Cuttin’ Up in Shanghai

On my second day on the job at SHX, I signed up with an account on the forums and posted my first question on the interwebs for all to ponder…
“Where is a cheap place a man can get a good haircut?”

I needed something cheap and close to my apartment that guaranteed handsome results. I got lots of suggestions and I set out to explore the options. I realized that Shanghai hair salons are essentially broken up into four categories: street-side barbers, retail salon chains, high-end salons, and mid-range independent salons.

At the end, we will also go over some basic hair salon vocabulary! Also, click here to weigh in or get info about good places to get your hair cut: http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/phpbbforum/haircut-where-t111703.html.

Street-side barber
You gotta love life on the streets of Shanghai. Everything is done out in the open. I have even seen a dentist operating out of a little shack in Yangshuo, so it only makes sense that you can get your hair cut on a stool in the middle of the sidewalk by an 80-year-old man. Don’t expect a wash or a blow-drying, nor to pay more than 10RMB. If you just want a buzz-cut or a bowl-cut, this is your guy!

Retail Salon Chains
These are your twirly-candy-cane-techno-house-music-playing beauty parlors that appear to be nightclubs from the outside. The ladies and effeminate men that greet you outside look like they just stepped out of the pages of Dragonball Z. These salons come with the names Wenfong or Yongqi and the prices are very accessible to local Chinese (about 20RMB for men; 60 for women). If you are the kind of person that goes in for a trim once a week, this place is completely appropriate, but unless you are lucky enough to get one of the more experienced hairdressers, you’re not going to get a superb cut. Also, men beware! They may try to get you to agree to a chaotoufa (翘头发), which is that raising of the hair on the very top that really gives you that Japanese Anime look. Trust me, it looks terrible on laowai.

High-end Salons
These places cater to Westerners and society Shanghainese. Prices range from 150RMB to 350RMB for a simple haircut. While some people tout them, I personally think they are just too expensive for what you get (I know you females generally pay a lot more, but we gentlemen aren’t used to these pricey shenanigans). However, for special treatments (perms, highlights, etc.) these places are more trustworthy. The staff is usually trained by Europeans and can speak basic English.  I have been to Toni and Guy at the Parkson and was very satisfied. You can find a high-end salon anywhere near a mall that sells (real) Gucci bags and Manolo Shoes.

Mid-range Independent Salons
These are the non-chains that you can find almost anywhere. Prices range (30-120RMB) and so does the quality. Some resemble the high-end places while others are basically trying too hard to be Wenfong. Here, it’s possible to find a cheap haircut that is as good as the high-end salons. Ultimately, if you can find a high-quality, inexpensive indie, then you don’t need to go anywhere else. This is specifically what I was looking for when I asked the forum users. I got a lot of suggestions and I finally decided on Bono Salon (870 Wuding Rd, near Changde Rd. – 30RMB) and will continue to visit this place. Thanks jet5354!

Vocabulary

 

Haircut / to cut your hair – 剪头发 – jian3 tou2 fa4
Hairstyle -发型 – fa4 xing2
A trim (cut a little) – 剪一点 - jian3 yi1 dian3
Cut a lot off / make it short – 剪短很多- jian3 duan3 hen3 duo1
to make it thinner – 打薄- da3 bo2
to make it thicker – 做厚- zuo4 hou4
to wash hair – 洗头-xi1 tou2
to blow dry – 吹干- chui1 gan1
to perm / crimp – 烫头发 – tang4 tou2 fa4
to color – 染发 – ran3 fa4
highlights -挑染 – tiao1 ran3
lighter color - 颜色浅一点 – yan2 se4 qian3 yi1 dian3
darker - color颜色深一点 – yan2 s4e shen1 yi1 dian3