Adore hair salon imports a chic Japanese styling experience to the ID

The International District (ID) is one of Seattle's most vibrant neighborhoods. Its residents live, shop, eat, work and recreate there, steeped in the area's heritage and contemporary history.

With the addition of modern boutique shopping in the form of Momo, Kobo at Higo, and now Adore, a hip new hair salon, the ID is rapidly becoming a shopping destination for the rest of the city.

Opened in May, Adore is owned by stylists Ai McCarthy and Yuko Tukes. They specialize in Asian hair, but are quick to mention that they welcome clients of all ethnicities. McCarthy and Tukes have incorporated innovative styling techniques from Japan into their menu of services, many of which are hard to find in Seattle.

These include Japanese thermal straightening, a chemical process that permanently straightens kinky hair (from $250), and eyelash perms to enhance the curl of the lashes (from $45). A conditioning treatment called the Japanese Treatment (from $45) includes multiple products imported from Japan that moisturize, balance and strengthen the hair.

Other services include haircuts, which start at $25 for kids, $40 for men and $50 for women. All cuts are one hour and include a shoulder, neck and scalp massage, which, according to McCarthy, is standard with all salon services in Japan. "We want our clients to feel like they're in Japan when they're at Adore," she says.

To that end, the bilingual duo offer Sa Japanese Green Tea, a brand of Green tea imported by one of their customers, as well as Spice Sisters and Nigella ER brand styling products.

A little off the beaten path, near the south end of the ID at Eighth Avenue South and South Dearborn Street, Adore overlooks a quiet courtyard from its large windows. The salon itself is a relaxed and comfortable space, immaculate and decorated in a modern, sophisticated style. The chocolate brown walls, hardwood floors and sweet chandelier make the salon worthy of its name.

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