You’re standing in Hau'oli City, staring at the salon sign, and you’ve probably realized something annoying. Your character looks basically like every other trainer on the GTS. It's a vibe, sure, but it’s not your vibe. In the Alola region of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the customization is actually way deeper than the original Sun and Moon, but Game Freak didn't exactly hand you a manual on how to unlock the best looks. Getting the right pokemon ultra sun haircuts is more than just dropping 5,000 PokeDollars and hoping for the best. It’s about knowing which island offers what and how to trigger those post-game unlocks that most people miss because they’re too busy hunting Ultra Beasts.
Let’s be real. If you’re still rocking the default Caesar cut or the basic shoulder-length bob, you’re missing out on the actual personality of the game.
Why Your Local Salon Matters More Than You Think
The Alola region is split across several islands, and while you might think every Salon (or "Barber Shop" if we're being old school) is the same, they aren't created equal in terms of accessibility. You’ve got locations in Hau’oli City, Heahea City, Konikoni City, and Malie City. Most players just hit the first one they see and stay there for the rest of the game. That's a mistake.
Each salon offers the same baseline of cuts, but the "look" of your trainer changes based on how those cuts interact with the hats and accessories you find later. In Ultra Sun, the developers added specific variations that weren't in the base games. For instance, the "Surfer Knot" for male trainers and the "Braided Cornrows" for female trainers give off a completely different energy than the flat styles we had in Generation 6. Honestly, the lighting engine in Ultra Sun handles hair textures a lot better too, so the darker colors like Burgundy or Lavender actually pop instead of looking like a weird matte plastic.
It’s expensive. 5,000 for a cut and color? In this economy? You better make sure you know what you want before you sit in that chair, because there is no "undo" button once the screen fades to black and your character does that little spin.
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Unlocking the Secret Post-Game Colors
You want the white hair. Everyone wants the white hair. Or the "Wine Red." But you go to the stylist in the first ten hours of the game and those options just aren't there. Why? Because Alola gates its best aesthetics behind your status as a Champion.
To get the "White" and "Wine Red" hair colors, you have to beat the Elite Four. It’s sort of a "prestige" thing. Once you’ve taken your place on the throne at the top of Mount Lanakila, head back to any salon. The stylist will mention a new set of inspirations, and suddenly, you have access to the most striking colors in the game. White hair, in particular, looks incredible with the Team Skull-inspired gear or the high-end boutique clothes from the Alola Fashion Mall.
The Gender Gap in Styles
We have to talk about it: the female trainers definitely got the better end of the deal in Ultra Sun. Female characters have roughly double the amount of style variations. You’ve got the "Romantic Tuck," "Chignon," and the "Sideshow Updo." Male trainers? We basically get "Short," "Medium," "Long," and "Braided." It feels a bit lopsided.
However, the male "Braided" style is a massive improvement over the standard options. It gives off a rugged, Trial-ready look that fits the island aesthetic way better than the "Medium and Layered" style, which honestly makes you look like you’re lost on your way to a Kanto boy-band audition. If you're playing as a guy, try the "Ceaseless" or "Tousled" look if you want something that doesn't look like a helmet under your hat.
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The Malie City Factor
Malie City on Ula'ula Island is probably the coolest aesthetic hub in the game because of its Johto-inspired architecture. The salon there doesn't necessarily have "exclusive" cuts you can't get elsewhere, but the atmosphere makes the customization feel more "end-game."
One thing people forget is that your bangs are a separate choice from your overall hair length for female trainers. You can go with "Straight," "Sideswept," or "None." This sounds like a minor detail, but it completely changes how the "Cornrows" or "Double Bun" looks. If you go with "No Bangs," your trainer's face is much more visible during those Z-Move cinematic close-ups. It makes a difference when you’re staring down Necrozma and want to look like a serious threat rather than someone who just rolled out of a tent on Route 1.
Color Coordination and Eye Lenses
Your haircut is only half the battle. If you get a "Honey Blond" cut but keep your default eye color, it might look a bit... off. Ultra Sun introduced the Lens Case and the Makeup Bag early on. Use them.
- Match the Tone: If you're going for the post-game White hair, try using the "Silver" or "Ice Blue" contact lenses.
- Contrast is Key: A "Black" hairstyle with "Bright Pink" or "Yellow" lenses creates a high-contrast look that stands out in Festival Plaza.
- The Lip Color: For female trainers, the lipstick options can be subtle or aggressive. Match the "Wine Red" hair with a darker lip shade to lean into that "Gothita-chic" vibe that’s weirdly popular in the Alola competitive scene.
Common Misconceptions About Salon Costs
I've seen people claim that the price of pokemon ultra sun haircuts goes down if you frequent the same salon. That’s a total myth. It’s 5,000 for the full package, 4,000 for just a cut, and 2,000 for just a color. It stays that way. Alolan stylists know their worth, apparently.
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Another thing: people think you can lose styles if you change them. You don't "unlock and keep" styles in a menu; you just pay for the service every time. It’s a bit of a money sink, especially in the early game when you should be buying Great Balls and Revives. My advice? Don't touch your hair until you reach the second island. By then, you'll have enough spare cash from battling trainers on Big Wave Beach to actually afford a makeover without bankrupting your journey.
Practical Steps for Your Trainer Makeover
If you're ready to overhaul your look, don't just wing it. Money isn't infinite in the early stages, and you don't want to waste 5k on a style that looks terrible once you put your favorite hat back on.
- Remove your hat first: The stylist will take it off anyway, but seeing your character's head shape helps you decide if "Long and Straight" is actually what you want.
- Check the lighting: Different areas of Alola have different lighting engines. What looks good in the neon glow of the Salon might look washed out in the bright sun of Exeggutor Island.
- Save before you commit: This is the oldest trick in the book. Save your game standing right in front of the stylist. If the cut looks like a disaster, just soft-reset (L + R + Start/Select) and you’ve saved your PokeDollars.
- Beat the game first: If you really want the best options, just rush the main story. The "White" color is the gold standard for a reason—it looks significantly more detailed than the flatter "Brown" or "Black" shades.
Once you’ve settled on a style, head over to the apparel shop in Malie City or the Hau’oli City mall to grab some clothes that actually match. A "Short and Choppy" look pairs perfectly with the sporty tank tops, while the more elaborate "Chignon" or "Braided" styles go well with the expensive floral dresses. Your trainer's look is the only thing that stays consistent across every battle and cutscene, so it's worth the investment to stop looking like a generic NPC.
Take that saved cash, head to Ula'ula Island, and finally get rid of that starter hair. You've earned the right to look like the Alolan Champion.