Getting a haircut before Chinese New Year is a ritual for many Singaporean families. A fresh cut means starting the year looking neat for reunion dinner, house visits and family photos. It also sidesteps an old belief about cutting hair in the first lunar month. The catch is that everyone has the same idea, so salons fill up, prices often go up and the last few days before the festival can be chaotic.
This guide explains why salons get so busy, what the haircut taboos actually say, and how to schedule your cut, colour and treatments so you look your best without paying peak rates or settling for a rushed job.
Why Salons Book Out and Raise Prices Before CNY
In the two to three weeks before the Lunar New Year, demand at hair salons and barbers jumps sharply. Several things stack up at once:
- Tradition. Many people want a fresh look for the new year, and many also avoid haircuts in the first month, so they cut before the festival instead.
- Time off. Students return to school in early January and working adults clear leave, so weekends are packed.
- Staff leave. Many salons close for several days over CNY, and some hairstylists take extended leave to visit family, which squeezes the available slots.
Because of this, it is common for salons to add a festive surcharge for a period before and sometimes after CNY. The amount and the dates vary between salons, and a salon may not mention it unless you ask. Some apply it only to certain services, such as cuts, while others apply it across the menu. A few chain barbers keep flat prices but have long queues instead.
Always ask about any CNY surcharge when you book, and check that the total quoted includes it. Under Singapore’s consumer protection rules, businesses should not mislead customers about pricing, and the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) is the body to approach if you run into a pricing dispute.
The First-Month Haircut Taboo, Explained
The best-known belief is that you should not cut your hair during the first lunar month (正月, zheng yue). A traditional saying links a haircut in the first month to misfortune for one’s maternal uncle. Folklorists often trace this to a sound-alike: 思旧 (si jiu, “missing the old”) is thought to have been misheard over time as 死舅 (si jiu, “death of an uncle”). Whatever its origin, many families still prefer not to take the risk, especially out of respect for older relatives.
Other related beliefs you may hear:
- No hair washing on the first day of CNY. 发 (fa) in 头发 (hair) shares a character with 发财 (prosperity), so washing your hair on day one is said to wash away good fortune.
- No sharp objects on the first days. Scissors and knives “cut” luck, which is another reason salons often close.
- The second day of the second month (二月二, er yue er). Known as the day the dragon raises its head (龙抬头), it is traditionally seen as an auspicious day for a haircut, and some people wait until then for their first cut of the year.
These are folk customs, observed differently by different families and dialect groups. Plenty of Singaporeans ignore them entirely. If you are visiting relatives who care about them, though, a pre-CNY cut is an easy courtesy.
When to Book: A Simple Timeline
The key is to book early and to separate services that need time to settle. Here is a practical schedule that works for most hair types.
| Service | Ideal timing before CNY | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Booking your appointment | 3 to 4 weeks ahead | Weekend slots in the final two weeks go fast |
| Chemical services (perm, rebonding, keratin) | 3 to 4 weeks before | Gives hair time to settle and lets you fix any issues |
| Hair colour or highlights | 2 to 3 weeks before | Colour softens slightly after the first few washes |
| Haircut or trim | 5 to 10 days before | Looks fresh but has time to “grow in” naturally |
| Fringe trim or touch-up | 1 to 3 days before | Small, quick and often done at walk-in salons |
A few extra tips on timing:
- Book a weekday if you can. Weekday daytime slots are usually easier to get and may avoid peak-time pricing at some salons.
- Avoid trying a new style at the last minute. If you want a dramatic change, do it a month early so there is time to adjust. The week before CNY is not the time for experiments.
Planning Colour, Perms and Treatments
Colour and chemical treatments are where timing matters most. Freshly coloured hair can look slightly harsh in the first few days, and freshly rebonded hair often comes with washing restrictions. Leaving a gap before the festival means you avoid surprises in reunion dinner photos.
When planning, keep these in mind:
- Do a patch test if your salon offers one, especially if you are trying a new dye brand or have sensitive skin. Allergic reactions to hair dye are possible, and a reaction days before CNY is the last thing you want. If you have concerns about your scalp or skin, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.
- Red and warm tones are popular for CNY, but they also fade faster than many other shades. Ask your stylist about colour-safe shampoo and how often to wash.
- Treatments and hair masks can be done close to the festival, since they do not change the cut or colour.
- Grey coverage for parents and grandparents is a common pre-CNY booking. Book older relatives early too, since they may prefer quieter weekday slots.
Booking for the Whole Family
Many families book cuts for children, parents and grandparents together. To make it smooth:
- Group bookings: ask whether the salon can schedule several stylists at the same time so the family is not waiting for hours.
- Children: January is also a busy school month, with secondary school students starting a new term and older teens receiving exam results. A neat haircut that meets school hair rules is often needed anyway, so combining it with the CNY cut saves a trip. Check your child’s school handbook for hair guidelines.
- Elderly relatives: consider neighbourhood barbers or salons close to home if mobility is a concern. Some community and eldercare services also run grooming sessions; ask at your nearby senior activity centre.
- Budget for the season: with surcharges and family bookings, haircuts can become a noticeable part of the festive spending. Add them to your CNY budget alongside goodies, ang bao and outfits.
If You Miss the Pre-CNY Window
It happens. If you cannot get a slot before the festival:
- Try walk-in barbers and budget hair chains on a weekday morning, which often have shorter queues.
- Ask to go on a cancellation list at your usual salon.
- Get a fringe or neckline tidy-up only, which takes a few minutes and makes a big difference in photos.
- Wait until after the first month or until er yue er if your family observes the taboo, and book that appointment early too, as some people do the same.
Also check which salons are open over the festival itself. Many independent salons close for several days, while some in malls reopen sooner. Our guide to what is open and what is closed during Chinese New Year helps you plan around the closures.
Fitting It Into Your CNY Prep
A haircut is one item on a long pre-festival list. Pair it with other early bookings, such as reserving a reunion dinner restaurant early, and spread errands across the weeks rather than cramming them into the final weekend. If you are also tidying up at home, our guide on how to declutter before Chinese New Year without burnout helps you pace the work.
The short version: book three to four weeks ahead, do colour and chemical work first, get the cut about a week before, ask clearly about surcharges, and respect the family customs that matter to the people you will be visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more do salons charge before Chinese New Year? The amount and the dates vary between salons, and a salon may not mention a surcharge unless you ask. Some apply it only to cuts while others apply it across the menu. Ask when you book and check that the quoted total includes it. CASE handles pricing disputes.
Can I wash my hair on the first day of Chinese New Year? Folk belief says no, because 发 in 头发 shares a character with 发财, so washing is said to wash away good fortune. These are customs observed differently by different families. If you are staying with relatives who care about this, wash your hair the night before.
Is it okay to dye my hair a bright red for CNY? Red and warm tones are popular, but they fade faster than many other shades, so ask your stylist about colour-safe shampoo. Do a patch test if available, especially with a new dye brand or sensitive skin. Book the colour two to three weeks before the festival.
What day is a good day to get the first haircut of the lunar year? Some families wait until the second day of the second lunar month, er yue er, known as the day the dragon raises its head, which is traditionally seen as auspicious for a haircut. Many other Singaporeans ignore the taboo entirely, so follow what your family observes.
What can I do if every salon is fully booked before CNY? Try walk-in barbers and budget chains on a weekday morning, ask to join a cancellation list or just get a fringe or neckline tidy-up, which takes minutes. Many independent salons close for several days over the festival, so check which are open.
Further reading: Chinese New Year Makeup That Lasts Through a Full Day of Visiting · The Kitchen God Festival: Sending Off Zao Jun Before Chinese New Year