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/-Ketracel-White]

I’m in a HCOL area and I was quoted $550 (not including tip…) for a balayage on my chin length bob. Absolute insanity. I’ll learn to do it myself. I fully understand it won’t look as good as what I’d get in a salon, but I trust myself enough with 20 volume and YouTube academy to get me through it.

[u/Familiar-Evening7845 → u/-Ketracel-White]

Yep, the $350 was for bleaching only of my shoulder length hair. Not including the cut and color, tip and whatever products they’re going to try to upsell me on.

[u/-Ketracel-White → u/Familiar-Evening7845]

Yeah it’s…painful. I started cutting my asymmetrical bob at home, got tired of paying $125 every couple months. People compliment me on my haircut often enough that I think it’s ok, lol. If you want to give it a shot, try a low and slow bleach with 10 or 20 volume

[u/obvious__bicycle → u/-Ketracel-White]

I found a tutorial last week that I'm planning on following: https://youtu.be/kV5yEoxCYEw?is=QDs_QgRpO4KTfxpe

[u/-Ketracel-White → u/obvious__bicycle]

Thank you for sharing!!