Hair Coloring Costs at Salons in India: Ombre, Global, Highlights, etc.

From global hair color to highlights to ombre, here are the average hair coloring costs in India, with comparisons. Also find some tips before hair coloring, and list of top salons in India.

Hair Coloring Costs

Hey gorgeous! Hair colors are not just for models or celebrities these days. We all want to do it and we all love to try unique hair color trends. Hair coloring is a great idea for special occasions, getting a makeover or for covering up greys. But sometimes you may just want to color your hair for no reason – just like that!

Personally, I’ve been coloring my hair for more than 10 years now. I first started it just to try a subtle hair color makeover to cover my grey hair. And since then I’ve tried multiple color highlights, global hair colors, touch ups, balayage and now I just color my hair every now and then at home. I’ve lived in so many different cities for work, including New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai. I am originally from Chandigarh in our live in Chennai. So honestly, I’ve had salon experiences in almost all the big cities in India for 20+years! I’ve tried many different salons, both local cheap salons and expensive, branded ones that have national outlets.

wella salon india costs hair coloring

If you’re planning to go for hair coloring at a salon, here’s all you need to know about how much it will cost in India.

Hair Coloring Services Offered at Salons in India

Before you go for hair coloring, you can find out what the different hair coloring techniques are and their names, so you can plan ahead. Here are the basic services you’ll be able to find at most good salons:

  • Global hair color: For full head hair color
  • Hair color touch ups: This is usually for roots only. Or it can be global (for full head, if your hair color has faded or grown out).
  • Ombré: This is a gradient hair coloring technique.
  • Highlights: Partial highlights using foil.
  • Balayage: Hair highlights done with hand.
  • Hair color transformation: This could be the use of multiple hair colors, or hair colors that are too different than your base color. Like black to blonde. Or blue with yellow highlights.

Read more here: Different Types of Hair Coloring Techniques.

shilpa-ahuja-purple-hair-color-trend-latest-balayage-ideas-sexy

Hair Coloring Costs at Salons in India

Wondering how much does hair coloring cost at a salon in India? Long answer short, it can cost anywhere from ₹ 1500 to 8500, depending on what service you go for and which salon you’re at. If you wanna know in detail, read on.

I’ve done all the research for you! I called up and interviewed some of the famous salons in India (including Headmasters and Toni & Guy). Also, I’m basing this list on my personal experiences of getting hair color done in so many cities I’ve lived in, including Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai & Chandigarh. Plus, I asked around to find out how much other customers with short hair have spent on hair coloring costs.

19-08-11-Audrey-O-Hair Coloring Costs at Salons in India
Check out Audrey O. Comics

Hair Coloring Costs for Global Hair Color

For women:

  • ₹ 2000-4000 for women for short to medium hair
  • ₹ 3000-5000 at a good salon for medium to long hair
  • ₹ 7500 and up at a luxury or premium salon

For men:

  • ₹ 700-1500 for men at local salon
  • ₹ 1500-2500 at premium salon

Cost will depend on:

  • How different the selected hair color is from your original hair color
  • Length of hair
  • Hair texture
  • Salon/location

Also check out: 11 Hair Color Trends for 2019: Coolest Celeb/Insta-Inspired Shades

Average Cost for Root Touch Ups

For women:

  • ₹ 1500-3000 for local to premium salons.
  • ₹ 3000-5000 for medium to long hair for luxury salon.

Cost will depend on: the salon and the amount of touch-up required (after how long you’re getting the touch up).

kylie jenner-raspberry-hair-shades-latest-hair-color-ideas

Cost for Ombré

For women:

  • ₹ 3000-4000 at a local salon
  • ₹ 4000-5500 for double color ombré
  • ₹ 4500-6500 at a luxury/premium salon

For men:

  • ₹ 700-1500 for men at local/non-branded salon
  • ₹ 1500-2500 at luxury/premium salon

Cost will depend on: salon, color, hair texture and the amount of highlighting required.

flamboyage-hair-coloring-technique-trend-adhesive-strip

Cost for Balayage

  • ₹ 3000-4000 at a local salon
  • ₹ 4500-5500 for double color balayage
  • ₹ 4500-6500 at a luxury/premium salon

Cost will depend on: color selection, hair texture, the amount of hair color required and salon.

Also read: Balayage vs Ombre & All the Hair Color Trends

Cost for Highlights

  • ₹ 3000-4000 at a local salon
  • ₹ 4500-5500 for double color balayage
  • ₹ 4500-6500 at a luxury/premium salon

Cost will depend on: color selection, hair texture, the amount of hair color required and salon.

Also read: Hair Color Ideas for Ombre & Trendy Highlights

Average Cost for Hair Color Transformation

  • ₹ 5000-8000, for 3-4 colors.

Cost will depend on: hair length, the number of colors you go for, what colors, etc.

