Getting your hair done in Melbourne can cost anywhere from pocket change to a small fortune. It all depends on where you go and what you get done. To help you plan your budget, this guide breaks down typical price ranges for three main service categories: haircuts & styling, colouring, and hair treatments, along with comparisons across budget, mid-range, and high-end salons.
1. What Factors Affect Salon Pricing?
Before diving into numbers, it’s useful to know why prices vary so much between salons. Several factors drive the cost of hair services in Melbourne:
Salon Location & Prestige. Upscale salons in the CBD or trendy inner suburbs often charge premium prices compared to suburban or less famous salons. Higher rent and a luxury experience (fancy decor, gourmet coffee, longer consultations) can increase the price you pay.
Stylist Experience Level. The experience and skill of your stylist play a big role. A junior stylist or apprentice will cost less, while a senior stylist or artistic director with a great reputation can command much higher rates. It’s common for high-end salons to have tiered pricing depending on the stylist’s level.
Hair Length & Thickness. Many Melbourne salons charge tiered prices based on hair length because longer or thicker hair requires more time and product. For example, one salon’s full-color price starts at $105 for short hair but goes up to $180 for extra-long hair. Extra long or very thick hair may incur surcharges due to the additional work and product needed
Service Complexity. What you’re having done matters. A simple root touch-up or trim is straightforward, but a dramatic color correction or a precision restyle cut takes more skill and time. Intricate services (like correcting box dye, doing a multi-step balayage, or creating an elaborate updo) will cost more to reflect the extra expertise and hours required.
Additional Products or Treatments. Salons may charge for add-ons like toners, bond strengthening treatments, or extended scalp massages. These extras improve results (for instance, a toner refines blonde highlights, or Olaplex protects hair during bleaching) but each add-on has its own fee. Always check if things like a toner or deep conditioning treatment are included or will be added to your bill.
Keep these factors in mind as we look at typical price ranges for different services. Now, let’s break down costs for haircuts, colouring, and treatments in Melbourne. From budget-friendly options to splurge-worthy salon visits.
2. Price Of Haircuts & Styling
A women’s haircut in Melbourne usually includes a consultation, wash, cut, and blow-dry style. The price you pay will vary widely based on the type of salon and the stylist’s experience. Here’s what to expect for a standard cut and style.
Budget Salons ($20 – $50)
At no-frills salons, local barber-hairdressers, or chains, a basic trim can be very affordable. Some walk-in places offer women’s cuts for as little as $20 – $30 (often for a dry cut without wash). For example, one budget salon lists a standard ladies’ cut at $20, with an option to add shampoo and drying for $40. Chain salons like Just Cuts charge around $45 for a cut (regardless of style).
These budget prices typically mean a simple environment and junior stylists, but you’ll save money if you’re just after a quick cut.
Mid-Range Salons ($60 – $90)
Most mid-tier Melbourne salons charge somewhere in this range for a women’s cut including a wash and blow-dry. The citywide average is about $69 for a women’s haircut. In this bracket, you can expect a comfortable salon experience and an experienced stylist. For instance, many suburban boutique salons charge around $75 for a cut and style. If your hair is very long or thick, some mid-range salons might add ~$10-$20, but often a flat rate covers most hair lengths.
High-End Salons ($100 and up)
Booking at an upscale salon or with a celebrity stylist can run well over $100 for a haircut. In Melbourne’s top salons (think high-profile locations on Collins Street or luxury salons in South Yarra), a women’s cut can cost $120 – $200+ depending on the stylist’s seniority. For example, one elite CBD salon has tiered women’s cut prices from about $100 with a junior stylist up to $220 with the creative director.
At this level you’re paying for expert cutting techniques, personalized service (long consultations, premium products, maybe a glass of wine), and a chic atmosphere. High-end salons are great for complex restyles or precision cuts, but for a simple trim you might decide the budget difference isn’t worth it.
What about styling? A blow wave (blow-dry style) is usually included in the cut price at mid and high-end salons. If you go in just for a shampoo + blowout styling, expect roughly $40 to $70 at most salons (cheaper if combined with a cut). Upstyles or special-event hairdos are often priced higher than basic blow-drying.
