Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hair cut and colour now exceeds what I earn in a day. Absolutely fed up.

556 replies

Burntout01 · 12/12/2025 21:38

Obviously everything is going up and up. Just went to book hairdressers- I don’t go often , maybe every four months since I went grey ( used to box dye it for 30 years before that). Its my one bit of self care.
Cost has jumped from £120 to over £170 since I last had it done in September. For full head highlights for chin length bobbed hair plus wash and rough blow dry.
It’s not that I don’t believe its worth that price and I am not knocking my hairdresser, its not about that. But I am a senior NHS nurse with 30 years experience. My job has taken a lot from me and my family. I take home £150 a day. The hair appt is 2.5 hours.
I just cannot justify the expense for myself any more.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
IBorAlevels · 13/12/2025 17:56

I now only get my hair cut 2 or 3 times a year which seems to work OK. I haven't dyed it since it got to £100+ for a full head but growing out the blond was tough.

dcthatsme · 13/12/2025 18:02

Wow my hairdresser charges £70 - I’d shop around - go local

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:03

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:03

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:03

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:03

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:03

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:04

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:04

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:04

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:05

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

bumblebee1000 · 13/12/2025 18:07

Posh yuppy salon near us would charge around 450 for that...they are busy...!!

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 13/12/2025 18:08

I believe this is how people begin to wake up to how bad the economy is. When the bare basics cost you an hour of work, that's a sign that money no longer goes the distance.

Years of currency-debasing inflation and money printing has real world consequences.

TrixieMixie · 13/12/2025 18:09

Not just hairdressers. I earn a lot of money as a very senior professional and am shocked at the hourly rates in some cases, which certainly outstrip my own net pay. Physio therapy (central London near my work) at £185 an hour! You’d have to be on big money to make more than that after tax. To be clear, I’m not having a go at the young physios who I’m sure are not receiving anything like that rate and yes I know tax, NI and all sorts of costs come off.
I’m commenting on how unaffordable it is out of my taxed pay. I was covered by work health insurance but that’s not costless because it drives the premiums up. Vets - extortionate. Dentists - bankruptcy terrain.
As for hair, I get mine cut at home by my husband’s barber, who’s a family friend and also does women’s hair. Started doing my own highlights during Covid and carried on. My hair looks fine, often get compliments. Hairdressing is mad expensive and not always that brilliant.

Pennyfan · 13/12/2025 18:18

I do my own colour but a semi permanent so not as harsh-it does cover grey. Could you ask the hairdresser if there is another technique where you wouldn’t need it done so frequently? Have a few scattered lights rather than whole head? Grow out your bob into slightly longer so not as frequent cuts? Is your hairdresser so good that you feel very loyal-where are you based as that seems a lot-but am in the NW.

Sometimessmiling · 13/12/2025 18:20

Burntout01 · 12/12/2025 21:46

Sad think is I can’t use box dye anymore as it sensitised my scalp which is why I switched to the foils. So only choice now is to allow the horrible iron grey to take over.

Agree it's a huge cost. Not a new thing ladies hairdressing has been overpriced for years. Salons have higher energy bills etc. look for small independent hairdressers. I go to a girl who has a lovely garden building and I pay 88 for all you get done. Mobile hairdressers are cheaper.

movinghomeadvice · 13/12/2025 18:32

I’ve always found a trip to the hair salon expensive. I only ever go for a cut and blow dry (never colour) and do box dye at home now that I’m getting greys. When I was a SAHM for 18 months, I cut my own hair because we couldn’t afford haircuts. I wear my hair long and it’s curly so not super obvious. I went back to work because cutting my own hair was a step too far, even for me!

My mum spends an absolute fortune at the salon every six weeks, and has done so since I was little. I have other luxuries I would prefer to spend on, like nails, takeaway coffee, or pilates classes, before I would drop several hundred at a hair salon.

Hankunamatata · 13/12/2025 18:34

Iv given up and now box dye at home and a dry trim every 6 months.
Iv learns to braid my hair and put it in up styles.

CanINapNow · 13/12/2025 18:36

It’s insane! I’ve had to move to an out of town salon on some random row of shops to get it under £100 but not sure how long that will last! The first one I tried like that was awful and my hair was so dry after but this new one is really nice at least, just a bit out of my way!

OhDear111 · 13/12/2025 18:37

@RosscameasdoodyId rather have a system as in any European country you choose. The USA system might not be for us but unfortunately the NHs isn’t affordable now. Not in its present form anyway.

Most women I know don’t have full head hair done now. The penny dropped a while ago that a fantastic cut and going grey gracefully is what matters. White hair lines? Definitely not.

bobby81 · 13/12/2025 18:47

I’m another one who is growing the colour out of my hair. Then I’ll either leave it natural or use a box dye. I’ll only go to the hairdressers for a trim a couple of times a year. I just can’t justify the cost (and mine is a lot cheaper than some of the prices on this thread!) I wonder if hairdressers are noticing a large reduction in the number of customers now? Maybe that’s also driving up prices. Sorry if that point has already been raised, I haven’t read the whole thread x

Fuzzymuddle33 · 13/12/2025 19:03

I don’t earn a lot and recently went to a hair salon for highlights, no cut and now blow dry and it was £95! That’s probably how much I take home a day.

I was shocked but the hairdresser told me that all of their costs have gone up.

ThatBlackCat · 13/12/2025 19:15

It's absolutely ridiculous that women piss their money away on this. I have never, ever, ever had my hair coloured at the hair dressers. Why? Why would you do that? I do my hair at home every 2 months. I do the roots. I buy the dye and it has never ever once, not once, ever occurred to me to pay the hairdresser something I can do so fucking easily at home while I'm watching tv. I can't cut my own hair so I would go to a hairdresser (once or twice a year) for that. But pay someone else for something is so fucking easy to do myself? No. I just don't get why women piss their money away on something you can do at home in your own time. I don't get it. It's weird, I just don't get that waste of money.

AnonoMisss · 13/12/2025 19:17

MarbleDrive · 12/12/2025 22:28

My hairdresser charges £170 for a cut and blow dry. My colourist £270. It’s a very expensive business.

My last highlights and lowlights - no cut - were £250!

OhDear111 · 13/12/2025 19:20

@ThatBlackCat Because: it’s worry free. It’s time to relax away from home. It’s a pleasant experience and it makes you feel good. Why be so absolutely nasty about other women!