Tokyo Hairstylist Recommended Products: What I Actually Use in My Salon Every Day

These are the products I reach for every single working day in my Ginza salon. Not sponsored recommendations — the things I’ve tested across 23 years and thousands of clients and kept using because they consistently produce better results than the alternatives.

Pre-Blowdry Oil: Kérastase Huile Chronologiste

I apply this before every blowdry, on every client, without exception. The “black bottle” — immediately recognizable by its dark packaging — is the product clients ask about most often when they notice their hair looking different after an appointment. Non-silicone, 230°C heat protection, genuine cuticle sealing that holds through Tokyo’s humidity. The shine it produces on straightened hair is immediately visible.

Who it’s for: Any hair type, especially straightened, colored, or fine hair that needs lightweight protection without buildup.

Hair Dryer: Bioprogramming Repronizer 4D Plus

Three years of daily professional use. I’ve compared it against everything else I could get my hands on. The Repronizer produces the best moisture retention I’ve observed in any dryer — hair that comes off this dryer holds its condition better through the day and accumulates improvement over months of consistent use. It’s what I use on every client, every day. Full Repronizer review →

Shampoo Recommendation for Most Clients: SBCP Raw Mineral

This is what I tell almost every client after straightening to switch to. Silicone-free, removes existing buildup that degraded their cuticle function, and genuinely improves humidity resistance over 4–6 weeks of consistent use. The clients who switch to this consistently show better maintained results at touch-up appointments than clients who continue with silicone shampoos. Best shampoos after straightening — full guide →

For Clients Who Travel: Dyson Supersonic

When clients ask what to get if they travel internationally — this is the only answer. Dual voltage (100–240V), works in Japan and in any country without a converter. For expats who return home regularly or travel for work, the practical convenience outweighs the performance difference versus the Repronizer. KINUJO vs Dyson full comparison →