Salon 5 @ Katong Joo Chiat

Overview

"Is this really a salon?" We wondered, as we walked down the East Coast enclave, shaped by ornate facades, intricate motifs and timeless treasures. Curious after seeing the unmistakable Red and Blue Barber's pole outside, we couldn't help but push open the Peranakan swing doors.

What did we unveil? A cozy, rustic and highly instagrammable salon full of vintage gems dating all the way to the 1970s.

With vintage barber chairs decking the entrance and sewing machines remodelled as tables, we can't help but be fascinated by the many details within.

But alas, we digress. We first heard about Salon 5 from a friend who tipped us off on how amazing their hair colours (and how nice the stylists are). Apparently, the most highly raved stylist here is founder Carrie. She has garnered SO MANY good reviews, we knew we gotta check her out.  

As many customers point out, Carrie is one of those stylists who takes the effort to consider everything from face shape to personality in the choice of colour and placement of each highlight to create something that is uniquely customized for you.

But it seems as if colours aren't her only strengths. Her perms, too, give off an effortlessly ethereal vibe thanks to her intentional effort to create curls that fall at just the right places.

We were already impressed after seeing her hair works but meeting her in person only made us fall in love with her even more.

Beyond her astute sense of aesthetics, Carrie has this caring nature and genuine sincerity that makes it easy for us to achieve a sense of camaraderie with her. You don't feel the need to keep talking as she just knows when to start and when to stop - leaving you feel simply... comfortable. It is possibly this combination of skill and service that got so many customers introducing friends and family to her over the past 7 years. 

Carrie is however not the only star in Salon 5. The tall and talented Kin is the up and upcoming stylist whose colour blending got us going WOW. He knows just how to mix the right colours and get you that tone that is sure to light up your IG (and even your Tiktok) - all while making sure it looks absolutely natural on you. We haven't even gotten started on the ever-stylish Esther who can give you an instant style lift with her signature cut, highlight and perm!

Even though a signature colour and perm here take at least 2-3 hours, we barely noticed the time. The place is just so chill, particularly with complimentary free-flow alcohol and unobtrusive stylists that Salon 5 becomes the perfect place for us to read or even do a little bit of work.

With the highly skillful team of stylists and immense effort put into the ambience within the exclusive Joo Chiat neighbourhood, you'd think that prices would likely be on the high side. So we're positively surprised to find that not to be the case. Ladies' haircuts by the master stylist would set you back by $50 and $45 for men and an even lower $28-$32 for kids. Whole head colour start from $95, making this place pretty value-for-money for their signature services.

As much as we waxed lyrical about this place,  the charm of Salon 5 is one where you need to experience to understand. The little dance your heart does when you first enter and the joy of getting your hair done (or seeing your family get their hair done) by the team of loving stylists here is something no words can describe. 

We consider it our blessing to discover such a beautiful salon and am proud to share it with all of you here on Beauty Undercover!