K2 Salon

Nami is literally my gurl. I’m Filipino with extremely coarse and half wavy/​frizzy hair, so it’s always been difficult to find someone who will listen to me (the person who understand their hair best) about what I want. Everyone who’s cut my hair in the past will listen to me, then proceed to use techniques for softer hair, and then tell me what I want isn’t possible or will be too hard to manage.
However, Nami understands my hair (that layers aren’t always the best answer for thick hair), along with the fact that i’m capable of giving myself the best blowouts. She doesn’t try to insist on recommendations that will ultimately make me unhappy and does exactly what I want but with incredible technique!
In addition to this, the salon is always super clean/​cute, and the prices aren’t bad for NYC + the quality you’re getting.
I’ve been coming here for about a year and it pains me to think about one day possibly moving from the city. Nami, can you just move with me?

I recently came here for a last minute blow out, and selected the salon simply because of its proximity to my event. What a serendipitous discovery! Even though the shop is somewhat petite, they were able to easily work me in for an appointment with less than 24 hours notice. My stylist, from Tokyo (apologies for forgetting her name) was very kind, efficient, and skillful with the process. Whatever products they use also smell fantastic (again, I was in a huge hurry, so didn’t clock the brands). My hair ended up looking really nice, and the style lasted for several days. The price was also very reasonable (under $ 50 for a blowout for my hair length). I would happily go out of my way to return here again, for both a style and to try a cut. Thanks K2!

I’ve been going to Mina for all of my hair needs since 2005, she’s the best! I’ve gotten color, highlights, perm and cut all from Mina and I’m happy with the results every time! Always look forward to my hair appointments because it’s nice and relaxing.

It’s been three months since my last haircut and I’d like to get my haircut in SF. My hair is unusually thick and coarse and with the NYC summer heat, it becomes heavy and droopy (similar to people’s personalties or a dehydrated plant). I consistently break hair bands tying my hair.
While I pondered about my first world problem, walked by K2 (clean, quiet, small, and elegant space) and luckily, Mina was available since I did not have an appointment. After addressing my concerns, she thinned, layered and cut about 2 inches off. While I sat in the chair, I felt a twinge of guilt for straying from my SF hair stylist of 10 years. All these emotions faded when I saw the final result; my hair feels lighter, looks voluminous and scalp can breathe again.
Mina is efficient, meticulous, and happy to provides insightful tips. (highly recommend).

Nami my hairdresser never disappoints, she does such a great job. I can book appointment night before and have no problem getting in. K2 is my go to hair salon. Its reasonably priced.

I walked in tonight as a first time customer who just needed something new. Nami took me right away and listened to what I like and not like and gave me exactly the cut I was looking for. The head massage was great too and the hair had lots of bounce and energy after the blow dry. Very impressed and completely satisfied– so glad I took a chance and went in– it won’t be my last. Cut was $ 70 for my medium length hair and worth every penny.

I’ve been going to Nami for 3 years now. I’ve tried Dlala and Annex which are also Japanese salons but I like K2 the best because of Nami. She gives a great head massage and she takes her time cutting. She really listens and makes good suggestions on how to cut my hair. She does a great blow out too. It’s always a relaxing, pampering experience.

I grew up with a sister that’s a hair stylist, so I’m super picky about haircuts. I tried lots of salons when I moved to the EV but wasn’t happy until I found Keigo at K2. He listens to what I want and always delivers exactly on point. I haven’t used any of other stylists, but they stay busy and their clients always look happy. Everyone is also really helpful/​flexible in scheduling last minute appts, often same day if I call early enough. It can be daunting at first being one of the only white guys in a Japanese salon, but Keigo definitely knows what’s up and is worth the money!

I’ve been going to Mina for haircuts for years. I first went to her to fixed a botched haircut and she fixed up my lopsided bob into something cute. She’s a great listener, very sweet. I’m always very happy with the results with her.
K2 salon is a nicely decorated space as well, very clean and pleasant.

I live in the neighborhood and read the reviews. Seemed like a safe bet. Nope. One of the most boring, worst haircuts I’ve had in my life. If you want to look like your mother, this is the place to go.

Mina is great! She listened to exactly what I wanted, which rarely happens especially when it comes to the length I want my hair (most places cut off more than I ask). Very cute, clean, nice spot. Would highly recommend especially for those looking for an Asian salon.

