Salon scene

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Fashion Writer

Firefighter Kamu Hughes of Makiki, left, and nurse Linda Bruhns of Manoa visited Supercuts on Ward Avenue in preparation for a special evening out. Hughes said the two are "just friends." Explained Hughes, who was making a rare visit to a salon: "You can't get your hair cut with a girlfriend 'cause she'll try to boss you around and, hey, it's my decision." Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser Locks of Love A hair drive to provide wigs for children in the United States and Canada with long-term or permanent hair loss is going on today through Sunday at Cathy's Hairstyling, Fantastic Sam's of Mililani, Giri-Giri of Hale'iwa, Lydia's Beauty Salon of Wahiawa, Mr. Gem Hairstyling in Waialua, Phil-Am Beauty Salon in Waipahu, and Shear Colours in 'Aiea. The nonprofit event is looking for hair donors. Since 1997, Locks of Love has helped more than 1,100 children. This weekend's project was organized by Jennifer Holowecki for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. For more information, call Holowecki at 625-4421 or e-mail jmholwecki@hotmail.com. Jude Law's hair takes on the soft, textured, tousled look. A soft, swingy cut with movement suits LeAnn Rimes.

He said: "Jus' make 'em clean cut."

She said: "I want it just like Jennifer Aniston's hair."

He said: "Short on the sides and longer on the top."

She said: "I want a change. I don't know what, but I want a change."

He said: "See this (pointing to a Prada ad)? That's the cut I want. Give me a perm, color, product — whatever it takes to get that look."

She said: "No fuss, no muss."

Do Hawai'i men and women approach a haircut differently?

We visited barbershops and trendy salons to see what's what with men and women and their hair. We expected to find a gender divide, with men being blasé and women being particular. However, we quickly learned that there are seldom clear divisions. Both men and women care about their hair. While men have in the past been a little more reticent about discussing all the hairy details, even that is changing.

When it comes to haircuts, there's a bit of gender bending going on around Honolulu.

While barber shops formerly were the bastion of Hawai'i men, and a straightforward rice-bowl cut was perfectly acceptable, men are migrating to salons where they can get pampered and taught to use hair products.

And we're not just talking about the manes of metrosexuals. Men of many styles, professions, income levels, ethnicities and ages are paying more attention to their locks and listening to wives, girlfriends and stylists for advice.

"Some men are extremely particular about their haircuts and really care about how they look — more so than women. And that's a good thing," said Joe Randazzo, owner of trendy J Salon in downtown Honolulu.

Also at J Salon, George Weisse of 'Aina-Haina added, "Men obsess more over their hair than women, but secretly."

Stylist Jaime Malapit Jr. of Waikiki said that "men are more comfortable with pampering themselves these days, as long as the salon isn't frilly or frou-frou."

When it comes to consultations and cuts, "Women like to take time and meander through the experience," Malapit added. "They are precise in what they want — even if it's not exactly feasible." But men want "a quick in and out."

Shows such as "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" are affecting how men view their appearance, and hair is an important element.

Supercuts

At Supercuts on Ward Avenue, firefighter Kamu Hughes of Makiki was making a rare trip to a salon. "I usually cut my own hair or get a family member to cut it, but I'm going to a banquet tonight, so I'm having it done professionally," he said. His instruction to the stylist was not studied or specific: "I want it short on the sides, and I want to be able to brush it on the top."

In the chair next to him sat Linda Bruhns of Manoa. She is not his "girlfriend," he made a point of explaining. "Just a friend. I wouldn't go get my hair cut with a girlfriend 'cause she'll try to boss you around and, hey, it's my decision."

Bruhns, a nurse, is a low-maintenance type who doesn't like to spend time on her hair. Blow-drying is a big deal, reserved for special occasions, she explained. She is thinking of having her long locks cut short, but Hughes reacted: "No way! Tell them to make you look sophisticated, with waves."

Bruhns wrinkled her nose, saying, "No, then I'd have to buy rollers, and that's maintenance."

Jeff Schott of Waikiki knows what he likes and what he wants. "I try to stay current because I'm in a service industry, but I don't watch 'E' to catch the latest trends. I'm more interested in what's comfortable and what looks good."

When it comes to his hair, Schott is willing to invest time and money. He uses hair products and pays attention to his hair's condition. "Hair is an important part of the first impression. You can tell if someone cares about themselves by their hair. Hair exemplifies their personality," he explained.

J Salon

Jude Law's hair takes on the soft, textured, tousled look.

A soft, swingy cut with movement suits LeAnn Rimes.

Hickey is a self-proclaimed hair nut. "I live with three other girls, and it's a joke around the house that I'm always talking about my hair," she said with a hearty laugh. "I buy magazines — Vogue, Elle, Allure, InStyle — to find hair ideas. I consult my roommates. In fact, we have weekly discussions about hair. I'll even stop a complete stranger on the street to find out where she got her hair cut if I like the style."

When she arrived for her cut and color, Hickey had a picture of supermodel Gisele Bundchen clutched in her hand. That's the color she wanted, but perhaps "a little more copper, along the lines of Jennifer Aniston's hair." After a long brainstorming session with stylist Jesse Jeuck, they merged the runway and reality.

Aaron Shimabuku, a banker who also lives downtown, said his profession, and his personal style, are not conducive to anything trendy. "Just make it clean-cut," was his request.

Thom's Barbershop

On a Saturday morning, Thom's Barbershop in Ala Moana Center was packed, with every chair taken and a line of men waiting. Unlike a woman's salon, the atmosphere was hushed as men quietly acquiesced to their hair cutters.

Richard Takara of Mililani has been coming to Thom's for haircuts for more than 20 years.

"When you pass 40, you don't care," he said. "You just want to relax and get a nice haircut. It's a treat for me on my day off. I can just sit down and be pampered and massaged."

The Green Comb

Around the corner at The Green Comb, Jade Ching of Manoa said that when it comes to her hair, it's "no fuss, no muss." The busy attorney, who has three children, 4, 9 and 15, said her salon time "is my relaxation time, and I don't want to make any major decisions. I trust and leave it up to Joy. It's like therapy — woman-to-woman stuff."

Among salon owner Joy Heirakuji's clients, Ching is somewhat unusual.

"Men are more low-maintenance, more like Jade," Heirakuji said. "All my men are passive, easy-going. It may have a little bit to do with me being the opposite sex. They're not as picky or opinionated as women. They're also very happy with whatever. Men are usually more realistic in their expectations, but women are sometimes not realistic. A woman will come in with a picture of Julia Roberts, but her hair is really curly," Heirakuji said, and it's a hurdle when there's no way a Julia Roberts style can be achieved.

Marsha Nadalin Salon & Spa

"Men have made a turnaround. There's been a huge change in that they are way more interested in hair and hair color — even highlights," said Marsha Nadalin, owner of Marsha Nadalin Salon & Spa in the Kahala Mall. "They are open to suggestions now, where three to five years ago, it would have been insulting if you even suggested it. They are open for more pampering and involvement and connection. It's way more fun to do men now than it used to be."

Her prediction? "I see full-service salons for men only, with facials, massage, nails and hair color. I think that would totally go."

In Honolulu? There's more than a hair of truth in it these days.

Reach Paula Rath at 525-5464 or prath@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Mullets, mustaches out for men; soft locks in for all

We asked stylists Roxie Morris of Supercuts, Joe Randazzo of J Salon and Paul Tamaoka of Bottega Antoine for their take on hair trends. Here's what they said: