Celebrity hairstylist Shunji Matsuo dies of pancreatic cancer

Japanese celebrity hairstylist Shunji Matsuo passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 67 in his hometown of Kobe on Monday (9 October), according to a report by The Straits Times.

According to the report, Matsuo was still actively working until his last days. He returned to Kobe in Japan for one of his annual “Makeover Magic” shows, where he gives makeovers to older women and cancer survivors, and remained there to seek treatment for his cancer.

Matsuo previously had liver cancer, and did not want people to know about his second bout of cancer “because he wanted to celebrate life and didn’t want people to be sad”, fashion stylist Lionnel Lim, who had collaborated with Matsuo since 2008, told The Straits Times.

He was the founder and CEO of the Shunji Matsuo group of salons in Singapore, and was one of the first celebrity hairstylists to set up a salon in Singapore back in 1996. There are currently 10 salons in Singapore, with outlets in ION Orchard, The Grandstand, and Holland Village.

The salon chain’s Facebook page posted a video with a message dedicated to their founder, describing him as “an inspirational leader” and saying that many “have benefited from his personal guidance over the years”.

Other stories:

• Celebrity hairstylist Addy Lee says domestic helper stole from him

• Bleached your hair? Here are 12 hair colour looks for the next 12 months

Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook.