Are you tired of paying “Chief Design Directors” hundreds of RMB just to get a trim, only to be subjected to endless small talk and pressured into buying a VIP prepaid card? You aren’t alone. Across China, a new wave of 10 RMB express haircut stalls is booming, and Gen Z is here for it.

Data shows that while traditional salons are struggling—with over 213,000 closing or transferring in early 2026—these budget-friendly, no-frills haircut booths are thriving. They are even drawing long lines in first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Why? Because they offer exactly what exhausted young professionals crave: simplicity and peace.

There are no receptionists, no hair-washing stations, and absolutely zero hard-selling. You simply scan a QR code, grab a ticket, get your haircut, and go. It’s peak efficiency. While you won’t get a complex bleach and dye job, these stalls strip away the high-pressure sales tactics and anxiety (dubbed “haircut assassins”) of traditional salons.

For Chinese youth, the 10 RMB haircut goes beyond just saving money. Like most memes or trends, this passive “retaliation” is a statement against the exhausting, overpriced fluff of the modern service industry. For many, sometimes, the best customer service is just getting the job done—in silence.

All images via Baidu.