The Elegant Bob : Enhancing Beauty with Volume and Shine for Your 60s and 70s
The fresh skies of early May bring with them a gentle breeze and the comfort of seasonal change.
On such a lovely day, a valued client visited the salon for her regular hair maintenance.
Ms. Noriko Ito, a former apparel designer, is highly skilled in dressmaking.
Even now, she creates clothing not only for herself and her grandchildren, but also fulfills custom orders for others—testament to her continued artistry and craftsmanship.
This visit marked her first hair maintenance in two and a half months. With the early summer approaching, she shared her desire to refresh her signature bob haircut.
Her concerns included frizz and waviness that made her hair difficult to manage, as well as concentrated gray hair around her face.
To address these concerns and help her enjoy fashion to the fullest, I proposed a sophisticated bob that would work beautifully with the changing texture of her hair as she ages.
We began by applying highlights to soften the appearance of gray hair, especially around the face.
By carefully selecting 5mm sections and adjusting the angles—vertical, horizontal, and diagonal—to suit each part of the head, we aimed for a natural highlight design.
Gray hair often becomes more noticeable when new growth creates contrast with the darker roots.
But by weaving highlights strategically, we add depth and dimension to the hairstyle, making the regrowth line blend seamlessly.
When cutting aging hair, foundational technique is essential.
With age, hair tends to develop stronger waves and irregular textures. It’s important to gently comb the wet hair, observe where it naturally settles, and then carefully cut it accordingly.
These meticulous, thoughtful steps contribute directly to how easily the style can be recreated by the client at home.
As I designed Ms. Ito’s bob, I adjusted the length and weight distribution to suit the proportions of her facial features—like drawing up a blueprint for a building.
I consciously changed my position throughout the cut to assess the hairstyle from various angles, ensuring it looked beautiful and dimensional in daily life.
Styling was completed with a round brush and blow-dry finish.
The fine, frizzy strands typical of curly hair became beautifully smooth and lustrous with this technique.
The result is a refined, diamond-shaped bob silhouette.
Ms. Ito’s taste in fashion—reflected in her uniquely designed glasses, earrings, and rings—pairs perfectly with her new hairstyle.
(Click to enlarge)
In the "before" photo, the volume had settled below the jawline, making the overall impression feel a bit elongated. In contrast, the "after" look sharpens her facial contours and offers a youthful appearance.
The volume created at the roots while blow-drying, and the structure formed with the brush, both contribute to a lifting effect.
As we age, the shape and structure of hairstyles and clothing—and the firmness of the materials we choose—become key to maintaining a youthful impression.
Soft, muted skin tones often pair beautifully with the glow of pearl or gold accessories. And when the eyelids begin to sag, rimmed glasses can help restore a sense of focus and elegance to the eyes.
When we find harmony between our aging selves and our hairstyle and fashion choices, dressing up becomes joyful.
Much like the art of kintsugi—repairing cracks in pottery with lacquer and gold—this journey of discovery is itself the essence of maturity.
By learning how to enjoy aging through style and self-expression, we can make the second half of life rich with meaning and beauty.
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PROFILE
Chinatsu Sakamoto
She began her career as a hairstylist in 2010 in Omotesando, Tokyo. In 2024, she relocated her salon to Ginza and opened her private salon, CHINATSU SAKAMOTO.
Focusing mainly on salon work, she is also active in editorial shoots and media appearances. She has received wide recognition from media outlets targeting mature audiences, including Croissant and ku:nel (Magazine House), Halmek (Halmek), and NHK’s Asaichi.
She specializes in perm designs that bring out the beauty of aging hair, supporting the style and confidence of middle-aged and senior clients.
Her refined hair designs, shaped by a global aesthetic cultivated through her travels and rooted in Japanese craftsmanship, have earned high praise.
Website https://www.chinatsusakamoto.com/
Instagram @chinatsu.hairdresser
Hair Salon CHINATSU SAKAMOTO
RoomB meby CURAGINZA7F, 5-12-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0061 Japan
1minute walk from “Higashi-Ginza Station" A1 exit / “Ginza Station” A1 and A2 exit side, directly connected to Higashi-Ginza Station via the underground passage
Mon/Tue/Wed Closed Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun 10:00-19:00
