Profile

After honing her cutting and styling skills in Tokyo and Osaka, Tomoko Shima moved to New York in 2001 to train at the International Salon in Flatiron. She launched her own 350-square-foot salon uptown in 2005, a cozy, serene space with exposed-brick walls, pale pink trimmings, and five matching custom-made chairs. Shima is known for her blunt bobs and long, layered cuts using a dual wet and dry cutting technique—she shapes hair twice, first while wet, then meticulously snips strands while dry. Colorist Nao Suzuki creates multifaceted highlights using organic Japanese products like Nigellehy and Milbon Crede. Japanese thermal straightening is available by appointment, a specialty Shima mastered during her tenure at the International Salon. — Shyema Azam