A Cut Above: Beijing’s A-list stylists

Sketchy salons and low-rent barbershops are a dime a dozen here in Beijing, but the selection of premium stylists is growing. This is our rundown of some of the more reliable places in town. Your new look might cost you a bit more, but as hair specialists assure, you are worth it.

Bangs Hair Salon
The clean, white walls and minimalist exterior of this salon in the exclusive Central Park compound pretty much sum up its aesthetic: no-nonsense, slick styling courtesy of Japanese coiffeurs well-versed in the latest Tokyo trends. A straightforward cut and wash is RMB 320, while moisturizing treatments cost RMB 470. Perms start at RMB 460. Tue-Sun 10am-9pm. Stall 101, Bldg 4, Central Park, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6597 0579) 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号新城国际4号楼101号

Beauty World Hair Salon
Beauty World offers a happy middle ground between your friendly neighborhood lifating and the high-end salons with their high-end prices. Men’s and women’s chops are both an affordable RMB 90. For a price – RMB 200 – you can have your locks seen to by Beauty World’s top stylist, Marcel. Tue-Sun 10am-9pm. 1/F, Somerset Grand Fortune Gardens, 46 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8440 1918) 美丽世界, 朝阳区亮马桥路46号盛捷副景苑公寓1层

C. de France Hair & Beauty Salon
Featuring French stylists and products, C. de France sports a staff of junior and senior stylist, with a range of prices: female cuts by a senior stylist are priced depending on your hair. The salon asks that you make an appointment at least two days in advance. Tue-Sun 10am-8pm (open until 10pm on Wed). Nali Mall, Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6417 3029, receptionist@cdefrance.com) C美发沙龙. 朝阳区三里屯北路那里商城内

Charly’s Professional Hair Beauty Salon
After nearly 20 years in the business, owner Charly Chen has built up a highly specialized staff and celebrity-studded clientele – his Sofitel branch contains three luxurious VIP rooms decked out with the latest hair care technology, satellite TV and individual restrooms. A wide range of hair services and beauty treatments are available, including basic hair cuts from RMB 240 (RMB 220 at China world branch) for men and RMB 285 for women. Manicures and pedicures range RMB 135–650. Daily 10am–9pm. 1) 5/F, Sofitel, Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (8599 6666 ext 6910/6913); 2) China World Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 2266 ext 47) 嘉励美容美发沙龙, 1) 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C座 索菲特大酒店五层; 2) 朝阳区建国门外大街1号中国大饭店

Eric Paris
The French-born stylist has built up a mini-empire of hair salons, with his most prominent branch occupying Sanlitun’s Tongli Studios. All branches feature Kérastase Institutes where treatments are tailored to the individual after an initial hair analysis. Treatments start from RMB 275 and a full range of Kérastase products are available. Shampoos from RMB 155-258. 1) Daily 10am-8pm. 43 Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District. (135 0137 2971); 2) Daily 10am-8pm. Stall 123, Kerry Centre Shopping Mall, 1 Guan¬ghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (139 1179 8376) 爱丽克美容美发, 1) 朝阳区三里屯后街43号; 2) 朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心商场123

Franck Provost
If you’re tired of bad hairdos, and not put off by the thought of investing a few hundred RMB in making your hair look great, Franck Provost will sort your locks out. Cuts from RMB 220 for women and 180 for men, perms and coloring from RMB 580. Daily 10am-10pm. Shop D2001-1, 2/F, Shin Kong Place, 87 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District. (6530 7696/7669) 朝阳区建国路87号新光天地二层D2001-1店铺

Melonhead
Kids hair specialist offers basic cuts as well as special styling for parties and other occasions. The fun atmosphere and kid-friendly facilities help to stave off tantrums from restless souls. Daily 10am-10pm. Rm 412, 4/F, South Bldg, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6587 1599) 朝阳区光华路9号世贸天阶南街四层412号商铺

Simba Salon
Salon and stylist choices for people of African descent are few and far between in Asia, which is precisely why this Jianwai Soho salon is so distinct. Featuring stylists from Africa and China, Simba caters to all hair types and textures, and features a unique range of African hair products, including Activilong, Karisma and TCB. A basic shampoo, hair cut and blow dry starts at RMB 100 and afro style braiding starts at RMB 200. Rm 601, Bldg 2, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 6459, 135 5293 0114, simbasalon@yahoo.com) 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho 2号楼601室

Toni & Guy
The British chain seems to open a new branch every other month. Stylish haircuts for women range RMB 80-1,200. Perms and coloring start from RMB 420. 1) Daily 10am-9pm. Rm 105-106, Bldg F, Sunshine 100, 2 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6585 9288); 2) Daily 10am-10pm. S8-33, Bldg 8, The Village at Sanlitun, 19 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6417 4188) 托尼英盖, 1) 朝阳区光华路2号阳光100国际公寓F座105-106号; 2) 朝阳区三里屯北路19号三里屯Village8号楼S8-33

Tony Studio
Opened by the stylist who founded the country’s first image styling salon, Tony Studio’s flagship store offers a complete package of styling services. Featuring four floors including spa facilities, hair stylists, a cafe and a professional photo studio, the salon offers haircuts starting from RMB 180 and perms from RMB 420-1,480. Daily 10am-9pm. Rm 0117, Bldg 9, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 4697) www.tonystudio.com.cn 东田造型, 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho 9号楼0117室

Vajra
This Gongti Xilu salon tries to “infuse artistic life” into the standard salon practice of cutting hair – an approach embodied in the swank sur¬roundings filled with flashy antiques. Chic singer Faye Wong is an investor, and the owners cut their chops working over several decades in Hong Kong and New York; their innovations include a dye-mixing laboratory and a training center where guests can learn hair styling from the pros. Styling runs from RMB 400-2,000. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. S106, Glory World Apart¬ments, 18 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6551 6461) www.vajra.com.hk/china/index.asp 朝阳区工体西路18号光彩国际公寓S106