I figured it wouldn't take long for the backlash to begin around pricing in the beauty industry. Today, stylists are checking one another in social media comment sections with such authority in their opinions, it's almost hard not to get involved. I am one of the crazy ones that seems to look at anything and find a reason to dissent on the views, so here, we, go.
I started cosmetology school young. I didn't even have a driver's license, young. I made huge mistakes, had screaming matches with my peers, threw so much sarcasm at our instructor, I had to apologize out of guilt and shame. I didn't take any of it seriously and completely failed my senior final project. But, I passed that state board test; the written and the practical exam.
In the early 2000's color appointments were 2 hours max. Corrective color was about 3. If you didn't get it by that fourth hour, make another appointment. The prices truly reflected that revolving door policy. It was likely, that client was being double booked with another paying client as well. Thus creating a high stress environment that allowed for the salon and the stylist to earn a living wage. The mental and physical health of the service provider being an after thought in that antiquated business model.
With the introduction of salon suites the model began to shift, allowing the stylist to take the drivers seat on their scheduling, timing and prices. It took some trial and error, juggling their books when beginning but as soon as Covid broke, the entire process hit the breaks and stylists had to rework their booking procedures again. This time, double booking your clients was a no-go, especially in a 42sqft space.
Of course the prices had to increase. Stylists took a hit in their pocket books when they could no longer bring a haircut or a new color retouch in the suite with their first client, thus cutting out 25-50% of their sales. When the world opened back up, we were conditioned for the fallout. Shipping times are delayed, costs are increasing and everyone was so hyper focused on how we could raise our prices, no one stopped to think if they should.
I was one of the lucky ones, I had a good following that waited for me and my Husband was an essential worker so we had an income. After that 9 weeks off, I got back into the swing of things quick, surpassing my sales from previous years and I remember lamenting with a friend about when this balloon was going to burst, that's how mesmerizing that era was. That was 2021.
Inflation was becoming a hot button issue, there was no stimulus in sight, interest rates higher than the hair in Texas... Then the hair trends shifted. Old Money Blonde, Bronde and demi permanent color blending became the big things. A publication, earlier this month, deemed those beautiful, albeit natural, hair trends as the new lived in color look that took hold during the 2008 recession and still has us Millennials in a chokehold. You may call this a balayage or ombre, respectfully. That was the tipping point for me, that the beauty industry recession is here.
So now we have new cosmo students entering the workforce and the prices are the highest they have ever been. There's a huge reason that people aren't mentioning.
The unpaid labor.
The hair trends may seem simple but it's likely each one is met with a color correction component, most all color clients are coming with chemically altered hair and whether going light or dark, fillers and glosses are now a non negotiable. You bring us Jennifer Anniston hair, we have to pull out the big guns to give you those baby lights, the slightly bolder money piece, oh and make sure your greys are covered until your next six week retouch. The cost of products and time are all built in the price, they always have been and they do increase with the cost of our overhead as does every industry in the modernized world, but as the beauty industry shifts; the popup suite rentals, although convenient, really fast tracked the evolution of the salon.
Stylists are now their own CEO, CFO, CMO, Customer Service Center, IT support, Photographer, Videographer, Copywriter...and a dozen other roles in their business. All these things are unseen from the guest experience and misunderstood as a part of the process of business. The prices for just doing your hair are no longer just the cost of goods and services. Hairstylists are politely shouting for fair and live-able wages regardless of their experience. As the weeks passed by, more tidbits came to life and it dawned on me, there is a price point for every budget. If your budget only allows you to box color your hair, it's not the licensed professionals responsibility to accommodate it.
If you are adamant on having a salon pro do your hair, you'll need to research who is in your budget, alter your expectations or even work with your stylist to duplicate expensive looks without the expensive price tag. Hello demi-permanent color glossing!
Over the coming months, I can't wait to see how this next beauty revolution evolves. You bet your sweet ombre I'll keep you updated on new services and trends with plenty of spicy commentary.
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