Hairdressers are increasingly being told to charge what they believe their services are worth, however when it comes to braid prices the market varies significantly. A new report showed that people with Afro textured hair pay more than other hair types, so we wanted to speak to the experts to find out how they set their prices and dig a little deeper into the study by Ripe Hair & Beauty Insurance.
Factors That Can Affect the Price of Braids
In August, a new study by Ripe Hair & Beauty Insurance revealed that people with Afro textured hair pay more, travel further, and wait longer for salon appointments than other hair types. This not only suggests a lack of services that exist in the UK – the study also found that people with Type 4 hair must travel twice as far to get their hair done than people with Type 1 hair – but also, that with such a disparity in services it can be hard to pinpoint how much clients are expecting to pay, therefore making it harder to charge what you believe your skills are worth, especially if it is significantly more than your competitors.
Another factor that can impact the cost of braids is the type of braids and length of hair. When discussing box braids specifically, salon software Booksy states on its website that the cost of box braids is dependent on the salon that offers the service, and the length and style. They go on to state that high-end salons offer services at high prices “due to the ambience offered by their spas” but well-styled box braids can still be found in cheaper salons that offer quality services, and that clients can expect to pay anywhere between £70 and £160.
When it comes to length and texture, Samira Milolo, stylist at Ebony Suite, agrees that this will affect prices. “Regardless of the client’s length or texture of hair, all braid prices are based on the size and length of the hairstyle that the client desires. The longer the hair takes, the more the braid price would be,” she says, adding that the experience and skill of the stylist braiding a clients hair could (and some would argue should) go into pricing. “I do think stylists are charging enough for braids but this also depends on the stylist's skills and pace. Some stylists might charge over £400 on braids, whereas some may charge from the £180-£250 mark.”
Want to find out more about essential braid maintenance according to stylist? Click here.
