When you go out to get your hair styled or cut, you may wonder why the cost is relatively expensive. After all, it would be free to just cut your hair at home. However, there are many reasons that justify the high cost of your hair being styled or cut. Here are some of the reasons.
The Cost Of The Labor And The Cost Of Living
One of the most obvious reasons why a salon cut costs so much is because of the fact that you are paying for another human being’s labor, and that human being needs to make a living. In the United States, the minimum wage depends on location. As of 2019, the federal minimum wage is $7.25, and has not changed since 2009. However, it is higher in various locales. For example, in New York City, as of 2019, minimum wage is $15.00. Sometimes hairstylists get hourly, sometimes they get commission and sometimes they get both.
Utilities And Rent
Many hairstylists rent chairs in places, or rent entire places equipped with the proper gear for their trade. Hairstylists who rent chairs, studios and entire places have to pay for utilities. They may also have to pay for the use of various products and pieces of equipment.
Tools To Cut Hair With
Hairstylists have to buy various tools so that they can properly cut people’s hair. Of course, the right tools are not always cheap, and different variations of the same tools are needed. A pair of shears can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years, though it depends on how often they are used and how often they are sharpened. It is not surprising if a stylist spends about $1,200 on shears in the first 4 years of working. During that same period of time, about $600 can be spent on accessories and clippers. Every week, a stylist can go through many boxes of razor blade replacements.
Backbar Items
Backbar supplies include items like shampoo, conditioner, towels and styling products. Of course, items like shampoo and conditioner frequently run out. Styling items like flat irons and curling irons may break and need to be replaced. Items such as capes and towels have to get washed. Sanitizing agents frequently run out as they are used, just like shampoo and conditioner.
School Bills
Hairstylists have to accrue a certain amount of hours in order to earn certain licenses to work. There are some high schools that offer vocational courses for free where students can earn enough hours to sit in for exams and become qualified. However, a lot of people are not so lucky, or end up realizing later on that they want to become hairstylists. Trade school can easily cost around $20,000.00 for those who are looking to get into the hair-styling profession.
A Bunch Of Little Expenses
There are usually a bunch of little expenses that add up. For example, a hairstylist may provide coffee and magazines for clients. The decor of a place costs money, as well.
Maintenance
The maintenance of the area that a hairstylist works in also costs money. For example, money is spent on cleaning supplies to clean the floor. There may be various things that need to fixed, as well.
In conclusion, these are the reasons why a cut or styling session from a hairstylist is relatively expensive. They have to pay for backbar items, rent, tertiary expenses, cleaning supplies, tools to cut hair with and utilities. Hairstylists need to make a living, and you are paying for their labor.