One of my best friend, Joe had gotten his hair cut done by Mina and I thought he looked like a million bucks. That and I’ve heard of so many good things from other friends about K2 so my first hair cut after an unfortunate Britney Spears moment 2 years ago where I went skin-​head (of my own choice), it was time for my first hair cut. This is my first time with long hair (past shoulder length) and I didn’t know how I wanted it done – I just knew that I wanted to maintain length as I am donating to Pantene Lengths (like Locks of Love) and that I needed to cut out damaged ends (from the beginning when I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to flat-​iron wet hair). I felt bad in that I couldn’t give specifics except for that as well as I wanted a little style that isn’t fussy and to which I can continue to grow out my hair for donation. Keigo was my stylist and he was super patient and asked questions to find out things to help the process such as I blow out my hair after a shampoo every 4 days either with a round brush or without and that I didn’t like how heavy and clumpy my hair is mid-​length down and that I couldn’t run my hands down my hair. Those questions helped with the assessment and away we go!
Keigo is an amazingly talented person! From the assessment to the shampoo to the cut, he definitely knows know to analyze and approach each person’s hair. First was a wet cut where he snip by snip in small section by small section to cut out the damaged ends in the right layers. Then he blew out my hair (which is a lot of work as my hair is thick and there is a lot of it) section by section to perfection – and at this point, he had already done an awesome job where I could have gotten up and left to a fabulous cut. But then after the blow out, he proceeded to elevate the hair cut by going in with my concurrence, to thin out the bottoms and give me a little bit of a style than just straight hair which was what I asked for. All I know is I was secretly trying to hide my smile because it looked awesome and I saw hair cutting techniques I’ve never seen before. Again, he was super patient especially during the blow out because he sure didn’t take short cuts. At the end, I walked out with hair light as a feather to which I can easily run my hands through it. Now at home, I can flip it this way and that and it still looking great.
All in all, K2 is a wonderful cozy salon with very talented staff. It was initially very hard for me to get a hair cut after so long but I knew I was in the right hands. I highly recommend K2 and think the world of the staff!

Review only speaks to haircuts (not other hair services).
This place has become my go-​to hair salon after years of trying to get moderately priced haircuts around the city. I got referred here by a couple (man /​woman) who both get their haircut here by Kyoko and said great things; however, since she was out of town, I impatiently started getting my haircut by owner Keigo and haven’t looked back. He always spends a lot of time cutting my hair — doing so both wet and dry — to achieve the perfect shape. He is specific with asking questions in terms of length, layers, etc. and never have I been surprised with it being too short or too long. Also: having the owner of a hair salon only charge you $ 70 for a hair cut is straight ridiculous in NYC.
Yes this place doesn’t have fancy amenities (cup of water when you sit, etc.) but I prefer the minimalist experience and a job well done than flourishes and a (bad) surprise during the final look in the mirror.
For reference, I have straight Asian hair.

My favorite NYC salon. Japanese run, super friendly, very clean and an all around great atmosphere. Also priced much better than anything comparable in the area that I’ve found.

I’ve had medium length hair for about a year now and haven’t been able to find a hairstylist that can cut it as well as Nami. She also recommended a hair product that isn’t thick and sticky. Fairly priced compared to surrounding salons (cut and wash).

Keigo has been cutting my hair since 2003. A Master talent. Hair perfectionist. His level at any other Manhattan salon would easily be triple the cost. Such a great deal.

Kyoko did a great long hair blowout. She was quick and precise. Great laid back atmosphere in salon– not pretentious or too hipstery at all. Very reasonably priced.
****Went back for a cheaper (than my usual salon Mélange) Japanese straightening treatment by her though when I was unemployed, and she did a terrible job. Missed patches, and rushed me out for the next client. I could tell she hated every second of doing it too– its a long process. so I felt guilty. Then she just trimmed my ends and charged me more for a cut.
Revising my review!

Keigo is a master Hair Dresser. Period.
Detailed, precise, relaxed, and a perfectionist. Plus he won’t ask you to leave behind an eye or a limb. His prices are very reasonable.
I used to go to him… err…fly back from Chicago to have him cut my hair. I hope that says something about the man.

It’s the second time I get a haircut with Keigo. Both times have been fantastic. The first time (a couple of months ago) my hair was very long and wanted him to style it much shorter. He did a great job, good enough for me not to regret cutting off three inches of hair after having it long for well over 2 years. As the weeks went by, the new style sort of ‘matured’ and looked even better than the day I got the haircut. Yesterday, I went again and again he did a great job with my hair. I asked him to cut it even shorter this time and I am very satisfied with the stylish result.
Keigo is officially my go-​to stylish in NYC, after a long time of hopping around comparing stylists. His taste for men’s styles is great. And I know about this because I basically asked him to do whatever he wanted to do with my hair… Turned out fantastic.

I’ve been looking for a place like this for years. I have really straight hair even though I’m not Asian and a lot of salons don’t know how to deal with that type of hair. They usually assume that your hair will be more textured or wavy after they dry it and so the cut never quite looks right. I started going to another Asian salon, hoping they would do a better job. They did, but the cuts were always boring and didn’t have any personality — something I was hoping to infuse in my hair.
Finally, after checking out some reviews on Unilocal,I came across K2 Salon. I booked an appointment with Yuko on a weekday afternoon. She did a great job. I didn’t have a specific cut that I wanted, but I just generally described what I liked. She was able to make really great suggestions throughout the whole process. She did a fantastic job. My hair has definite style and edge without being over the top or hipsterish.
The price of this place is also very attractive — relatively inexpensive for a high quality cut in Manhattan (and considering it’s in an area where there are a TON of high priced salons). The only thing I would say could be improved is the customer service aspect. I walked in and no one really said anything to me. A girl was sitting behind a computer, but it turns out I had to check in with Yuko in the middle of the salon at their hand written reservation ledger. Also, there were no salon perks that you sometimes get like tea/​coffee/​water, massage-​like shampoo or anything like that.