Want to know some of the best hair salons in Johor Bahru, or where to go for a spa day, facial, massage, manicure or pedicure? Expat Living contributor PIA HEIKKILÄ runs through her preferred beauty salons in JB, including a couple in the Komtar JBCC shopping mall and beyond.
The best beauty salons in Johor Bahru, according to Pia
Our beauty tour starts with the easy-to-access places – inluding some salons that you can walk directly to from the bus station (Sentral).
# Johor’s Komtar JBCC – plenty of choice
This shopping mall in JB is handily located almost directly opposite Sentral station, around a five-minutes walk after the Woodlands checkpoint if you’re coming from Singapore. Follow the signs out of the checkpoint to Sentral and turn right to Komtar JBCC.
La Mior beauty salon at Komtar M
My go-to place for immaculate nails is La Mior; I’ve been going there for over a year. Tucked away from the main entrance, which is dominated by larger, more expensive nail salons, you’ll find it by keeping to the right as you enter Level 5.
The space is bright and modern with a clean and inviting atmosphere that immediately made me feel comfortable. Upon arrival, the staff greeted me warmly and offered me a drink while I waited. A nice touch!
“My favourite thing is to see how my customers are happy after a treatment,” says Angela Chong, the owner of La Mior.
And indeed this shows. Everything comes with her personal touch. Angela has been running the place for 11 years and people keep returning here. The staff never push for sales of further services but simply listen to your wishes or give suggestions.
Most of the staff speaks rudimentary English and the technicians are friendly and skilled, taking their time to do the work, even when the place is packed. If there’s a language issue, Angela is at hand to translate. The massage and exfoliation during the pedicure was particularly enjoyable and made my feet baby soft!
Prices start at RM 35 (About SG 10) for express manicure. This beauty salon also offers skin lasering and facials, amongst other things. It gets busy though, especially during weekends so worth booking in advance.
Level 2, Komtar JBCC, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 80888 Johor Bahru
+6012 778 6660 | lamior.com.my
NA Nails at Komtar JBCC
NA Nails is another Komtar stalwart that has been operating for over seven years. You’ll find it easily if you keep heading right on Level 5 of the mall, along the same stretch as La Mior. The beauty salon specialises in both classic mani-pedis and nail art, and the place can take walk-in appointments. It was busy on a regular Saturday on my last visit – always a good sign.
The front desk staff was helpful and immediately replied to my queries with perfect English. There was no overselling in this place either, but it’s worth knowing the gel removal costs RM 10 extra and there are further extras added to your bill. Check the total price of the treatment of your choice in advance. The work of the nail tech was attentive, but there were some language issues.
Prices start at RM 50 for a classic gel manicure.
Level 2, Komtar JBCC, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 80888 Johor Bahru
+6072765308
Other beauty salons at Komtar JBCC
Among the other nail salons operating in the same mall are Luxe Nails, located conveniently opposite the Sentral bus station. Luxe is a major chain operator with salons across Malaysia. It’s a slightly pricier option, however. It’s probably best suited for those in a hurry as it has several spots for walk-ins, and treatments can take as little as 30 minutes. The treatment list includes nail art, classic nail services and an express gel manicure starting from RM 88.
Level 2, Komtar JBCC, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 80888 Johor Bahru
+60 11 2899 8865 | luxestudio.com.my
Luxe also has a hair salon directly opposite the nail salon. However, I would only recommend it for cuts, not for colour, as the front desk staff were unsure if they’d be able to treat thinner Caucasian hair. A wash, cut and styling can range from RM 58 to RM 160, depending on the seniority of the staff.
Level 2, Komtar JBCC, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 80888 Johor Bahru
+607 289 1414 | luxestudio.com.my
# Drop the hubby and kids at Legoland and treat yourself to a spa day!
About 15 kilometres from Johor Bahru centre is a complex called Eco Botanic. This is a township with a commercial area that has plenty of restaurants, shops and beauty salons. Keen for a pampering day? Jump into a Grab at Sentral, and it’s 20-minute ride (around RM 50).
