Hair Color Prices

Hair Color Prices

What do Demi Lovato, Nicole Richie, Katy Perry and The Kardashian/Jenner sisters have in common?

Their constantly changing hair color along with the significant hair color prices they pay for their hue happenings.

Most celebrities like Demi, Nicole, Katy and the various K/J sisters don't schlep to the nearest drug store to pick up their latest new hair colors.

They have celebrity hair colorists who manage their tresses as they navigate the tricky hair color waters of constantly changing base colors, highlights, low lights or other color processing.

Hair Consumers Dealing With Rotating Celebrity Hair Color Trends

Can the average hair consumer follow the rotating celebrity hair color trend?

Maybe, but it certainly triggers some interesting long term questions to consider including:

1.  How do you figure out what are fair hair color prices to pay for rapid fire hair color changes?

2.  What short term and long term damage does hair color cause to your tresses?

3.  Is it possible to re-create similar drastic hair color changes without the assistance of a highly trained hair color specialist?

4.  Do the hair color prices celebrities pay for their spectacular hair color transformations provide a good long term investment?

Top Name Celebrity Hair Colorists

Hair consumers aren't the only people who face the challenge of setting fair hair color prices.  Obviously big name celebrity colorists such as Rita Hazan (NYC and LA) can charge absolute top dollar.

Rita is responsible for some of the most spectacular color showcased by literally many hundreds of celebrities around the world.  Not only is Rita considered by many to be one of the best hair color experts in the world, she is as skilled as subtle hair color as she is at creating exotic hues.

Of course not every hair consumer can afford Rita or even other top tier colorists who might charge $250-$500 for full base creation with highlights and/or low lights.  Color correction services might even be more expensive.

Fair Hair Color Prices To Pay For Rapid Fire Hair Color Changes

Have you ever wondered how hair color professionals set their hair color prices?

Although there's no set formula many hair colorists set their prices based on some or all of the following factors:

1.  Density of hair being colored. 

As a general rule hair density is measured by overall texture (straight, medium, naturally textured), hair width and porosity.  Density can also be generally referred to as fine/thin, medium, thick or extra thick hair.

2.  Length of hair

Depending upon the colorist, hair color prices might vary considerably for those with super short hair to those with waist length or longer tresses.

3.  Amount of time

The time factor can be determined by how busy the hair colorist is, whether they use assistants or apprentices to help them and their overall reputation.

4.  By the mixed bowl of color

As the popularity of multi-hued hair colors continues to explode, colorists are starting to charge by the bowl of color used.

5.  By the amount of foils utilized

Some colorists will take the amount of foils utilized into consideration for their final cost.

6.  A set base cost with add-on costs for additional hair color services

Hair color services can be as simple as adding a few highlights and/or or low lights around the hairline to coloring the base, adding full highlights and low lights or providing color contouring.

Demi Lovato is the poster child for color contouring.  She appears to easily transition between jet-black hues to punked out undercuts with vibrant teal highlights or a pink highlights.

Additional Parameters For Setting Hair Color Service Pricing

Every hair colorist will have their own set of parameters for determining the hair color prices they charge their clients.

Additional parameters might include not limited to:

A.  Location of salon - Big city salons traditionally charge more than smaller city or town colorists.

B.  Time of the year - Colorists might offer discounted services if they have a slow season.

C.  Experience of colorist - If a colorist has invested a lot of time in their color training, have won competitive awards or have established a reputation for working with celebrities, they may charge a premium.

D.  Color Product Brand Used - Some hair color manufacturers set suggested pricing guidelines for color services.

E.  Colorists Versus Stylists - Hair colorists are specialists who focus their services around color. 

F.  Business Model Of Colorists - Colorists who are independent contractors, booth renters or salon owners will often offer different pricing options than salon employees.

Stylists may offer color, but also are more generalistic in their hair service offerings.  For high tech hair color services, seek out expert colorists.

Remember to always request an color service price estimate before agreeing to any services.  Not only will this prevent sticker shock when it comes time to pay, you can discuss all of the various color options to make informed choices and align them to your budget.

What is Color Contouring?

Contouring hair is basically a type of partial coloring technique utilizing low light shades to adds contrast and color definition to selected strands of hair.

The end result is a multi-tonal look full of light and darker accents

Contour hair color treatments are designed to add dimension, depth and gorgeous movement.

It electrifies dull hair color bases bringing them back to their full vibrancy.

Hair color contouring can also blend unwanted gray, silver or white strands through a combination of strategically interwoven low lights and highlights.

What Damage Does Hair Color Cause To Your Tresses?

What short term and long term damage does hair color cause to your tresses?

DIY Drastic Hair Color Changes?

Is it possible to re-create similar drastic hair color changes without the assistance of a highly trained hair color specialist?

Long Term Investment Potential Of Hair Color Transformations?

Do the hair color prices celebrities pay for their spectacular hair color transformations provide a good long term investment?

Summary - Hair Color Prices

A constant struggle for hair colorists as well as salon professionals is determining how to effectively and fairly set hair color prices for their color clients.

Most hair colorists want to offer their clients premium hair color services at a reasonable price to encourage business, without pricing themselves out of the market.

It's the responsibility of the hair color client to ask detailed questions when considering color services.  It's key to understand all of the various options along with the pricing.