How much does hair stylist & barber cost in Singapore?
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Key takeaways
- Most hair stylist & barber jobs in Singapore land between SGD 12–SGD 400 — known locally as hair salon & barber.
- Hairdressing is unlicensed in Singapore, but salons selling prepaid packages fall under consumer-protection rules — CASE (Consumers Association of Singapore) receives frequent complaints about salon package hard-selling, and CaseTrust accreditation signals safer prepayment terms.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Hair Stylist & Barber prices by job size in Singapore
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic cut Express or neighbourhood men's cut | SGD 12 | SGD 28 | SGD 60 |
| Cut, colour & finish Full colour or highlights with cut and blow-dry | SGD 120 | SGD 220 | SGD 400 |
| Occasion styling Updo or event styling, bridal trial extra | SGD 80 | SGD 130 | SGD 250 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per men's haircut | SGD 12 | SGD 28 | SGD 60 |
| per women's cut & blow-dry | SGD 35 | SGD 70 | SGD 130 |
| per hour (home/occasion styling) | SGD 60 | SGD 100 | SGD 180 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Singapore typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a hair stylist & barber pro in Singapore
- Decide the tier first: express cut chains (QB House-style, ~$12-16) vs neighbourhood salons vs Korean/Japanese destination salons
- Check Google and social reviews — Singapore's salon market is heavily review-driven
- For colour or perms, confirm the all-in price; add-on selling mid-service is a known local complaint
- Ask about package terms carefully — prepaid packages are common and CASE consumer complaints about them are frequent
- Confirm a patch test for first-time colour
- For home visits, confirm travel fee and minimum spend
Red flags
- Hard-sell of prepaid packages before the first cut is finished
- Mid-service upselling of 'necessary' treatments
- No listed prices for chemical services
- Pressure to pay by instalment for large packages
- No patch test for colour
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to SGD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Singapore salon listed menus (chains vs destination salons); CASE consumer advisories on salon packages.
Frequently asked questions
What is a patch test and do I really need one before colouring?
A patch test dabs a small amount of the colourant (usually behind the ear) 48 hours before the appointment to check for allergic reaction to PPD and related chemicals. Reputable salons insist on it for new colour clients and after any break of several months, because reactions can be severe. A salon that skips patch tests for first-time colour clients is cutting a corner that matters.
How often should I get my hair cut?
Short clipper cuts and fades lose shape fastest — every 2-4 weeks. Medium styles typically need a trim every 6-8 weeks, and long hair every 8-12 weeks to control split ends. Booking a standing appointment often gets you priority slots and sometimes a loyalty discount.
Why do women's haircuts cost more than men's?
Pricing mostly tracks time and process, not gender: a typical cut-and-finish includes consultation, shampoo, cutting longer or layered hair, and a blow-dry, which takes 2-3x the chair time of a clipper-and-scissor barber cut. Many salons are moving to gender-neutral pricing based on hair length and service time, so ask how the menu is structured.
Can I get a stylist to come to my home for a wedding or event?
Yes — occasion and bridal styling is a standard mobile service. Expect a premium over salon prices for early starts and travel, a paid trial session 2-6 weeks before the event, and a deposit to hold the date. Book bridal stylists 2-6 months ahead in peak wedding season.
Do mobile hairdressers cost more or less than a salon?
Usually less for the same skill level, because a mobile stylist has no salon rent or chair fees. Many charge a small travel fee or set a minimum booking value. The trade-off: no backwash basin or salon lighting, so complex colour work is often better done in a salon.
What should I ask before booking a colour service?
Ask for a consultation first (many salons do them free), whether the quote includes toner and an after-colour blow-dry, how many sessions a big change will take, and what a strand test shows about your hair's condition. Going dark-to-blonde in one sitting is a classic overpromise — a good colourist will say it needs staged sessions.
Why do Singapore haircut prices vary so much?
The market spans $12-16 express-cut chains, $25-45 neighbourhood salons, and $50-120+ Korean/Japanese destination salons in town. All three tiers can cut competently — pay for the tier that matches the complexity of what you want, and be wary of prepaid packages regardless of tier.
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