B+Lim Singapore: The "secret" back alley basement hair salon with a cult following

Tucked away in various parts of Singapore are four fiercely independent establishments that have gained a loyal following despite the challenges of operating a business in a small city. What keeps them going? In this four-part series, we have a chat with the owners to find out.

Hidden behind a large dumpster in a gritty back alley of Seah Street is a dark grey wall with bold black letters spelling out B+Lim.

Venture down a dingy flight of stairs and you’ll enter an intimate space with four chairs sharing a table measuring about 1.5m long, a small nook occupied by a plush leather chair and shampoo basin, and a sleek console churning out a playlist of Japanese jazz, hip-hop and pop tunes. In fact, this subterranean salon could easily be mistaken for a Tokyo speakeasy.

It’s been nine years since Ryu Oba (main picture), the sole proprietor of this Japanese hair salon, launched B+Lim in a storage basement located at the back of Naumi Hotel. The 39-year-old Kyoto native, who was the area manager of Osaka-based salon chain Kizuki+Lim in Singapore, had clocked his 10th year with the company before starting his own space, which employees are encouraged to do.

Still, a basement is hardly the ideal location for a business. Ryu offers a simple explanation for his choice, sharing that he likes the centralised location, which makes it easily accessible for his customers. He also wanted to create a cosy environment for them. His unorthodox decision clearly works – he operates by an appointment-only schedule, which is mostly booked out in advance.

He serves a clientele of both Singaporeans and Japanese expats who are mostly millennial working professionals – drawn to his precise cutting techniques and belief in creating hairstyles to enhance and flatter one’s features, instead of dominating an entire look. For those who prefer a subtle change, this is the place to be.

“I’m not a fan of overly colourful hair; I like black hair. I aim to create a simple and elegant look for my customers,” he says when asked if there’s a particular style or technique he prefers.

Ryu reveals that he chose to become a hairstylist after being inspired by the popular J-drama A Beautiful Life (2000). Actor Takuya Kimura portrayed a talented hairstylist, whom he found to be “very cool”. As such, running his own salon and focusing on his craft gives him immense satisfaction, and he is content with the status quo.

Even the challenges of staffing – due to the rigorous training involved to qualify as a hairstylist with the company, which includes passing several exams – does not faze him. He sometimes gets help from assistants from other hair salons under the Kizuki+Lim group here.

“I don’t have plans to move to a bigger space or open more branches. I’m not a marketing or business person; I’m happy being a hairstylist.

“Quiet is good,” he says.

Prices start from $80 for a men’s haircut and $100 for a women’s haircut, subject to GST.

**UPDATE: B+Lim has since closed.

Photography Lawrence Teo
Art Direction Adeline Eng