The Best Time For Hairdressers To Raise Prices + How To Do It
Being a hairdresser during the holidays is a whirlwind. It's fun, chaotic, and nonstop. If you know, you know. Clients are hyper-focused on their appointments, making sure they're perfectly spaced to look their best for every holiday celebration.
It's our busiest time of year… and the perfect time for hairdressers to raise salon service prices.
Quick Answer: The best time to increase your hairdressing prices is during peak season when clients are actively booking and investing in their appearance. If it's been over a year since your last price adjustment, you're overbooked, or your income doesn't match your effort, it's time to increase your salon prices.
Three Signs It’s Time To Raise Your Salon Prices
Price increase: the thing we all know we need to do but never really want to. Why? Because we don’t trust that we deserve the increase, and that our clients will support it.
Before you talk yourself out of it, let's look at a few signs that indicate it’s time for a price increase, and also that it’s the right business move:
1. It's been more than a year since your last increase.
Every stylist should increase their prices at least once a year. Even if you're not fully booked yet, an annual adjustment helps normalize the process for both you and your clients. This consistency builds trust between you and your clients and confidence within yourself that everything will be ok after you increase. When you're still building, keep it small (even $1 makes a difference). It's not about the amount; it's about creating consistency and building strong business habits.2. You're booked solid and working outside your schedule.
Being busy feels great, until it doesn't. If you're squeezing in extra clients and sacrificing your personal time, burnout is right around the corner. A thoughtful price increase can help you earn more without working more. Clients perceive busyness as valuable. You can trust that a price increase will read to them as further proof of your value.3. You're fully booked but still not making enough money.
If your calendar is packed but your income doesn't reflect your effort, your prices are too low. You deserve to see the payoff from your hard work. This is a clear sign it's time for a more significant adjustment. Maybe you haven’t increased because of fear of negative client reaction, or because you don’t trust that your business will withstand the increase. Let your full client load serve as proof of your value and ability to attract and maintain business.
How To Start Raising Your Salon Prices Without Fear
If you see yourself in any of these situations, don't panic, and definitely don't talk yourself out of an increase.
I know all the thoughts that come next:
"I don't have enough clients yet."
"I don't want to upset anyone."
"What if people leave?"
I get it. I've been there. Learning to trust ourselves to make necessary business decisions is part of the process.
Here's my advice: just start somewhere.
Even the smallest increase is progress. Choose an amount that feels comfortable (yes, even $1 counts), update your pricing, and move forward. That's it. You don't owe anyone an explanation, and you'll feel a quiet sense of pride once you take that first step.
Then create your timeline:
Building your clientele? Plan another modest increase next year.
Booked and overworked? Plan one in about six months, and another a year from now.
Time flies, and you'll be amazed at how quickly it adds up. And how quickly you move from feeling fear to feeling excited about your increases.
Why Holidays Are The Perfect Time for Hairdressers To Increase Prices
Right now is the ideal time to implement this. Clients are actively booking, they're happy to invest in looking their best, and they're unlikely to cancel. The momentum is already there.
You are your business, which makes these decisions personal and sometimes uncomfortable. But they're also the reason your business will grow. You work incredibly hard and deserve to see that reflected in your income.
Building self trust through taking necessary action will increase your confidence significantly.
I've raised my own prices this exact way for the past 10 years: slow, steady, and sustainable. My clients stayed, my hours decreased, and my income & my confidence grew. Yours can too.
Common Questions About Raising Salon Prices
How often should hairdressers raise their prices? At least once a year. Annual increases help normalize the process for both you and your clients, building trust and confidence over time.
How much should I raise my salon prices? If you're still building clientele, even $1 makes a difference. If you're overbooked or your income doesn't match your effort, consider a more significant adjustment based on your income goals.
Will I lose clients if I raise my prices? In my 10 years of steady price increases, my clients stayed. When you're busy and providing great service, clients understand and respect your value.
When is the best time to raise prices as a hairdresser? During your busiest season (like holidays) when clients are actively booking and investing in their appearance. The momentum is already there.
Do I need to tell clients why I'm raising my prices? No. You don't owe anyone an explanation. Simply update your pricing and move forward with confidence.
Get My Proven Pricing Framework For Hairdressers
I know figuring out the how much and when can still feel overwhelming. That's why I created an online course that walks you through the exact framework I use for myself and my team.
This isn't just pricing advice. It's an actual method to calculate your numbers. I walk you through your specific pricing decisions step-by-step, help you create realistic profit goals, and show you how to build prices that support those goals. You'll finish with goal prices rooted in your business and a clear plan to reach them.
It's the same system that's helped me and countless other stylists feel confident about our prices and create a solid plan for continued growth.
Raising your prices doesn't have to feel scary. It's about valuing your time, your expertise, and the incredible work you do for your clients. If you're ready to level up your pricing strategy with a clear, proven system, Pricing Isn't Personal is your guide.
About Anny Van Driel
Anny is a salon owner and hairdresser educator who has been teaching pricing strategy and business confidence since 2021. She developed a strategic pricing framework that allowed her to steadily increase her income over 10 years while maintaining client loyalty and reducing her working hours. Through her Pricing Isn't Personal course, she helps hairdressers create sustainable, profitable businesses rooted in self-trust.
Connect with Anny on Instagram @annyvandriel