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Korean Hair Salon: A Guide for Foreigners

Your essential guide to visiting a Korean hair salon. Learn how to book, communicate with stylists, and understand pricing for foreigners, expats, and students.

Evan Han

CEO & Founder of FOHO, a housing platform for foreigners in Korea. Experienced in rental market trends, proptech innovation, and foreign tenant support.

Oct 15, 2025

TIPRegion

Table of contents

01A Foreigner’s Ultimate Guide to Korean Hair Salons: From Booking to Balayage
•Section 1: Understanding the Korean Salon Ecosystem
•Section 2: Preparation and Communication
•Section 3: Decoding the Price System
•Section 4: A Deep Dive into the Service Menu
•Section 5: An Insider's Guide for Foreigners
•Find Your Home in Korea with Confidence

A Foreigner’s Ultimate Guide to Korean Hair Salons: From Booking to Balayage

Getting your hair done in South Korea can be a world-class experience. Korean salons are known for their advanced techniques, trend-setting styles, and meticulous service. But for a first-timer, navigating the process—from choosing the right salon to explaining what you want—can feel intimidating.

This guide demystifies the entire experience. We will walk you through every step, providing the practical knowledge you need to get a style you love with confidence and clarity.

Section 1: Understanding the Korean Salon Ecosystem

Your first step is choosing where to go. Korea’s salon industry is highly segmented, with different models serving specific needs, budgets, and styles. Understanding these categories will help you find the perfect fit.

1.1. Salon Tiers: A Model for Every Client

1. Large Franchise Chains (e.g., Juno Hair, Park Jun Beauty Lab) These are the most visible and accessible salons, with branches across the country. They offer standardized services, systematic designer training, and a predictable experience.

Best for: Consistency, convenience, and those who prefer a well-known brand. Many locations in tourist-heavy areas like Myeongdong have English-speaking staff.

Price Range: Mid-to-High (₩₩₩)

Keep in Mind: The experience can vary between branches. Some customers report upselling of additional treatments. They often have membership programs that offer discounts for repeat visits.

2. Independent Trend-Setting Boutiques (e.g., SOONSIKI, The Day’s Hair) Located in youth-centric areas like Hongdae, these salons are the epicenters of K-beauty hair trends. They are often frequented by models and influencers.

Best for: The latest trending styles and specialized services. Many of these salons have designers who are highly experienced with non-Asian hair textures.

Price Range: High (₩₩₩₩)

Keep in Mind: Prices are high, and booking is essential. The value comes from access to top-tier stylists who are experts in their niche.

3. Private 1-Person Salons In these salons, a single designer handles your entire service from start to finish. This model, which requires booking in advance, has grown in popularity since the pandemic.

Best for: A highly personalized, private, and focused experience.

Price Range: High (₩₩₩₩)

Keep in Mind: You receive the designer’s full attention, but since it's a one-person operation, you have no other options if your style preferences don't align with their specialty.

4. Modern Barbershops vs. Traditional Barbershops Korea has two distinct types of barbershops for men.

Modern Barbershops: These spaces are dedicated to classic men's styles like fades, pomades, and Ivy League cuts. They offer services like professional wet shaves, which are not typically available in unisex salons. Many are located in areas like Itaewon and Hongdae and have English-speaking barbers.

Low-Cost Chains & Traditional Barbershops (e.g., Blue Club): Traditional barbershops cater to an older clientele with simple, functional cuts. Blue Club is a well-known low-cost chain focused on speed and efficiency. The price for a cut is very low (around ₩12,000–₩13,000 as of 2023) because services like shampooing are self-service.

1.2. Location Is Style: Cheongdam vs. Hongdae

In Seoul, the neighborhood you choose often defines the salon experience. Cheongdam and Hongdae represent the two poles of the city's beauty industry.

Cheongdam (Gangnam-gu): The Epicenter of Luxury Beauty This affluent neighborhood is home to Korea’s most premium salons.

Atmosphere: Sophisticated, luxurious, and private.

Clientele: Celebrities, socialites, and clients seeking a high-end experience.

Styles: Polished, classic, and elegant.

