Ladies, I will tell you a secret. You need to be careful about getting your hair done in China. Coloring products in shops are designed for Chinese hair (ie black). So if you want to do your blonde highlights...it's going to turn bright orange on Western hair. And not to be bitchy, but when is the last time you saw a Chinese girl with a decent blonde hair dye job?
YOU CAN'T BUY BLONDE dye in China for Western hair. I looked everywhere. However, if you pick the right salon (which are very few), you can still get it done. It will cost you twice what you pay back in your home country. So advice, go back to your natural hair color in China if you plan to stay a while, or prepare to budget some serious cash (close to your monthly rent), to get it done.
Also, if you go to a Chinese salon, they are accustomed to dealing with Chinese hair, which is quite different from cutting Western hair. I know this all sounds like trivial crap, which it is, but none-the-less, I have suffered many hair disasters in my year and a half here. It sucks. So anyhoo, here are 5 places in Shanghai that won't destroy your hair, but will cost you dearly for that peace of mind. This list is thanks to Lauren Jane of Smart Shanghai:
The Top Five Best Salons
Salons around town that won't let you down.
Looking for a new place to get your hair did?
Here's a list of five salons (plus one) which are the best of the best in the city. I've taken into account feedback from my friends and, of course, my own experiences, and hopefully one of these will be what you're looking for in your search for a salon.
So here they are, in no particular order. I've added a general price list for each salon (keep in mind, prices depends on stylist, hair length, and services and are not guaranteed).
Located in the heart of the French Concession, this salon offers international standards with a neighborhood feel. Their top stylist, Terry Grau, hails from Switzerland and is featured as ID's European Director. A twelve-year veteran of the business, Terry specializes in highlights -- especially blond. All of the staff are super friendly and welcome you upon entrance. I really liked this one, as it comes across as extremely professional while maintaining an unpretentious vibe. They use Kerastase products and offer a variety of services including special hair treatments and nail care. ID can be a little bit pricey depending on which stylist and treatment you get, but a basic cut and shampoo is quite reasonable compared to some of the competition.
Cut, Shampoo, & Finishing: 60-420rmb
Color: 380-1500rmb
Hair Straightening: 380-2000rmb
Permanent Waving: 580-2400rmb
Hair Extensions: single piece 50rmb up to whole head at 8000rmb
Several Salons in Shanghai.
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Arguably the most well-known salon in Shanghai is Toni & Guy; they've been around internationally for over 40 years and claim to be the "most powerful hairdressing brand in the world." With their cutting edge image, Toni & Guy have secured their status as one of the most influential hairdressing companies in the city. There are several locations throughout Shanghai, but I checked out the one at Shanghai Center. With top stylists from Malaysia and Australia, they definitely offer quality and consistency.
Their prices for color and other permanent treatments are pretty standard for most high-end salons, but a basic shampoo and cut is a bit overpriced in my opinion. With that said, it might be worth it in order to receive international standards of hair care minus the accompanying episodes of panic and fear. After all, going to the salon is supposed to be a relaxing experience. The feedback I received about this salon is that their work is generally good and consistent, but very overpriced. On the other hand, I did have a friend who went to Toni & Guy wanting only her bangs trimmed, and they charged her for an entire cut! Toni & Guy offer a nail salon and feature products such as L'Oreal, Label.m, and their own line -- Toni & Guy.
Cut, Shampoo, & Finishing: 120-1000rmb
Color: 400-1200rmb
Hair Straightening: 1000-2000rmb
Permanent Waving: 800-1080rmb
No hair extensions
On the web: www.toniandguy.co.uk
Established in Hong Kong in 1999, the Hip Hair Culture Group has developed extensively in a short period of time, having just recently expanded to Shanghai. Hair Culture claims to focus not only on the salon industry, but are "actively involved as a leader in the creative direction of hair styling in media and entertainment."
