You’re standing in Hau'oli City. The sun is beating down. Honestly, your character looks a bit generic in that starting hat, doesn't it? This was the vibe back in 2016 when Pokémon Sun and Moon first dropped on the 3DS, and suddenly, player customization wasn't just a side note—it was a whole mood. Customizing your pokemon hairstyles sun and moon style became a genuine obsession for players who wanted to feel like they actually belonged in the Alola region rather than just visiting it.
It's weird. Some people think the Alola games were just about the Island Challenge or the lack of Gyms. They're wrong. The real endgame for a lot of us was hitting up the salon and dropping 5,000 Poké Dollars just to see if the "Romantic" cut looked better with "Honey Blond" or "Ash Gray" hair. It sounds shallow until you realize how much personality those pixels added to the cutscenes.
The Alolan Salon: More Than Just a Trim
If you're looking for a haircut, you have to find a salon. They aren't in every town, which is kinda annoying if you're stuck in the middle of a route and realize your bangs look terrible in the latest Z-Move animation. You'll find the main shops in Hau'oli City, Konikoni City, and Malie City. Each one offers the same basic menu, but the vibe of the cities makes the trip feel different every time.
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the hairstyle options are gender-locked, which is a bit of a relic of its time compared to the more fluid options we see in Scarlet and Violet. But within those locks, there’s a surprising amount of variety. Boys get choices like the Caesar Crop, Modern Quiff, and the Braided Cornrows. Girls, on the other hand, have a massive list: Chin-length Bob, Short and Choppy, Medium and Layered, Long and Straight, and even the classic Twin Tails.
The "Cornrows" option for male characters was actually a pretty big deal at the time. It was a step toward better representation in a series that had historically been very limited in how it handled diverse hair textures. It wasn't perfect, but it felt like Game Freak was finally listening to a global audience.
Breaking Down the Costs
Getting a fresh look isn't cheap when you're a kid living off prize money from defeating Youngster Joey. A full "Haircut and Color" will set you back 5,000 Poké Dollars. If you just want a cut, it’s 4,000. Just a color? 2,000.
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Most players just cough up the 5k. Why wouldn't you? If you’re going to change the shape, you might as well commit to the palette swap too. The color palette in Alola is surprisingly sophisticated. You aren't just stuck with "Brown" or "Black." You have options like Burgundy, White, and the very popular Ash Gray.
The Secret "Braided" and "Cornrow" Styles
Here is something most people forget. You can't just walk in and get the most elaborate pokemon hairstyles sun and moon has to offer right at the start. While most styles are available immediately, the "Cornrows" for boys and "Braided" styles for girls are the ones that actually stand out in a crowd.
The Braided style for female characters gives off a very specific "Island Trial Successor" energy. It’s practical. It looks like something you’d actually wear while trekking through a jungle to find a Totem Pokémon. To get these, you just need to talk to the stylist, but many players overlook them because they stick to the "Long and Straight" look that’s the default for so many anime-adjacent games.
Why the Lighting Changes Everything
Alola has a day/night cycle that actually matters. Because of the 3DS's limited hardware, the way hair colors look in the Hau'oli City salon might not be how they look when you’re standing on the peak of Mount Lanakila.
Honey Blond looks vibrant and golden under the tropical sun. But at night? It can look a bit murky. This is why Ash Gray became such a fan-favorite. It’s a neutral tone that holds its contrast regardless of whether you’re playing Pokémon Sun (daytime) or Pokémon Moon (which is offset by 12 hours). It’s a small detail, but for the fashion-conscious trainer, it’s everything.
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Pokemon Hairstyles Sun and Moon vs. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
We have to talk about the "Ultra" versions. If you’re playing Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon, the hairstyle game got a significant upgrade. They didn't just port the old list; they added new options that felt a bit more "modern."
One of the best additions was the "Surfer" style for boys and the "Beach Glass" accessories. While the base games were great, the Ultra sequels felt like they finally understood the "vacation" aesthetic of the region. They also tweaked the UI a bit so you could actually see what you were getting before you committed your hard-earned cash. In the original Sun and Moon, you were basically flying blind, hoping the "Romantic" style didn't look goofy on your specific character model. It was a gamble. Sometimes you won, sometimes you spent the next three routes wearing a hat to hide the shame.
The Bangs Dilemma
For the female characters, you don't just pick a style. You pick the bangs too. You can go with "Sideswept" or "Straight."
- Sideswept bangs: These give a more mature, adventurous look.
- Straight bangs: These provide that classic, youthful Pokémon protagonist feel.
Mixing "Medium and Layered" with "Sideswept" bangs is widely considered the "canon" look for many fans who felt the default pigtails were a bit too young. It changes the entire silhouette of the character. When you’re facing off against Gladion or Lusamine, having a hairstyle that looks "battle-ready" actually adds a layer of immersion that the game doesn't explicitly tell you about.
Why Customization Matters for E-E-A-T
When we talk about expertise in Pokémon games, it’s easy to focus on IV breeding or competitive move-sets. But the "experience" of the game is shaped by these cosmetic choices. Researchers in game design often point to "Proteus Effect," where a player's behavior is influenced by the appearance of their avatar.
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If your character looks like a beach-bum, you might find yourself exploring more. If they look like a serious Ace Trainer, you might focus more on the Battle Tree. The pokemon hairstyles sun and moon system was the first time the series really let the player's personality dictate the "feel" of the journey in a way that felt native to the environment.
Things You Probably Missed
The salons aren't just for hair. They are also where you can change your contact lenses. Want glowing red eyes to match your Team Skull aesthetic? You can do that. Want to match your eyes to your "Burgundy" hair? Go for it.
Also, the salon NPCs actually have some of the best flavor text in the game. They talk about the trends in Alola and how the humidity affects hair—which, as anyone who has lived in a tropical climate knows, is the real final boss.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
If you’re booting up a save file in 2026 or playing on an emulator, don't just ignore the salons. Here is how to handle your Alolan makeover:
- Bank your cash first. Don't go to the salon right after buying a bunch of Full Restores. You’ll need that 5,000 for the full experience.
- Wait until Akala Island. While the first salon is in Hau'oli, the fashion options (clothes) in Konikoni City are much better. It's easier to coordinate your hair with an outfit you actually like.
- Experiment with Ash Gray. It is genuinely the most versatile color in the game’s engine. It works with almost every clothing color palette.
- Try the "No Hat" look. Sun and Moon was one of the first times you could consistently ditch the protagonist's hat. Show off that expensive haircut.
The customization in Alola was a turning point for the franchise. It moved the series away from "you are playing as this specific kid" to "you are this kid." Even with the newer Nintendo Switch titles having more polygons and better textures, there is a charm to the Alolan salons that hasn't been matched. It felt like a part of the culture of the region, not just a menu option.
Go find a salon. Change your look. It’s the cheapest way to make a 10-year-old game feel brand new again.