Honestly, the Alola region changed everything for trainer customization. Before the seventh generation, you basically just picked a hat and hoped for the best, but Pokemon Sun and Moon haircuts introduced a level of personality that felt actually personal. You aren't just a pixelated kid in a baseball cap anymore. You’re a stylist. Or at least, you're trying to be.
But here’s the thing that trips everyone up: Alola is a big place. You can’t just walk into any building and expect a trim. You have to find the specific salons tucked away in the urban hubs of the islands. Melemele, Akala, and Ula'ula all have their own spots. If you're looking for Poni Island? Yeah, don't hold your breath. It's a bit more "rugged" over there.
The Cost of Looking Good in Alola
It isn't cheap. Style has a price tag. Specifically, a haircut and color will set you back 5,000 Poke Dollars. If you just want the cut, it’s 4,000. Just the color? 2,000. It sounds like a lot when you’re just starting out and trying to save up for Great Balls, but once you start smashing through the trials, that money becomes pocket change.
The salons are easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. Look for the scissor icon on the map. In Hau'oli City, it's right there in the Shopping District. Heichou City (Heahea) on Akala has one too, and Malie City on Ula'ula rounds out the trio. Each one offers the same basic menu, but the "vibe" of your character really starts to shift once you unlock the post-game options.
Why gender matters for your hair
Look, it's a bit of an old-school mechanic, but the game locks specific styles behind your character's gender. Boys get the short end of the stick. Literally.
Male trainers have options like the Caesar crop, the Modern Quiff, and the Braided cornrows. It's fine, I guess. But the female trainers? They get the Cornrows, the Romantic Tuck, the Long and Straight look, and even the Chignon. It feels a bit lopsided, but that’s been the Pokemon tradition for a while now. If you chose the boy avatar, you're stuck with shorter, more "sporty" vibes.
Unlocking the Secret Styles
Most people think what you see at the start is what you get. Wrong.
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There are actually specific styles that only trigger after you’ve become the Alola Champion. For example, the Kanto-style ponytail or specific wavy looks don't just appear because you asked nicely. You have to put in the work. You have to beat the Elite Four. Only then will the stylists in the salons recognize your "legendary aura" and offer the top-tier cuts.
- The Medium Blunt: Great for a mid-journey refresh.
- The Sideswept Disconnected: This is the one everyone wants for that edgy, rival-style look.
- The Shaved Side: Only for the bold.
Color is where it gets really fun. You’ve got the basics like Black, Honey Blond, and Dark Brown. But then you get into the wilder stuff. Wine Red. Ash Brown. Platinum Blond. Selecting a color isn't just about matching your outfit; it's about the lighting in the Alola region. Because the game has a day/night cycle (and Moon is offset by 12 hours), your hair color will actually look different depending on when you’re playing. Platinum Blond looks silver under the Alolan moon but bright white in the Melemele sun.
The Bangs Dilemma
When you go for a cut, the stylist will ask you about your bangs. You can go Sideswept, Straight, or No Bangs. This seems like a minor detail, but it completely changes how hats sit on your head.
If you choose the "Straight" bangs, they poke out from under the rim of most caps. If you go "No Bangs," your forehead is just... there. Most players tend to stick with "Sideswept" because it has that classic anime protagonist energy that just works with the Alolan aesthetic.
Where to find the Salons
Don't wander around aimlessly.
In Hau'oli City, the salon is nestled in the Shopping District. It’s usually one of the first places you’ll visit after you get some spending money.
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In Heahea City, it’s right near the Apparel Shop. This is convenient because you can coordinate your new hair with a fresh shirt or some new shoes immediately.
In Malie City, the salon has a more traditional, Johto-inspired feel, matching the rest of the city's architecture. It’s a cool touch by Game Freak to make the salons feel like they belong to the local culture rather than just being a carbon-copy franchise.
Avoiding the "Bad Hair Day"
The biggest mistake you can make? Not saving your game before you enter the salon.
Pokemon Sun and Moon don't give you a preview. You pay the money, the screen fades to black, and boom—you have a new head of hair. If you hate it, you just wasted 5,000 Poke Dollars and you have to pay another 5,000 to fix it.
Always save outside the door. This allows you to "trial" every single look without draining your bank account. You can see how the Honey Blond looks with the Romantic Tuck, and if it looks terrible, you just soft-reset and try the Ash Brown instead. It’s the only way to play the fashion game effectively.
The "Special" Colors
Later in the game, or through specific events, you might hear about "rare" colors. Honestly, most of these are just variations of the Ash and Wine palettes. However, the way your hair interacts with the Z-Move animations is something people rarely talk about. When your character does the pose for a Z-Move, the camera zooms in tight. A bad haircut stands out like a sore thumb during these high-intensity moments.
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Think about your favorite Z-Move. If you're a fan of "Bloom Doom," maybe skip the bright red hair. Unless you want to look like a giant flower, which, hey, no judgment.
Why Customization Matters for E-E-A-T
In the world of competitive Pokemon or even just high-level Battle Tree climbing, your avatar represents you. When you participate in Link Battles or use the Festival Plaza, other players see your character. Having a unique combination of a post-game haircut and a rare color like Platinum Blond signals that you aren't just a casual player. It shows you’ve beaten the game. It shows you know where the hidden salons are. It’s a status symbol.
Actionable Steps for your Alolan Makeover
Ready to change your look? Follow this specific order to ensure you don't regret it.
- Fly to Hau'oli City. It’s the easiest salon to access and usually has the shortest walk from the Charizard landing point.
- Save your game. Right in front of the stylist. Do not skip this.
- Choose "Cut and Color" for 5,000. It’s the best value if you're doing a total overhaul.
- Experiment with Bangs first. The bangs dictate the shape of the face more than the length of the back.
- Check your look in different lighting. Step outside the salon. If it’s daytime, see how the sun hits the color. If you're playing Moon and it's dark, see if the color still pops.
- Coordinate with the Apparel Shop. Hair is only half the battle. If your hair is Wine Red, those bright green shorts you bought might need to go.
The customization in Sun and Moon was a massive leap forward from X and Y. While it doesn't have the infinite depth of later titles like Scarlet and Violet, there's a certain charm to the Alolan styles that feels very "vacation-chic." Take the time to find the style that fits your journey. Whether you're a casual collector or a hardcore VGC grinder, looking the part is half the fun of being a Trainer.
Pro-tip: If you find yourself frequently changing outfits, stick to a neutral hair color like Dark Brown or Ash Brown. These colors go with almost every clothing item in the game, saving you thousands of Poke Dollars in the long run. Style is great, but efficiency is better.