Price: The highest in the country. Cuts start around ₩44,000–₩55,000 and can easily exceed ₩100,000. A perm or color service often costs over ₩330,000.

Hongdae (Mapo-gu): The Hub of Youth and Trends This university area is known for its vibrant, artistic, and experimental atmosphere.

Atmosphere: Casual, trendy, and creative.

Clientele: Students, artists, foreigners, and a younger crowd.

Styles: Experimental, edgy, and the latest street-style trends.

Price: More accessible and varied. Cuts typically range from ₩18,000 to ₩50,000, with perms from ₩50,000 to ₩150,000.

Table 1: Korean Salon Type Comparison

Salon Type	Price	Key Features	Recommended For	Potential Downsides
Large Franchise	₩₩₩	Standardized service, high accessibility, memberships.	Those who value consistency and convenience.	Experience can vary by branch; potential for upselling.
Independent Boutique	₩₩₩₩	Latest trends, specialized skills (e.g., for foreign hair).	Trend-setters and those seeking a specific, expert designer.	High price point; booking is mandatory.
1-Person Salon	₩₩₩₩	1-on-1 personalized service in a private setting.	Those who want dedicated attention and a quiet experience.	100% reservation-based; limited alternatives if styles don't match.
Modern Barbershop	₩₩₩	Men's styling, professional shaves, masculine environment.	Clients seeking classic men's cuts and grooming.	Limited style range; may feel exclusive.
Low-Cost Chain	₩	Very low price, fast service, functional.	Men who need a quick, simple, and affordable cut.	Lack of style diversity; self-service elements can be inconvenient.

Sources: General pricing compiled from Naver Booking and Kakao Hairshop listings for representative salons in each category as of late 2023.

Section 2: Preparation and Communication

A great salon experience starts before you even sit in the chair. Proper booking and clear communication are essential to getting the result you want.

2.1. How to Book Your Appointment

Walk-in appointments are rare in Korea, especially at popular salons. The culture has shifted to be almost entirely reservation-based.

Digital Booking Platforms: Naver Booking vs. Kakao Hairshop These are the two dominant platforms for booking appointments online.

Naver Booking (네이버 예약): This is the most widely used platform, integrated directly into Naver Maps. It’s popular with salons because it charges them very low (or no) fees. For users, it offers a huge database of reviews, first-visit discounts, and Naver Pay point rewards. It's the best place to find reliable local salons.

Kakao Hairshop (카카오헤어샵): This platform uses a "style-first" approach. Its key feature, the 'Style Book', lets you browse photos of hairstyles and book directly with the stylist who created that look. It also has useful filters like "no extra charge for long hair" or "pets allowed." Salons on Kakao Hairshop are often actively trying to attract new, trend-conscious clients.

Other Methods:

Telephone: Calling the salon is still a reliable option.

Instagram DM: Some independent stylists, especially those popular with foreigners, prefer to handle bookings through Instagram Direct Messages.

2.2. The Consultation: How to Get What You Want

Clear communication is the single most important factor for a successful outcome. Don't rely on language alone.

The Golden Rule: Bring Reference Photos Every stylist agrees: the best way to communicate what you want is to show them. Bring multiple photos of the hairstyle you like, from different angles (front, side, back). This transcends any language barrier.

Pre-Consultation Checklist To help your stylist, gather this information before your appointment. It will make your consultation far more effective.

Hair History (Past 2 Years):

List all chemical services (perm, color, bleach).
What were your last 3 services?

Current Hair & Scalp Condition:

Condition: Healthy, Damaged, or Very Damaged.
Type: Straight, Wavy, or Curly.
Thickness: Fine, Medium, or Thick.
Scalp: Oily, Dry, or Sensitive.

Lifestyle & Budget:

How often do you wash your hair?
How much time do you spend styling it daily? (e.g., 5 mins, 15 mins)
What is your budget for this service?

