How Much Does Hair Coloring Cost?
This guide covers typical hair coloring rates, the factors that change them, and practical ways to compare salon quotes.
Common jobs and what they cost
| Job | What it involves | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Root touch-up | New-growth coverage | $50 - $100 |
| All-over single process | One color from roots to ends | $75 - $180 |
| Partial highlights | Highlights around the part and face | $90 - $200 |
| Full highlights | Highlights throughout the hair | $150 - $350 |
| Balayage or corrective color | Custom lightening or color correction | $200 - $500+ |
Ranges are typical, not quotes - the price for your job depends on scope and location, so always confirm with the provider.
What moves the price
Hair length, thickness, and starting color affect the time and product required. Lightening dark hair, covering resistant gray, or changing from a vivid shade may require multiple steps, toner, bond treatments, or more than one appointment.
Prices also vary by salon location, stylist experience, appointment length, and whether a haircut, blowout, gloss, or deep treatment is included. High-demand times and major color corrections generally cost more than routine maintenance.
How to keep the cost down
Ask what the quoted service includes before booking, including toner, styling, product charges, and follow-up visits. Choosing a root touch-up instead of a full application when appropriate, scheduling maintenance before color fades significantly, and bringing clear reference photos can limit extra work.
Request a consultation for major changes and ask for a written estimate with possible additional charges. Comparing two or three quotes from independently reviewed providers on Reedleys shows quickly whether a number is fair.
Price questions, answered
Some salons request a deposit for long appointments, first-time clients, or corrective color. Policies often allow the deposit to be applied to the final bill if you give enough notice when canceling.
Quotes can differ because salons use different pricing structures, products, experience levels, and estimates of the time needed. The same color goal may involve a simple application for one client and several lightening or toning steps for another.
It can if the work expands, but the stylist should explain the change before proceeding. Ask whether the estimate includes every planned step and request approval before adding services.
Recognized Hair Coloring businesses
Chicago salon offering blowouts, hair color, extensions, and personalized hair care.
Boutique Chicago salon offering haircuts, coloring, highlights, balayage, extensions, and smoothing treatments.
Chicago hair salon offering cuts, color, extensions, treatments, and hair tinsel.
Private hair salon studio in Chicago's North Center neighborhood offering customized cuts, color, and extensions.
Chicago hair salon offering haircuts, coloring, and styling services.
Chicago hair salon offering lived-in color, extensions, and movement-focused haircuts.
Boutique hair salon in Chicago's Lincoln Square offering tailored cuts, color, styling, treatments, and extensions.
Hair salon offering cuts, color, styling, waxing, facials, and brow services in Chicago's Lincoln Park.
Chicago salon and spa offering haircuts, color, styling, skincare, waxing, tanning, and lash services.
Chicago salon offering haircuts, color, balayage, highlights, and styling.