Chop Chop: Shanghai’s Top Hair Salons

Chop Chop: Shanghai’s Top Hair Salons
By Susie Gordon , eChinacities.com

Having a haircut in Shanghai can be rather hit or miss. Many an unsuspecting laowai has headed to their local chop-shop only to emerge with a follicular massacre on their head. A mixture of language problems and Chinese salons not being used to styling Western hair can make for a hairy experience. However, Shanghai is blessed with plenty of hairdressers that know what they’re doing when it comes to non-Chinese hair. Here is our pick of the best.

Tony & Guy
To date, there are three branches of the famous British salon here in Shanghai. The biggest is the Shanghai Centre branch, which is overseen by Mike Lau – a Malaysian expert with 10 years experience at Toni & Guy. Here you’ll get the full shebang along with your cut, from consultation right through to ear cleaning, head and neck massages, and drinks and cookies. The Xintiandi branch is smaller and quieter, but lacks none of the sleekness of its big brothers. Prices vary depending on the level of your stylist. A basic cut and blow from a junior will set you back 260 RMB, while appointments with a senior stylist cost around 1,200 RMB. Colouring costs between 400 RMB and 1,100 RMB. Aside from hair, Toni & Guy offers manicures, pedicures, facials and other beauty treatments.

Huaihai Lu branch: View In Map
Add: 515-6 Times Square, 99 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Longmen Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市淮海中路99号大上海时代广场5楼L515-516
Tel: 0215351 3606
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-22:00

Nanjing Lu branch:View In Map
Add: Suite 209, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Xikang Lu, Shanghai
地址:上海市南京西路1376上海商城209室
Tel: 021 6279 8806
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-22:00

Xintiandi branch: View In Map
Add: 365a Zizhong Lu, near Madang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市卢湾区自忠路365号A(近马当路)
Tel: 021 5351 0080
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-22:00

Eric ParisView In Map
Based on Hengshan Lu in the same row of shops as Starbucks and Papa John’s, Eric Paris has a reputation for affordable luxury and slick, professional styling. As its name suggests, the salon owner is originally from France. Eric comes from Provence and has been in China since 1996 perfecting his art. He owns Studio 54, the largest salon chain in the south of France, and has been awarded such accolades as ‘Mr. World’ for women’s hair. With a pedigree like that, you can rest assured that your hair will be in good hands. Prices for a colour start at 380 RMB, straightening from 510 RMB and dry hair treatment from 200 RMB. As well as hair, Eric Paris offers mani/pedi (100/150 RMB) and acrylic nails.

Add: 4 Hengshan Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市衡山路4号(近乌鲁木齐路)
Tel: 021 6473 0900, 6473 0904
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-20:00
Website: http://www.ericparis.com

Vidal Sassoon AcademyView In Map
If you want a free hair cut and have some time on your hands then the Vidal Sassoon Academy is worth a try. The students of the Academy work on ‘guinea pigs’ as part of their training, so you’ll be entrusting your locks into their hands. Appointments can take up to three hours, and it’s up to the stylist how the look will turn out. It’s a risk, but well worth it if you can’t afford to shell out hundreds of kuai. This is a great option for students who want an edgy look without normal salon prices. As well as a cut, you can have a colour if you want, and the choice is huge. Stylists are used to both Western and Chinese hair.

Add: Unit 2, Building 16, Xintiandi, 181 Taicang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市卢湾区太仓路181号新天地北里16号楼2单元
Tel: 021 6311 2151
Website: www.vidalsassoon.com.cn

Benson SalonView In Map
Benson Chang’s salon in Jing’an offers fresh, funky modern styles, and is popular with expats thanks to its low prices and friendly, English speaking staff. Chang has 15 years experience in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and runs his salon with a satisfaction guaranteed motto. Prices for a wash, cut and style range from 120 RMB to 280 RMB, while colour starts at 480 RMB. A wash and blow-dry is a very reasonable 60 RMB.

Add: 778 Jiangning Lu, near Haifang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市江宁路778号
Tel: 021 6277 8778
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-22:00

Add: 1208 Biyun Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市碧云路1208号
Tel: 021 5030 3878
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-22:00


Photo: salonesprit.com.cn

Salon EspritView In Map
This huge modern salon on Xizang Lu is geared towards young folk, especially students, who get discounts with their student cards. This is lucky, as Salon Esprit is probably one of the most expensive hairdressers in Shanghai. A wash, cut and style starts at 400 RMB (or a bargain 100 RMB for students) while colour ranges from 400 RMB to 1,000 RMB. For this price you’d expect extra-special treatment, and Salon Esprit doesn’t disappoint; your stylist will talk you through all stages of the process, and make sure you get the results you want.

Add: 4F, 336 Xizang Zhong Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市西藏中路336号华旭国际大厦4楼
Tel: 021 3330 3399
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-21:00
Website: http://www.salonesprit.com.cn

Franck ProvostView In Map
This branch of well-known French salon is popular with the older expat crowd who yearn for soft colours and elegant layers instead of choppy, trendy styles and wacky shades. The atmosphere is calm and sophisticated, with soft leather chairs and foot rests. Most of the staff are Chinese-speaking only, but English and French speaking stylists are available if you ask. A wash and cut costs between 220 RMB and 680 RMB depending on whether you go for a junior or senior stylist, and colour starts at 380 RMB.

Unit 4, 1F, Hong Fangzi, 35 Shanxi Nan Lu, near Changle Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市卢湾区陕西南路35号红房子1楼4号商铺
Tel: 021 6267 5171
Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-22:00
Website: http://www.franckprovost.com.cn 

Warning:The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: where to get a haircut Shanghai Best hair salons Shanghai expat hairdressers Shanghai best hairdressers Shanghai

1 Comments

All comments are subject to moderation by eChinacities.com staff. Because we wish to encourage healthy and productive dialogue we ask that all comments remain polite, free of profanity or name calling, and relevant to the original post and subsequent discussion. Comments will not be deleted because of the viewpoints they express, only if the mode of expression itself is inappropriate.

lisanne1980

I am blonde and going since 4yrs to Marc @ Benson Salon in the Golden Eagle Bldg(63333313) and I am MORE THAN satisfied. He's even better than my hairstylist back home. My friends are now going also to him!

Sep 04, 2013 12:56 Report Abuse