Talking Makeup is excited to bring you helpful summer tips from the Hiro Haraguchi Salon in New York City.

Hiro Haraguchi has been studying, refining and perfecting the art of hair design for more than 25 years.  Born and raised in Japan, his unique aesthetic is a function of his Far Eastern training, combined with his work with a variety of Western hair types.  Relocating from Tokyo to New York, Hiro mastered the Sassoon cut, then worked successively with Suga, Oribe and Garren, ultimately becoming a top stylist himself.  During this period, he styled many shoots for Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Kevin Aucoin as well.

Hiro Haraguchi with Vera Wang.

In 2002, Hiro opened the Hiro Haraguchi Salon in the landmark Art Deco Fuller Building on Madison Avenue and 57th street. There, Eastern tranquility meets Western sensibility. Clients luxuriate in peaceful Zen-like environment. It is truly a different world, as unique and sophisticated as the man who leads it. (He also as an outpost in the chic Hotel Gansevoort.)

Hiro’s signature look is timeless elegance with contemporary chic, progressive yet perfectionist. One of Hiro’s celebrity clients includes fashion designer Vera Wang: “Hiro is the master,” raves designer Vera Wang of her stylist over 15 years. “He is the best of the best.”  “He can do a blunt cut better than anybody,” Wang adds. “In fact, his cuts last more than two months, rather than 2-3 weeks, as with many other hairdressers.”

Here are some summer tips from the Hiro Haraguchi Salon: Tip 1: For non-blondes: Brunettes don’t need a full head of highlights. Rather than covering your head in foils, have your colorist paint lighter pieces into your hair before rinsing out your color. This creates depth and dimension that enhances the natural tone of your hair.

The Hiro Haraguchi Salon in New York City.

Tip 2: The buzz about short hair: Want to brighten up your short do with some highlights? Have your colorist concentrate your highlights on areas with the most length, like the front of your hair. Just say no to highlights at the shortest pieces near the back of your head-Zebra stripes are an unflattering look for anyone.

Tip 3: For a quick “drab” to “fab” makeover: When you don’t have the time or the cash for highlights, ask for a color-refreshing rinse. It takes 5 minutes and is a fraction of the costs of highlights. So you can look great on-the-go without breaking the bank.

Tip 4: The good, the bad and the unsightly: Good highlights last for three months. It’s always a bad idea to over highlight your hair-less is more! Keep unsightly roots under control with a single-process between touch-ups.

Tip 5: Not ready for commitment: If you’re looking for color, but nothing permanent, try clip-on multi-tone hair extensions, in such whimsical colors as bright pink, orange, and blue. They are perfect accessory to give hair a dramatic, yet temporary, splash of color for a night on the town.