stylist spotlight

• Yoshi Nishizaki
• New York, New York
• Independent Salon Owner
• Y-Shaped God Salon

How did you learn to cut curly hair?

I have a little bit of a wave. It's a little unusual for the Japanese people. I have to figure out why my hair was wavy rather than straight and figure out what to do. I got great ideas when I was at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London.

What's your technique?

I started off cutting it the way I cut straight hair. Everything has to be even and uniform. After that, I use freehand cutting. I let it fall the way it wants to fall. Some hairs curl more than others. I sip it one strand at a time.

What products do you like best?

I use Max Green Alchemy, Saijojo and Kevin Murphy

Any advice for other stylists?

Don't break up the curls. I put people under the hood dryer so the wave doesn't break. Touch it as little as possible while it's drying.