So, you're thinking about highlights? It's a fantastic way to add dimension, brightness, and personality to your hair. But before you book that appointment, you're probably wondering: how much does it cost to get your hair highlighted? The answer, unfortunately, isn't a simple number. The price varies wildly depending on several factors. Let's break them down.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Hair Highlights
Several key elements influence the final cost of your highlighting service. Understanding these will help you budget effectively and avoid any surprises.
1. The Salon and Stylist:
This is arguably the biggest factor. High-end salons in major cities will charge significantly more than smaller, local salons. Similarly, experienced and highly sought-after stylists command higher prices due to their expertise and demand. Research salons and stylists in your area and check their pricing online or by calling. Look at their portfolios to ensure their style aligns with your vision.
2. Your Hair Length and Thickness:
Longer and thicker hair requires more product and more time to highlight, directly impacting the cost. Expect to pay more if you have long, thick hair compared to someone with shorter, thinner hair. Be prepared to discuss your hair's length and density during your consultation.
3. The Type of Highlights:
There's a wide range of highlighting techniques, each with its own price tag:
- Full Highlights: This involves highlighting the majority of your hair, resulting in a more dramatic change. It's generally more expensive than partial highlights.
- Partial Highlights: This focuses on highlighting specific sections, such as around the face or the top layer. This is usually a more affordable option.
- Balayage: This technique involves painting highlights onto the hair, creating a natural, sun-kissed look. It often requires more skill and therefore tends to be pricier.
- Foilyage: A combination of balayage and foiling techniques, offering a blend of natural and precise highlights. This is a higher-end option.
- Ombre: This involves a gradual transition from a darker root color to lighter ends. The complexity can vary, influencing the price.
- Babylights: These are very fine, delicate highlights that mimic the natural sun-kissed look of childhood. They are often more time-consuming and therefore expensive.
4. The Color Lift:
The degree to which your natural hair color needs to be lightened to achieve your desired highlight shade significantly affects the price. Lifting darker hair to a significantly lighter shade requires more processing and often multiple sessions, increasing the overall cost. Discuss your desired highlight color with your stylist to get a realistic estimate.
5. Additional Services:
Consider additional services that might be included or necessary:
- Toning: After highlighting, toning is often needed to neutralize brassiness and achieve a more even, vibrant color. This adds to the overall cost.
- Deep Conditioning Treatment: Highlighting can be damaging to hair, so a deep conditioning treatment is often recommended to maintain hair health. This is an extra expense.
- Hair Cut: If you need a haircut in conjunction with your highlights, add that cost to your budget.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
While there's no single definitive answer, here's a general guideline:
- Budget-Friendly: You might find highlights starting around $50-$100 at smaller salons for simple techniques and shorter hair.
- Mid-Range: Expect to pay between $100-$250 for more complex techniques, longer hair, or at more established salons.
- High-End: Prices can easily exceed $250 at upscale salons or for very intricate highlighting techniques and long, thick hair.
Tips for Saving Money on Highlights:
- Look for salon deals and specials: Many salons offer discounts on certain days or times.
- Consider a partial highlight instead of a full highlight.
- Grow out your hair between appointments to reduce the amount of work needed.
- Schedule your appointment during the off-season.
Getting your hair highlighted can significantly enhance your appearance, but understanding the factors that influence the cost will allow you to make informed decisions and budget accordingly. Remember to always consult with a stylist to discuss your desired look and get a personalized price estimate. Enjoy your new highlights!
