Best Korean hair care brands: how to choose without a ranking

Why this guide names no brands

A list of the best brands would need tests, evidence and a fair comparison, and we have none to offer. Product lists also go out of date. A more useful guide is how to choose a product for your hair, whichever brand it is.

Start with your hair and scalp

• Oily scalp, dry ends. Look for a lighter shampoo for the scalp and a richer conditioner on the lengths.
• Dry or damaged hair. Moisturizing and protein-balanced care are common choices. Check the label for what the product claims to do.
• Color-treated hair. Gentler shampoos are often suggested to keep tone longer.
• Sensitive scalp. Choose simpler formulas and test a small amount first.
• Fine hair. Lighter products avoid weighing hair down.

How to read a label

Labels list ingredients from the most to the least. The first few make up most of the product. Look for the product type (shampoo, treatment, mask, oil), the hair type it is made for and the directions for use. Be careful with marketing words. A word on the front does not tell you how a product will work on your hair. If you have allergies or a reactive scalp, check the full list or ask a pharmacist or doctor.

Questions that narrow the field

1. What is my main problem: dryness, oil, frizz, breakage, color fade or flaking?
2. Do I want a daily product or a weekly one?
3. How much time will I give it each wash?
4. What is my budget for a bottle that I will use up within a few months?
5. Do I react to fragrance?

Write the answers down before you shop, and show them to your designer or to the shop staff. A clear need narrows a wall of bottles to a handful.

Shopping in Korea

Shops in Korea sell a wide choice of hair care in many price levels. Pick up the product, read the directions and ask staff what suits your hair type. Because we cannot assess a specific shop or product, we make no recommendation. Try a small size first.

Price is not a reliable sign of fit. A low-priced bottle can suit your hair well, and an expensive one can feel heavy. Give a new product two or three washes before you decide, unless it irritates your scalp, in which case stop using it at once. Keep the original box or note the product name so your designer can look at the ingredients with you at the next visit.

Salon care versus home products

Salon clinic treatments and home products do different jobs. A salon service is applied by a designer, often with a process matched to your hair. Home products maintain the result. On the WENEED menu: basic hair clinic (모발 클리닉 기본) ₩89,000, solution clinic (솔루션 클리닉) ₩100,000, Drama care (드라마 케어) ₩140,000, Tiara repair clinic (티아라 복구) ₩180,000, and scalp clinic (두피 클리닉) ₩120,000 on Jin’s price sheet. The Nano-bit hair clinic (나노빛 모발 클리닉) price is not confirmed; ask your designer. See the treatment services and the hair clinic page.

Ask your designer

The most reliable step is to ask the designer which type of product suits your hair after they have seen it, and what to avoid after a perm or color. Ask what to use, how often and how much. The guide on scalp care adds a routine to follow.

The salon is 71 m from Jangsan Station Exit 5 on Line 2, on the 2nd floor by stairs only, open daily 10:00 to 20:00.

Frequently asked questions

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