HappieBBThe vacay life in Seoul is not all about eating well and making merry. I know many of us girls like to check out the Korean beauty rituals and secrets when we’re there, but if there’s one thing that I’d recommend for a Seoul trip, it would be a visit to the hair salons there.
I’m someone who really hate visiting the hair salon. In fact, I even dislike fussing over my hair on a daily basis. This is also why I tend to stick to the most fuss-free of style, wash-and-wear is the best for me.
But even for someone like me, a trip out to the Korean hair salon is not as painful! They do it quite differently, so the experience is quite unlike what we’re used to here in Singapore.
Most would have a locker system. So you get to put your barang-barang into a numbered locker and they’d pass you a key with the locker number for your own safekeeping. This way you don’t have to lug around your stuff when you go for wash, or be worried about someone stealing your stuff or whatsoever.
And instead of just wrapping those funny cape-stuff over you, most Korean hair salons will actually help you into a very thin, waterproof salon robe.
Their techniques and equipment also look somewhat different from what we have back home. And this could be completely groundless, but I kind of think their techniques and products are better, because hair doesn’t seem to look or feel that dry and damaged.
Quite a few of the Korean hair salons also have a large communal table at the centre or tables lined along the windows so that patrons can hang around and make themselves comfortable whilst waiting for whatever magic to take place in their towel-wrapped heads. If you’ve gone with a friend, it’s also nice to sit together to catch up as you wait for the chemical to take effect on your hair for 10 or 20 minutes. Or if you’re alone, you can always flip through the magazines, surf the net or just sip tea.
Very relaxing and very chill sessions, hair salons over there in Seoul. Unlike in Singapore, where it can get quite busy, noisy and yes, annoying.
And oh, as though the fact that the salons can do a fantabulous job of styling your hair isn’t exciting enough, you might want to know that prices tend to be lower too!
Image Credit: Fashion Grin
The Korean hair salons here in Singapore tend to be pricey, but you can be rest assured that prices in Seoul are very reasonable. In fact, even comparable to those non-Korean salons here in Singapore.
They’re quite transparent with their charges, usually listed in some boards or service menus. And you can, in fact, you SHOULD ask.
My experience with all that I’d gone to is that they will actually take care to inform you when a service requires extra charges and ask if you’d like to go ahead before they do.
Now I would imagine that for those of you who can’t speak Korean, the biggest worry would be the communication with the hairstylists. Well, to be safe, you can always use those that have English speaking staff like Juno Hair, which is a famous chain with many branches all over Seoul, including MyeongDong, Edae and Gangnam.
Many in Myeongdong and Edae would be familiar with foreigners by now, what with the influx of foreign holidaymakers and Kpop fans, so basic communication in broken English should work.
Even if all else fails, fret not!
If you have something in mind, just bring along photos of the style and show it to them. They’re quick and very good at what they do, and would be able to let you know if that’s something they can do for you and how much. Most of them would have look-books or iPads loaded with many, many hairstyles so you can browse through and pick out what you like.
Anyway, body language is universal, remember?
Juno Hair Salon
I’d mentioned Juno earlier. I believe they have English-speaking staff in most of their branches with high foreigner footfall. There’s also quite a number of bloggers who have shared their Juno experience.
You can check out Littlebowgirl’s articles too, she has gone to the same stylist at one Juno branch a couple of times, and has been more than satisfied each time.
Personally, I’ve also had friends who had used Juno and are happy with the results. Their only ‘complaint’ is that Juno’s prices are higher than the other salons.
Cecica Hair Salon
Edae is an area in Seoul. It’s short for Ehwa Women’s University, because the uni is there. This area is famous for the bustling shopping scene. Because of the competition and also because of the profile of the shoppers there, there are quite a number of good hair salons there too. So you can also check out Edae to find something you like.
There’s one that’s been there for awhile now, CECICA. Beauty blogger BEAUTIFUL BUNS also blogged about her experience here.
I brought my mother to Cecica once too, back in 2013. There was one staff who could speak English fairly fluently, and the service was very warm and friendly. Prices were very reasonable too.
CCA7 (까)
If in MyeongDong, you can also try this uber cool salon called CCA (까). Check out their Facebook page. You can check out the latest styles, prices and promos on their website and Facebook page.
It’s a really cool looking salon, although the setup is somewhat different from the other salons I had been to in Seoul, the decor here is loads edgier, but the staff is warm and friendly. I remember they have one or two staff who can speak simple English.
Hee, as far as I can remember from the visits in the past few years, they’re always having some sort of (very attractive!) promos happening, so don’t miss out!
You can get there via Exits 1 or 2 at Myeong Dong subway station. This is opposite Uniqlo, and yup, where my fave Two-Two Chicken outlet is, hee! Kimbap Cheonguk and Isaac Toast are also on this side of the station.
Exit 1 or 2?
Either one is fine, but I’d recommend you take the exit with the escalator, haha! Anyway, once you’re up on street level via Exits 1 or 2, you should be able to see Pacific Hotel right in front of you. Facing Pacific Hotel, turn left and just keep walking until you come to the hair salon.
And if you’re an enthusiast of all things Korean, then you might already be following blogger Shanna. You might also want to check out her blog post on Korean hair salons.
Also read: 10 Things To Do In Seoul, South Korea
So now, go go go!
Contributed by happiebb.com.
