💇 How to Use a Korean Hair Salon (Booking · Reading the Menu · Prices)

⏱️ 30-Second Summary — Just Remember This!

• 📅 Booking → Klook/Creatrip are easy for foreigners / Naver for the widest choice

• ✂️ Menu → cut / perm / color / clinic (treatment) / magic (straightening)

• 💰 Price → varies by area, designer rank (director > manager > designer), and gender

• 🗣️ Style → showing a photo of what you want is surest

• 💡 No tipping → Korean salons have no tipping

1. 💇 What's Different About Korean Salons

• Rank system: A salon has ranks like director (wonjang), manager (siljang), designer, and intern. The higher the rank, the higher the price. (Choose a designer when booking.)

• Cut = includes styling: A cut usually includes shampoo, blow-dry, and light styling. (Whether shampoo is included varies by salon.)

• Perm/color powerhouse: A wide range of perm and coloring techniques (see the menu below).

• No tipping: Korea has no salon tipping. Just pay the menu price.

• Drink service: They may offer a drink while you wait.

2. 📅 How to Book (by App)

For foreign travelers, Klook and Creatrip — with easy English booking and overseas-card payment — are the most convenient. For comparing more salons and designers, Naver booking is the most powerful, but it may require Korean and account verification.

• Naver booking / Naver Map: The most-used method in Korea. The most listings, with reviews, prices, and designer selection. But it may require a Naver account and phone verification, a barrier for foreigners.

• Mamedne: Offers hair/nail/esthetic booking and AI hair simulation (preview styles with a photo). Korean-centric, so good if you have some Korean.

• Klook / Creatrip: Foreigner-friendly platforms. English booking and overseas-card payment are easy, and they fit tourist routes like Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam. But fewer options than Naver, and check fees/conditions.

• Instagram DM: Book via DM after viewing a designer's actual portfolio. Great when you're sure of the style you want. (Check Korean consultation and deposit conditions.)

• Walk-in: Neighborhood salons and budget cut shops often take walk-ins, though there may be a wait.

At a glance

• Naver booking/Naver Map → most listings, reviews/prices/designer choice / Korean + account verification → for comparing widely

• Mamedne → hair/nail/esthetic booking, AI hair simulation / Korean-centric → for previewing styles

• Klook / Creatrip → easy English booking, overseas cards / fewer options → for short-stay foreigners with little Korean

• Instagram DM → check the designer's portfolio / Korean + reply timing / → for choosing a specific style/designer

💡 Popular designers fill up fast on weekends/evenings. Book ahead if you have a target date. More salons in tourist areas, Gangnam, and Hongdae offer English consultation.

3. ✂️ How to Read the Menu (Basic Terms)

Terms you'll often see on a Korean salon menu.

• Cut (컷): A haircut. Usually includes shampoo/blow-dry (varies by salon).

• Perm (펌): There are many types (see section 4).

• Color (염색): Dyeing. A root touch-up (리터치) covers only new growth.

• Bleach (탈색): Removing color for lighter shades — a step before light dyeing.

• Clinic/treatment (클리닉/트리트먼트): Not a hospital — a nourishing/care menu for damaged hair. (Foreigners often misunderstand this!)

• Magic/straight perm (매직): Straightening curls into straight hair.

• Blow-dry/styling (드라이): Just a set for the day.

• Scalp care (두피케어): Scalp treatment.

• Men's cut: There may be a separate men's menu.

4. 🌀 Types of Perms

Korea has a wide variety of perms. Here are the main ones.

• Regular (cold) perm: A basic perm giving waves without heat.

• Heat/digital/setting perm: Uses heat for bouncy curls that tend to last longer.

• Volume magic: A popular treatment that adds volume at the roots/crown while naturally straightening.

• Magic (straight perm): Straightens strong curls into straight hair. It's a strong treatment, so damaged or bleached hair needs a consultation.

• Down perm: Tames flyaway/sticking-up hair (popular with men too).