Table 2: Essential Korean Salon Vocabulary

Category	Korean (Hangeul)	Pronunciation (Romanized)	Meaning & Context
General Requests	사진처럼 잘라주세요	Sajin-cheoreom jalla-juseyo	“Please cut it like this photo.” — Your most important phrase.
ㅤ	조금만 다듬어 주세요	Jogeum-man dadeumeo-juseyo	“Please just trim it a little.” — Use this to keep your length.
ㅤ	숱 많이 쳐주세요	Sut mani chyeo-juseyo	“Please thin it out a lot.” — Use when your hair feels too thick or heavy.
Cut Terms	앞머리	Apmeori	Bangs / Fringe.
ㅤ	레이어드 컷	Reieodeu-keot	Layered cut — a cut with multiple layers for texture and volume.
Perm Terms	다운펌	Daun-peom	“Down perm.” A chemical treatment to flatten hair that sticks out, typically for men’s sideburns.
ㅤ	뿌리펌	Ppuri-peom	“Root perm.” A perm applied only at the roots to create volume.
Pricing	기장 추가	Gijang chuga	Hair-length surcharge — an extra fee for long hair on services like perms and coloring.
Hair Condition	손상모	Sonsang-mo	Damaged hair.

Section 3: Decoding the Price System

Korean salon pricing can be complex. Understanding the structure will help you avoid surprises and manage your budget.

3.1. Key Pricing Factors

1. Designer Ranks At most large salons, prices vary based on the stylist’s rank and experience. The hierarchy is typically: Designer → Senior Designer / Chief (실장) → Deputy Director (부원장) → Director (원장) As the rank increases, so does the price for the same service. This reflects their level of skill and experience.

2. Gijang Chuga (기장 추가): The Long Hair Surcharge For nearly all chemical services (perm, color, treatments), there is an extra charge based on hair length. This is because longer hair requires more product and time. The tiers are usually based on landmarks like shoulder-length, chest-length, and waist-length. Always confirm this cost before starting.

3. Package Pricing Many salons offer package deals for a perm or color service that include a haircut, often at a discounted rate. However, at some high-end salons, the cut may be charged separately. Always clarify if the cut is included in the price you are quoted.

3.2. Average Service Costs

Prices vary widely by location, salon tier, and designer rank. The following table provides a general estimate. (Note: Prices in USD are approximate, assuming ₩1,300 ≈ $1 USD.)

Table 3: Average Service Price Guide (KRW)

Service	Low-Cost (e.g., Blue Club)	Mid-Range (e.g., Hongdae)	High-End (e.g., Cheongdam)
Men’s Cut	₩12,000–₩13,000	₩20,000–₩35,000	₩44,000–₩80,000+
Women’s Cut	N/A	₩25,000–₩50,000	₩55,000–₩100,000+
Basic Perm	N/A	₩80,000–₩150,000	₩150,000–₩330,000+
Digital Perm	N/A	₩120,000–₩200,000	₩250,000–₩400,000+
Full Color	N/A	₩80,000–₩150,000	₩130,000–₩300,000+

Sources: Pricing data compiled from listings on Naver Booking and the official websites of salons in each category for 2023-2024.

3.3. How to Get the Best Value

1. Memberships & Pre-paid Credits Large chains like Juno Hair have membership tiers that offer 10-20% discounts based on your annual spending. Many other salons offer a 5-10% bonus if you pre-pay a certain amount of credit (정액권). This is a great option if you plan to visit regularly.

2. First-Visit Discounts Booking platforms like Naver Booking are a great source for discounts. Look for promotions like "First Visit 20% Off Perm/Color." Competition between salons often leads to significant introductory offers.

Section 4: A Deep Dive into the Service Menu

Korean salons offer highly specialized services that go far beyond a simple cut. Understanding these techniques will help you choose the right one for you.

4.1. Korean Signature Cuts

Men's Styles:

Two-Block (투블럭): The quintessential modern Korean men's cut. The sides and back are cut short, while the top is left longer to cover them. It's clean and versatile.

See-through Dandy Cut (시스루 댄디컷): A softer version of the classic Dandy cut, with a thinned-out fringe that lightly reveals the forehead.

Leaf Cut (리프컷): A longer, gender-neutral style with hair that softly frames the face like leaves.

Women's Styles:

Hush Cut (허쉬컷): A modern take on the shag or wolf cut, featuring heavy, bold layers for a light, textured, and chic look.

