Getting Your Hair Done in Seoul? Here’s Everything You Must Know Before You Book

The Ultimate Guide to Hair Salons in Seoul: What to Know and Where to Go

Stella's Meta Description: Discover everything you need to know about hair salons in Seoul — from price ranges and trending styles to how to choose the best salon for your needs, plus highly recommended shops locals love.

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Seoul is widely recognized as a global beauty capital, and nowhere is this more obvious than in its hair salon culture. From ultra-modern Gangnam salons to cozy, artistic shops in Hongdae, the city’s hair professionals are known for precision, trendsetting techniques, and above all — an obsession with healthy, glossy hair. Whether you’re a local, an expat, or a traveler, getting your hair done in Seoul is often an unforgettable experience that blends craftsmanship with warm hospitality.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover how Korean hair salons work, what services they’re best known for, how to choose the right salon, what prices to expect, and which salons are truly worth the visit. If you're looking for a complete introduction to Seoul’s hair salon culture — plus recommendations — this article has everything you need.

Why Seoul Hair Salons Are So Famous

Trendsetting Styles

Korean hairstyles often influence trends across Asia and even the West. From airy see-through bangs to layered cuts, soft perms, and glossy straight hair, Korean hairstylists are trained to blend aesthetics with functionality. They focus on natural-looking beauty that enhances facial structure rather than overpowering it.

Highly Trained Stylists

Stylists in Seoul often go through years of training and apprenticeship. Many salons require assistants to spend 3–5 years perfecting shampoo, blow-dry, and sectioning techniques before they can even pick up scissors. As a result, customers benefit from refined and precise skills.

A Culture of Hospitality

You are never left sitting idly in a Korean salon. Most salons offer complimentary drinks, snacks, phone chargers, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even hand massages. Even the smallest neighborhood salons aim to provide exceptional service.

Specialized Techniques

Seoul salons are especially known for:

• Damage-free digital perms
• Korean root perms
• S-curl and C-curl perms
• Volume rebonding
• Layered “Hime” and wolf cuts
• K-idol coloring

This balance of trend and technique is a key reason foreign visitors seek out Korean salons.
Popular Services at Seoul Hair Salons

✧ Haircuts (Men & Women)
Korean haircuts emphasize face shape. Popular women’s cuts include:

• See-through bangs
• Wolf cuts
• Soft layer cuts
• Face-framing cuts
• Men’s hairstyles commonly feature:
• Fade cuts
• Comma hair
• Hybrid two-block styles
• Natural textured waves

✧ Perms
Korea is the perm capital of Asia. Perms are customized to the texture and thickness of the client’s hair.

Popular options include:

• S-curl perm (soft waves)
• C-curl perm (curled ends for volume)
• Root perm (lifts the roots for a fuller look)
• Digital or setting perm
• Straight perm / Volume rebonding
• Korean perms are known for looking effortless, natural, and easy to maintain.

✧ Coloring
Whether it's K-pop idol-inspired ash brown or soft pink beige, Korean colorists specialize in subtle but noticeable transformations.

Typical offerings:

• Balayage
• Ombre
• Full bleaching
• Ash tones
• Gray and blue-black
• Babylights

Korean colorists pay extreme attention to minimizing damage, using bond protectors and protein treatments during processing.

✧ Treatments
Hair health is prioritized. Treatments are often included or discounted with coloring or perm services.

Top treatments:

• Keratin repair
• Bond-strengthening treatments (similar to Olaplex)
• Scalp detox
• Protein masks
• Ampoule infusions

✧ Scalp Care

Because healthy hair begins with a clean scalp, many salons offer:

• Deep cleansing scalp spa
• Sebum removal
• Circulation massage
• Dandruff treatment

These services feel like a mini spa day — and many foreigners are pleasantly surprised by how relaxing they are.

How to Choose the Right Hair Salon in Seoul

With thousands of salons across the city, choosing one can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to find the perfect match.

✧ Consider Your Goal

• Want dramatic color? → Choose a Gangnam or Hongdae color-specialist salon.
• Want a subtle, natural K-beauty haircut? → Opt for a Daegu-style or Apgujeong salon known for layers.
• Need affordable but reliable service? → Try neighborhood salons in Mapo, Yeoksam, or Mokdong.

✧ Check Stylist Portfolios

Most stylists in Seoul upload their work on:

• Instagram
• Naver Blog
• Kakao Map

Always look for before-and-after photos to see their true skill level.

✧ Language Support
Tourist-friendly salons often provide English-speaking stylists. You can also message them on Instagram to confirm.

