Here's Why Haircuts Cost So Much, According to Hairstylists

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The cost of haircuts and styling services can get pretty pricey—but there's a method to the structure behind the cost. Education, tools, rent, and other expenses can all play a role in how your haircut is priced at a salon. And then there's where you get your cut—a haircut in New York, for instance, will likely be higher than one in Iowa, due to the cost of living.

To determine exactly how a haircut is priced, we turned to two expert hairstylists—Franck Izquierdo and Garren—to get the details. As Garren explains, the best way to determine the quality of a hairdresser is to do some initial research. "It is important to do your homework before booking a haircut. Look into the hairdresser’s Instagram, ask for recommendations from clients if you like their hair, and from friends."

That being said, pricing may vary. Keep reading to learn more about what goes into the cost of a haircut.

Meet the Expert

01 of 07

Experience

"Often, the cost of a haircut will vary primarily based on experience," says IGK co-founder Franck Izquierdo. "Whether the number of years, amount of continuing education or specialized training, a stylist’s experience will greatly impact the cost of a service."

In some states, getting a cosmetology license requires completing 2,100 hours of instruction and clinical experience prior to graduation, which equates to roughly 15 months of full-time cosmetology school. Then there are the specialized training courses, which require even more of an investment.

02 of 07

Rent and Utilities

Some hairstylists work for a company or person, and are paid a commission or salary. Others work for themselves and pay a chair rental fee, studio rental fee, or they buy or rent their own property. "Costs can also vary depending on whether the stylist is an employee of or rents a station from a salon, or if they work independently," says Izquierdo.

At any rate, a building that is properly equipped and licensed by state regulation for hair services is required and is the biggest monthly expense. Some rental fees include utilities, products, or use of equipment. It all varies for each situation. A typical studio rental fee includes something like: water, trash, heat, and electric utilities, the use of two sinks, two hydraulic styling chairs, two styling stations, a storage cabinet, and hood hair dryer with chair.

03 of 07

Licensing & Insurance

Maintaining a valid cosmetology license is very important and a required expense of every stylist and salon owner. A salon license (usually around $80) and separate individual cosmetology license (approximately $60) is required to be renewed every other year. In order to be eligible to renew your license in Iowa, you have to complete 8 hours of continuing education, and pay the associated fees with these hours. Some attend more than the required 8 hours, but for the sake of this article,  only the expense of the required hours is included. In two years, a stylist will spend roughly $250 on continuing education and license renewal.

But that continuing education and licensing are worthy investments for stylists, as it enhances their skills and teaches them the latest techniques. "If you go to a seasoned hairdresser that’s still on the cutting edge, you’re going to get a better haircut vs. going to someone just out of school or to someone who doesn’t specialize in cuts," says Garren. "It’s like when you decide to color your hair, you don’t just go to anyone to do it. You look for who Is the best with blondes, who is the best with redheads. It’s the same deal here."

In addition, insurance is important to cover liabilities in a salon. You never know what may happen when you're cutting hair and it's important to be covered in case of an accident, theft, fire, or natural disaster. Yearly insurance cost is around $250.

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Hair Cutting Tools

Every stylist has several pair of shears that they require to do their job. They last anywhere from two to five years depending on the shear, how often it needs sharpening, and how often it's used. In the first four years, a stylist can expect to spend about $1,200 on hair shears and $600 on clippers and accessories. Stylists also go through boxes of razor blade replacements at least every week. 

As Garren explains, "The price of a haircut depends on how well-groomed the hairdresser has been in hair cutting." In other words, how well a stylist can handle their pricey shears will come into play with the cost.

05 of 07

Backbar Supplies

If you are going to get a haircut, chances are you will want it washed and styled. This requires the use of "backbar" products and supplies. Backbar supplies are the products and tools used by a stylist to wash and style hair during a haircut service (shampoo, conditioner, styling products, towels, capes, etc.) as well as the necessary sanitizing agents required by the state. Nobody wants to leave the salon looking unkempt. Also notable are laundry expenses, to wash the towels and capes regularly. 

06 of 07

Hair Styling Tools

Styling hair can't happen without styling tools. As anyone who has gone out of their way to get top of the line tools knows, professional hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, brushes, and combs are expensive. Professional quality products are important, as they need to have the ability to stand up to hard repeated daily use. Of course, some last longer than others. Over four years, a stylist can expect to spend at least $1,000 on hot tools and hair styling equipment.

But more than that, a quality hair stylist will teach their clients how to use the best tools and products, says Garren: "Your hairdresser should teach you how to style your cut, and which products to use."

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Other Factors

"Other factors include, but are not limited to cost of hair products, cost of styling tools, cost of utilities, cost of assistants, experience enhancements (scalp massage, extended shampoos, scalp/conditioning treatments), and local cost of living," says Izquierdo.

Also, keep in mind that the monthly expenses included in this list are minimal, and apply only to hair cutting. If a stylist performs any other services like waxing, paraffin, coloring, perming, other chemical services or offers retail products for sale, the costs increase. This monthly expense list also doesn't include the little extras in a salon like coffee, wine, decor, magazine subscriptions, and other miscellaneous costs.

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