How Much Do Highlights Cost?

Introduction

You’re thinking about getting highlights, but you’re worried about the price tag. That’s totally normal. Hair highlights can be a game changer for your look, but they don’t come cheap. The good news? The cost depends on several things, and you have plenty of options to fit your budget.

In this guide, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about hair highlight costs. We’ll talk about what affects the price, where you can get them done, and how to save money along the way. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect when you walk into a salon or book an appointment with a colorist.

What Are Hair Highlights Anyway?

Before we jump into prices, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about what highlights actually are. Hair highlights are sections of hair that are bleached or colored lighter than your natural hair color. They give your hair depth, dimension, and shine. Some people get just a few face-framing highlights, while others go for a full head of color.

Highlights work by lifting your hair strands through a chemical process. This is different from dyeing your entire head, which covers all your hair with one color. With highlights, only certain pieces get the treatment, which is why the process takes longer but delivers that natural, sun-kissed look so many people love.

The Price Range for Hair Highlights

Let’s get to the real question: how much money are we talking about here?

Hair highlight costs can range from about $40 to $200 or even more, depending on various factors. If you’re getting them done at a high-end salon in a big city, expect to pay closer to the higher end. If you’re at a budget salon or chain location, you might pay less. Some specialty salons and colorists with excellent reputations charge premium prices that go well beyond $200.

The average person can expect to spend somewhere between $75 and $150 for basic highlights at a regular salon. This gives you a good starting point for your budget planning.

What Affects Your Highlight Costs?

Several things play a role in determining how much you’ll pay for this hair service.

Salon Type and Location

A celebrity colorist in Los Angeles will charge way more than a stylist in a small town. Big cities have higher prices across the board because rent is expensive and clients expect top-tier service. Chain salons tend to be cheaper than independent boutique salons. Department store salons are usually the most budget-friendly option.

Stylist Experience and Reputation

You know how some restaurants charge more because they have famous chefs? The same rule applies to hair coloring. A stylist with 20 years of experience and a long waiting list can charge premium rates. A newer stylist just starting out will charge less. If you’re booking with the owner of the salon or a master colorist, prepare your wallet.

Hair Length and Thickness

Highlights on short hair take less time and product than highlights on long, thick hair. If you have hair down to your knees and it’s super dense, that’s more work for the stylist. Your stylist will probably charge more or adjust the price based on what they see during your consultation.

Hair Color and Starting Point

Going from dark brown to light blonde requires more sessions and stronger bleach. The lighter you want to go, the more expensive the process becomes. If you already have light hair and just want some extra dimension, it’s quicker and cheaper.

Type of Highlights You Choose

Not all highlights are created equal. Different techniques have different price tags. We’ll dive deeper into this next.

Different Highlight Types and Their Costs

Traditional Foil Highlights

Foil highlights are the classic method that salons have used for decades. The stylist separates sections of hair, applies bleach, and wraps each section in foil to process. This method works great and gives you consistent results.

Cost: $60 to $150

This is the most common type you’ll find at regular salons.

Balayage Highlights

Balayage is a hand-painted technique that creates a more natural, blended look. The stylist paints color directly onto your hair without using foils. The result looks like the sun naturally lightened your hair. This method is labor-intensive and requires real skill.

Cost: $100 to $250

Balayage typically costs more because it takes longer and needs an experienced hand.

Babylights

Babylights are super thin, delicate highlights that look incredibly natural. They mimic how sunlight naturally lightens hair in small pieces. This technique is perfect if you want subtle dimension without a drastic change.

Cost: $120 to $300

Babylights demand serious technical skill and time, so prices run high.

Ombre and Sombre Highlights

Ombre means darker roots that gradually get lighter toward the ends. Sombre is just a more subtle version of ombre. Both techniques create a statement look with lots of dimension.

Cost: $80 to $200

The price depends on how dramatic your look is and how much hair needs treatment.

Money Pieces

Money pieces are bright highlights that frame your face near the front. They’re called money pieces because they’re the most visible, like money in your pocket. This low-commitment option lets you test highlights without going all in.

Cost: $30 to $80

Money pieces are budget-friendly since only a small amount of hair gets highlighted.

Full Head Highlights

A full head of highlights means every section of your hair gets some color. This is the most time-intensive and expensive option, but it gives you the most dramatic transformation.

Cost: $120 to $300

Full coverage means full pricing.

Getting Highlights at Different Places

Luxury Salons

High-end salons with fancy locations and famous colorists charge the most. You get premium service, top-quality products, and a beautiful salon experience. The stylist probably has years of training and expertise.

Cost: $150 to $400+

Best for: People who want the best results and don’t mind spending big.

Mid-Range Salons

Regular neighborhood salons offer good quality at fair prices. The stylists are trained and experienced, but they’re not celebrity-level famous. You still get great results without breaking the bank.

Cost: $75 to $150

Best for: Most people who want quality highlights at reasonable prices.

Chain Salons

Places like SuperCuts or Fantastic Sams offer budget-friendly services. Quality can be hit or miss, and the stylists may have less experience with complex color work.

Cost: $40 to $80

Best for: People on tight budgets or getting simple highlights.

Beauty Schools

Hair schools where students train offer the cheapest options. A student colorist does your highlights under supervision from an instructor. Results are usually good, but it takes longer.

Cost: $15 to $40

Best for: Budget shoppers who don’t mind extra time in the chair.

Home Highlights

DIY highlight kits from drugstores let you do it yourself at home. You save money but risk damaging your hair or getting uneven results. This option only works if you’re experienced or willing to take the risk.

Cost: $5 to $20

Best for: Brave people on extremely tight budgets.

