What's this going to cost me?

Ever get to the salon, sit in the chair and tell the stylist what you want, only to end up with a huge price tag?

Don't ever be afraid to ask how much the service is going to cost before getting anything done. I don't mean on the phone when you schedule the appointment. You can ask on the phone to get a general idea of the price range, but always be sure to ask about price before beginning the service. Once it's done, if the price is too high, don't expect the stylist to give you a discount.. How does that old saying go "If you have to ask, you can't afford it"?

I had a recent experience in my salon where a regular client of mine scheduled an appontment for a friend. Neither of them asked for the price, and I assumed the client told her friend how much she usually pays and that was fine for her. Well, they asked for different services. The regular client got a partial highlight and haircut. While her friend got an all over colour and cut. The price difference was about $25. Now, the regular client accustomed to paying that ammount was fine, but her friend thought that since she got what she viewed as "something less" that the price was still steep. This all could have easily been avoided had she simply asked "How much is this going to cost?" . I wouldn't have been offended, and neither should any stylist. I want my clients to feel comfortable coming to me.

My prices aren't just a number I made up in my head. 10 years ago, my prices were very low...but every 2 years, I give myself a $5 raise per service. Not only does that account for cost of living, but as I have learned, improved and cultivated my skill, I deserve to differentiate my self from those of the $10 haircut.

Now, i am not saying that you can't find a great stylist with bargain basement prices, but you can guarantee, they won't be that low for long. Do you get paid what you feel you should for your level of education and experience? Why shouldn't a stylist?

A long time ago, going to beauty school was your option is you couldn't do anything else (like be a secretary or a housewife). Now, stylists can become fashion icons, with celebrity clients, and infomercials. Yet, somehow, we still have that stigma of "just a beutician". The world is changing, and stylist are being seen more and more as proffessionals, and taking their place in the lime light.

I would just like to reiterate, don't ever be afraid to ask your stylist about anything, especially price. The last thing I want is for you to have a bad experience.