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Original poster

Hairdressing costs - aibu to think that this is way too pricey?

55 replies

downwiththatsortof · 02/05/2023 14:12

I went to a new hairdresser and checked beforehand to get a rough idea of cost. I usually get a cut and colour (roots regrowth) and when I checked the cost was around £50 for cut and £50 for colour, so I imagined approx £100. When I spoke to the hairdresser, she suggested doing some highlights to break up the colour, to which I agreed and had had before (in another salon) and has cost me maybe £20 on top.

When it was finished, I thought overall it was ok, but I didn't absolutely love it and when I went to the desk, I was charged £200!! I then left feeling uncomfortable and quite frankly ripped off and when I checked the receipt, I saw the breakdown -:

Highlights £80
Root colour £50
Gloss toner £20
Cut & finish £50

I emailed the owner afterwards to say that I was taken aback by the cost and to clarify the cost of highlights - she came back to say that although there was no discussion of price, the hairdresser had talked me through all the steps.

Aibu to think that maybe hairdressers need to be more transparent about prices but also that this is too expensive for this service?

OP posts:
GulfCoastBeachGirl · 02/05/2023 20:18

That's mid-range price for highlights; not surprising at all. Cut and base/root color is also fairly standard.

OP, ideally the stylist should have advised you of the cost when she suggested the highlights, but also you could have asked.

Leaving a poor review because you had unreasonable expectations of what the cost would be seems petty.

usernother · 02/05/2023 20:31

Ive been looking for a cheaper hairdresser and I've noticed quite a few hairdressers don't publicise their prices anymore for some reason.

Original poster
downwiththatsortof · 02/05/2023 20:56

@usernother - see I think this is where's it's going - deceptive practice and the opportunity to overcharge and you have little comeback.
@Swellinyewing see I wasn't super happy with it as I thought the colour was a bit light, but I decided to embrace the change.

Have we suddenly got loads of defensive hairdressers on the thread😀

OP posts:
Swellinyewing · 02/05/2023 20:59

downwiththatsortof · 02/05/2023 20:56

@usernother - see I think this is where's it's going - deceptive practice and the opportunity to overcharge and you have little comeback.
@Swellinyewing see I wasn't super happy with it as I thought the colour was a bit light, but I decided to embrace the change.

Have we suddenly got loads of defensive hairdressers on the thread😀

Now if you were not super happy with it I understand your point..

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 02/05/2023 21:39

Have we suddenly got loads of defensive hairdressers on the thread😀

I'm definitely not a hairdresser, "defensive" or otherwise. But I do go to the salon regularly and the prices you posted are very average.

Should the stylist have informed you of the cost beforehand? Yes, I think she should have, but then again you absolutely should have asked and not just assumed it was going to be super cheap.

If you go to a restaurant and the server reads off a list of the dinner specials do you just assume it's going to be inexpensive or do you ask?

You always have to keep in mind that you're a customer. It's their job to sell you a product/service and it's your job to know if it's a price you're willing to pay.

LouBaloo · 02/05/2023 21:46

I’m not a hairdresser. I posted the prices I pay and answered your post, it’s cheap for my area.

NashvilleQueen · 02/05/2023 21:54

I had been going to my hairdressers for 15+ years, every month for a full head of highlights and a cut. Set price of £125.

A full head of highlights every month for over 15 years? That is an awful lot of chemicals.

mdinbc · 02/05/2023 23:15

NashvilleQueen - lighten up! pun intended.

TooooBusy · 03/05/2023 00:39

LouBaloo · 02/05/2023 19:40

That’s cheap for highlights and root colour. Where I go the cost is

Half head of highlights £123.00
Root colour £48.00
Cut £65.00
Toner £42.00
Conditioning treatment £36.00

If you weren’t happy with your hair at the time you should have said and given them the opportunity to sort it.

Why would someone not stick some conditioner on at home?

giggly · 03/05/2023 03:36

There is going to be a huge regional variation on prices. I pay £120 for shoulder length full head highlights, that includes cut. I hate it when on the very odd occasion I go elsewhere they throw in the “conditioning” treatment. Eh no your fine. I’ve even been places that charge for coffee🙄

littleblackcat27 · 03/05/2023 05:36

Half head of highlights £123.00
Root colour £48.00
Cut £65.00
Toner £42.00
Conditioning treatment £36.00

If you weren’t happy with your hair at the time you should have said and given them the opportunity to sort it.

Shock

£314!!!

DoNotKeepAsking · 03/05/2023 05:40

I have to really push my hairdresser for an exact price. They often say, ‘it depends’ when I ask, or suggest things and never tell the price. I am shameless at asking the exact price as we go along. I think they should be much more transparent. Otherwise they are behaving like dodgy builders.

