Apgujeongnodeo salon 4-hour cloud perm on damaged hair: Choijin Hair

• Hours: 11 AM - 7 PM
• Location: 2F, 7 Seolleung-ro 161-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Parking available
• Naver reservation available

Why I went for a cloud perm at Choijin Hair in Apgujeongnodeo

Choijin Hair is a hair salon in Apgujeongnodeo, and I came for a cloud perm (a perm with big, thick waves). I loved my big wavy hair at my wedding photo shoot, so this time I wanted to do it properly. I wanted a more professional place, so I chose Choijin Hair in Apgujeongnodeo.

It's right near Exit 6 of Apgujeong Station, so it's super easy to get to, which is great.

Sunday vibes at Choijin Hair: is a reservation a must?

The salon is busy even on Sunday mornings, so I'd definitely book ahead. When I arrived at 11 there were a fair number of customers, but by around 12 it got really crowded. Even on a Sunday there were so many regulars.

I'd read lots of reviews saying they do great hair, so I had high hopes. It's definitely one of the popular salons in Apgujeongnodeo. (They say the weather's about to get so nice that lots of people are coming in to get styled.)

Can damaged hair get a hippie perm? The consultation at Choijin Hair

My hair was so damaged that Choijin Hair told me a hippie perm was out, and instead they'd curl it with the thickest curls possible. I originally wanted a hippie perm, but they said my damage was too severe. I can't see the back of my head, so I had no idea, but it was even worse than I expected.

My stylist was the vice director (Buwonjang), who checked my hair condition really carefully. They advised against it since the perm might not take well, but when I said I really wanted it, they went ahead with a clinic treatment alongside and took great care.

A clinic to avoid if you love perms

I'd been getting the Cinderella clinic, but apparently if you like perms you should never get a repair clinic. They usually involve pressing and flattening the hair with pressure, so perms don't take well afterward. I didn't know that, so I was honestly shocked.

How the repair perm went at Choijin Hair: test, cut, thick curls

The order was: a perm test with the perm solution first, then a cut, and then the actual perm.

Before rolling my hair, they styled it first. They suggested adding a little layering would look prettier, so they cut layers front and back so my hair would look fuller after the perm.

They rolled my hair one section at a time with thick rods, which is clearly a job that takes a lot of time.

How long does a repair perm take?

The repair perm for damaged hair at Choijin Hair took almost 4 hours. Seriously, perm time is no joke. They gave me drinks and snacks while I sat there, but enduring it was really not easy. Hahaha. I felt firsthand that a repair perm is no walk in the park.

Still, if it means a pretty cloud perm, I should hang in there, right? Hahaha. Honestly, the waiting time at salons is so hard that I tend not to go often T_T

When the rollers first came off, I thought the curls were tighter than I'd expected from "thick rods." After the perm is done they wash your hair, and they even gave me a scalp pressure massage. So refreshing 👏

Cloud perm result and how to dry it

With a cloud perm, drying after the thick curls is key. You have to shape the lines as you go while drying to get a pretty cloud perm.

Ta-da!! I had a housewarming party that day and everyone said my hair looked great, so I was so proud 🥰 And hats off 👏👏 to the vice director, who worked so hard to get this much curl out of damaged hair.

How to make a cloud perm or repair perm last

To keep a cloud perm longer, dry it properly and take care of it with essence, hair masks and regular clinics. If you dry a cloud perm carelessly, you might end up looking like Hagrid, hahaha.

Be thorough with essence and masks and do clinics regularly to keep a pretty cloud/repair perm for a long time. And if you love perms, I recommend avoiding the Cinderella clinic.

If you're considering a repair perm in Apgujeongnodeo

If you're thinking about a repair perm at a salon in Apgujeongnodeo, I strongly recommend the vice director at Choijin Hair. They look after your hair condition so carefully that you can trust them with it.