15 Fashion Journal readers reveal how much they spend at the hairdresser

“I find going to the hairdresser worth it for the great chats with my hairdresser and to take the time to treat myself.”

If you’re anything like us, then you’re also curious about all things money. How much did someone’s outfit cost? How can people afford to go to Europe? And my personal favourite – how much do people spend on beauty treatments?

Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.

I know people who spend upwards of $500 on a cut and colour – but I also know people who favour a simple at-home dye job. Everyone’s hair story is different and there’s really no wrong answer. But the curiosity remains: How much do FJ readers spend at a standard hair appointment? Below, 12 Fashion Journal readers tell all.

Carly*, 27, she/her

I spend between $120 to $300. I get a cut and style every three months which costs me $120 and I get a keratin treatment every six or so months which costs $300. I used to be bright blonde which cost a lot more per quarter, so I consider this a way to embrace my natural hair colour and make the day-to-day more manageable.

Grace*, 26, she/her

I spend $130 on a restyle haircut and half a blow dry every eight to 10 weeks. It’s expensive upkeep, but I know I’m paying for the expertise as my haircut is quite unique and requires a lot of attention to detail.

Claire*, 50, she/her

I spend $150 on a haircut $150 and between $350-500 on colour (I’m currently blonde). I see different stylists for colour and cut, which unfortunately means double the salon visits but they are both so amazing its worth it! I have a bob, so I go every 10-11 weeks for a cut (but only every five months when my hair was long). And I go every 12 weeks for a colour – this varies from a face frame and 1/4 head to full head depending on the time of year.

I came across the stylists I go to via a combination of word of mouth and industry recommendations. The time of spending $800 with big name hairdressers is over for me, and I don’t think it’s necessary if you’re intentional about who you see.

Marjorie*, 21, she/they

Basically nothing! Maybe 30 bucks. I never go unless I’m noticing a ton of split ends or want to get bangs. But I have dropped over 300 in the past on extensions which were worth every penny.

Luciana*, 20, she/her

I spend $480 on an all-over colour refresh tint/semi, plus a haircut and style. I go every three to four months – it’s definitely on the more expensive side but I have creative trust in my hairdresser.

Diana*, 34, she/her

Around $100-250 depending on what I’m getting. I get my roots done every eight weeks ($100) and every other appointment I’ll get a cut and tone as well ($250). I see a very good junior to keep costs in check.

Maya*, 25, she/her

I spend between $120 to $180 on a curly haircut, wash and diffuser style, usually every three to four months. Curly haircuts can be a more intensive and intimate process, and going through your curl pattern and cutting how your hair sits means it usually ends up being more expensive. I’m lucky that I can afford a good curly haircut but it’s definitely not the most financially accessible haircut to get!

Olive*, 20, she/her

I spend $300. Every three months I go in for a 3/4 head of foils, tone, cut and blow dry. It’s definitely expensive, but I’d much rather pay to get it professionally done than wing it myself. It’s also a really lovely experience that I enjoy. I think it’s important to treat yourself and to make it more cost-efficient I actually have a separate bank account that I put $25 into every week and by the time my appointment rolls around I’ll have enough saved.

Christine*, 24, she/her

I spend around $123 on a scalp treatment,  haircut and blow dry. I find going to the hairdresser worth it for the great chats with my hairdresser and to take the time to treat myself.

Mattie*, 25, she/her

For the same service at three different salons, it starts at $240, $350 for mid-tier and $600 for my fancy salon in Brunswick! I get a retouch on my ginger hair colour and a haircut if I can afford it. I would love to every 10 weeks but it’s more like 12. I’ve stopped going to regular salons – I worked out I was paying a huge premium for the champagne experience. I prefer stylists who work out of their own space, it’s good to know that the fee I’m paying is going directly to them!

Bianca*, 26, she/her

I spend $500+ (but most recently it was $800…). I try to go maybe twice a year. Last year I went from blonde to copper and then back to blonde so that was a huge and expensive process. My hair is super thick too so I’m also usually in the chair for over five hours, which helps to justify how much it is. In my experience, spending the money on a qualified and knowledgeable hairdresser, particularly for those consistently dying their hair blonde, is worth the big bucks (albeit a painful tap of your card).

I’ve been dyeing my hair blonde since I was about 18 and I’ve maintained length thickness and minimal bleach damage from spending more on the right treatment and taking the advice of my hairdresser. It takes work outside of the salon too and knowing what products actually work and what’s in them!

Amber*, 25, she/her

I spend $120 to $150 on a cut and blow dry and I try to keep bookings as far apart as I can. I know hairdressers are doing their job – and they do it well – but I don’t want to buy a 200ml bottle of shampoo for $70. Leave me and my $12 shampoo alone.

Harriet*, 28, she/her

I spend between $250 to $300 on a semi-permanent colour and cut every four months. My hairdresser is excellent and understands what I want – she is definitely an artist and I pay for that talent. However, it’s hard to justify it right now in the cost of living crisis.

Anja*, 32, she/her

I spend between $500 to $600 on a full to half head of foils, a root stretch, a toner and a haircut every 12 weeks. It’s worth every cent, you get what you pay for.

Lucy*, 25, she/her

I spend $450 on foils, a haircut, a treatment and a dry-off with no styling. Hairdressers are expensive, so much so that I’ve gone back to my natural colour to cut down on my spending for appointments.

*Names have been changed.

For more on beauty treatments pricing, try this.