Damaged-hair volume magic lob at a Daejeon hair salon: Project Lure

Hi everyone, it's Melba! I finally cut my long hair that I've been letting grow untouched, using being busy as an excuse haha..!

The ends had zero nutrients left so they were dry and split, and the top just fell flat with no root volume, which stressed me out a lot ㅜㅜ Especially since I just kept growing it out, only the length grew while the shape totally fell apart, and even drying it every morning couldn't tame it. I felt like I really couldn't keep going like this, so I got it cut into an easy-to-manage lob.

Why I chose Project Lure, a hair salon in Sangdae-dong, Daejeon

Since my hair was so damaged, I looked into places known for hair repair in Daejeon, and found a Sangdae-dong hair salon in Daejeon well known for repair perms and dye jobs, so I booked and went! That place is Project Lure, on World Cup-daero 316beon-gil in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.

What Project Lure feels like inside

Project Lure, a Sangdae-dong hair salon in Daejeon. The moment I walked in, the interior was totally my style.. it was a private, upscale-feeling salon you don't easily find in Daejeon.

How the mid-length lob consultation went

First, the length got chopped off right away..! I was styled by the director at Project Lure, who turned out to be a genuine expert—she even lectures at a hair repair academy in Seoul while running this salon.

When I told her, 'I just let it grow out messily so it's really unkempt, I want to cut it down to a mid-length, clean but with a natural slight curl at the ends,' since she specializes professionally in perms, dyeing, and various chemical designs, she carefully checked my face shape, the curl pattern of my hair, and even the direction of hair growth.

The volume magic process at Project Lure, step by step

Pre-treatment shampoo and perm solution matched to each section

Before starting the perm work, first she did a pre-treatment shampoo, then applied the reducing agent and perm solution formulated specifically for me! Instead of just slapping on a generic one-size-fits-all perm solution like most places, she applied a solution tailored to my hair's damage level, thickness, and elasticity.

My hair was in a mixed state — heat-damaged on the outside from frequent blow-drying, but still curly on the inside — so she carefully applied different concentrations and formulas section by section.

Why a mid-shampoo is part of volume magic

After the softening process was properly done, we moved to the shampoo room for a mid-shampoo. Apparently this step isn't just a rinse but a core process that prevents hair damage. It thoroughly removes any remaining reducing agent left in the hair and safely neutralizes leftover alkaline components. It's said to preemptively suppress the hair damage that can occur during heat styling, and even helps get rid of the lingering smell unique to heat perms.

Winding and pressing for the volume magic

Then, following the custom design we'd discussed, she moved into winding and volume magic.

All curled up 🤎 She smoothed out the frizzy curl at the roots and mid-lengths into something sleek and glossy, and added a slight, thick, springy C-curl at the ends.

Oxidation and finishing treatment at the massage shampoo bed

After finishing the winding and pressing, I headed back to the shampoo room — and it had a massage shampoo bed! Sitting in a salon chair for a long time always leaves my back and neck stiff, but the massage bed kneaded and loosened my whole body.. it genuinely felt so good..?

Lying comfortably on the massage shampoo bed, the oxidation (neutralizing) step took place, which apparently plays the decisive role of lowering the hair's pH — which becomes alkaline from perm treatment — back down to a healthy, mildly acidic state. It's the stage that prevents the curl from loosening or sagging, and gives it glossy shine and bouncy elasticity!

Afterward I got a finishing treatment too. This treatment isn't just a superficial trick that temporarily coats damaged hair's surface — it's said to fundamentally reinforce the hair structure, filling it thoroughly with non-keratin proteins and lipids that are easily lost during chemical treatments. With protein and moisture-oil balance packed solidly into the empty spaces inside the hair, even while wet, my hair felt as heavy and smoothly elastic as wet seaweed.

The finished mid-length lob with C-curl ends

To finish, she gave my hair a light blow-dry, and drying it while tousling it lightly with her hands brought out a shiny bounce with a C-curl at the ends — I loved it so much 🤍

Even though I only air-dried it without any styling, it's been so long since I felt my hair glide smoothly through my fingers with zero snagging every time I combed it back... If you've been looking for a Sangdae-dong or Yuseong hair salon in Daejeon, especially if you want a repair perm or dye job, I think it's worth getting a consultation!