BeenThereTooo · 03/05/2023 06:00

My hairdresser has a website with all stylists and their individual prices listed. You wouldn't go into a shop and buy clothes without asking the price and then be surprised at the checkout?

My cut and finish is 75 with the most senior guy , highlights with colour in-between 90 - 100 with the master colourist and toner is from 12.50.
I do agree that hairdressers do say " would you like a toner on it or colour lock in?" and never say it costs x amount. I also agree that people might tend to say yes without thinking it costs or feel cheap if they ask the cost.

BluebellBlueballs · 03/05/2023 07:43

That's an insane price

I had similar (cut / colour/ highlights) for £70 last Saturday

Roselilly36 · 03/05/2023 07:48

I think that is over the top too OP. Thank goodness you are pleased with it.

tiredhadenough · 03/05/2023 07:50

Highlights are time consuming so that's why they cost more. But she should have said! I sometimes have a treatment on my hair but she tells me the price!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 03/05/2023 07:56

It doesn't matter how much you 'expected' it to cost,it's totally your fault for not checking the price beforehand.

pyjamalife · 03/05/2023 07:59

One of my most hated things since moving and switching hairdressers is things like "I'll just add a toner" without explaining the cost or "would you like this treatment" and not telling you the price. I'm wise to it, now, but my original hairdressers had a set price and included what you needed and it was a culture shock to realise you don't just agree in a hairdresser or they will charge and you can never estimate the right price!

pyjamalife · 03/05/2023 08:01

I also found it weird that a colour doesn't come with a trim and you would have to pay separately at extortionate prices. And also, the person who colours won't cut. Very strange but I don't go there any more.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 03/05/2023 08:07

I get highlights and cut every ten weeks, alternating T zone, half head full head. I don't have a problem with roots. I think I always have toner, sometimes they treat me to a conditioner if they aren't ready for me. I pay between £120 and £140. Small Town in South East, lots of competition.

JustFrustrated · 03/05/2023 08:16

Some of these prices 😳

I paid 90 last time I went to the proper hairdresser (June last year) for full head highlights, toner and trim.

But I CBA going their now (nightmare to park) so go to the college which is close and pay £30.

Toner is always £10 here. Wherever you go. It seems to be the one thing they don't put a mark up on.

JustFrustrated · 03/05/2023 08:17

And, to comment on your actual post

I do think price listings for hair dressers are hard to figure out. Terminology, not being sure what is what etc. It's different to ordering off a menu.

Fighterofthenightman1 · 03/05/2023 08:23

The most I've ever paid is £120, but usually £90 in most places near me

Always have roots, full head of highlights, toner, wash, blow dry and cut

Chchchchchangesss · 03/05/2023 09:15

Id definitely feel hard done by if i was charged for both highlights and roots. As a lay person, as highlights are supposed to be done from pretty much the roots id need a real good explanation of why it was suddenly costing double for the same job. Same with toner - she should have told you how much more it was going to cost. Seems like she took her opportunity to load up the extra services... Very sneaky. I use a mobile hairdresser and i pay £75 for full head of highlights (i do have short hair though) and a cut and blowdry. Toner is optional and is £10 extra. Maybe look for a mobile hairdresser? They don't have the overheads.

Chchchchchangesss · 03/05/2023 09:22

BeenThereTooo · 03/05/2023 06:00

My hairdresser has a website with all stylists and their individual prices listed. You wouldn't go into a shop and buy clothes without asking the price and then be surprised at the checkout?

My cut and finish is 75 with the most senior guy , highlights with colour in-between 90 - 100 with the master colourist and toner is from 12.50.
I do agree that hairdressers do say " would you like a toner on it or colour lock in?" and never say it costs x amount. I also agree that people might tend to say yes without thinking it costs or feel cheap if they ask the cost.

Their prices are not always easy to understand though. I have adhd and get easily confused with stuff like that, so when i see a website or price list with 20 rows of different services, some of which i don't know what they are; and 10 columns of different level stylists, and i don't know what i need - it's like phd level maths to me. I can easily see how i would get caught out like the op has.

If you know you want a cut, half head and toner from a junior stylist then it's fine you can see how much it will cost. But it is not always as straightforward as just looking at their website. Also I've found in the past when you're in the chair and they're offering you extra services it's very hard for some people to say no. Especially if you have looked at the prices and you expecting to pay day £120 and yet somehow they've got you to agree to £80 extra without telling you how much extra you've committed to spending - that's dishonest.

That's why i stick with my hairdresser and her set prices that she just puts up a bit every now and again. I know exactly what I'm getting.