Friday, October 26, 2012 1:45 PM

What would you pay for a good haircut?
There is such an extreme difference in pricing across the board when it comes to the pedigree of salons worldwide.

In New York you can pay up to $500 U.S. for top stylist Fredrick Fakkai create a look for you while in new Zealand you can pay from $150 to $300 for a top end stylist to cut and style your hair.

Not only would it be the cut but the prestige of being in that exclusive group styled by that particular A list stylist. For the privilege they can be rest assured that the style will be fantastic, unique and totally complimentary to their overall personality.


A haircut is not that important to me
If that is the case then there are endless options for the budget conscious person.

At the very lower tier of the haircut pricing structure you will see signs on sandwich boards outside home salons for $10.00 haircuts or walk through any major mall and there will be the high turnover, no appointment necessary salons which may charge $15.00 to $30.00 and that is really ONLY a haircut, no wash, no styling just a quick snip and away you go. These salons are favored by families on a budget where 4 kids can have a haircut for the price of one cut in a more up market salon.


Where is the middle ground?
This  is vast with pricing ranging from $45.00 up to $70.00 for a good cut and style where these stylists are aiming to be of a high standard and their training is more extensive so  as their ability improves  their rate increases.

The $45.00 category would be relatively new stylists in good salons; they would be well trained but are still honing their skills, the level of expertise increasing with experience.

Salons in this price category are trying to cover all bases being both budget and moderately high end in their presentation so they can be hard to judge. The simple rule remains; “you cannot be all things to all people”.

At best the service may be good to mediocre and at worst you could have a shocker!

With a high “churn” of stylist it can be hard to gain consistency as the operator is always different every time you walk into the salon.
As a client you also need to decide where your pricing priority is and what you should expect for the price you pay.


The experience you have
As for the difference between the high end and the cheap and cheerful, when you are in a great salon it is a TOTAL experience, from the minute you walk in, the way you are greeted, the attention you are given the ambience, such as the decor, music, beverages, the basin experience, massage.

It is all designed to transport you out of your daily routine, like a sanctuary where you are pampered and made to feel special, it should be life enhancing a special treat and that is what you pay for.

The budget salons are an almost zero experience but it is not to say the stylists are not caring but the overall ambience is one of urgency and their priority is get you in and out as fast as possible.

The home salon experience may be a little more welcoming as it is someone’s own space but this only works if there is a definition between the salon space and the living space .You do not want the family dog wondering through or the TV. blaring in the next room while your hair is being cut.


How to cheat
Yes there is a way to get the best of both worlds.

I suggest it is worth the investment to go to a high end salon at least 3 to 4 times a year or even just for that once a year make over.
Then you know that the shape will be done properly, the technique used will give you a complimentary long lasting style that grows out well and holds its shape.

In between you can go to a budget salon and just get them to trim the shape several times and then go back to the original stylist for the major reshaping.


Time frames
In general people have their haircut about every 6 weeks which works out at just under 8 haircuts a year.

So here is a good formula
3 makeovers plus 5 trims or 4 plus 4
At an average cut of 8 weeks that translates to 6 haircuts a year.
3 makeovers plus 3 trims or 2 plus 4.


Helpful links
http://www.fekkai.com/Landing-Salons/landing-salons,default,pg.html

http://www.servilles.co.nz/

http://budgethairsalon.com/discount/

http://www.hairstyle-blog.com/cheap-hair-salons.html


It's up to you to work out what you are willing to pay for your style.