San Diego so I am presently looking for another stylist. I was actually heartbroken when I left the Salon for perhaps the last time although I will return periodically for the goods from Japan that Milton sells in his store.’
Will miss Jaime and the salon but hope he returns! :)
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Love is my hairstylist and all I can say is that she is AWESOME! She has cut my hair for 9 years. I followed her when she move from Salon 808 behind Ala Moana Shopping Center. I receive compliments all the time regarding my cut and color. She is the best!

Customer service for new clients needs improvement. If it’s your first bill your willing to drop in years, for a hair cut that’s long over due, do yourself a favor and drop it somewhere more welcoming and friendly.

Got my haircut by Leo. Place is very professional and the stylist will go with the style you are looking for based on the way your hair grows out and work with you to get it looking fresh. Place your reservation a month in advance because this stylist gets booked fast.

I have been getting my haircuts from the owner, M. Matoi for over 35 years, from before he owned his own salon. I don’t think he accepts new clients, but he has other hair stylists in his shop that he has trained and they do really great haircuts and coloring. Most clients who come here, have been regulars for years, which goes to show how satisfied they are, as I am with this salon.

M Matoi is located in the Imperial Plaza building. The salon validates so feel free to park in the building. And the best part, if you’re feeling a little hungry, you can venture on downstairs to the many food establishments available.
If you’re looking to try this salon, might I suggest seeing my boy Jaime Torres (pronounced Hi-​May). I’ve been a loyal client of his since his days at 808 Salon. He has since spread his wings and landed at M Matoi.
Jaime is great with cut and color. He takes pride in the work he produces which is the one thing I love most about him. I have a lot of hair which means it takes a long time to process, especially if I’m feeling like highlights. We can be in the salon until 9 at night and I’ve never felt like he was rushing to get it over with so he could leave. He’s committed to making sure his client leaves satisfied no matter how long it takes.
Go see Jaime!

There is no shortage of salons and spas and places to get your hair done around the island. Getting it done the way you want… that’s a whole different story.
I have been seeing the same person for the better part of 20 years now – with a break here or there for trying different people. I’ve come to the conclusion that I love her and all the value she represents but I do get restless and need change from time to time. In particular, this time, the reason I was looking for a change is because I noticed my color (which was perfect when she did it) only lasted about 6 or 7 weeks before all the things I liked about it washed out and all the things I was trying to cover (my brassiness) started showing through again.
My BFF, who uses my same stylist, told me that she only uses our stylist for straight perms and cuts. But for colors she goes to Karin at M. Matoi. GENIUS!!! She noticed she was having the same problem of having to color too frequently and when she started seeing Karin, she has a lovely, healthy hair color for months!
Karin was quick to schedule me and was SUPER cool. We were quick buddies. I had texted her a pic of what my finished hair looked like after my last color, which she was grateful for. My last color, interestingly enough was not what I asked for, but I ended up liking it anyway. This was not the case with Karin’s work. I gave her a general idea of what I wanted (dark color that will look red in the sun) and she executed PERFECT. No miscommunication here.
The energy in the salon is positive and friendly (not catty and competitive) and like others have said, it’s clean and well-​lit. I will update my review again when I figure out how long this color actually lasts, but for now, I will say that I have accepted Karin into my inner circle of hair ninjas and entry into this club doesn’t come easily. ;)

Great place to get your hair done. MY personal hair stylist is Leo, he is amazing and makes the time fly by.

LOVE it here! Leo is the best!!! Can’t wait to get my hair did again when I’m visiting!

I come here, M. Matoi Hair Salon, for my hair cuts. The salon is nice, clean and i always love the décor! I go to Christie Rickard! She is an amazing hair stylist with amazing talent! She always gives me the best haircuts! Not only is she a great hair stylist, she is very sweet and down to earth. She makes your experience very pleasant, enjoyable and fun! You will never be disappointed if you go to her!

M. Matoi is located on the 2^nd floor of the Imperial Plaza, which is across of Yanagi Sushi. Imperial Plaza parking is free with validation. Woot.
Thankfully, M. Matoi Hair Studio is very clean. Unlike some other places with tumbleweeds and hairballs…
I really like the ambiance and décor of this place. M. Matoi is more decorative than other salons without looking cluttered. They have contemporary Asian-​influenced sort of chic décor: wood floors, flowers, black chairs, vases… Kind of «Zen-​like» if you know what I mean. If not, don’t sweat it.
Not only is it a salon/​hair studio, it’s also like a mini Marukai in there. They sell hand-​made bags and random snacks like beef sticks, Biscoff cookie/​biscuit things, and dried ume from Japan. I bought the dried ume once. Very delish.
Anyway, I go to M. Matoi to get by hair «did» by Ashley. She is a wonderful stylist. I love her honesty and the fact that she will give you her thoughts on your desired «look» if you ask. She also gives great recommendations of hair products. The It’s a 10 miracle leave-​in product is one of my faves.
I had asked for something different the last time I went in. I asked for blue peek-​a-​boos and she picked the perfects spots! The color was so vibrant! I loved it and had gotten so many compliments :)
I definitely recommend Ashley and M. Matoi salon to anyone. They do hair on people of all ages at M. Matoi!
Unilocal 365 — #019/​365