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You do understand that there is training involved though right? And a good stylist continually updates her skills to keep up with current trends. And that involves time and money. It's not like high-school dropouts can just purchase a pair of shears and a blowdryer and hang their shingle out.
My stylist is self employed -not through a salon. She sets her hours and her prices. Apparently it is working well for her.
Yes, I know. But if I am regularly paying out a couple hundred dollars for about 2 1/2-3 hours work, some of which involves no work on the stylist's part, i.e. I am sitting there for 40 minutes while the bleach does its work, sitting another 30 minutes while toner works, someone is making some good money off of that. I mean, the products, wholesale, are a few bucks. I don't make a few hundred dollars for a few hours work.
Even the tip alone is good money. If the cut and color cost $250, the tip is nearly $50. And I believe the stylist does get the entire tip, or maybe gives a small cut to the shampoo person if they have that.
If it wasn't that bleaching one's own hair can be so difficult, I'd do it myself. They do not sell the same products at places like Sally's that they use at salons.
Now the stylists who work at Supercuts or places like that, I imagine they are not making very much money.
Yes, I know. But if I am regularly paying out a couple hundred dollars for about 2 1/2-3 hours work, some of which involves no work on the stylist's part, i.e. I am sitting there for 40 minutes while the bleach does its work, sitting another 30 minutes while toner works, someone is making some good money off of that. I mean, the products, wholesale, are a few bucks. I don't make a few hundred dollars for a few hours work.
Even the tip alone is good money. If the cut and color cost $250, the tip is nearly $50. And I believe the stylist does get the entire tip, or maybe gives a small cut to the shampoo person if they have that.
If it wasn't that bleaching one's own hair can be so difficult, I'd do it myself. They do not sell the same products at places like Sally's that they use at salons.
Now the stylists who work at Supercuts or places like that, I imagine they are not making very much money.
Do you pay for your office space, supplies, continuing education and other O/H ? The stylist (or owner if applicable) is not grossing that $250.
Yes, cutting and coloring (or bleaching) can be very tricky (and messy). You are paying for the professional knowledge and experience. Just like many other professions.
I've been going to my hairstylist for over 30 years. In that time, she's been in 3 locations. The first was in a department store that decided to close their salon. So, she moved to a salon in the same mall and stayed there for more than 20 years. However, that salon closed so she moved to another one owned by the same person. I would say that she is happy with her circumstances as she has built up quite a following over the years. As to her pay---I wouldn't dream of asking her such a question!
The article says that on average hair stylists make about $28,000 a year. That's not bad for a career that doesn't even require a high school diploma.
I suspect that many people who make comments like this have never had to try to live on such pathetic wages. Degree or not, $28K is a very small salary, especially if a person has children or lives in an area with a high cost of living. And we all now how useless college degrees are, so that's beside the point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ellemint
All I can conclude is that someone, I guess, the salon owners must be making a fortune. The average woman's haircut at a good salon is at least $50-65 on up. And basic highlights run at about $150-$175 on up. If you want Hollywood style hair, with really good haircut and sophisticated color, it's going to cost you several hundred dollars. And then you go in every 8 weeks or so.
I know at my last salon the owner drove a Mercedes and lived in a very expensive neighborhood. So I guess the salon owners are the winners in this industry.
I so agree with you here. I went in for a Brazilian Blowout just two days ago, in preparation for my wedding. I haven't been to a salon for even a haircut in three years. Why? Because I can't afford it, so my fiancee does my low maintainence trim and shave every couple of weeks. The only reason I did this time was because I had a Groupon that made the price 1/3 the normal rate. A plain haircut for my long, one length hair is $55. $55 for a service that takes 20 minutes max is way too expensive. And they don't even shampoo your hair anymore, as they did before.
The stylist was very nice. We actually had a conversation RE: her difficulties making profits in her business. She works in a small independent salon where she just pays for booth rental, but the salon is having financial problems already because of their lousy location. Unfortunately, they have only been in business 2 years, but they treat their customers quite well, so I'm pretty sure it's just a location issue. I don't see them overcoming the location problem, however, and without another Groupon, I can't return to see them again. Yesterday I met a certified stylist who lives quite close to me and does full service salon work at home. She offered me very reasonable rates to do my hair and has a full time clientele. I can afford her and will probably see her to do my hair often. It's a win-win
My "stylist" has a solo shop, which I'm pretty sure she rents. Her prices are way reasonable and I get my hair cut about every six weeks. I pay her what she charges and though it's always been said "one doesn't tip the owner", I tip her generously because the price is so right.
Sadly, she doesn't seem to have a very large client base although she does good work. I fear she may close the shop and I'll have to break in a new stylist. Don't you hate that?
If I had to pay $55. for a haircut, you can bet said hair would be dragging on the ground before I set foot in that shop. And $250. for a color? Really? I don't know anyone who has that kind of disposable income. I guess I run with the wrong crowd.
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