Opening a Hair Salon in Malaysia: The Complete Supplies Checklist

Quick answer: To open a hair salon in Malaysia you'll need furniture and tools for the cutting station, styling tools (dryers, irons, brushes), a shampoo area with back-bar products, a colour bar (colour, developer, lightener, bowls, brushes and foil), equipment and products for chemical services (perm and rebonding), hygiene consumables, and a small retail shelf. Start with one main colour brand and salon-size back-bar products, then expand as you learn what your clients ask for.

Before you open, register your business and check the licences your local council (PBT) requires for your premises and signboard. Requirements vary by area.

1. Cutting station

• Cutting chair and stylist stool (cutting chair, stylist stool)
• Cutting capes, plus neck ruffles or neck paper for every client
• Cutting scissors and thinning scissors
• Cutting combs, tail combs and sectioning clips. See Comb & Brush and Hair Pin
• Water spray bottle and neck brush
• Hair trolley to keep tools at hand (example)

2. Styling tools

• Professional hair dryers, with nozzles and a diffuser
• Hair irons (straighteners) and curling tongs
• Round brushes in several sizes, plus paddle and vent brushes
• Styling products: clay, pomade, mousse, hairspray and serum

Browse Clipper, Trimmer & Electric Tools and Styling Products.

3. Barber add-on (if you cut men's hair)

• Cordless clippers and trimmers, with cutting guides
• Foil shaver, clipper oil and a blade brush
• Barber combs and a neck duster

NX stocks Wahl, BaBylissPRO, Andis, TUFT and other clipper brands. See the Brands page.

4. Shampoo area

• Basin accessories: shower pipe set and basin cushions
• Towels, either reusable or disposable, and shampoo capes
• Back-bar products in salon sizes, which are far cheaper per wash. For example, Venash Smoothing Shampoo 2000ml, Venash Ice Scalp Shampoo 2000ml and Venash Treatment Masque 2000ml

5. Colour bar

• One main colour range to start with. See Venash vs Alushe
• Developers in 3%, 6%, 9% and 12%. See which developer to use
• Bleach powder or cream lightener. See powder vs cream
• Colour bowls, tint brushes, measuring cups and a digital scale
• Aluminium foil, gloves, and a scalp protector (e.g. Venash Scalp Protector Spray)
• A colour trolley to organise everything

See the full Color collection.

6. Chemical services (perm and rebonding)

• Rebonding system: softening cream, neutraliser and a ceramic flat iron. See rebonding products compared
• Perm lotions for different hair conditions. See how to choose a perm lotion
• Perm rods, perm papers and clips. For digital perms, a digital perm machine and scalp insulation pads. See perm rods for digital perm
• A hair steamer or stand-up bonnet dryer for treatments and processing

7. Hygiene and consumables

• Disposable gloves, aprons, ear covers and neck paper
• Sterilising and cleaning supplies for combs, brushes and tools
• Cleaning brushes and clipper oil

See In Salon Use and Accessories.

8. Retail shelf

Selling aftercare is one of the easiest ways to raise your average bill. Start small with shampoo, mask and serum for the services you do most, such as colour care, damaged hair and scalp care. Our guides to colour fading and damaged hair make good recommendations to share with clients.

Tips for buying smart when you start

• Start with one colour brand and its matching developers. Stock the core natural shades plus your most popular fashion shades, then add more as clients ask.
• Buy back-bar sizes (1000–2000ml) for products you use every day.
• Buy from one trade supplier where you can, to keep ordering and invoices simple.
• Buy original stock. See how to tell if products are original.

Frequently asked questions

What are the minimum supplies to open a small salon?

For a simple cut-and-colour salon: a cutting chair, capes and neck paper, scissors and combs, a dryer and an iron, a shampoo basin with back-bar shampoo and treatment, one colour range with developers, a lightener, bowls, brushes and foil, plus gloves and cleaning supplies.

How do salons get trade prices at NX?

WhatsApp +60 16-297 6299 with the product names or screenshots and we'll reply with your salon's pricing, or visit our showroom at Sungei Wang Plaza. Single units and bulk orders are both welcome, with no minimum order. See trade pricing.

Which colour brand should a new salon start with?

Choose one range with a full shade chart and matching developers, so results are consistent. NX is the sole authorised distributor of Venash Professional and Alushe Professional in Malaysia. See Venash vs Alushe.

Where can I buy salon supplies in Kuala Lumpur?

NX Hair & Beauty Supplies has supplied salons since 2010. Visit our showroom at T-063, 3rd Floor, Sungei Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur (open daily 11am–7pm), browse all products online, or WhatsApp +60 16-297 6299 for salon trade pricing. We deliver nationwide.