✧ Pricing
Korean salons vary widely in cost.

Typical price ranges:

• Haircut: 20,000–60,000 KRW
• Perm: 100,000–250,000 KRW
• Bleach + Color: 150,000–350,000 KRW
• Treatment: 30,000–80,000 KRW

Prices tend to be lowest in university districts and highest in Gangnam.

5. Booking

While walk-ins work at smaller salons, most popular shops require reservations. KakaoTalk is the standard method.

The Best Areas in Seoul for Hair Salons

✧ Gangnam & Apgujeong – Luxury & Precision
This is where many K-pop idols and influencers go. Salons here are trendy, polished, and service-oriented. Perfect for:

• High-end color
• Idol-style cuts
• Premium treatments

✧ Hongdae – Creative & Youthful
If you want a trendy, alternative, or artsy look, Hongdae is your best choice.
Perfect for:
Bleach
Balayage
Wolf cuts
Unique coloring

✧ Itaewon & Hannam – Foreign-Friendly
These salons often have English-speaking stylists and multicultural expertise. Perfect for:

• Curly hair
• Western hair textures
• Blonde color correction

✧ Myeongdong – Tourist-Friendly
Many salons here cater to travelers and offer package menus. Perfect for:

• Quick transformations
• Makeovers
• Convenience

Highly Recommended Hair Salons in Seoul

✧ Jenny House (Cheongdam / Gangnam)
A celebrity-favorite salon known for luxurious service, premium coloring, and flawless haircuts. Famous K-drama actresses have been clients here.

✧ OuiOui Atelier (Apgujeong)
Specializes in natural layer cuts and soft perms. Popular among women wanting effortless Korean styling.

✧ Goyangi Salon (고양이 미용실) – Hongdae
Trendy, young, and color-focused. Ideal for pastel tones, highlights, or a full makeover.

✧ Soonsiki Hair – Hongdae
Internationally famous on Instagram. Specializes in bold coloring, creative cuts, and modern techniques.

✧ Chahong Ardor (Cheongdam)

One of Korea’s most iconic salons. Known for elegant, soft cuts and classy styling. Expensive but worth it.

✧ Juno Hair (Multiple Branches)
Great balance of affordability, skill, and convenience. Widely trusted among locals.

✧ Miju Hair (Itaewon)
Foreign-friendly, skilled with Western hair textures, and fluent in English.

✧ Amore Hair Design (Hannam)
Great for men’s cuts, perms, and beard shaping. Popular with foreign residents.

What to Expect at a Korean Hair Salon

✧ Thorough Consultation

• Stylists ask detailed questions:
• Your daily styling routine
• Hair damage history
• Scalp condition
• Preferred style references

✧ Precision Shampoo Service
Assistants often provide a relaxing scalp massage — many customers say this is the highlight!

✧ Style Testing
For perms and cuts, stylists may test curl direction or measure face angles before starting.

✧ Multi-Step Treatments
Even a simple color service typically includes:

• Pre-treatment
• Damage protection ampoules
• After-care masks

✧ Perfect Finish
Stylists blow-dry your hair using round-brush techniques that create natural, elegant volume.
Price Guide: What You Should Expect to Pay

Basic Services
    Women’s haircut: 25,000–60,000 KRW
    Men’s haircut: 20,000–40,000 KRW

Perms
    Root perm: 40,000–80,000 KRW
    Digital perm: 120,000–250,000 KRW
    Straight perm: 150,000–250,000 KRW

Coloring
    Single process: 80,000–150,000 KRW
    Bleach: 80,000–150,000 KRW
    Multi-tone: 200,000–400,000 KRW

Treatment
    Basic treatment: 20,000–40,000 KRW
    Premium protein: 60,000–100,000 KRW

Tips for First-Time Visitors

✧ Bring photo references — Korean stylists love details.
✧ Be honest about past damage, especially bleach.
✧ Expect 2–4 hours for perms or coloring.
✧ Tip is appreciated but not mandatory — 5–10% is typical if service was excellent.
✧ Pre-book for weekends — salons fill up quickly.

Conclusion: Seoul Hair Salons Offer an Unmatched Beauty Experience

Whether you want a soft Korean perm, a trendy idol-inspired color, or a polished everyday haircut, Seoul’s hair salons offer some of the best services in the world. Their blend of craftsmanship, hospitality, modern technology, and deep understanding of beauty makes the experience unforgettable. With the right salon and stylist, you can walk out feeling refreshed, confident, and stylish.

If you’re planning a visit to Seoul — or already live here — don’t miss the chance to experience one of the city’s top-tier salons. Your hair will thank you.