Many women feel frustrated when they realize they are paying more for haircuts than men, with the average cost for a women’s haircut in the United States being $51.71 compared to $34.56 for men. This trend is also seen in the UK, where women paid an average of £31.99 for a basic haircut compared to men who paid £12.17. This difference adds up over the course of a year, with women typically spending £135 on haircuts while men spend £70. Despite this data, the issue is not as clear-cut as it seems, as there are various factors that contribute to the discrepancy in prices.
The wide variety of haircuts, colorings, and treatments offered by different salons and barbershops make it difficult to determine if women are paying more simply because of their gender. Factors such as the length of hair, additional services like blow drying and styling, and the overall experience desired by customers all play a role in determining the price of a haircut. Hair salons offer a range of services, from quick cuts to luxury experiences with champagne, making it challenging to compare prices based solely on gender.
Some argue that the additional services requested by women, such as coloring and treatments, contribute to the higher prices they pay for haircuts. However, some in the industry are taking steps to address this issue by charging based on the time spent in the chair rather than on gender. There are efforts to move towards more inclusive and fair pricing structures that do not discriminate based on gender, with some salons implementing policies that charge based on the length of hair or the time it takes to complete the service.
Hairstylists like Kristin Rankin advocate for gender-neutral pricing, believing that hair has no gender and that pricing should be based on the length of the hair or the time it takes to cut. Initiatives like the Dresscode Project train hairstylists to create environments that affirm people’s gender identity, moving away from the binary categories of men and women. Salons like Goldie x Bob have already adopted gender-neutral pricing, with clients paying for the time and expertise rather than being charged based on gender.
The move towards gender-neutral pricing is seen as a step towards inclusivity and fairness in the haircare industry, with more salons recognizing the importance of accommodating diverse gender identities. By charging based on factors like hair length and time spent on the service, salons aim to create a more welcoming environment for all clients. Ultimately, the goal is to eliminate the gender pay gap in the haircare industry and promote equality in pricing for all individuals.
