Seongdong hair salon matte ash-brown toning: Urban Ground Hair

Why did I tone down my faded hair color?

After going to the beach and spending a lot of time outdoors over the summer, my hair color had become quite light. The contrast between my dark grown-out roots and the previously dyed sections was noticeable, so I wanted to even out the overall tone.

I made a reservation at Urban Ground Hair Sangwangsimni Station Branch (어반그라운드헤어 상왕십리역점) to find a calm color that would suit autumn.

How do you get there from Sangwangsimni Station, and is parking available?

It was convenient to visit by public transit because the salon is a one-minute walk from Sangwangsimni Station Exit 4.

The salon is on the second floor of the VIP Building at 353 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

When I went up to the second floor, I saw the neat salon entrance.

The hours listed in the original post are 10:00–20:00 from Tuesday through Saturday and 10:00–19:00 on Sunday; the salon is closed every Monday. Free parking is also available in the building, and the post advises contacting the salon before visiting if you plan to park.

What were the salon and waiting area like?

When I entered, the large windows opened up the view outside, so the space did not feel enclosed.

The overall white color scheme gave it a café-like feel, and I was comfortable during my stay. The original post describes the salon as operating on a “100% priority reservation system.”

The waiting area was comfortable as well. There was a variety of drinks, and they provided me with an iced drink and snacks.

Why did I choose matte ash brown in the consultation?

The goal of this color service was to match my grown-out roots with the faded sections and create a calm, even overall look.

In a one-on-one consultation with the stylist, we checked the condition of my hair. They listened to the mood I wanted and my requests, then helped me choose a color suited to my skin tone.

The recommended color was a matte ash brown that was not too dark. It matched the calm look I wanted, so I decided to use it to reduce the yellow tones.

How were scalp protection and coloring done?

Before applying the dye, they put on ear covers and sprayed a cooling scalp-protection product. I did not feel any stinging or irritation during this color service.

Because my roots had grown out quite a bit, they applied the dye in stages to match the color. The process was thorough but efficient, and they used genuine Milbon products for the coloring.

Did I also receive the spa clinic treatment?

The salon has a private spa clinic where you can lie in a full-body massage chair while receiving scalp care and a hair clinic treatment.

It is described as a clinic using dedicated Carthare products. I visited late after work, so I was disappointed that I could not receive it this time.

What was the difference before and after the toning color?

Before coloring, my roots had grown out significantly and the previously dyed sections had faded yellow. The overall color was uneven and looked untidy, while my hair also appeared dry.

After coloring, the patchy tones were brought together into a calm matte ash-brown shade.

As the yellow tones were reduced, my skin tone, which has some redness, looked clearer and brighter too. Every time I looked in the mirror, I felt that toning it down had been the right choice.

What did I like most about this color service?

What I liked most was how naturally my grown-out roots were matched with my faded light hair color. I also appreciated that the consultation considered my hair condition, skin tone, and the mood I wanted together.

For anyone like me who wants to settle down faded yellow tones, this may be a useful experience to refer to. I liked the result and bought color shampoo myself because I wanted to keep the color for longer.