Extra Costs to Know About

Consultation Fees

Some fancy salons charge just to sit down and talk about what you want. Most salons include this for free, but high-end places might charge $25 to $50.

Toners

After highlights, stylists often apply toner to control the shade and remove brassy tones. Toner costs extra, usually $20 to $50.

Deep Conditioning Treatments

Bleached hair needs serious moisture. Many salons add a deep conditioning treatment for $15 to $40.

Haircut

Some people get a trim at the same time as highlights. Haircuts cost $20 to $60 extra depending on the salon.

How Often Do You Need Touch-Ups?

Highlights fade and grow out, so you’ll need touch-ups. How often depends on your hair type and the technique used.

Foil Highlights

These grow out fast and look obvious when your dark roots show. You’ll need touch-ups every 4 to 6 weeks. That’s a lot of salon visits and a lot of money throughout the year.

Balayage and Babylights

These blend better and don’t look as harsh when they grow out. You can go longer between appointments, maybe 8 to 12 weeks. The look actually improves as it fades, which is a huge bonus.

Ombre and Sombre

The dark roots are part of the look, so you can wait longer for touch-ups. Some people go 3 to 4 months before needing maintenance.

Budget for touch-ups: Plan to spend $40 to $100 every 6 to 8 weeks for maintenance.

Ways to Save Money on Highlights

Book During Off-Peak Times

Salons charge less during slow periods. Tuesday through Thursday during business hours often has lower prices than Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Ask About Package Deals

Some salons offer discounts when you book highlights and a cut together, or when you’re a new client. Always ask.

Go to a Student or Apprentice

If you’re willing to take a small risk, student colorists charge way less. The instructor watches the work, so quality is usually fine.

Try a Simpler Style

Money pieces cost way less than a full head of highlights. Start with something simple if you’re on a budget.

Use Groupon or Local Deals

Websites like Groupon offer salon discounts in your area. You can sometimes find highlights for half price.

Build Loyalty

Ask if the salon has a loyalty program or rewards. Regular clients often get discounts.

Extend Time Between Touch-Ups

Choose a technique like balayage that doesn’t require frequent maintenance. This saves you thousands of dollars per year.

At-Home Maintenance Between Appointments

Taking care of your highlights at home helps them last longer and look better.

Use Color-Safe Shampoo

Regular shampoo strips color fast. Color-safe shampoo keeps highlights vibrant longer. Cost: $5 to $15 per bottle, and it lasts several weeks.

Deep Condition Weekly

Highlighted hair needs moisture. A deep conditioning mask weekly costs $10 to $20 and keeps your hair healthy and shiny.

Avoid Chlorine

Swimming in pools and hot tubs fades highlights quickly. Wear a swim cap or wet your hair with tap water first to protect your color.

Limit Heat Styling

Blow dryers and flat irons damage highlighted hair faster. Air dry when possible or use a heat protectant spray for $8 to $15.

Get Regular Trims

Trim the ends every 6 weeks to keep highlights looking fresh and prevent split ends.

Budget-Friendly Highlight Alternatives

If highlights seem too expensive, you have other options.

Temporary Highlights

Temporary color sprays wash out after one shampoo. They cost $5 to $15 and let you test the look risk-free.

Clip-In Hair Extensions with Highlights

You buy pre-highlighted extensions and clip them in yourself. Cost: $30 to $100 for the extensions.

Highlights Shampoo

Special shampoos gradually add subtle highlights over time. They cost $8 to $20 per bottle but work slowly.

Root Touch-Up Spray

Spray the roots of existing highlights between salon visits. This saves you a full appointment’s cost. Cost: $10 to $20.

Real Talk About Maintenance Costs

Here’s the honest picture: highlights are an ongoing investment, not a one-time expense.

If you get highlights every 8 weeks at $100 and spend $20 on deep conditioner monthly, you’re looking at about $700 to $800 per year just for color maintenance. Add in regular haircuts, professional products, and occasional color corrections, and the total climbs higher.

This reality is why balayage and babylights make financial sense. Spending more upfront for a technique that lasts longer actually saves money over a year.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

When you call a salon, ask these questions:

• What’s the exact cost for my specific hair length and thickness?
• Does the price include toner?
• How often will I need touch-ups?
• What products do you recommend for at-home care?
• Do you offer a loyalty program or first-time discount?
• What’s your policy if I’m not happy with the results?

Common Highlight Mistakes That Cost You Money

Going Too Light Too Fast

Trying to go from black to platinum in one session requires extreme processing and can damage your hair. This ends up costing more in corrective treatments. Go gradually instead.

Skipping the Consultation

A consultation isn’t wasted time—it’s an investment in good results. Without it, you might get something you hate and need correction.

Not Investing in Purple Shampoo

This $10 purchase prevents brassy tones and keeps your color looking fresh longer. Skipping it means you need touch-ups sooner, costing way more.

Trying Balayage at a Salon That Usually Does Foils

Not all stylists are trained in balayage. Going to someone without experience leads to bad results and wasted money.

Waiting Too Long for Touch-Ups

When highlights look bad, people wait and hope they’ll improve. They don’t. Just book your touch-up on time to keep them looking great.

The Bottom Line

Hair highlights cost anywhere from $40 to $300 depending on where you go, what you choose, and your hair type. Most people spend between $75 and $150 for solid results at a regular salon.

The key to smart highlight spending is knowing what you want and choosing a technique that fits your budget and lifestyle. Balayage costs more initially but saves money long-term. Full foil highlights are cheaper upfront but need frequent touch-ups.

Do your research, ask questions, and remember that investing in your hair is investing in your confidence. The right highlights make you feel amazing, and that’s worth the money.

Ready to take the plunge? Find a salon that fits your budget, book a consultation, and get those highlights. Your hair will thank you.