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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think £150+ is very expensive for highlights and a trim?

177 replies

Mischone · 17/07/2019 16:56

I've been a bottle blonde for years and started letting my roots grow out last year to give my hair a break. I've got quite a bit of regrowth now and wanted it all done properly, as opposed to doing it myself at home as I'm used to.

I went to a well known salon today for a consultation with a senior stylist who has a great reputation and i was quoted £140 (minimum) For the highlights and then an additional £20+ for a small trim.

She recommended I opt in for conditioning treatment too but I can't afford that.

I paid the £50 deposit for the highlights and booked in because I really want it done, I've had a shit time of it this year battling depression and PTSD so i wanted to treat myself for once and feel like the "old me" again.

Now I'm home and the excitement has worn off I'm feeling quite uncomfortable about the cost. I'm not well off, I can afford to have it done as a one off but if that's the price I'll have to pay every 6-8 weeks there's no way I could continue to go there.

AIBU to think this is bloody extortionate?

OP posts:
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6
MustBeThin · 17/07/2019 17:40

I pay £131 with a senior stylist for free hand highlights/balayage, toner, cut and finish. I go every 8-9 weeks and I'm usually in there for about 2 and half hours.

Alsohuman · 17/07/2019 17:42

Just checked my salon (Cambridge) and it would cost £170. So pleased I don’t have colour!

IkeaIsForWinners · 17/07/2019 17:44

Im a naturally dark haired bottle blonde and I found a grotty hairdressers on a run down parade of shops that does roots, trim and blow dry for £25! They do a great colour but I go to my old posh salon for a good cut every few months as they are crap at cut and style.

Original poster
Mischone · 17/07/2019 17:46

I've just checked their website and the bloody trim is going to cost 56 pounds by the looks of it.. that's if they classify a small trim (which is all I want) under the ladies hair cut price on the site.

Oh Jesus Christ what have i done.

I'm used to paying £10 for a trim at a little place near my DM's.

Shit shit shit. I don't want the hair cut Sad

I can't afford that Sad

OP posts:
Singlebutmarried · 17/07/2019 17:48

£120 for a half head here and my hairs is super thick so takes 4-5 hours. If I have the cut as well it works out about £160

Original poster
Mischone · 17/07/2019 17:48

During the consultation she said you'll probably need a trim, I said yes of course I'm well overdue one.. I should have clarified the price for that there and then.. oh bollocks.

This has become a problem. I'm an idiot. I just wanted to treat myself. Lessons will be learned Sad

OP posts:
stucknoue · 17/07/2019 17:51

Gosh, it's £50-60 here including complimentary trim

SinglePringle · 17/07/2019 17:51

Just call them. Explain you don’t want the cut and just the colour - they won’t mind at all.

Whatsername7 · 17/07/2019 17:52

I think you need to treat the whole thing as an experience and a one off. Go somewhere else to get it touched up or whatever in 6 weeks. Don't lose your deposit. Or ask if you can switch to a junior stylist. I feel the same as you. I paid £80 for balayage and it didn't look how I wanted it to. It was a new salon and I was gutted. I miss my old hairdresser. She was an Aussie and moved home. Can't say I blame her, but Im still gutted.

BackforGood · 17/07/2019 17:53

Sounds extortionate to me, but I've read on MN before that there are people who think that is normal Shock

Part of what I love about MN - a small porthole into worlds I can't quite believe Grin

MrsGrindah · 17/07/2019 17:53

I’ve just paid £80 for colour and trim and I moaned about that! Mind you mine needs re doing every 5 weeks so it does add up

Whatsername7 · 17/07/2019 17:55

Actually, re-reading your post Id ask for your deposit back - they haven't been at all clear on the pricing amd it could end up costing a small fortune. Email the salon manager explaining that you wish to cancel and explain why. Ask for your deposit back.

BloomedAgain · 17/07/2019 17:56

Can you find a cheaper local salon or a mobile hairdresser?

