Look, Alola is basically Hawaii. If you’re running around a tropical paradise catching literal gods in tiny balls, you don't want to do it with a default bowl cut. Personalization was a big deal when Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon dropped on the 3DS, yet even years later, people are still trying to figure out how to unlock specific styles or why their character looks slightly "off" compared to the NPCs.
Pokemon ultra sun hair isn't just about vanity. It’s about the fact that once you commit to a cut, you’re out several thousand PokeDollars. That’s a lot of Great Balls.
The Salon Struggle is Real
You arrive at Hau’oli City. You see the salon. You walk in thinking you’re about to get a makeover that rivals a Kalos fashionista. Instead, you realize half the options are locked.
The reality of Alolan fashion is that it’s gated behind your progress. You can’t just walk in on Day 1 and ask for the "Surfer Knot" or the "Romantic Tuck." The game forces you to earn your style. Most players don't realize that the salon options actually expand as you complete the Island Challenges. If you’re staring at a menu and wondering where the cool stuff is, you probably just need to go beat another Totem Pokémon.
It’s also gender-locked. Hard. While modern titles like Scarlet and Violet have finally started to blur the lines of gendered cosmetics, Ultra Sun is firmly rooted in the old ways. Male characters get short, sporty, or shaggy looks. Female characters get the bulk of the variety—braids, bobs, and long flowing styles. It’s frustrating if you’re trying to go for a specific aesthetic that the game’s binary system doesn't support.
Unlocking the Secret Styles
Everyone talks about the "Delelele Whoop" of Kricketune, but nobody talks about the secret hairstyles. Well, okay, maybe they do, but the requirements are weirdly specific.
In the original Sun and Moon, the options were a bit more limited. Ultra Sun added a few more, but you have to work for them. For example, the "Cornrows" for male characters and the "Braided Cornrows" for female characters aren't just sitting there. You have to reach a certain point in the story—specifically, reaching the second island, Akala—before the stylists "learn" how to do them.
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Then there’s the color.
Colors in Alola are surprisingly complex. You have your basics: Black, Honey Blond, Dark Brown, Light Brown. But then you have the "secret" colors. To get things like White or Pink, you usually have to finish the main story. It’s a bit of a slap in the face. You want to look like a fairy-type specialist while fighting the Elite Four? Too bad. You get to look like a fairy-type specialist after you’ve already won.
The Cost of Beauty (and Why It Varies)
Have you noticed the prices? They aren't fixed.
A "Cut and Color" will usually set you back 5,000 PokeDollars. Just a cut is 4,000. Just a color is 2,000. But here’s the kicker: if you’re using the Festival Plaza, you can sometimes find shops that do it for "FC" (Festival Credits) instead. This is a life-saver if you’re blowing all your cash on Max Potions and Revives for the Ultra Necrozma fight—which, let's be honest, is one of the hardest fights in the entire franchise.
I once spent my last 5,000 on a Medium and Layered cut only to realize it looked terrible with the Trilby Hat. I had to go grind Wild Meowth just to afford to change it back.
Why Texture Matters in a 240p World
The 3DS wasn't exactly a powerhouse. When you’re choosing a hairstyle in Ultra Sun, you have to consider how it looks in motion. Some of the longer hairstyles have... interesting physics. They tend to clip through backpacks.
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If you’re wearing the default Z-Ring and a bulky backpack, a style like "Long and Straight" is going to disappear into your character's model every time you run. It’s a small detail, but for some of us, it’s a dealbreaker. The "Braided Pig-tails" are popular because they stay relatively clear of the gear, making the character model look cleaner during those dramatic Z-Move animations.
Breaking Down the Color Palette
If you want to match your Pokémon, you need to know the hex-equivalents (mentally, at least).
- Honey Blond: Great for matching an Alolan Raichu.
- Cornflower Blue: This is an Ultra exclusive. It’s vibrant. It’s bold. It looks fantastic if you’re rocking a Primarina.
- Wine Red: A bit more sophisticated.
The "White" hair color is the real endgame trophy. It’s the closest you can get to looking like Lusamine or an Aether Foundation employee. It gives off a very "I’ve seen the Ultra Wormhole and lived" vibe.
Getting the Most Out of Alolan Fashion
Don't just settle for the first thing you see. Experiment. But do it smartly.
First, save your game right outside the salon. This is the oldest trick in the book, yet people forget it constantly. The preview window in the salon is tiny. You can't really see how the hair interacts with your outfits until you're back out in the sunlight of Melemele Island. If you hate it, L+R+Start (or Select) to soft reset. Don't waste the money.
Second, check your hats. Ultra Sun has a weird relationship with headwear. Some hairstyles look completely different when you put a hat on. Some styles, like the "Bun" or "Pigtails," will actually change shape or flatten out to accommodate a cap. It’s annoying. If you’re a "hat person" in-game, stick to the shorter cuts or the styles that don't lose their silhouette when covered.
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The Impact of the Photo Club
The Alola Photo Club was a new addition in the Ultra versions. This is where your hair choice actually matters. When you’re posing with your Incineroar, the lighting in the photo studio hits the hair textures differently than the overworld map.
If you choose a dark hair color, it can sometimes look like a solid black blob in photos unless you use the "Light" filters. Lighter hair colors like Ash Brown or Platinum Blond catch the "shimmer" effect in the Photo Club much better. If you’re planning on filling your 3DS gallery with shots of your trainer, keep that in mind.
Expert Insight: The Version Differences
Is there a difference between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon hair? Technically, no. The salon options are identical across both versions. However, the clothing you can buy to match that hair is version-exclusive.
Ultra Sun players get access to warm-toned clothing (reds, yellows, oranges). Ultra Moon players get the cool tones (blues, purples, greens). If you’ve dyed your hair "Wine Red" in Ultra Moon, you might find it surprisingly difficult to find a shirt that matches perfectly without trading or using the Festival Plaza's dye houses. It’s a layer of coordination most people don't think about until they’re standing in the boutique feeling frustrated.
Taking Action: Your Styling Roadmap
Stop running around with the "I just started my journey" look. It’s time to actually use the systems the game gives you.
- Wait until Akala Island. Don't blow your early-game cash in Hau’oli City. The Akala Island salons have more variety and you'll have more money from fighting trainers on Route 4.
- The Soft Reset is your best friend. Always save before you talk to the stylist. The 5,000 yen price tag is a trap if you end up hating the "Medium and Layered" look.
- Coordinate with your version. If you're on Ultra Sun, go for Honey Blond or Bright Red to match the exclusive clothing. If you're on Ultra Moon, the Blue or Silver options will look way more cohesive with the gear available to you.
- Beat the game for the best colors. If you want that stark White or the deep Pink, stop worrying about your hair and go finish the Poni Island trials. The "Post-Game" styles are where the real customization begins.
Alola is a vibe. Your trainer should be, too. Just remember that in the world of Pokémon, style usually comes after substance—or at least after you've beaten a few Kahunas. Go get that haircut. You’ve earned it.