Hair Salon Day
Industry DaysWhat Is Hair Salon Day?
December 13th is "Hair Salon Day" in Japan. It was established in 2003 by hairdresser Taku Masamune. December is the month when salons fill up ahead of the New Year, and pushing the digits of "13" together makes a shape resembling a "B" -- the first letter of "Beauty." Those two ideas gave the day its date.
Seeing a "B" in the Number 13
The anniversary grew out of a simple visual pun on numerals, and it spread alongside a call for the whole beauty industry to contribute to society.
- Established by: hairdresser Taku Masamune, in 2003
- Origin of the date: December is the salon industry's busiest month, and "1" plus "3" reads as the "B" of Beauty
- Activity: the industry uses the day to collect donations for training guide dogs
- Industry milestone: Japan's first hair salon is traced to 1897, when Kentaro Shibayama opened a salon for foreign women in Yokohama
Why Salons Are Packed in December
Year-end brings work parties, New Year greetings, trips home and family gatherings all at once. With so many plans to see people, more customers want their hair in order -- and appointments become hard to get.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Count your year-end plans and book a salon appointment early
- Ask about a different style to start the new year with a change of mood
- Thank your regular stylist for the past year
- Review your hair care products and switch to something suited to dry winter air
A Change of Year, a Change of Look
Plenty of people find that a haircut resets their frame of mind. December 13th is the day to book before the rush and head into the year-end feeling tidy.