Seodaemun hair salon: short-hair shadow perm + down perm, Lian Hair

Why I chose Lian Hair Myeongji University Branch 2 (리안헤어 명지대2호점)

I booked this salon near Myeongji University after reading reviews saying they don't overdiagnose or push unnecessary treatments, and that they talk things through properly before doing what suits your hair. I'm the type who finds styling my hair a hassle and a bore, so I get a perm regularly to keep things natural and easy! 🤭

I'd taken a rare day off and wanted a little mood refresh, so I looked at several salons near home, read the reviews for Lian Hair Myeongji University Branch 2 and booked. Hearing that they recommend only what fits after a consultation, with no overdiagnosis, made me feel even more relaxed going in.

Where is Lian Hair Myeongji University Branch 2, and what about parking?

The salon is right across from the Myeongji University main gate, on the 2nd floor at 45 Geobukgol-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, so it's easy to reach by public transport! There's no dedicated parking, so I'd recommend going by public transport 😄

A comfortable place for a man to go alone

The moment I walked in, the clean interior and stylish atmosphere stood out~.~ Maybe because quite a lot of male customers come here, it didn't feel awkward at all to visit alone as a guy, just comfortable 😃

Lian Hair Myeongji University Branch 2 prices and discounts

For cut, perm and dye prices, check the price list in the salon. Booking through Naver gets you 10% off, so I'd definitely recommend booking on Naver before you go 😆

Signing up for the membership gives you an extra 10+10% off cuts, perms and dyeing, so keep that in mind~.~

Can short hair get a perm? The consultation

A shadow perm was possible even at my short length, and because my side hair tends to stick out, they also recommended a down perm. I arrived at my booking time and the head designer showed me straight to my seat. Friendly and professional 👍

Here's my unkempt hair before the treatment~.~ They first checked the condition of my hair carefully. When I said I wanted a perm even with short hair, they suggested a shadow perm that gives a gentle wave without being over the top, and since my side hair usually sticks out a lot, they recommended adding a down perm too!

The price, based on the Naver booking price, was ₩86,500 for a men's shadow perm plus down perm, which is really reasonable!

What is a shadow perm?

Before starting, they explained in detail what a shadow perm is. It's not a strong curl but a natural perm that creates soft shading depending on the light 😃 It's a great style for men and easy to wear every day, and they suggested a style that took my hairline into account, which made me trust them! They put a full 5 minutes into the consultation alone, so I felt at ease before the treatment even began 👍

Shadow perm and down perm process (about 1.5 hours)

The whole treatment, shadow perm and down perm together, took about 1.5 hours, and before starting they first tidied up my messy hair!

My hair after the first trim, before the shadow perm~.~ The cut alone made it so much neater haha. Then came the shadow perm itself! They used rods to carefully put curls through the whole head, setting it so the curl doesn't come out strong and moves naturally even in a light breeze!

They kept checking the condition of my hair during the heat treatment and later during neutralizing, so there was almost no discomfort!

How is the side-hair down perm done?

After the heat treatment, they did the down perm focusing on the sides! They said they don't kill the volume completely but let it fall naturally, and pressed it at a suitable angle so it isn't too flat. The side hair came out nicely, pressed down and flowing naturally!

They also brought coffee and snacks while I waited during the treatment 😄

Results after the shadow perm and my honest review

When I looked in the mirror, the shadow perm came out so much better than I expected that I couldn't help exclaiming! The soft, natural curl gave my hair some dimension, and it isn't artificial like a strong perm, just a really natural feel 🎉

Adding the down perm to the shadow perm tidied up the sides and back, made my face look smaller and made everything look neater overall 😙 Styling is now just a 5-minute blow-dry! It gives me some breathing room on busy mornings 👍

Hair damage was less than I expected, the curl has held up well after several days, and even just air-drying after shampooing gives a nice curl!

When I got a men's perm elsewhere last year, the curl was so strong that styling became even more of a chore. The shadow perm from Lian Hair Myeongji University Branch 2 strikes a balance between staying power and naturalness that I really like! Myeongji University students must be so happy to have a men's styling salon of this quality nearby 😁

Verdict: if you want a natural men's perm

I really strongly recommend Lian Hair Myeongji University Branch 2 to anyone who wants a natural men's perm! It's especially good for office workers, university students and men getting their first perm. The head designer's sense of style, careful work and even aftercare tips were perfect, so next time I'm thinking of trying a dye or cut here too 😊

• Address: 2F, 45 Geobukgol-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00
• No parking
• Naver booking available (10% off perms/dyeing when booked on Naver)