Top tip: If you can get someone to take your little darlings to Legoland for the day, Eco Botanic is only about a 5-minute drive from the park and the Legoland Hotel! Even if you are not heading to Legoland, however, it’s worth the trip, as it has not just fabulous beauty services, but cute cafes and restaurants for a spot of lunch.
Urban Escape Spa at Eco Botanic
My first stop at the complex was Urban Escape Spa, which came highly recommended by expat social media groups. Upon entry, the spa has soothing atmosphere with a with soft music playing in the background and gentle low lighting that set a relaxing tone. The colour palette is focused on earthy tones and the style is mix of colonial and oriental aesthetics.
The front desk staff was friendly and welcoming, making me feel comfortable right from the start with fluent English. They asked me about specific therapies that I might be interested in without being pushy or overly salesy.
Their signature treatment is aromatherapy massage, which combines the therapeutic benefits of massage with the use of essential oils derived from plants, flowers and herbs. The massage can help your mood, alleviate stress, relieve pain and improve overall health. An Urban Escape therapist can also tailor the essential oil blends to meet the individual preferences and specific needs of each client.
The facilities are well-maintained and hygienic, and the spa offers myriad of other self-care options, so you can get pampered from top to toe. You can easily spend a day here without breaking the bank! The team also offers spa parties for groups.
The signature aromatherapy massage costs RM 200. Readers who choose an aromatherapy massage treatment get an exfoliating body scrub for free.
8, Jln Eko Botani 3/3, Taman Eko Botani, 79100 Iskandar Puteri
+601 2616 3429 | urbanescapeasia.com
TSC White Hair Salon at Eco Botanic
Next in the same stretch of shops, just a block away, is TSC White. This hair salon has a very exclusive feel and was recommended by social media sites as place for getting natural blonde highlights and colour in JB.
The space looks sparkling – no surprises there, as you’re asked to remove your shoes upon entering. The staff provides you with soft slippers. I found this a nice touch that emphasised the hygiene aspect.
The director, Eason, came to greet me and to give me a tour. This hair salon is very large and only has few chairs, giving it a stylish and modern vibe. The interiors are airy and it has huge windows that let natural light in.
Eason was very personable and took his time to explain the different services in perfect English. He gave me some helpful advice on the best cut and colour for my hair type. I appreciated the attention to detail and the fact that he really listened to my preferences, and was honest about the desired outcome for my already bleached hair.
The wash stations are secluded and there are massage chairs for those who want the ultimate relaxation. There’s even a large area for workstations for those of us who are busy and need to multitask during a treatment. If you book with Eason, you can have your entire treatment at a large private room.
Appointments are required, and prices start from RM 90 for a cut and wash with a lead stylist.
60A, Jalan Eko Botani 3/2, Taman Eko Botani, 79100 Iskandar Puteri
+601 8266 9811 | tscwhitesalon.com/our-services
Pretty Nails at Eco Botanic
The beauty salon is easy to find if you’re at Eco Botanic. The interior has a clean, Scandinavian vibe that works well with the entire block’s newly built architecture. I had few queries when booking, and the team were transparent and helpful, displaying full prices of different treatments. (Note: It’s a popular nail place so booking is essential!)
My manicurist was knowledgeable and helpful, even if we did share a few linguistic issues. We opted for a gel manicure and a classic pedicure, and I appreciated the vast variety of colours available to choose from. The technician helped me select a shade that I would not normally choose but in fact it complemented my skin tone, which I thought was a nice touch. They didn’t push other options either, which I always prefer since I prefer to make up my own mind about treatments.
The main drawback is that the space is small with only four spots for manicures and a further three for mani-pedis. Another thing I did notice was that the salon was quite busy. This is a testament to its popularity, of course, and while I appreciated the bustling atmosphere, it did feel a overly crowded at times. I wondered if that affected the level of individual attention each client received. Nevertheless, I was pleased with the outcome.
The salon also offers lash services, facials and hair removals. Express manis start at RM 38, and nail art is available from RM 10.
38A Jalan Eco Botanic 3/2, Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia 79100 Iskandar Puteri
+601 4962 4565 | IG @prettynailsspa2023
Keen to read more? Find out what this JB-based expat thinks about living in Senibong Cove.
