How much for a haircut?

[polly_mer]

I was chatting with some colleagues recently and was surprised at how much some people were paying for haircuts, styling, etc. and how long they were spending with the stylist to get that effect.

The record so far has been $250 for four hours of work every 6-8 weeks.  I was much less sympathetic to the "broke" grad student when I learned that one, especially since I'd been thinking all this time that she'd been hacking away at her own hair with scissors (possibly without a mirror) and random boxes of rainbow hair dye from the discount store.

What's a haircut cost where you are and what do you get for that money?

[spork]

For me it's zero. I own electric clippers and have been cutting my own hair for decades. If I do go to a local barbershop, the pre-pandemic cost was $20 for a haircut.

[marshwiggle]

For me it's zero. I own electric clippers and have been cutting my own hair for decades. If I do go to a local barbershop, the pre-pandemic cost was $20 for a haircut.

I'm similar. I bought a $60 buzzer in the spring, and every couple of weeks go out on the deck to use it. Pre-pandemic haircuts were also about $20.

[wareagle]

Depends.  If I go to a national chain cheapo place, about $17.  If I go to a real salon, start at $35 and go up.

I trim my own bangs, and only get a cut about 4 times a year.  The goal is always to leave more hair on the floor than remains on my head.

[EdnaMode]

The cost for basic haircuts at the independent salon where I've been going for years is $20. I also get mine colored and styled so my cost is around $60-80, depending on whether I get highlights or not. During the 4 months our salons were closed, I saw the true color of my hair for the first time in years, but since it is long, past my shoulders, not getting it cut didn't make much of a difference, it just got longer.

[Ruralguy]

I'm pretty much in line with Spork.

I've always thought that this was a girl tax, since the expectations are higher (besides that more women have more hair to do something with). I am sure not everyone deals with highlights, let alone changing seasonal highlights, etc.., but all of that adds up.

[marshwiggle]

I'm pretty much in line with Spork.

I've always thought that this was a girl tax, since the expectations are higher (besides that more women have more hair to do something with). I am sure not everyone deals with highlights, let alone changing seasonal highlights, etc.., but all of that adds up.

It's not a tax if it's payment for more (or more expensive/detailed) service.

[EdnaMode]

I'm pretty much in line with Spork.

I've always thought that this was a girl tax, since the expectations are higher (besides that more women have more hair to do something with). I am sure not everyone deals with highlights, let alone changing seasonal highlights, etc.., but all of that adds up.

Speaking only for myself, a statistically insignificant N of 1, I do color and highlights out of personal choice, not because of any sort of societal expectation. I had my first grey hairs as a teenager and went, nope! Not gonna go grey this early, and have been coloring ever since - did box color when I was a poor grad student. Many friends my age have gone grey, and look fine, but I'm still waging that war. I'm not otherwise vain, rarely wear makeup, don't spend a lot on clothes, etc. but I'm willing to pay to get my hair done by my fabulous hair guy. My brother, on the other hand, shaves his own balding head with clippers, but spends more on shoes than I would ever dream of. I think it all comes down to personal choice.

[Parasaurolophus]

It's not a tax if it's payment for more (or more expensive/detailed) service.

It's basically impossible for women to get a haircut that's as cheap as a man's. Even 'cheap' women's cuts, with no dye-work, can easily run to $60+. The base price is just higher.

When I was a teen in the aughts, I'd get my haircut from the barber for $2. As a young adult, I went elsewhere and paid $8-12. Then followed a long period of self-cutting (well, self-mohawking), to which I still return periodically. But I now also periodically shell out $25 for someone to make the mohawk nicer and cleaner.

[downer]

It's not a tax if it's payment for more (or more expensive/detailed) service.

It's basically impossible for women to get a haircut that's as cheap as a man's. Even 'cheap' women's cuts, with no dye-work, can easily run to $60+. The base price is just higher.

When I was a teen in the aughts, I'd get my haircut from the barber for $2. As a young adult, I went elsewhere and paid $8-12. Then followed a long period of self-cutting (well, self-mohawking), to which I still return periodically. But I now also periodically shell out $25 for someone to make the mohawk nicer and cleaner.

Is there anything preventing non-males going to a barber's shop? They can't refuse service, can they?

[Volhiker78]

I am like EdnaMode  (except I'm male).   I get my hair colored and cut at the same time.   I started this about 10 years ago when I was job hunting in my early 50's.  My employer (mega corporation) identified folks like me that they were likely going to lay off soon and gave each of us money to hire a 'career coach' if we so desired.  My career coach couldn't give any advice regarding academic jobs but she did say that I needed to look younger.  She suggested losing weight and getting rid of my grey hair!  Of course, it is impossible to hide your age in a CV so everyone knew roughly how old I was.  Still, it might have helped that I looked younger.  Who knows?  Oh, for a color and a cut,  my barber charges 40 dollars and I add 10 dollars for tip. 

[Parasaurolophus]

It's not a tax if it's payment for more (or more expensive/detailed) service.

It's basically impossible for women to get a haircut that's as cheap as a man's. Even 'cheap' women's cuts, with no dye-work, can easily run to $60+. The base price is just higher.

When I was a teen in the aughts, I'd get my haircut from the barber for $2. As a young adult, I went elsewhere and paid $8-12. Then followed a long period of self-cutting (well, self-mohawking), to which I still return periodically. But I now also periodically shell out $25 for someone to make the mohawk nicer and cleaner.

Is there anything preventing non-males going to a barber's shop? They can't refuse service, can they?

The toonie rate doesn't apply to everyone. And depending on your barber, they may not know how to cut a women's cut. Kind of like how not every stylist knows what to do with Black hair.

[evil_physics_witchcraft]

It's me, so it's free.

[marshwiggle]

It's not a tax if it's payment for more (or more expensive/detailed) service.

It's basically impossible for women to get a haircut that's as cheap as a man's. Even 'cheap' women's cuts, with no dye-work, can easily run to $60+. The base price is just higher.

Um. no.

From First choice:

ADULTS
Haircut   $18.95

[downer]

Not surprisingly, there's plenty of online advice for women who want to go to the barber's. Here's one piece.