Layered Cut (레이어드컷) with C-Curls or S-Curls: This is the foundation of many feminine Korean hairstyles. Soft layers are combined with gentle C-shaped curls (curling inward) or S-shaped waves to create movement and volume.

4.2. Understanding Korean Perms

In Korea, a perm is often less about creating tight curls and more about "improving" hair texture to make daily styling easier. It's seen as a base that can reduce your morning routine to just a few minutes.

Digital Perm / Setting Perm (디지털펌 / 세팅펌): These are "hot perms" that use heat to create lasting, bouncy waves (like C-curls and S-curls). They look best when blow-dried.

Down Perm (다운펌): Essential for many men's styles. This is a partial perm that chemically flattens the sideburns and hair at the sides of the head to prevent them from puffing out.

Volume Magic (볼륨매직): This is not your traditional flat iron straightening. It straightens frizzy or curly hair while adding a soft C-curl at the ends, creating a smooth but voluminous look.

Root Perm (뿌리펌): A lifesaver for those with flat or fine hair. This perm targets only the roots to give them a lift, creating overall volume without curling the rest of the hair.

4.3. Advanced Coloring Techniques

High-end salons specialize in dimensional color that adds depth and movement.

Balayage (발레아쥬): A French freehand technique where the stylist "sweeps" or paints highlights onto the hair vertically. It creates a soft, natural, sun-kissed look.

Ombre (옴브레): A French word for "shadow." This technique creates a horizontal gradient, typically from dark roots to lighter ends, with a more distinct transition than balayage.

Sombre (솜브레): A "soft ombre." It's a more subtle version of ombre with a less dramatic transition between the dark and light shades.

4.4. The Culture of Hair & Scalp Treatments

Korean beauty philosophy emphasizes that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Treatments are considered an integral part of hair care, not just an optional add-on.

Scalp Scaling (두피 스케일링): Think of this as a deep-cleansing facial for your scalp. It removes product buildup, oil, and dead skin cells from your pores that regular shampooing can't, creating a better environment for hair growth.

Hair "Clinic" (헤어 클리닉): This is a multi-step, intensive conditioning treatment that infuses damaged hair with proteins and moisture. Stylists often recommend doing a clinic treatment alongside a perm or color to minimize chemical damage and improve the final result.

Section 5: An Insider's Guide for Foreigners

Here are some final tips based on the experiences of other foreigners in Korea.

5.1. Finding a Foreigner-Friendly Salon

A "foreigner-friendly" salon isn't just about English ability. It's about the stylist's technical experience with diverse, non-Asian hair types (e.g., fine hair, curly hair, different textures).

How to Check: Before booking, look at a stylist's Instagram portfolio. Do they have photos of work on non-Asian clients? This is the best indicator of their technical experience.

Vetted Salons (Based on Expat Community Reviews):

The Day's Hair (Hongdae): Widely recommended for its English-speaking staff and the director's expertise with foreign hair.
SOONSIKI (Hongdae): Known for trendy styles and a system that includes English-speaking assistants.
CCA Hairstyle (Hongdae): Praised for reasonable prices and honest consultations based on hair type.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Always do your own research based on your specific hair needs.

5.2. Navigating Salon Etiquette

Tipping: Tipping is not customary in South Korea, and it is not expected. The price on the menu is the final price. Information suggesting a 15-20% tip usually refers to Korean salons in North America, not in Korea itself.

Complimentary Services: Most salons will offer free drinks (coffee, tea, juice) and sometimes snacks while you wait. This is part of the service, so feel free to accept.

Addressing Stylists: It's common to call a stylist by their name followed by "Ssaem" (쌤), a shortened, friendly version of "seonsaengnim" (선생님), which means teacher. (e.g., Yuju-Ssaem).

5.3. If You're Unhappy with the Result

Even with the best preparation, you might not be happy with the outcome. If this happens, the first step is to politely and calmly explain the issue to the salon. Reputable salons will almost always offer to fix it for free (a "re-touch" or 재시술). It is in their best interest to ensure you leave satisfied.

Disclaimer: All prices and business recommendations are based on information available as of late 2023/early 2024 and are subject to change. This guide is for informational purposes only.

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