How Much Does It Cost to Dye Your Hair? A Complete Price Breakdown

If you’re considering changing up your hair color, one of the first things you’ll want to know is – how much does it cost to dye your hair? The prices can range quite a bit depending on whether you go to a salon or dye your hair at home.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the average costs for professional salon hair coloring services versus at-home box dye kits. We’ll also overview the different types of hair dye and popular coloring techniques so you know exactly what to budget for your new ‘do!

Hair Coloring Costs at a Salon

Getting your hair colored by a professional stylist at a salon will always be more expensive than doing it yourself at home. But the advantage is beautiful, long-lasting results and expertise that helps avoid disasters.

On average, you can expect to pay the following prices for standard salon hair coloring services:

• Single process all-over color – $70-$100
• Highlights or partial color – $75-$150
• Double process (lighten & tone) – $100-$200
• Ombre/Balayage – $115-$250
• Root touch-up – $50-$75
• Toner – $50+
• Color correction – $100/hr

The exact price you’ll pay depends on several factors:

Salon Location

• Large cities and upscale neighborhoods = higher prices
• Small towns and rural areas = lower prices

Experience of the Stylist

• Master colorists and stylists in high demand charge more
• New stylists or those building a clientele often charge less

Your Hair Length and Thickness

• More hair means more time and dye used, increasing cost
• Shorter or thinner hair takes less time and product

Color Technique Required

• All-over single process is quicker than highlights or ombre
• Major color corrections require more time and skill

Now let’s break down the common salon coloring services and what they typically cost:

Single Process Hair Color

This applies one all-over permanent or demi-permanent hair color from root to tip. Price starts at $70.

Partial Highlights

Lightens selected strands throughout hair. Starts at $75+

Full Highlights

Lightens many strands all over the head. Around $115+

Balayage/Ombre

Hand-painted highlights from mid-shaft down. Starts at $150+

Root Touch-Up

Covers grown-out roots with permanent color. Around $50-75.

Toner

Adjusts color tone and reduces brassiness. Adds $50+

Color Correction

Fixes color issues like bands or tones. Starts at $100/hr.

Along with the base price for these services, expect to pay an additional 20% tip for your stylist.

Hair Coloring Costs at Home

If going to the salon doesn’t fit your budget, you can save a lot of money by coloring your hair at home with box dye kits. Here are the typical prices:

• Single process permanent color – $5-$15
• Highlighting kit – $10-$30
• Root touch-up – $7-$12
• Color remover – $7-$20
• Bleaching kit – $5-$25
• Toner/gloss – $8-$20

Home hair color is so affordable because you provide all the labor yourself. The box contains the pre-mixed formula and tools needed.

With such a wide range, selecting the right at-home hair dye comes down to:

• Your desired result – subtle or dramatic
• Current hair color and condition
• Ingredients and reviews of the brand

Always carefully follow the instructions. It’s smart to ask a stylist for advice beforehand if you’re unsure.

While DIY hair coloring can save you a ton of money upfront, beware that mistakes can be costly to fix. Salon color corrections start at $100 per hour.

Types of Hair Dye

Whether you’re heading to the salon or the beauty supply store, you’ll need to select a hair dye. The main options are:

Temporary – Lasts 1-2 shampoos

Semi-permanent – Lasts 4-8 shampoos

Demi-permanent – Lasts 24-26 shampoos

Permanent – Until hair grows out

Bleach – Lightens hair so color shows

Highlights – Lightens selected strands

Toner – Adjusts undertones

Permanent dyes last the longest but contain harsher chemicals like ammonia. Gentler demi-permanent or semi-permanent dyes fade faster but are better for damaged hair.

Talk to your stylist about your hair’s current condition and the ideal dye type.

Popular Hair Coloring Techniques

These are some of the most requested hair coloring techniques done at salons. Each requires different levels of skill and time from your stylist.

All-Over Color

Applies permanent or demi-permanent dye evenly from roots to ends. $70+

Partial Highlights

Lightens select strands of hair. $75+

Full Highlights

Lightens many strands all over the head. $115+

Balayage

Hand-painted highlights focused mostly mid-shaft to ends. $150+

Ombre

Dark roots transitioning gradually into lighter ends. $150+

Sombre

Subtle ombre with close, blended color from roots to ends. $100+

Root Touch-Up

Covers grown-out roots with permanent color. $50+

Additional Cost Factors

On top of the base price for the coloring service, be aware of these potential add-on costs:

• Long or thick hair requires more dye, adding $10-$50
• Pretreatment to prep or protect hair, $15-$30
• Specialty hair masks or treatments, $15-$50
• Complex color corrections or special techniques, $50/hr
• If you get your hair cut before or after, expect to pay $40+ for a basic cut
• Parking or tips for assistants, up to an additional 20%

How Long Does Salon Hair Color Last?

With proper maintenance, you can expect your salon hair color to last:

• Permanent – 5-8 weeks before roots show

• Demi-permanent – 4-6 weeks fade time

• Semi-permanent – 3-5 weeks before fading

• Highlights/Lowlights – 8-10 weeks grow out

• Toner – 4-6 weeks

To lock in lasting color, use a sulfate-free shampoo and cool water rinses. Avoid washing every day.

How to Save Money on Hair Color

If the prices above have your eyes bugging out, here are some tips to save money on your next hair color:

• Go to a beauty school for discounted services
• Ask your stylist about bundle deals on multiple services
• Get referrals for newer stylists who charge less
• Extend time between touch-ups
• Use Groupon or salon discounts/loyalty programs
• Buy quality dye and do it yourself at home
• Mix custom toner with conditioner vs. salon toner
• Use semi-permanent dye instead of permanent

Investing in a quality salon hair color service will be expensive but deliver beautiful results and minimize the risk of disasters. If you opt to color your own hair at home to save money, choose a reputable brand and take your time.

The Takeaway

So how much does it cost to dye your hair? The prices can range widely from $5 DIY box dyes to $250 professional salon services. Factors like salon location, experience of the stylist, how much hair you have, and the coloring technique required all impact the overall cost.

Now that you know what to budget for your dream hair color, it’s time to consult with a pro and make it happen!