Average Hair Coloring Costs for Other Services

There may be other services like flamboyage, frosting, etc. that can cost anywhere between 3.5K-6K, depending on the service and salon.

best-shampoo-for-colored-hair-red-hair-shiny

Tips for Hair Coloring at Salon in India

  • Ask for ammonia-free hair color as much as possible.
  • Be sure they are using a good brand like L’Oreal.
  • Make sure your hair is clean and oil-free before you go for your hair coloring appointment.
  • If you asked for grey hairs to be covered and you feel dissatisfied with the coverage, don’t hesitate to go back the next day or so. They’ll be happy to touch it up for free.
  • Be sure to get an approximate budget or cost before you set up your appointment. Explain your requirements clearly so they can give you a budget. They’ll need to see your hair and the color you want to go for, for giving a clear answer.
  • You can take a reference picture with you for the end result you want.
  • Ask the stylist for their opinions on what will suit you, even if you know what you want. Sometimes their recommendations may educate you about what will suit your hair texture or skin tone better.
  • If you’re unsure, ask them what’s trendy these days.

What’s Included Hair Coloring Costs at Salons

Hair color, coloring service, shampoo and conditioner afterwards is included in the hair coloring costs at nearly all salons. They will also give a basic complementary blow-dry but not hair-styling.

shampoo-for-colored-hair-best-conditioner-loreal-brands

Top Salons in India to go for Hair Coloring

Here are some of the biggest salon chains whose outlets you’ll find in nearly every big city.

  • Toni & Guy
  • Jean-Claude Biguine Salon & Spa
  • Headmasters
  • Naturals
  • Aveda
  • Lakme Salon
  • Essensuals by Toni & Guy
  • Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty
  • YLG
  • Enrich Salons
  • Blonce Salons
  • Femina
  • BBLUNT salons
  • Shehnaz Hussain

Hair Coloring Costs at Home in India

Hair coloring at home can cost as less as 75% to 10% of what you’ll spend at the salon. The first time can be messy (I ended up staining my dorm-room carpet) or worse, embarrassing (I ran into my crush wearing a stupid polythene over my head. Ugh!). But once you get used to it, it’s a great idea. It’s quick and cheap, and you can control the style! So here’s how much it costs approximately:

For men or women with short hair: ₹ 200 (a L’Oreal hair color pack costs ₹ 600, and can be used twice if you have short hair or are just touching up).

For women (medium to long hair): ₹ 500

Here are a few basic tips for hair coloring:

  • Go for ammonia-free hair color. This is less harmful for the skin.
  • Make sure you don’t have allergies to hair color. If you buy hair color, do a patch test before using it.
  • Go for a good brand only. L’Oreal is the most famous brand in hair color, and you can also try Revlon.
  • A hair color pack has enough color to last two sessions, if you have short hair or are touching up roots only. So you can mix it up in a throw/washable container.
  • Shampoo or clean your hair a day before you wish to color it. So it’s clean and not oily. Natural oils will prevent hair color from getting on properly.
  • Color on dry hair.
  • Wait for half an hour to 40 mins, and then wash with plain water, and condition it.
  • Be sure to use gloves to avoid stains on your hands.

Also read: DIY Balayage: How to Do Balayage at Home for Salon-Like Hair Highlights

haircut_hairstyle_spring_summer_latest2015_womens_fashion_style_color_brunette_auburn_highlights_katrina_kaif_cannes_2015

Why Are Hair Coloring Costs at Salons So Elusive in India?

When we go for any other services, like at a restaurant, we know exactly how much we’ll end up spending when we order something. And that’s why salons are so frustrating. There’s no way to find out how much you will be billed whether you go for a haircut, or hair coloring. One can be at a shock to receive a bill for as much as twice what one may have anticipated.

The thing is, that not just in India, but costs for hair coloring and other hair services are just as elusive in other countries. Of all the time I lived in the U.S., I could get a bill anywhere from $30 to $75 for a haircut. And to think of it, costs for many other services are elusive too, not just hair coloring. Like a delivering a baby, or getting a lawyer.

To research for this article, I called up Headmasters salon in Chandigarh, whose services I have taken on many an occasion during my college days. “I want to go for hair coloring or highlights. Can you tell me how much it will be?” I inquired, disguised as a customer.

raspberry-hair-color-shilpa-ahuja-edior-in-chief-latest-trendy-rasp-hair-color

“Our hair coloring starts at 7500 and highlights start at 4500,” the representative said.

“Is that for long hair?”

“It will depend on the hair length, texture, what hair color you want. So once you come in for your appointment, our stylist will be able to tell you the cost based on your exact requirements.”

“Okay, but I have long hair. So for highlights, how much should I budget? I’d like to have a budget for my hair coloring costs before I come for my appointment,” I said.

“As I said, hair coloring costs start at 7500 and highlights start at 4500. It all depends on your hair texture, what color you go for and the length of your hair.”

He didn’t tell me what the upper limit could be. So back to square one, I still won’t have a budget, if I were a customer. Lucky for me, now I do my own balayage at home.

2 thoughts on “Hair Coloring Costs at Salons in India: Ombre, Global, Highlights, etc.”

Leave a Comment