• Trendy styles: For hippie perms, layered cuts, hush cuts, etc., showing a photo is surest.

💡 The right perm depends on your curl/straightness and damage level. Decide after consulting the designer.

5. 💰 Price Range (Reference)

Prices vary a lot by area, salon tier, and designer rank. Below are rough reference ranges.

• Cut: In busy areas (Gangnam, Hongdae), roughly ₩25,000–40,000 is common. Upscale salons may start from ₩50,000+; neighborhood salons are cheaper.

• Gender difference: Men's and women's cut prices can differ, and whether shampoo is included varies by salon.

• Designer rank: The same cut costs more in the order director > manager > designer. Confirm rank/price when booking.

• Perm/color: Varies greatly by length, technique, and product. Longer hair and complex work cost more (can reach several hundred thousand won).

• Bleach: Light dye adds bleaching, increasing cost and time.

• Always confirm: Confirm the final price at booking/consultation. Long-hair surcharges and clinic add-ons may apply.

💡 It helps to ask ahead: "Is there a long-hair surcharge?" and "What are the men's/women's cut prices?"

6. 🗣️ How to Describe the Style You Want

• A photo is best: Showing a photo of the style, length, and color you want is surest. Multiple angles are even better.

• Length: Indicate length with your fingers ("just this much"), or say "just a trim" / "keep the length."

• Use a translation app: Writing it out in advance with Papago, etc., helps.

• Consultation stage: You consult with the designer before the service — clearly state what you do and don't want.

• Useful phrases:

  • 다듬어 주세요 (dadeumeo juseyo) — just a trim

  • 기장은 유지해 주세요 (gijang-eun yuji-hae juseyo) — keep the length

  • 앞머리만 잘라 주세요 (ammeori-man jalla juseyo) — just the bangs

  • 너무 짧지 않게 (neomu jjalji anke) — not too short

7. 💡 Practical Tips for Foreigners

• Check English: Confirm English consultation/menu before booking. (Klook/Creatrip products often have English guidance.)

• Long-hair surcharge: Many places add a long-hair surcharge. Check ahead!

• Allow time: Perms, coloring, and bleaching can take 2–4+ hours. Leave room in your itinerary.

• Damage caution: Strong treatments like bleaching/magic can damage hair. They may also recommend a clinic (treatment).

• Payment: Card and cash both work. When paying by card, pay in KRW to avoid DCC losses.

• Not on your last day: If you're unhappy it's hard to return, so pick a day with room to spare.

8. Common Questions from Foreigners ❓

• Do I have to book? → Recommended for popular designers/weekends. Neighborhood salons take walk-ins.

• Which app is easy for foreigners? → Klook/Creatrip are easy with English/overseas cards. Naver for wider choice (needs verification).

• Is English spoken? → More places in Gangnam, Hongdae, and tourist areas do. Confirm ahead.

• Do I tip? → No. Korean salons have no tipping.

• Why are there multiple prices? → Because of designer rank and men's/women's differences (the director is priciest).

• What is "clinic"? → Not a hospital — it's a hair treatment/care menu.

• Is long hair more expensive? → Yes, many places have a long-hair surcharge.

• How do I describe the style? → Showing a photo is best.

✅ Quick Checklist

• Booking: Klook/Creatrip for foreigners; Naver for wide choice (needs verification)

• Confirm English consultation/menu

• Understand the menu: cut/perm/color/magic/clinic (=treatment, not a hospital)

• Price: confirm rank, gender difference, long-hair surcharge, final price

• Prepare a photo of the style you want (+ translation app)

• Get a damage consultation for strong treatments like magic/bleaching

• Allow time for perm/color/bleach (2–4+ hours)

• No tipping; pay in KRW; go on a day with room to spare

🟦 A guide put together by the CultureHub team.
📅 As of 2026 · ⚠️ Prices, menus, and booking methods vary by salon, area, and designer and may change. Check the salon or booking app before visiting.