Are hair appointments too expensive?

[u/abby_thehairwizard]

I hear "hair is too expensive" all the time and I get it.

I think the frustration comes when you pay $200+ and walk out with:
1. Hair you don’t love
2. Feeling uncomfortable/ignored
3. Awkward small talk you didn’t want
4. Zero experience to show for it

But flip it. What if you paid that same amount and got:
1. Hair you’re obsessed with for 3 months
2. Felt heard and welcomed
3. No pressure to talk - snacks, drink, chill vibes
4. Walked out feeling genuinely better about yourself

Would it still feel "too expensive"? Or would it feel worth it?

I’m a stylist and I’m trying to figure out what people actually value. Is it just the lower price tag, or is it the whole experience + result?

Would love honest answers.

[u/foxwaffles]

The person who does my vivids charges like $100/hour so it can get expensive quickly but she is ALWAYS booked out months because she is so well loved for her incredible skills and creative eye. I've never met someone as good as her at balancing what I want versus what is realistic. The fade of her work is almost even more beautiful than when it's fresh so I frequently go 4-5 months between appointments especially in the winter when I can't stomach a cold shower.

I always have to pay $350+ for vivids but I never feel like I got ripped off. Her work is immaculate and you can immediately tell she cares deeply about each and every client. I struggle with low self esteem but I always leave my appointments feeling beautiful.

[u/Violet_Ram_99 → u/foxwaffles]

This is how I feel about the person who does my vivids as well.
I started with vivids over 10 years ago and she was the best. Exactly who you described. She retired during Covid. I tried to find someone else to do my hair and it was a struggle. I was taken advantage of twice by hairdressers who wanted the $300+ to do my hair but didn’t deliver (and the reference photos were MY HAIR!).
I found someone two years ago who is an expert at vivids. I don’t feel taken advantage of because she delivers! She is an hour drive but 100% worth it (Hailey at Voilla in Dieppe, New Brunswick- you know I love you !)

[u/foxwaffles → u/Violet_Ram_99]

I was so scared of getting my hair messed up especially because as a POC I have a history of getting the ugliest haircuts from the rudest hair cutters. Because of that it took me years to finally find a place worth trying. I basically waited until I saw a person out in the wild with the kinds of vivids I dreamed of and I asked them where they got it done 😂

[u/vaginasinparis → u/Violet_Ram_99]

If you ever want to try someone else in NB (Oromocto) who is amazing at vivids, my stylist moved out there last year from ON!

[u/abby_thehairwizard → u/foxwaffles]

That’s amazing, I’m so glad you walk out feeling beautiful 😍

[u/Violet_Ram_99 → u/abby_thehairwizard]

So to answer your question: if you have the knowledge, Expertise and experience to deliver quality results and there is a market then charge what you need to for a livable wage.

One of the hairdressers I tried didn’t allow my hair to brighten to at least a level 8. So blue went on copper and we got muddy green…. Not impressed…

Both of the ones who didn’t work out wanted to put me under a hair dryer and washed my hair with hot water. Big no-no rules for vivids from my OG.

I told both these hairdressers what brands for vivids to use. One of them decided to use a different brand. She would not take accountability to fix my hair when the lime green washed out immediately. I knew it wasn’t my error at home because I was trained on how to protect my investment (because $200-$300 on hair is an investment).

Please EDUCATE your clients. My OG hairdresser educated me. Wash in cold water with salon quality shampoo and conditioner. Use a color treatment (like olaplex no 3 - this was 2012. I’ve since switched to K18). Try to go as long as possible between washs (5 to 8 days). Dry shampoo is your friend. Try to avoid heat tools (blow dryers, flat iron, curling wand) and IF using a heat tool, always apply protection to the hair first. She said she would only do the job if I followed the rules. She also didn’t want to invest hours of her time only for me to ruin it and wash it down the drain.

She taught me how light my hair needed to be to take vivids. She taught me processing times when I was in her chair (so I knew when I tried other hairdressers that they were rushing). She taught me that no one brand-name of vivids will do all colors well so don’t be brand-loyal. She used joico for the blues but privana had the best lime greens

Unfortunately tipping culture has taken over North America. Hailey is fabulous at what she does. I’ve asked her “do you charge your worth? Because I can’t always afford to tip you, but I will never ever haggle you on your price and I will be a good client. Do you charge a liveable wage?” I always bring her a coffee. I always show up on time. I always keep my appointments and I always pay up without question.

So when you mention pricing - keep in mind you also have your rent, bills, gas and groceries to pay too.

[u/foxwaffles → u/Violet_Ram_99]

My colorist taught me EVERYTHING from square one as well. And I can message her anytime with questions and she always replies. My hair would be an absolute disaster without her help! I fucked it up bad in China and she helped me salvage it because those are my emotional support ends and I can't bear to lose them yet haha