Trying to work out the real perm cost in Singapore before you book? It is one of the most common questions we get at our Orchard salon, and the honest answer is: it depends on your hair and the type of perm. A short cold perm is not the same job as a long Korean curl, so the price moves accordingly.
This guide lays out our actual menu prices, explains what you are really paying for, and helps you decide whether a perm is worth it for your hair. No vague ranges hiding a surprise at the counter.
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Real perm prices at our Orchard salon
Here is our current menu so you can budget honestly. These are public prices, not estimates:
- Cold Perm — $160 (women)
- Wonder (Korean) Curl — $165-320, depending on hair length and thickness
- Root Perm — $105 (volume at the roots only)
- Men’s Cold Perm — $160
- Down Perm — $90 (flattens stubborn side or back hair for men)
The biggest spread is the Wonder (Korean) Curl, and that is normal. A chin-length bob sits near the lower end, while long, thick or previously-treated hair needs more product, more rods and more time, pushing it toward the top of the range. Cold and root perms are flat-priced because the technique is more standardised.
If you want to see the full list before you come in, our perm services in Singapore page has everything in one place. Prices correct at time of writing — message us on +65 8335 1511 to confirm for your hair.
What drives your perm cost in Singapore
When a salon quotes you a range rather than a fixed number, it is almost always down to these factors:
Hair length and thickness
More hair means more rods, more perm lotion and a longer chair time. Long, dense hair can take twice as long as a short crop, which is exactly why the Korean curl runs from $165 to $320 rather than a single figure.
Perm type
A simple cold perm uses room-temperature chemistry and basic rods. A digital or Korean-style curl uses heat and shaping that takes more skill and time, so it costs more.
Add-on treatments
Bleached, highlighted or previously rebonded hair often needs a bond-protecting or hydrating treatment so the perm does not fry it. That is an extra step. Our Hydrating Treatment runs $120-180 depending on length, and we will tell you upfront if your hair needs it rather than springing it on you.
If you are weighing up perm styles in detail, our ultimate guide to perms breaks down each method in plain language.
Korean / digital vs cold perm: cost and result
This is the trade-off most people are really asking about. Here is the honest difference:
Cold perm ($160)
Room-temperature, no heat. It gives tighter, springier, more uniform curls and is gentler on the wallet. It suits classic curls and afro-textured looks, and it is the same flat $160 for both women and men here.
Korean / digital curl ($165-320)
Uses heat-activated rods to set the curl. The result is that soft, loose, S-shape “wave” look you see in Korean styling, with movement that reads more natural when your hair is dry. Because it is more technique-heavy and time-heavy, the cost is higher and tied to length.
In short: choose cold for a defined, budget-friendly curl, and Korean/digital for a softer, more lived-in wave. Neither is “better” outright — it is about the look you want. Men deciding between the two can read our dedicated guide to the Korean perm for men.
Is a perm worth it? Longevity and value
A perm is a chemical, semi-permanent change — it does not wash out. On most hair it holds its shape for 3 to 6 months, gradually relaxing as your hair grows and the curl loosens. So a $160 cold perm that lasts five months works out to around $30 a month for daily curls you do not have to style with an iron.
For value, that is genuinely hard to beat if you currently spend time curling your hair every morning. The catch is that you cannot “undo” a perm — you grow it out or cut it out. So the worth comes down to commitment.
A few honest pointers on whether it is worth it for you:
- Worth it if your hair is straight and stubborn, you want low-maintenance waves, or you are tired of heat-styling daily.
- Think twice if your hair is heavily bleached or very fine, as the curl may not hold and could need extra prep.
- Singapore reality: our humidity actually helps loose Korean waves look soft, but it can make tight curls frizz, so the cut and curl size matter.
Aftercare costs and the cheap-perm trap
The sticker price is not the whole story. To keep a perm looking good you will spend a little on upkeep — and skimping on the perm itself usually costs more in the long run.
Ongoing aftercare
Plan for a sulphate-free shampoo and a curl-friendly conditioner or leave-in, and an occasional in-salon treatment to keep permed hair hydrated. Our Hydrating Treatment ($120-180 by length) is a sensible top-up every few months in our climate. Touch-up wash-and-style visits are $60 if you want help between washes.
Why cheap perms can cost more
A very low “$60 perm” deal usually means weak product, rushed processing or an inexperienced hand. The common outcomes are an uneven curl, an over-processed frizz that will not recover, or a curl that drops within weeks. Fixing or growing out a bad perm costs far more in time and money than doing it properly once. Singapore’s humidity is unforgiving on a poorly-done perm.
Protecting and hydrating permed hair properly matters here — our guide to perm aftercare in Singapore covers exactly what to use in our weather.
Get a real quote at our Orchard salon
The cleanest way to know your exact perm cost is to let us look at your hair. Length, thickness, colour history and the curl you want all feed into the final figure, and we would rather quote you straight than guess online.
We are at 360 Orchard Rd, #01-15 International Building, Singapore 238869, a short walk from Orchard MRT and ION Orchard. Founder Jamie has 20-plus years behind the chair, and the team will talk you through cold vs Korean before any product touches your hair.
Call or WhatsApp us on +65 8335 1511 to check availability and confirm pricing for your hair. Open Mon-Fri 9:00am-7:30pm, Sat and Sun 10:30am-7:00pm. Prices correct at time of writing — message us to confirm before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a perm cost in Singapore?
At our Orchard salon a cold perm is $160, the Wonder (Korean) Curl runs $165-320 by length, a root perm is $105, a men’s cold perm is $160 and a down perm is $90. Prices correct at time of writing — message us to confirm for your hair.
Why is a Korean perm more expensive than a cold perm?
A Korean or digital curl uses heat-activated rods and more detailed shaping, which takes more skill and chair time. The cost is also tied to length and thickness, so longer, denser hair sits at the higher end of the $165-320 range.
How long does a perm last?
Most perms hold their shape for about 3 to 6 months, loosening gradually as your hair grows out. Good aftercare and the right shampoo help it last toward the longer end.
Is a cheap perm worth it?
Usually not. Very cheap perms often mean weak product or rushed processing, which can leave an uneven curl or over-processed frizz that does not recover. Fixing or growing out a bad perm costs more than doing it well once.
What is the cheapest perm option you offer?
The down perm at $90 is our most affordable, but it is a specific service that flattens stubborn side or back hair for men rather than adding curl. For curls, the root perm at $105 (volume at the roots) is the entry point, and the full cold perm is $160.
Do I need extra treatments with my perm?
Not always. If your hair is bleached, highlighted or previously rebonded, a hydrating or bond-protecting treatment ($120-180 by length) helps the perm hold without damage. We will tell you upfront if your hair needs it — message us on +65 8335 1511.
