Keeping your hair trimmed is an important part of hair care, regardless of your natural hair type. Many do their trims at home to save on professional trims - should you go that route too?
How much is a trim haircut at a hair salon or barbershop?
To help you decide whether you should go for a professional trim or save money and DIY, we're going to tell you how much a trim haircut costs. We'll also fill you in on what a trim is, what it entails, and much more. Let's get right into it!
How Much Is a Trim Haircut?
A typical trim may cost anywhere from $20 to $100, depending on the length and thickness of your hair, the experience level of the stylist, and more.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when estimating a trim's cost:
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- The length and thickness of your hair: The longer and thicker your hair is, the more time it'll take to cut and the more you may be asked to pay. Not every stylist will charge extra, but you should be prepared just in case it happens.
- Your stylist's experience level: Experienced stylists typically charge more for their services, whereas new stylists often offer deals.
- The salon's location: Salons in well-known cities often command a higher price tag than those in lesser-known cities. So, if you live in Atlanta, Los Angeles, or Chicago, you'll probably end up paying a premium for your cut versus smaller cities.
- The type of salon: Many hair salon chains price their cuts relatively low. They see a lot of clients a day, so they're able to keep their prices on the lower side. On the other hand, Mom & Pop Salons may charge higher prices, given that they don't generally have as many people coming in. They have to make sufficient cash off of fewer customers. That's one potential reason your trim may cost more at a Mom & Pop salon. There are also luxury salons, where, generally speaking, every hair service is expensive.
- Whether you opt for extra services: If you go in asking for just a trim, your overall cost would be lower than if you opted for add-ons like a wash, conditioning treatment, or scalp massage.
This is not an exhaustive list of factors affecting trim costs.
The bottom line is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how much a trim costs - there are so many variables in play. But feel free to go by the range mentioned above.
What Is a Trim Haircut and Why It's Cheaper?
A trim is a type of cut where just a little bit of length is taken off the ends - usually a quarter of an inch. The stylist or barber will cut off the preferred amount of length with hair-cutting shears.
The goal of a trim is to remove split ends and damaged sections of hair, giving the hair a healthier overall appearance. A trim can also help shape the hair and make it easier to style.
A trim is generally cheaper than a typical haircut, as haircuts typically involve:
- Removing more hair length than a trim
- Creating new layers or correcting how the hair falls
- Styling the hair in a new way
All of these things take more time and effort than a simple trim, so it makes sense that they cost a bit more.
How Often Should You Get a Trim?
Your ideal hair trim frequency will depend on several factors, including your hair type, hair growth rate, and personal preference. That being said, there are a few general guidelines that experts recommend.
If your hair is healthy and you don't see split ends or other damage, you may not need a trim yet; look at your ends again in a couple of months. You'll need trims more often if your hair is dry or damaged.
Curly hair tends to be more prone to damage and split ends than straight hair.
Ultimately, how often you get a trim is up to you. However, if your hair looks unhealthy, develops more split ends, or is getting more difficult to detangle and style, it's probably time for a trim.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Trim?
Many put off trims because they're unaware of their benefits. After you read the below benefits, you'll realize that trimming your hair is one of the best things you can do for it. Trim benefits include:
1. Less Split Ends
Split ends may occur for a number of reasons, such as heat damage, over-processing, and more. Regardless of the cause, they can make your hair look unhealthy and jumpstart breakage. A trim will eliminate those split ends and leave your hair visibly healthier.
2. Fuller Hair
If your hair is looking a little limp and lifeless, especially at the ends, a trim can give it a much-needed boost. After a trim, your ends will appear more blunt, which creates the illusion of fullness.
3. Less Breakage
If your split ends are left to worsen, they will continue to travel up the hair shaft. Eventually, this will lead to breakage. Getting a trim will eliminate those split ends before they have a chance to cause breakage.
4. Better-Looking Hair
Split ends make the hair look dusty, dull, and frizzy. With those ends gone, you'll enjoy smoother, sleeker, healthier-looking hair. And as a bonus, styling will be less of a chore since you won't have to tame a bunch of unruly hair.
Should You Trim Your Hair at Home?
There are a few things to consider before trimming your hair at home. For one, haircutting is a precision job that is best left to the professionals when possible.
Even if you're just trimming a little bit off the ends, it's easy to accidentally take off too much. It's also important to have the right tools. If you don't have high-quality hair-cutting shears, you run the risk of damaging your hair.
In general, we recommend visiting a salon or barbershop to get your hair trimmed.
However, if you're on a budget or can't make it to a salon, you can trim your hair at home. Just be sure to proceed with caution and be extra careful not to take off too much length. Once your hair is cut, you can't make it magically reappear.
An Alternative: Dust Your Ends
You can try dusting your ends if you don't want to commit to a full-on trim. This is a great way to get rid of any split ends and damaged bits without taking off too much length.
To dust your ends, wash, condition, detangle, and towel dry your hair. Then put your hair in small twists and snip off the very tip of each twist. You may be hesitant at first, but it's incredibly easy.
If you do decide to dust your ends, we recommend using sharp, high-quality hair-cutting shears. Dull scissors can create jagged ends.
Related Articles
- What's a Trim Haircut?
- How to Cut Split Ends on Natural Hair
- Scissors for Curly Hair
- How Much Hair Is Cut Off in a Trim
- How Much Do Hair Stylists Make
So, there you have it - the cost of a trim haircut, its benefits, and an at-home alternative you can try today. If you want professional trims, prepare to pay at least $20 for the service.
Professional trims are 100% worth it for many, but you'll have to determine which route is best for you. We hope this article has helped answer some of your questions so you can make an educated decision for yourself and your hair. We wish you the best of luck!
Curl Centric salon price index
What common salon services cost
Every range below comes from our guide to that service, so you’ll have a starting point before you sit in the chair. Your final price can change based on your hair’s length and density, the service you choose, your stylist’s experience, and where your salon is located. Each service links to its complete pricing guide.
| Service | What it usually costs | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| TrimThis page | $20 to $100 | Your hair’s length and density, your stylist’s experience, the salon’s location, and whether your appointment includes washing, conditioning, or styling. |
| Perm | $40 to $200 | The type of perm you choose. A partial perm generally starts around $50 to $80, a full perm around $80 to $100, and a digital perm can cost $300 to $500 or more. |
| Salon color | $45 to $105 | All-over color starts around $45. Highlights, multiple colors, and longer or denser hair require more time and product, so they cost more. |
| Starter locs | $50 to $150 | The starting method, your loc count, and your hair’s length and density. Two-strand twists generally start around $75 to $150, while interlocks can cost $150 to $300 or more. |
| Balayage | $70 to $300 | Your hair’s length and density, whether you want partial or full coverage, how many sessions you need, and your stylist’s experience. A full head of traditional highlights usually costs around $75 to $150. |
| Keratin treatment | $100 to $500 | Your hair’s length and density, the treatment used, your stylist’s experience, the salon’s location, and any services you add to the appointment. |
| Sew-in | $100 to $500 | This range covers the installation. If the hair isn’t included, expect to add about $80 to $600 for bundles, depending on their length, quality, and whether you choose synthetic or human hair. |
If you’re budgeting for a salon visit in the United States, remember to leave room for the tip. Most people tip between 10% and 25% of the bill, plus about $3 to $5 for each assistant who helped with the service. Our guide to tipping for a haircut walks you through the percentages.