Original poster
Mischone · 17/07/2019 17:58

I'm going to have to call and explain aren't I, I feel quite stupid now.

It's £115 for the highlights with a stylist instead of the senior stylist. Balayage is £110.

Problem is I don't think I could show my face in there if I were to change stylist, the booking and then cancel the hair cut aswell. I'm a total coward Blush

I think I'm going to stick with the senior stylist because she has really good reviews for colour which was why I chose her.

@Whatsername7 what was it about the balayage you didn't like?

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 17/07/2019 17:58

I think this is about the correct price if Im honest .We live on the South Coast and these prices are about right for a top end salon.I use a well known home hair colour as I would be unable to afford this TBH!.However you have been through a lot by the sound of it so why not treat yourself?.

Original poster
Mischone · 17/07/2019 18:00

Could I even get my deposit back? They didn't explain the policy on deposits only that it's required up front.

I could do without losing the £50 and having nothing to show for it Sad

I wish I shopped around now.

OP posts:
Whatsername7 · 17/07/2019 18:03

The way it was done. Ive had it done before and loved it. This looked like I had grown out a full head of colour. There was a line around my head.

Persea · 17/07/2019 18:05

Normally if you’re having highlights they won’t charge you the ‘full price’ quoted on the website for a trim. My salon (in Greenwich) certainly doesn’t.
Definitely worth calling to clarify.

My stylist (who is excellent BTW) charges £128 for a 1/2 head of highlights and a cut and blow dry. £150 for 1/2 head balayage and a cut and blow dry.

I can PM you details if you want. Obviously not for this time as you’ve paid your deposit.

Summergarden · 17/07/2019 18:07

I go to a hairdressing academy (training college). It takes longer for a student to do it, but I’ve always been happy with the result as a tutor comes to check at every stage.

It costs £35 for a full head of highlights.

Atalune · 17/07/2019 18:09

The £50 will be a late cancellation policy.

Check the terms on the website?

You could call- change the appt for baylage. Go and get a trim before hand somewhere you know/like for less.

Hairdressers and salons turn the most confident women in to gibbering wrecks. But that’s our insecurities. Don’t let them have that power over you!

Original poster
Mischone · 17/07/2019 18:10

This is my hair at the moment, terribly long regrowth which looks even worse when my hair is up.

RE balayage, does my hair look like a good candidate for it? I don't want to lose alot of blonde which is why I initially opted for the highlights.

Arrrrh I wish I found a mobile hairdresser or an academy now.

To think £150+ is very expensive for highlights and a trim?
OP posts:
SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 17/07/2019 18:12

I would ring up and clarify the pricing, you can always skip the cut and go elsewhere for that, it’s the colour where you want to make sure the person is skilled. That said if it’s going to be too much money just say you can’t afford it, they will understand and you won’t be the only person to have had to do that.

Original poster
Mischone · 17/07/2019 18:17

I'm on the website now and can't seem to find anything about deposits and refund policy.

What I'm going to have to do is call, tell them I'd like to change the highlights for balayage and will no longer require the hair cut. Simples. Sounds so easy doesn't it? Yet here I am getting worked up Grin

I'll go to my usual spot for the £10 trim (I wouldn't trust them with colour but it's too late for that now either way)

I've only ever had hair cuts in salons, and only ever little cheap ones, so all of this is foreign territory for me. I'm not the sort of person you'd expect to find in a fancy salon.. I'm a bit of a tight arse Grin

OP posts:
Atalune · 17/07/2019 18:19

Call them up and say- I’ve changed my mind, how do I get my deposit back?

Then wait for the reply.

I expect they will give it back no problem. Go and ring them now.

24hourhomeedderandcarer · 17/07/2019 18:24

wow what a different in prices,i dont pay £170 for a weeks holiday

im dont do nothing to my hair as im naturally jet black but my friend is a natural red head has regular blond highlight put in

ive just asked her how much she paid and is £50 for the highlights and £10 for the wash,cut and blowdry,she does it every 7-8 weeks

we are in a little welsh village in south wales