Pricing your salon services isn’t just about covering costs or matching the competition; it’s about honoring your expertise, sustaining your business, and delivering value that your clients can trust and rely on. If you’ve ever struggled with undercharging, inconsistent rates, or fearing pushback from clients, this guide is for you.

Let’s walk through proven pricing structures, pro tips, and ways to confidently charge for high-value services, such as Malibu C Head Lab and corrective color work.

1. Hourly vs. Per-Service Pricing

Hourly Pricing Pros:

  • Transparent and easy to explain.
  • Fair for custom or time-sensitive services.
  • Ideal for color corrections and creative work.

Per Service Pricing Pros:

  • Predictable and familiar for clients.
  • Easier to promote and package.
  • Great for standard services like haircuts or glosses.

How to Choose:
Consider your specialty, service timing, and the typical needs of your clients. If you specialize in vivid or lived-in color, hourly pricing may be more sustainable. Many stylists adopt a hybrid model, charging by the hour for complex services and offering flat rates for basic services.

2. À La Carte vs. Inclusive Pricing

À La Carte Pricing:
 Best for customizable services or add-ons, such as Malibu C Wellness Remedies, toners, or glosses. It keeps your pricing transparent, but be clear about what’s included so clients aren’t surprised.

Inclusive Pricing:
Bundling services (e.g., a Malibu Makeover, color, and blowout) feels seamless for clients. Just be sure you’re building the cost of treatments into your pricing structure so you’re not giving away high-value services.

3. Factor in Product Costs

Every bowl of color, foil, Malibu C packet, or treatment adds up. To stay profitable:

  • Track your average usage and product costs.
  • Use salon software or a simple spreadsheet.
  • Set a base product amount and charge for extra bowls when needed.

Pro Tip: Transparency builds trust and profit.

4. Pricing for Malibu C Services

Head Lab Experience:
Adding scalp care services is a great way to attract new clients and bring a fresh approach to your business. Malibu C Head Lab is a premium scalp wellness service that delivers major results and major revenue. Charge based on time and product used. It works beautifully as a stand-alone service or as an add-on to another service. Visit our Head Lab Resources on our pro website to learn more about how to market this service

Corrective Color Treatments:
Malibu C’s Color Disruptor, CPR, and DDL XL are powerful tools that take time and skill. Charge hourly, include the cost of your products, and educate clients on the process using visuals and consultations.

Example: CPR Box of 6 and Color Disruptor services at $100/hour = $600 revenue
Corrective Color Toolbox: $100 cost → $1800+ in revenue = 1600% ROI

5. Don’t Overlook Retail

Retail = Results + Revenue.

You’re the expert your clients trust. When you recommend take-home products that support the service they just received, you:

  • Extend their results.
  • Increase your bottom line.
  • Build long-term loyalty.

Ideas to Boost Retail Sales:

  • Bundle with services ( e.g., toner refresh and Malibu C Blondes Wellness Remedy
  • Use "prescriptions" with visuals to guide clients, like a before-and-after photo of a scalp from a Head Lab service.
  • Track what sells best and align with what you actually use. 

6. Pro Pricing Tips to Remember

  • Review annually: Raise your rates to reflect skill, demand, and inflation
  • Be confident: Say your pricing out loud. Post it clearly. No need to apologize.
  • Protect your time: Use deposits for large services and clearly communicate your policies.

7. The Value of Your Services

Let’s talk numbers. When priced correctly, your expertise and Malibu C toolkit can significantly impact your revenue.

Head Lab Opportunity Example:

  • 36 Head Lab services at $100/hr = $3,600 value
  • Boosts retail, retention, and results.

Corrective Color Toolbox Example:

  • CPR and Color Disruptor, DDL XL, Crystal Gel, and more.
  • Cost: $100 → Revenue potential: $1,800+

You're not just charging for time, you’re charging for transformation, confidence, and long-term hair health.

Price with Purpose

Thoughtful pricing isn’t about charging the most; it’s about charging what your services are worth. It reflects your expertise, supports your goals, and helps your clients invest in their hair with confidence.

Use this guide to review your pricing structure, charge intentionally for value-packed services like Malibu C, and build a business that honors both your craft and your worth.

You’re not just offering a service, you’re offering an experience.


About the author

Tiffany Robitzsch, a Tampa native and stylist at Salon Halo in South Tampa, has been a Malibu C Educator since 2022, specializing in corrective color. With a career that began in 2019 after graduating from the Aveda Institute Tampa Bay, she’s also held roles as a salon manager and head of education, continually building her expertise through advanced licensing and certifications. Passionate about inspiring others, Tiffany thrives on making a positive impact both behind the chair and through education, while enjoying movies, concerts, and time at home with her wife and two cats.

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