Gwangmyeong hair salon tone-down dye for faded hair: Maple Hair

A tone-down dye review of a hidden gem — Maple Hair, a Gwangmyeong Sageori salon / Written and photographed by Yangjinss

Why faded bright hair needed a tone-down dye

My college-age daughter Gani had kept a bright, almost bleached-looking color for a while, and though it was pretty at first, it started looking more and more faded over time. So I finally worked up the nerve and took her to Maple Hair Gwangmyeong Sageori Station Branch for a tone-down dye. Compare the BEFORE & AFTER — the difference in color is clear, right?

Maple Hair Gwangmyeong Sageori Station Branch: location and hours

Hours are weekdays 10:30–20:30, weekends 10:30–20:00. It's a 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of Gwangmyeong Sageori Station on Line 7, on the 2nd floor of the building. Parking is difficult if you drive, so use a nearby parking lot. There's also a 10% discount with Naver advance reservation.

Gani decided to go with a full tone-down dye overall. As you can guess from the price, it's reasonable compared to typical salons, and the satisfaction for the price is much higher, so I'd definitely recommend it.

Inside the Gwangmyeong Sageori salon

The interior is cozy and cute, and it's on the larger side among Gwangmyeong Sageori salons, so even I, waiting, could stay comfortably.

Color consultation: a tone-down that isn't too dark, with a fringe

Before starting the actual tone-down dye, we had a thorough consultation about what color would work. We had a lot of requests — tone-down but not too dark, and a style with fringe — but the stylist immediately understood and suggested a color, so we picked it without any hesitation!!

Scalp protectant and low-irritation natural dye

The designer carefully applied scalp protectant first. I know some hair damage from frequent dyeing is unavoidable, but it's still upsetting whenever hair gets weaker, ㅠㅠ so I tend to check carefully what products are used. Maple Hair Gwangmyeong Sageori uses low-irritation natural dye that helps protect the scalp and hair, so that put me at ease.

To cleanly tone down the bright faded color, we went with a darker dye, and even with full application all over, there was no stinging or discomfort — great!! I was so touched by how carefully she applied it starting from the roots ^^

While we waited, they brought out tea and snacks, so we chatted away nibbling on them, and before we knew it, it was time to wash the hair!!

The shampoo area is so relaxing too. Lying comfortably in a well-lit spot getting a shampoo, Gani's expression totally softened ^^

The finished tone-down color and fringe cut

'Isn't this hair color a bit too dark?' — I was quietly worried, but the haircut turned out pretty, and it just kept looking better with every blow-dry, which made me happy.

Ta-da! What do you think? So pretty, right? Even during the cut, they consulted carefully and designed it exactly to our liking, so even after the dye job I kept smiling~!!! So glad to have found a tone-down dye spot this good ~~

Is Maple Hair worth it for a tone-down dye?

Deputy Director Minju at Maple Hair Gwangmyeong Sageori is the best! I think a lot of people assume salons are all pretty much the same and end up getting careless dye jobs. But if you want your pretty color to last and less irritation to your hair and scalp, you really need a place that uses good products carefully — so I definitely recommend getting your dye done somewhere skilled.

If you've been looking for a place where you can dye your hair without any uncomfortable smell, try Maple Hair.