WHILE stay-home masseurs are illegal, hairdressers and beauticians operating from their Housing Board flats are doing a decent – and legitimate – trade.

For Mr Wilson Lim, a beautician in his early 30s, his Bishan flat is an ideal place from which to run his business.

He said: “I used to run my own salon in Joo Chiat, but couldn’t sustain it because of the rental. Since I have a group of regulars, I decided to offer facials from my home.”

Mr Lim sees about 10 clients a week. The low prices he charges are a draw.

His one-hour purifying facial is $38 – significantly cheaper than the prices at salons like Clarins in Wheelock Place, which charges $140 and up for such treatments.

Hairdresser Karen Lien (top picture), a mother of two in her 40s, has been running her “hair salon” from her four-room Yishun flat for the last seven years.

Her customers post her contact details on beauty forums, further expanding her client base.

She initially declined to be interviewed as she was “already very popular” and has customers from Australia and Japan who drop by while on vacation in Singapore, she said.

“I see about six customers a day on weekdays.

“This Saturday, I have close to 20 hairdressing appointments,” she added.

A rebonding session at Ms Lien’s place starts from $60 for short hair, which is substantially cheaper than what hairdressing salons in town charge, where prices start at $250 for rebonding.

However, for Madam Tan, things are not hunky-dory. The 57-year-old stay-home masseuse regretted leaving her job at a big spa to start her business from home.

“I give massages from home so I can make a living. Not only do I have to pay for my flat, but I have to save for my retirement.

I know it’s not allowed, but I am not hurting anyone,” she said.

For more my paper stories click here.