Haircuts & beauty

Prices, how to book, bringing photos, and finding a salon that gets your hair right.

In short

A men's cut runs ~₩15,000–35,000; a women's cut ~₩25,000–55,000. Budget barber chains (e.g. Blue Club) are ~₩12,000–13,000.
Bring reference photos — Korean stylists are visual, and it beats describing a cut in words. No tipping.
Trendy salons are appointment-based (book via Naver/KakaoTalk — often needs an ARC + Korean number); neighborhood shops take walk-ins.
Korea's specialty is perms (digital/setting/down/volume) and scalp/head-spa treatments — plus color analysis. English-friendly salons cluster in Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam, Myeongdong.

Getting a haircut in a new country is nerve-wracking, but Korea's salon scene is excellent, affordable, and — in the right places — very foreigner-friendly. Here's how to get the cut you want.

What it costs

Service	Typical price
Men's haircut	₩15,000–35,000 (budget chains ~₩12,000)
Women's haircut (wash+cut+style)	₩25,000–55,000
Perm (digital/setting)	~₩100,000–160,000+
Color	~₩70,000–150,000 (more with bleach)
Scalp / head spa	~₩60,000–100,000

Prices rise with the stylist's grade (junior → director); many salons list a uniform rate (~₩33,000) if you don't pick a specific designer. Tipping isn't a thing — staff will politely refuse.

Booking & walk-ins

Trendy/upscale salons are appointment-only — book via Naver Booking or KakaoTalk (Instagram DM for some barbers). Online booking may require legal residency (ARC + Korean phone + bank).
Neighborhood shops take walk-ins. Budget barber chains (Blue Club) are fast, cheap, and self-service on shampooing.
First-visit discounts are common on Naver Booking ("first visit 20% off perm/color").

Getting the cut you want

Bring photos. Korean stylists work visually — reference images (ideally from Korean social media/Naver blogs) communicate far better than words. Show what you want and what you don't.
Learn a few words: "짧게 해주세요 (jjalge haejuseyo)" = cut it short; "조금만 (jogeumman)" = just a little; "다듬어 주세요 (dadeumeo juseyo)" = just a trim.
Korean men's styles: the two-block (투블럭) is the signature cut; also dandy cut, see-through fringe, leaf/hush cuts.
Perms are about texture, not just curls — a base to make daily styling easier. Down perm (다운펌) flattens puffy sides (popular with men); volume magic (볼륨매직) smooths frizz with soft volume; root perm (뿌리펌) lifts flat hair.

Textured, curly or Afro hair: many mainstream Korean salons have little experience with non-straight hair, and results can disappoint. Seek out salons/barbers that specialize in diverse textures — check a stylist's Instagram for photos of clients with hair like yours. Itaewon (and Pyeongtaek near the base) have the most options; the Facebook group "Black Hair Salons/Braids In Korea" is a great resource.

Finding an English-friendly salon

Foreigner-friendly clusters: Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam, Myeongdong, Sinchon.
Known names with English service include Juno Hair (many branches), Soonsiki and The Day's Hair (Hongdae), Evanstyle (men's), and various Gangnam/Myeongdong salons — many bookable online with interpreter slots.
"Foreigner-friendly" isn't just English — it's technical experience with your hair type. Check the stylist's portfolio first.

Extras Korean salons do well

Head spa / scalp treatments — relaxing and popular; some places specialize (e.g. scalp clinics).
Hair "clinic" (헤어 클리닉) — intensive conditioning, often recommended alongside perm/color to limit damage. Worth it for chemical services.
Personal color analysis — a Korean trend: find the palette that suits your skin tone (Gangnam/Hongdae studios).
Expect small comforts — drinks, snacks, shampoo and styling included with a cut.

Perm + color same day? Usually not recommended — the combined chemicals can damage hair, and many stylists will decline. Space them ~2 weeks apart, and add a treatment for chemical services.

Common questions

Do I tip?

No — Korea has no tipping culture; staff will refuse.

How do I book if I don't speak Korean?

Use foreigner-friendly salons (many take online bookings with interpreter slots), or walk into neighborhood shops. Bring photos regardless.

Can they cut curly/Afro hair?

Only specialist salons reliably can — check Instagram portfolios, try Itaewon, and use the Black Hair Salons Facebook group.

What's a two-block?

The classic modern Korean men's cut — short sides/back, longer top. Ask by name or show a photo.

Sources: 2026 foreigner salon guides (Creatrip, 10 Magazine, South of Seoul, FOHO), salon price lists. Prices approximate and vary by salon/stylist grade.

Last verified: July 2026. Prices and salon details change — confirm when booking. General information.

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