Before You Book a Salon in Singapore: 5 Questions That Stop a Surprise Bill
Wondering what to ask before you book a salon in Singapore? Five quick questions, asked before anyone starts, stop most surprise bills at the counter. When customers complain about a salon on Google, the price at the counter is the second most common reason.
Quick answer
Before you book a salon in Singapore, ask five things: the price for your hair length, who will do it, what costs extra, whether you pay anything to book, and what the next visit costs. Long hair is the biggest surprise: colour for long hair usually costs about half as much again as the menu’s starting price.
The 5 Questions at a Glance
| Ask this | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 1. Is that price for my hair length? | Long hair can cost about half as much again for colour |
| 2. Who will do it, and does that change the price? | A senior stylist usually costs a quarter to a third more |
| 3. What’s included, and what costs extra? | Add-ons and “++” are added at the counter |
| 4. Do I need to pay anything to book? | Deposits are common for lashes, nails and makeup |
| 5. Is this a trial price? | The next visit can cost a lot more |
1. “Is that price for my hair length?”
Ask for the price for your length, because the price on the menu is usually for short hair. Where salons list both, long hair costs about half as much again for colour. For rebonding, perms and haircuts, long hair usually costs about a third more.
Tip: send the salon a photo of your hair from the back and ask, “What will this cost for my length?”
See typical prices by length: hair colour · rebonding · perm
2. “Who will do it, and does that change the price?”
Ask who you’re booked with, because many salons charge more for a more senior stylist. For hair, a senior or top stylist usually costs a quarter to a third more. For lashes and brows the gap is bigger: a top lash artist or master brow artist can cost about half as much again.
Neither choice is wrong. A senior stylist can be worth it for a big colour change, and a regular stylist is often fine for a trim.
Tip: ask, “Is this price for a junior, senior or director stylist?”
See typical prices: lash extensions · eyebrow embroidery
3. “What’s included, and what costs extra?”
Ask what the quoted price covers, because add-ons are often only mentioned at the chair. Common extras are:
- a treatment after colour
- toner
- a wash and blow-dry
Also check for “++” after a price. It means service charge and GST are added on top when you pay.
Tip: ask, “What will the total be, all in?”
4. “Do I need to pay anything to book?”
Most salons ask for nothing upfront. We checked how 360 Singapore salons take bookings. About 6 in 10 ask for no payment at all.
Deposits depend on the type of salon. They are common for makeup artists, nails and lashes, at about 4 in 10. They are rare at hair salons and spas. Where a salon does ask for one, it’s usually about $20.
About one salon in ten states a no-show fee, so ask about cancelling too.
Tip: ask, “Is there a deposit, and how much notice do you need if I reschedule?”
5. “Is this a trial price? What does it cost next time?”
Ask what your second visit will cost, because about one salon menu in five leads with a first-visit trial price. Trial prices are a fair way to try a new salon. Just know what comes after.
Watch for a crossed-out “usual price” next to the offer. A big gap between the two means the next visit will cost a lot more.
Tip: ask, “If I come back, what’s the regular price?”
A Message You Can Copy and Send
Paste this into WhatsApp or the salon’s booking notes, and fill in the gaps:
Hi! I’d like to book [service]. I’ve attached a photo of my hair. Before I book, could you tell me:
1. The price for my hair length
2. Who will do it, and whether that changes the price
3. What’s included, and whether the price is “++”
4. Whether you need a deposit, and your cancellation policy
5. If this is a trial price, what it costs next time
Thank you!
A Clear Answer Is a Good Sign
Asking these questions is normal, and most salons are happy to answer. We read the Google reviews of 707 Singapore salons. About 4 in 10 had at least one complaint about the price at the counter, and customers who complain about a bill often say the same thing: nobody told them the price before the work started. A salon that gives you a clear total upfront is one that’s less likely to surprise you later.
If an answer is vague, ask the salon to confirm the price in writing before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the price at the salon higher than the menu?
Usually because the menu shows a starting price for short hair and a regular stylist. Long hair, a senior stylist and add-ons such as toner or a treatment can all raise the bill. Prices marked “++” also have service charge and GST added at the counter. Ask for an all-in price for your hair before you book.
Do salons in Singapore charge a deposit?
Most don’t: about 6 in 10 salons ask for no payment to book. Deposits are more common for makeup artists, nail salons and lash studios, and rare at hair salons and spas. When a salon does ask for one, it’s usually about $20. Ask about the cancellation policy at the same time.
What does “++” mean on a salon price?
It means service charge and GST are not included in the price shown. They are added to your bill when you pay at the counter, so the total will be higher than the menu price. If a price has “++” after it, ask the salon what the final amount will be.
Is it rude to ask a salon about prices before booking?
No. Asking about price before you book is normal, and most salons are happy to answer. Sending a photo of your hair and asking what it will cost helps the salon give you an accurate quote. A clear, upfront answer is a good sign about how the salon works.
Ready to Book?
Now you know what to ask, find a salon on Glamingo and request a booking. The salon replies to confirm your time, so you can ask your five questions before you go.
How we got these numbers: we read the published price menus of about 690 Singapore salons. We checked how 360 of them take bookings, and read the Google reviews of 707. Prices change, so treat this as a guide and confirm your price when you book.
