Getting voluminous curls in Singapore can be quite a struggle, thanks to the humidity. That’s where perms come in – they’re a long-term solution in adding some volume and texture. Just on the other side of the Causeway in Johor Bahru lies a myriad of hair salons with cheap perms from as low as S$42.
They also do colouring from RM138 (~S$39.21).
Image credit: Huatsiong Lim via Google Maps
Our beloved K-pop stars all have 1 thing in common – luscious, voluminous waves. And at REDS Hairdressing, you can achieve that same hairstyle.
Conveniently located at Johor Bahru City Square, this salon does cold perms from RM148 (~S$41.96) and Korean wave perms from RM188 (~S$53.42). Root perms are available too, and you can enquire about the costs during your consultation. In case you don’t have enough Malaysian Ringgit on hand, they also allow you to foot the bill in Singapore cash.
Address: Lot J4-10, Level 4, Johor Bahru City Square, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: +60 7-222 1318 | REDS Hairdressing website
Image credit: Luxe Studio
There’s everything to like about Luxe Studio – its location close to JB Sentral makes the journey there a breeze. You can choose between perms like an organic green perm, a C-curve, J-curve, S-curve or Korean perm.
Korean perm that can last for up to 6 months.
Image credit: @luxestudiojb via Instagram
For those who aren’t familiar with the perm styles, not to worry. The friendly stylists will recommend what’s best for you, keeping the health and condition of your hair in mind.
Perms start from RM220 (~S$62.41) which is super affordable considering you’re getting professional service. There’s also free WiFi in the salon so you’ll be well-entertained during your time there – you can even check out their YouTube channel to see the kind of hairstyles the stylists have done before for ideas.
Address: Lot SK7, Level 2, Komtar JBCC, Jalan Wong Ah Fok, 80000, Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Contact: +60 7-220 0888 | Luxe Studio website
Image credit: @uniqueexpired via Instagram
It’s no secret that the things we want to do with our hair may not always be the best for it. But it’s always a win-win when salons ensure your hair looks the way you want it to and still stays healthy. At Unique Expired, hair stylists are careful to avoid products with harsh and damaging chemical additives to make sure your locks stay luscious.
Image credit: Unique Expired – Hair Dressing
Regular perms start from RM150 (~S$42.62) for short hair and RM270 (~S$76.88) for long hair. Digital perms start from RM240 (~S$68.08) for short hair and RM300 (~S$84.99) for long hair.
Address: G-01 Plaza Mentari Sun City, Jalan Kuning Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-8.30pm | Sun 11am-6.30pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: +60 7-333 1442 | Unique Expired Facebook
Many have vouched that they’re willing to cross the Causeway for Ceres Salon alone where the service is impeccable. The friendly hair stylists will welcome you warmly and take their time to make sure that your hair is exactly how you want it to be.
Image credit: @ceres_hair_studio via Instagram
They offer perms from RM240 (~S$68.08) depending on your hair length. And after you get your new curls, pop by Garden Nail Gallery just a minute’s walk away from the salon where you can get your nails done too for a full day of pampering! Service prices vary, though they are known among Singaporeans for affordable gel nails.
Address: 31, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 11am-8pm, Daily
Contact: +60 7-350 7962 | Ceres Salon website
Image credit: @oggi_professional via Instagram
We all know that certain hues like ash grey or crazier colours can be difficult to achieve, but the stream of happy customers from OGGI Professional Hair Studio should be enough to tell you that there’s nothing to fear.
Image credit: @oggi_professional via Instagram
Perms here are also rather affordable, ranging from RM330 (~S$93.47) with a free haircut, too. This way, your new curls won’t be weighed down by the heaviness of your hair.
Address: 74, Jalan Pingai, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10.30am-8pm | Sun 10.30am-7pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: +60 7-331 3969 | OGGI Professional Hair Studio Facebook
Image credit: @studiomksl via Instagram
No, this isn’t the Malaysian version of the apartment-hotel we have in Singapore, but rather, Studio M KSL is a hair salon where you can expect tip-top treatment. The salon offers you the best pampering down to the smallest of details – their head massages are known to be top-notch and past customers have shared that they’ve received freebies such as hair masks as well.
Image credit: @studiomksl via Instagram
A perm at the salon will take about 2 hours, though you’d probably wish that it were longer with all the royal treatment going on. Perms cost from RM348 (~S$99.25) for short hair and RM448 (~S$128.41) for long hair.
Address: Malaysia, Jalan Seladang, MY Johor Johor Bahru Taman Abad G-08, KSL City
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10am-9.30pm
Contact: +60 7-289 0058 | Studio M KSL website
Frequent JB goers may remember Stay B which was previously located at Jalan Dato Sulaiman. While that branch has since closed down, you can find it more accessibly located within Komtar JBCC today.
Image credit: Stay B
Set aside at least 2 hours of your day to get a hot perm here, with prices ranging from RM289 (~S$82.11), depending on hair length. Rebonding (from RM230, ~S$65.49), keratin hair treatment (from RM399, ~S$113.94) and balayage (from RM299,~S$84.74) services are also available for those looking to get other styles.
Address: Lot 221D, Level 2, Komtar JBCC, Johor Bahru City Centre, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Contact: +60 7-277 8858 | Stay B Facebook
Image credit: @driftprincess999 via Instagram
Kimno Design Hair Studio is the sort of salon that people go to for their wedding hairstyling and makeup, so you can trust that the quality will be there.
Image credit: @kimno_design_hair_studio via Instagram
The salon offers Korean perms for about RM450 (~S$127.86) for medium-length hair below the shoulders. You might just walk in intending to get curls, but you’ll also be tempted by their other treatments – from an aromatherapy hair spa to a highly-recommended anti-frizz treatment that’ll leave you with silky smooth tresses.
Address: 87, Jalan Molek 1/29, Taman Molek 81100, JB
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm | Sun 11am-7pm
Contact: +60 16-793 8369 | Kimno Design Hair Studio Facebook
Image credit: Number76 Hair Salon Singapore
For those who can’t spare the time to head across the causeway, get your perms settled at Number76 Hair Salon Singapore, with cold perms from S$167and digital perms from S$248.
Image credit: @number76_singapore via Instagram
You may have heard of Number76, a famous salon chain originating from Japan. While their popular outlet in JB’s Paradigm Mall has closed down since the pandemic, those who miss their premium services can find a much nearer outlet in Somerset.
Address: #02-21, 22 & 23, Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Road, 238858
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 11am-8.30pm | Thu 11am-6pm
Contact: 6385 6776 | Number76 Singapore website
JB has long served as a convenient weekend getaway place for many of us to stuff ourselves with yummy food and do our shopping – and it’s equally good for beauty services like hair cuts, perms, and manicures. For those who can’t spare the time to cross the border, also check out our list of affordable salons in Singapore.
Check out our other Johor Bahru articles here:
Cover image adapted from: @uniqueexpired via Instagram, Unique Expired – Hair Dressing via Facebook
Originally published by Persis Gan on 7th July 2022. Last updated by Joycelyn Yeow on 30th January 2024.
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