Always clarify if the finish (straightening, curls, etc.) is included with your haircut – at budget places it might not be. In general, Melbourne salons across all tiers include a basic style in the cut price, but elaborate styling could cost extra.
3. Price Of Hair Colouring (Balayage, Highlights & Full Colour)
Hair colouring prices in Melbourne have an especially wide range. Costs depend on the technique (simple all-over colour vs. intricate foils/balayage) and how much hair you have. Below are average price ranges:
Budget Salons
For a simple single-process colour (one shade applied all over), budget salons charge roughly $50 to $90. For example, one affordable Melbourne salon quotes $55 for a short hair tint and $75 for long hair for an all-over colour. Basic root touch-ups might be around $50–$60 at these places. Partial highlights or a few foils can also be budget-friendly: around $80 – $120 for a half head of foils at a smaller salon.
These lower prices often exclude extras – you might pay additional for toner or a blow-dry. Still, for straightforward colour work (covering greys, a simple darkening or lightening), budget salons in Melbourne’s suburbs can be very economical.
Mid-Range Salons
At mainstream salons, expect about $100 – $250 for a standard colour service. A full-head tint or semi-permanent colour typically falls in the lower end (~$120–$180). For instance, the average salon might charge ~$150 for an all-over colour on medium hair. When it comes to highlights, prices usually start around $90 for partial highlights (like face-framing or a t-section) and go up to about $150 – $300 for a full head of highlights.
A mid-range salon might list a half-head of foils around $150 and full-head foils around $200 depending on hair length. Balayage, being labor-intensive, tends to be on the higher side of mid-range: often $200 – $300 for a balayage with toner at a good salon (more if you add a haircut). For example, one Melbourne salon offers a balayage package (including toner, cut, and style) from about $285 (short hair) to $305 (long hair)
Mid-tier pricing usually includes the toner and basic treatment, but always confirm.
High-End Salons
Colour services at prestigious salons come with a premium price tag. Full-head highlights or balayage at a top Melbourne salon can easily run $300 – $500+. For instance, a well-known high-end salon in Melbourne lists a full head of highlights around $410 for maintenance and up to $470 for first-time (“virgin”) highlights.
Likewise, a full balayage in an upscale salon package can be around $380–$430 (often including toner and a treatment). These salons charge more not just for the skilled colour work but often for the high-end colour products used and the longer, customized process.
If you’re doing something complex like going from very dark to platinum blonde or getting a multi-tone balayage, the cost will lean toward the upper end due to the multiple steps and expertise involved. High-end colour appointments can also take several hours and sometimes multiple visits. It’s an investment, but you’re likely to get very polished results.
Hair length and thickness play a big role in colour pricing. Many salons, budget and luxe alike, have surcharges for long hair because it needs more dye, more foil packets, and more time. As an illustration, a Melbourne salon’s price list might say “Full colour: $105 (short hair) vs $180 (extra-long hair)”. That’s a $75 difference just based on hair length for the same service. Similarly, a full head of foils could cost ~$150 on short hair but $190+ on long hair.
Always check the salon’s definition of “short, medium, long”. It can vary, but shoulder-length is often the cutoff between short and long pricing.
Other factors that affect colour cost include the number of colours used (adding lowlights or multiple tones costs more) and whether color-correction is needed (corrective work is usually charged by hourly rate or consultation quote, since it’s quite involved).
Toner is often a necessary add-on for blonding services. Some salons include it in a package, others charge extra (typically about $30–$50 for a toner if not included). For example, going blonde with foils will usually require a toner for the perfect shade, so factor that in.
3. Price Of Hair Treatments (Keratin Smoothing, Olaplex & More)
Beyond cuts and colour, salons offer treatments to improve or change your hair’s condition. These include smoothing/straightening treatments (like keratin or “Brazilian” treatments) and conditioning or bond-repair treatments (like Olaplex, deep conditioning masks, etc.). Treatment prices vary by the intensity of the service and your hair length.
