Feng Shui your way to a new YOU with a new DO

What is Feng Shui?

Feng = Wind and Shui = Water

so explained Celebrity Hairdresser and Stylist Billy Yamaguchi, when I attended his session at The Cornelia Spa at The Surrey in NYC. Well, I have heard of f?ng shu? for homes but was really curious of how this ancient Chinese concept would apply to hairstyles…seeing my puzzled expression,

Billy gave me a reassuring smile and handed me a form (see pic) that asked 4 simple yet thought provoking questions: I had to match a color to my personality and lifestyle, which I had to describe in a few words. Next, came the ‘Whiff’ test, Billy dabbed my arm with 5 essential oils with a diverse bouquet and had me pick my top 2.

Then came the big reveal: Based on Feng Shui, I am a ‘Metal ‘ & ‘Water’ gal. What followed were recommendations on hair style and color, jewelry and apparel colors that will flatter me the most and also what foods and lifestyle ethic will befit me! Based on these new insights I sat down for a f?ng shu? makeover with the master…while he was working his magic on my tresses, we had a tête-à-tête:

Q) What made you blend this ancient concept with hairstyling?
Billy- My wife, celebrated Motivational Speaker and Energy Reader, Melissa Yamaguchi, has been practicing this art for over 25 years and as I started learning about the core principles, I decided to fuse these into hair styling.

Q) Why is an individual’s hair style important?
Billy- People have 3 seconds to make a first impression and most times these 3 seconds pass by without a word being said. Hence an individual’s hair style- cut, color, and style defines their first appearance, especially since hair does so much to enhance an individual’s appearance.

Q) What influences one’s appearance to a higher degree, lifestyle or personality?
Billy- An amalgam of both! It’s a yin and yang balance of one’s personality and lifestyle that pulls together an individual’s overall appearance.

Q) How does my hairstyle describe me?
Billy- It’s an extension of who you are on the inside!

Q) How do the 5 elements influence one’s look?
Billy- Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, and Wood comprise the 5 elements. Based on one’s personality and lifestyle, it can be determined which element or elements describe that person the best. The logical next step would be to use this knowledge to determine a flattering cut, color, and style.

Q) Living on the east coast, navigating seasons with any hairstyle can be a nightmare (hello humid summers and bone dry winters!), how can one carry a hairstyle from one season to another?
Billy- Product is key here. One must talk to their hair stylist on the right type of product for their respective hair type. Every individual is authentic in that regard.

3 hours and a color, highlights-lowlights combo, dry cut, and style later, I emerged with caramel and honey hued highlights and lowlights and face framing layers to enhance my long brunette locks and perfectly complemented my tan! I MUST confess I have joined the ever growing list of Billy Yamaguchi followers and my hair and I are eagerly looking forward to his next visit to the Big Apple this November.

To know more about,
Billy, yamaguchibeauty.com/805-218-4470

Billy is currently a featured celebrity guest stylist in NYC at the tranquil Upper East Side Cornelia Spa at the Surrey, contact them to schedule a Feng Shui session with Billy, corneliaspaatthesurrey.com/ spa@thesurrey.com | 646.358.3600

By Nandini Sankara
Pictures by Tanya Stoyanova