Korean Job Discussion Forums

bgreenster · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: too far from the beach

sorry, i know that i have read something on here kind of like this, but after a couple hours of searching, i cannot find the thread.

anyway, i'm having a bit of a hair dilemma. i am naturally a dirty blonde, and have blonde highlights that have grown out these past couple months. at home in the states, i pay a lot to get my hair done, and my hair isn't really growing out that badly because it is blended well with my actual hair color. unfortunately, i'm psychotic about any kinds of roots because i hate when people have fake-looking hair... and so i am now at the "what the hell should i do?" phase.

i have heard/read horror stories of people going to korean hair salons... as well as hearing that the DIY hair dyes here are made for korean hair- not naturally light hair. i would be devastated if my hair were to be ruined, so i was hoping to get some recommendations on places i could go and trust that i wouldn't leave in tears.

the main thing is that i don't want my hair to look fake. i'm even contemplating dyeing it darker than it actually is since those dyes tend to look more natural, at least if you don't have the option of getting it done professionally. salon-wise, i am willing to pay up to 200.000, if it's a good place.

thanks for any suggestions!

ps: should i ask my boss about changing hair color first/has anyone had an experience where your boss got pissed for getting rid of the blonde locks that got you the job in the first place? Wink

maeil · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Location: Haebangchon

As far as the salon, I'd say: Don't bother.

You can find western hair dye here. It's in Itaewon, definitely, and I know certain beauty shops carry brands like L'oreal Excellence... I've seen Feria at E-mart.

I have baby-fine hair, and I've used the Wella Color brand light blond color with no problems. There was another brand I used as well, but I didn't like the application method (brush instead of bottle).

So, I'd definitely recommend the DIY route. The dye is possible to find. I've gone from blonde to brunette while I'm here, and I can't get the salon to do the brunette properly, even with a guy who worked in New York for like 8 years.

As far as reaction from the boss... I was the poster girl for the company when I was blonde, pretty much. Not at all anymore since going brunette Wink

rokricky · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: Yongsan, Seoul

LISTEN TO ME OKAY.....DON'T TOUCH IT, JUST LEAVE IT, LET IT GROW OUT. I'M WARNING YOU THEY WILL *beep* UP YOUR HAIR HERE.
Trust me, I've been a banana head way too many times. The problem is that the dies all have an orangey tinge to them...all of them. Plus they don't leave the bleach on long enough and they don't use a toner to take away the yellow. Please trust me on this. I wouldn't reccomend the store bought boxed ones either (never). If you are dirty blond, you probably have ash undertones.....so if you have to do anything, go darker. The problem is that the dark colors still have too much red or orange in them. The only colors that don't are the really dark ones. You can get them to mix a light brow and a dark brown and that should give you an ashier color. But you're going to have to interpret that information to a hairdresser, and that is always quite difficult since the concept of what you need is beyond their scope.

Not ready to go brown?

Try lemon juice or peroxide on the roots followed by sun exposure.

I'm not sure this will result in the colour or effect you want, but you could give it a go.

Good Luck!

bgreenster · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Location: too far from the beach

Just as a heads up for other people out there~

I ended up going to the Green Turtle in Itaewon to get my highlights. They did an amazing job for me- no one has even noticed that I got them done (which I consider a success, since I do hate when my hair looks fake)... so I would definitely recommend them-- it was only 70.000 for the highlights and a cut/trim, which is about half of what I pay at home, as well.

I will say, though, that I think it worked so well for me because of my natural hair color- the highlights aren't incredibly drastic since my hair is only a darker blonde. Plus, he told me that he only has 2 colors- honey and ash blonde... luckily, my hair is already highlighted to a honey blonde so I didn't need a weird blonde color, and he could see what I wanted done, since I only wanted the roots matched to the grown-out part.

Anyhow, it's the place on the third floor of that Burger King/Coffee Bean building. I also had them do my waxing, which was great as well... just FYI Wink

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

If you have fine hair, lemon juice or peroxide will fry it.

Wasn't there someone on here who posted a couple of months ago and said she was a stylist from the U.S. and had brought her hair stuff with her?

piscin · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

If by any chance you'd make a trip out to Incheon, I got my done in a salon here, and I'm really pleased with it.

The girl who did it worked in a salon in London for two years, has perfect English, and is accustomed to whitey hair.

It was 70,000 for a full head (which is nothing compared to home).

P.M. me if you want the number

happygirl · Joined: 20 Feb 2006

Okibum · Joined: 28 Jul 2006

I am actually also looking for a colorist, specifically a colorist. I have seen several Korean women with light brown hair and I am looking to go light brown (I have black hair). I went light brown before and it cost around 300 dollars. I wouldn't mind paying for a job well done. Seoul is a huge city. I am sure someone knows of one place that would do it.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Are you talking about the curtains or the carpet?

Okibum · Joined: 28 Jul 2006

The hair on my head.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

Thanks for this. I've been dying my ashy dark blonde hair black for a couple years now but I was growing it out because of all the freak-outs I've read over how much Koreans loooove blondes. But now that it is growing out I remember why I was dying it in the first place. Such an ugly unflattering colour. It needs help, and it's good to know I'll be able to find it.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Draz, could you please post again after you've had it done? I'd really like to hear how it goes.

seoulis · Joined: 29 May 2007

i can tell you two spots not to go.

LateBloomer · Joined: 06 May 2006

Have seen several western women with what I consider to be really nice hightlights--although that's somewhat subjective. (A friend in Incheon has been going to the same cheap stylist for a year and a half and gets a nice cut and color--not brassy--every time.) When you're out in a place with a lot of westerners, stop someone who has hair that you like and ask who does it. With luck, you may hear of a place that's not hard for you to get to.

Snowflake · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Location: Seoul

I have light brown hair and have blonde highlights done at Toni & Guy in Chungdam-dong and it's honestly the best colour I've ever had (I lived in London for years and could never find a decent colourist).
It's not cheap - I pay about 180,000 for 3 colours, cut and dry but the stylists all speak English pretty well as do the receptionists. Number: 02 541 9985-7. I always ask for Kim Yang Hee.