Booking a hair salon in Seoul when you don't speak Korean

1. Send photos, not adjectives

"A little shorter" and "warm brown" mean different things to different stylists. Send two or three reference photos (front, side, back if you have them) and one photo of your hair as it is today, in daylight.

2. Tell them your hair history

Bleach, box dye, keratin or a perm in the last year changes what a salon can safely do and how long it takes. Say it up front — it is the most common reason a quote changes on the day.

3. Ask whether the price is "from" or total

Menus often show a starting price. Long or thick hair, extra bleach rounds or treatments can be added on top. Ask: "Is this the total price for my hair length, or a starting price?" and whether a deposit is needed.

4. Ask about time and cancellation

Color and perm appointments can run three hours or more. Check the expected duration, whether a deposit is refundable, and how late you can cancel or change.

5. Message the salon itself

Many salons in Hongdae and Seongsu reply on WhatsApp, LINE, KakaoTalk or Instagram. Booking platforms are convenient for reserving a slot, but questions about your specific hair are best answered by the salon. Each shop page here has a ready-made message in English and Korean you can copy.

6. On the day

Keep your reference photos on your phone, and agree on the final look and price before the stylist starts. If something is unclear, a translation app on your phone is perfectly normal in Seoul salons.