Hip Hair Culture is located on charming Xinle Lu, and Cameron Lee, their leading Hong Kong stylist with over 20 years in the industry, was immediately friendly and eager to inform me about their services and overall vision. I was impressed by his laid-back demeanor as so often salons, or hair stylists can come across a slightly snobby. HHC is so the opposite! This salon is one of the less expensive options and doesn't shaft you on quality. They feature Paul Mitchell products which are fantastic and often difficult to find here. Manicures and pedicures are available as well as hair extensions by consultation only.
Cut, Shampoo, & Finishing: 70-280rmb
Color: 200-1200rmb
Hair Straightening: 500-1500rmb
Permanent Waving: 250-1500rmb
Hair Extensions: by consultation only
On the web: www.h-culture.com
In my opinion, Benson Salon is the overall best value in Shanghai. I was lucky enough to meet Benson, the owner and top stylist, a couple of years ago while helping out with the initial opening of his salon, and I've been loyal ever since.
Boasting a staff of local stylists, they are trained in hair care for all different types of hair. Benson's initial education through Vidal Sassoon helped him develop into one of the best hair stylists in Shanghai. They've recently remodeled their salon and overall image, which now puts them on par with the best salons in the city. And for those of you seeking blond highlights, Benson is fantastic. He also has a gift for giving "the perfect cut". My boyfriend swears by Benson's technique and won't go anywhere else! Overall their prices are on par with HHC, but I recommend this salon for cuts and color. And ladies, if you're keen to try out hair extensions, they start at only 10rmb a piece which is the cheapest I've found yet. It's best to make an appointment during off-peak hours so you get full one-on-one attention (they're usually swamped on Saturdays, so plan ahead!). Benson Salon also offers basic nail care and use products by L'Oreal, Kerastase, and Tigi.
Cut, Shampoo, & Finishing: 68-280rmb
Color: 480-730rmb
Hair Straightening: 380-2400rmb
Permanent Waving: 380-880rmb
Hair Extensions: 10rmb/piece; whole head 1400-2000rmb
On the web: www.bensonsalon.com
With two locations in the city, Beijing Hair Culture deliver an extremely high-end salon experience. Beware, as this also includes high-end prices. But if you're looking for a place with guaranteed international standards and the ambiance of a spa, then this is the place for you. I checked out the one at the Hilton, and I must say, the entrance through the spa into the salon was especially calming. Overall, the staff were pretty friendly and unpretentious. I would recommend this salon for those of you who want the full experience of being pampered in a classy environment. A girlfriend of mine said she always goes to BHC because they give a wonderfully long head massage during the shampoo that can even make you fall asleep! With products such as Kerastase, L'Oreal, and Paul Mitchell, Beijing Hair Culture offer a wide variety of services in addition to hair care including a full nail salon, wax service, and also make-up service.
Cut, Shampoo, & Finishing: 120-680rmb
Color: 300-1800rmb
Hair Straightening: 500-2500rmb
Permanent Waving: 400-2500rmb
Hair Extensions: 80rmb/piece
On the web: www.beijing-hc.com
Eric Paris Salon, another high-end salon boasting a full staff of skilled stylists, also has about four or five foreign stylists available on staff as well. I was surprised to find such a nice salon just down the street from TGIFriday's, and their display was incredibly impressive.
Founded by Eric in 1996, his vision was to "bring his signature French style in hair and beauty to China". Eric, who indeed hails from France, owned the largest private chain of salons in his region. Often working with hair in runway shows for super brands like L'Oreal, he's really made his mark in China by exhibiting his innovative method of hair styling. Eric Salon use products from L'Oreal and Schwartzkopf. They also offer a variety of extra services such as body and back massage, full nail salon, make-up service, eyelash and eyebrow care, spray tan, candling, and even ear and naval piercing! With such an internationally mixed staff of stylists, I was amazed at how reasonable the prices are for a basic cut or color.
Cut, Shampoo, & Finishing: 90-425rmb
Color: 240-740rmb
Hair Straightening: 510-1540rmb
Permanent Waving: 440-1160rmb
No hair extensions
On the web: www.ericparis.com