Her World Hair Awards 2020: Best salons to go for perm in Singapore

WHERE Black Hair Salon, #B2-44 Capitol Piazza, tel: 6835-9976

TREATMENT Korean Perm, from $279

WHAT IT IS Figure there’s no way you can do a perm on short or boyish-cut hair without looking like Phua Chu Kang? Think again. Black Hair Salon’s Korean Perm not only gives short hair a nice lift and volume, it also delivers just the right amount of wave to keep the style looking natural. The stylist selects a suitable type or degree of curl depending on the current length and style of your hair, and also shares styling tips to make daily styling a breeze.

TESTER’S VERDICT “The result is a highly wearable perm that looks like you have effortlessly tousled hair (think Song Hye Kyo and Park Shin Hye’s wavy bobs).”

WHERE Chez Vous: Hideaway, #14-04 Ngee Ann City Tower B, tel: 6219-3558

TREATMENT Movement Perm, $298 (before GST)

WHAT IT IS Ideal for those with thin or fine hair, this natural-looking perm – more wavy than curly – will give the illusion of volume and bounce, especially when combined with the right haircut, which the stylist can help to recommend.

TESTER’S VERDICT “Everything is in the little extra details – the detailed explanation from the stylist on the result I would get, the relaxing head massages, and the bonus light therapy scalp treatment that makes this salon worth a visit.”

WHERE Hair Salon Tokyo Michaela, #02-24/25 Riverside Point, tel: 6538- 0623

TREATMENT Michaela Signature Perm, $500

WHAT IT IS Unlike traditional perms that often result in stiff curls, this gentle perm uses lower heat, a shorter duration and less chemicals to give volume and soft waves, while not damaging your hair at all. Most importantly, the perm is customisable to your hair’s condition and thickness to ensure that the finished result is perfectly suited to your style.

TESTER’S VERDICT “Out of the many perms I’ve done, this one had the shortest process time, and I walked out smelling good. And even after washing my hair the next day, my hair still felt very soft and smooth. The results were better than I imagined – very natural waves that gave my hair the volume it needs."

WHERE Picasso Hair Studio, 662 North Bridge Road, tel: 6291-0691

TREATMENT Picasso Cushion Perm, $409

WHAT IT IS A combination of C- and S-shaped curls, this gives hair a volume boost to help you achieve airy waves, just like your favourite Korean actress. A detailed consultation with the therapist takes into consideration your requirements, face shape and how the curls would grow out. The session also includes two treatments to minimise hair damage and keep hair soft despite the chemicals used.

TESTER’S VERDICT “An easy-to-maintain perm with minimum styling needed in the weeks that follow.”

WHERE Prep Luxe, #01-62 Capitol Piazza, tel: 6384- 1406

TREATMENT Root Perm, from $180

WHAT IT IS Ideal for fine hair, this is the easiest way to get volume at the roots naturally without having to manually style your hair daily. Most importantly, hair doesn’t feel dry after, and is instead extremely soft and hydrated. In addition, a detailed consultation at the start of the treatment ensures that your newly voluminous hair falls in place and grows out well over time.

TESTER’S VERDICT “A welcome change – where once I hardly had any volume at the crown with my thin hair, I finally have natural-looking, as if I was born with it, volume."

MOST NATURAL-LOOKING KOREAN PERM

Credit: Salon B

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WHERE Salon B, 1 Nassim Road, tel: 6836-5855

TREATMENT Natural KJ Perm, from $199

WHAT IT IS A natural Korean-style S-curl perm that promises natural- looking waves, minus the frizz, to give fine hair an instant volume boost. Options to enhance the finished result include a haircut and/or hair colour to bring out your new ’do. In addition, you can also bring in a photo of the style you’re looking for so that the stylist will be able to customise the perm to suit your face shape.

TESTER’S VERDICT “My new curls were really natural-looking, not overwhelming, and it had just the perfect amount of wave. It’s low maintenance too, because it still looked effortless without blow-drying or styling."

WHERE Salon Vim, #02-01 Wisma Atria, tel: 6734-6404

TREATMENT Wonder Curl, from $298

WHAT IT IS An easy to maintain and style perm that not only gives fine hair volume, but also tames frizz and adds a dose of shine for lustrous and healthy-looking tresses. The result is pretty and feminine curls that cascade down the back and across the shoulders. Suitable for hair of all types, including naturally wavy and frizzy locks.

TESTER’S VERDICT “The results exceeded my expectations, from the softness of my hair to how the curls look around my face and shoulders, and how my hair looked more hydrated and healthy after.”