Summary
- Cut and finish costs $45–120 (US) or £30–85 (UK).
- Full highlights run $150–400 or £100–300.
- Never skip the consultation and patch test before colour.
- Disclose box dye and previous bleach honestly.
- Bring photos of results you dislike as well as ones you like.
Quick answer
A cut and finish costs $45–120 in the US and £30–85 in the UK, and full highlights $150–400 or £100–300. Book a consultation before any major colour change — most correction work follows a skipped consultation.
Typical 2026 prices
| Service | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Dry cut | $35–75 | £22–55 |
| Cut and blow dry | $45–120 | £30–85 |
| Root tint | $70–150 | £45–110 |
| Half head highlights | $110–250 | £70–180 |
| Full head highlights | $150–400 | £100–300 |
| Balayage | $180–450 | £130–350 |
| Colour correction | $250–800+ | £180–600+ |
| Blow dry only | $35–70 | £22–50 |
| Senior stylist / director | +30–80% | +30–80% |
City-centre salons sit at the top of these ranges; independents and home-based stylists at the lower end.
What a proper consultation covers
If a salon books a major colour change with no consultation and no test, book elsewhere.
How to brief a new stylist
Bring three photos of results you like and two you dislike — the dislikes are more informative. Say how much time you spend styling daily; ten minutes and forty minutes produce entirely different recommendations. Be honest about box dye. It changes what is chemically possible and hiding it causes damage.
Judging a salon
Tipping and extras
Tipping is customary in the US at 15–20% and discretionary in the UK, where 10% is common but not expected everywhere. Ask whether toner, treatments and long-hair surcharges are included before the appointment, since these are the most common additions to a final bill.
Summary
Budget £30–85 or $45–120 for a cut and finish, and considerably more for colour. Insist on a consultation and a patch test, disclose your full colour history, and judge a salon by the work leaving the chair rather than the décor.