Makoto’s Hair Studio

Just got the cutest hair cut from Makoto! On her suggestion I went with a totally different cut than the one I had planned and I love it. She’s super nice and the salon is awesome and so convenient.

Makoto is a very talented hair stylist. It’s my second time going to her for my short layered bob haircut and very happy with the results. I will definitely be back and totally recommend her.

Thanks to Groupon, I met a talented stylist – Makoto.
I scheduled my appointment and appreciated her text reminder with details about her location. The Studio is located in an emerging area of Long Beach, 4^th and LB Blvd., just down the street from Fingerprint Records, Berlin Bistro, and near Ahimsa. She warned me about metered parking, but long are the days when LB had mostly free street parking. I didn’t mind feeding quarters to Mr. Meter, especially since I scored a great spot in front and just saved $ 20 through Groupon.
The Studio is within Phenix Salon Suites, which is roughly on the corner with a brick exterior. She has a cute studio with windows facing out onto LB Blvd., so the view is colorful and entertaining. For LB folks, y’all know what I’m talking about. haha.
I brought 2 pictures of the style I wanted, which was a mashup of sorts — choppy longish bob with some volume up top. She knew exactly what I wanted and even stated that the ‘octopus look’ was popular in Japan about 10 years ago. Outdated or not, I really wanted it :-) and she delivered! She scissor-​swiftly worked her magic and even checked with me to see if we were going in the right direction.
The hairstyle was EXACTLY what I wanted, so I will definitely return. Yay! Plus her cut/​style price is pretty reasonable at $ 48. Salons in LB vary between $ 45-​$ 60, so she’s at my ideal price point. I am also happy to support a stylist who’s working independently. You go, Girl.
The final bonus – Makoto is nice and a very interesting person to chat with, as she’s lived in a few countries, well-​traveled, and knows where all the best Japanese restaurants are in SoCal!
Makoto’s cuts are reasonably priced, she’s talented, and has transformed me into the octopus-​head that I’ve been dreaming about for a few years :-) Thanks, Makoto!

I have been getting my haircut from Makoto for about 4 years now and I followed her when she started her own business. I have to say that I have always been very satisfied with my haircuts! In fact, I have recommended her to both my wife and mom as well. Contrary to the negative review she received (a little suspect too because they’ve only been on Unilocal for a month and have only left the one review), they both agree that she knows how to «style» a person’s hair based on a person’s head shape, hair length, etc. I have never found her to be «stubborn» or «narrow minded,» and actually, the haircut that I’ve maintained for the past couple years was suggested to me by Makoto, and I am very happy with it. I highly recommend Makoto as someone who consistently delivers quality haircuts and superb service!

I found Makoto through Groupon; I had purchased the Japanese straightening option. I’ve done one Brazilian blowout and one Japanese straightening in the past.
I was a little lost with the entrance– you have to enter through Phenix salons to get to Makoto’s. I’m very happy with the work Makoto did and she had great customer service as well. I’ll definitely be back.

I came to Makoto because I purchased a groupon and she had great reviews here on Unilocal.Makoto did an amazing job with my haircut. I love it! She took the time to pamper me a little with a nice scalp massage during the wash and took time to learn about my hair and what I wanted. She was cautious not to trim my hair too much because I told her that I was growing my hair out. When I wanted a little more of a trim, she kindly did just that. Makoto also showed me how to create a natural curl with my hair and made it seem simple and easy so that I can do it again at home. She was very friendly and seemed knowledgeable about hair and treatments. Highly recommend her.

I always get my haircuts and Japanese straightening treatments from Makoto. I get my hair straightened by her every six months. I really liked the final style of my hair after the treatment. She also takes good care of my hair to help maximize the health of my hair, not just straightening it so it looks good in the short-​term but then gets damaged in the long-​term. I’ve had stylists that have done treatments that look nice on day one, but ended up showing damage later on. She used to work at a different salon before she opened her own hair studio, so I made sure to follow her to her new place, because she’s the kind of hair stylist that’s definitely worth going back to! 5 out of 5 stars for great quality and service.

Makoto has been cutting my hair and my daughter’s hair for about 10 years. She has plenty of experience working as a hair stylist here as well as in Japan. Her cutting skill is just incredible. It it worth driving from Culver City to Long Beach. Her new salon is cozy and it is easy to make an appt with her because she can work with your schedule. Recommended!

I really enjoyed meeting Makoto and getting my hair done by her. I have über thick and unruly asian half curly hair and Makoto knew exactly how to manage it. She asked the right questions about how I wanted to cut my hair and how I take care of my hair in general and gave me several tips along the way. She is a careful listener and never pushed me to get an extra hair treatment. My hair was done within half an hour and I left her salon feeling light and happy.
It has been 5 days since I got my hair cut down and it looks good!
(the only reason of removing one star from five is that when I tie my hair on one side I see a group of hair was cut unevenly-)

This is the first time to have her. I had other stylists in Boston and other big cities. I can tell that Makoto is one of the most friendly and professional stylists I had. She did my haircut and color. The thing I most liked about Makoto was that she carefully listened to what I wanted and tried to make sure everything. I appreciate her professional manner. Of course, I love my new style. Thank you so much!

First of all… Congratulation on opening on your own studio!
Second…YOU ARE THE BEST! She can make your hair exactly the way you expected or even better.
I’ve been having my hair cut done with her long time and tried quite a lot of styles. In other words, I always have lots of requests needed to be addressed. Every time, she listens carefully, gives better advised, them uses her magical hands to do everything perfect. Never disappointed. Although now I have to drive Long Beach from Hollywood, it’s definitely worth it. No one can touch my hair!
Just FYI. There are 2 hour free parking lots without validation nearby.

Makoto is great. I drive from Brentwood for my haircut.
(I wrote this review for a friend)

Makoto is the only hair stylist I trust, so much so that even four years since I moved to Northern California, I still continue to visit her regularly here in SoCal. Yes, she’s worth it! Other stylists have attempted the same hairstyle but her technique shows in the weeks after the haircut and it shows in my easy daily maintenance as well as the compliments I receive. My hair is typically Asian: thick, dense, wiry and voluminous. But nobody needs to know. People think I have naturally light, feathery, low-​maintenance hair thanks to Makoto’s styling and coloring. Please give her a try and you’ll see why she has loyal clients like me.

I have been getting my haircut by Makoto for 3+ years, she definitely has some magic in her hands. I feel like a new person every single time visiting her. She’s really patient and cares about the customers, she gives pertinent haircare advice. If you’re not happy with your hair or simply want a new appearance, definitely come to see her, your ultimate style remedy.

Been a long, long time customer with Makoto (10 years at least, I believe). Since I travel much, I did try different stylist when I am oversea and need a haircut but nobody really get to fix the hair the way that I want to. I always thought guy’s hair should be easy to cut, wrong. Once you found the right stylist, it is hard to switch to somebody else. I have referred many customers to Makoto to her old location and I am glad that she is finally opening her own salon in Long Beach Downtown.
Makoto is very friendly and listens to customers’ need and wants. It is definitely worth the visit.