How Much Should It Cost To Dye Your Hair, Anyway?

How Much Should It Cost To Dye Your Hair, Anyway?

Humans have been dyeing their hair since 1500 BC. Yes, you read that right. The ancient Egyptians used henna to cover up their gray hairs. We haven’t stopped. According to statistics, only 7% of women dyed their hair in 1950. In 2015, that number jumped by to 75%. We don’t recommend dying your wig, of course. With all the colors available, who would want to? Still, you may choose to dye your biological hair if you have it. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who color their hair, you may be wondering if you’re paying a fair price.

How Much Do Salons Charge to Dye Hair?

In general, when we find a stylist we like, we keep them. It’s one service we don’t price compare. When it comes to our hair, it isn’t about the money. We form personal connections with our stylists. We trust them. Still, our trust can always be misplaced. So are you getting a bargain? Or are you getting ripped off?

There’s no real answer to the question, unfortunately. When it comes to hair dye costs, there are so many factors to consider. The most important factor is the hardest one to change: your location. If you live in a small rural area, you can get away with a $70 single process hair color. In New York City, you will need to shell out anywhere from $150 to $250 for color services. At first glance, it may seem wildly unfair but it all comes down to the cost of living in an area.

I started with the one factor you can’t change. The length of your hair is next on the list. Yes, this is something you can change – but you may not want to. Basically, having more hair to dye will cost more. Your friend with a short bob will most likely get a cheaper color than your friend with the Rapunzel-esque hair down to her waist.

By now, you’re probably wondering if there are any factors you actually do have some control over. Yes, you do! You can pick your hair salon based on the brand of products it utilizes. You may notice branding around the salon, labeling it a Paul Mitchell salon or a Redken exclusive shop. As with anything, different brands are priced differently. Keune, an international hair care brand, once did a comparative analysis of its competitors. A 3-ounce bottle of permanent Paul Mitchell dye cost salons $6.39. A 2-ounce Redken tube costs a comparable $6.85. Meanwhile, Dikson Color, a brand distributed out of Italy, runs $11.99 a tube.

Hair Dye

This last aspect may be the most important. It can dramatically alter the cost of a color service. The experience of your stylist determines what they should reasonably charge. If you’re sitting in the chair of a stylist with two decades of experience, you should expect to pay for that kind of skill. On the other end of the spectrum are students. Everyone has to start somewhere. Cosmetology students are required to perform services on real clients before graduation. Since they are technically unlicensed, their rates are much lower. If you’re interested, find a cosmetology school near you.

Is Hair Coloring Expensive?

No matter where you live or what salon you go to, hair color can be a major expense. Be sure to find a stylist with prices in your budget, but also one that you can trust wholeheartedly. When all is said and done, it’s all about what makes you feel beautiful. If the upkeep and maintenance of dyed hair are getting to you though, may I suggest a wig? After all, they never require a touch-up!

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Do you dye your hair regularly? How much do you spend after it's all said and done? Let us know in the comments!
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