Keratin Smoothing Treatments
Keratin or similar smoothing treatments are one of the pricier services, since they involve extensive product and time. In Melbourne, you’re likely to pay between about $80 at the very low end, up to $450 for a premium keratin treatment.
The low-end (around $80–$150) would be for an express smoothing treatment or short hair at a budget salon. These prices are less common except during special promotions or at student salons.
More typically, mid-range salons charge around $200–$300 for a keratin treatment (with higher fees for longer hair). For example, a popular salon might advertise a keratin smoothing treatment at $180 – $350, where the lower end is for short hair and the upper end for very long hair.
High-end salons often use top-brand keratin formulas and spend 2-3+ hours on the service, which is why their prices can approach $400–$500 for long, thick hair. One luxury Melbourne salon lists keratin straightening at $353 for short hair and $464 for long hair.
Remember, these treatments usually last several months, so the cost covers the longevity of the results. If you have shoulder-length hair or shorter, you’ll usually be on the lower end of the price range; very long hair will cost more due to the extra product used. It’s always wise to get a consultation quote if possible, as keratin treatment pricing can sometimes be tailored to your hair’s exact length and thickness.
Conditioning and Bonding Treatments
Not every salon visit is a major overhaul. Sometimes you might just add a treatment to improve your hair’s health. Basic deep-conditioning or mask treatments are quite affordable, often $10 to $30 as an add-on at mid-range salons. These might be branded nourishing treatments applied after shampooing to give you extra shine or moisture.
More advanced bond-repair treatments like Olaplex (commonly used to protect hair during bleaching) cost a bit more. An in-salon Olaplex treatment in Melbourne usually runs around $50–$80 as an add-on to a colour service, and sometimes includes a take-home product in the price. For instance, one salon charges $55 for the Olaplex steps in-salon, or $100 if you opt to include a take-home Olaplex product for maintenance.
Some salons bundle Olaplex into colour packages for a discount, while others list it separately (e.g. “Add Olaplex: $70” on a balayage menu). Aside from Olaplex, there are other premium treatments (like Kérastase rituals, or Japanese hair treatments) which typically cost anywhere from $50 up to $150 depending on the brand and process. These conditioning treatments are optional extras, great for hair health but not required, so whether you add one will depend on your budget and hair needs.
In terms of value, a basic conditioning treatment at $15 is an easy yes if your hair needs a pick-me-up, whereas a keratin at $300 is something you plan and save for.
Note that like colours, treatment costs can depend on hair length too. Keratin treatments almost always charge more for long hair (for example, a salon might quote $280 for short hair keratin vs $350 for long hair). Simpler treatments (Olaplex, masks) usually have a flat rate since they use a fixed amount of product or time.
Many Melbourne salons offer styling as part of the service. For example, curling or straightening your hair after a cut or colour is typically included in mid-range and high-end packages.
Final Thoughts
When booking a hair appointment in Melbourne, consider both the service type and the salon tier to gauge the expected price. If you’re on a tight budget, you can absolutely find salons that will do a decent cut or colour without breaking the bank. Just manage expectations that it may be a quicker, no-frills experience. On the other hand, if you’re visiting a top salon with a master stylist, be prepared to invest more for that expertise and pampering.
Finally, remember that consultations are your friend. Most salons (especially mid to high-end) offer a consultation where they’ll assess your hair and give you a personalized quote before you commit. This is helpful because factors like your exact hair length, starting colour, and desired outcome can change the price.
Also, don’t hesitate to ask what’s included: Does the colour price include toner? Is the blow-dry extra or included with the cut? Any additional treatment recommended and what does it cost? Knowing these details will ensure you’re comparing apples to apples when looking at different salons.
Melbourne has a huge range of salon options. From mall haircut chains and student academies, to boutique studios and award-winning luxury salons. With the guidelines above, you can decide what fits your budget. Whether you’re after a quick trim or a full makeover with highlights and a keratin treatment, there’s likely a salon in Melbourne that offers it at a price range you’re comfortable with.
Start looking for the perfect salon by browsing the top-rated hair salons in Melbourne!
