What Do Hair Extensions Really Cost? Let Me Just Tell You

Okay, I need to have a real conversation about money because this is the part that makes everyone uncomfortable.

Hair extensions are expensive. Like, really expensive. And I think a lot of salons dance around the actual numbers until you're already sitting in the chair, and then you get hit with a price that makes your stomach drop.

So let me just lay it all out. No games, no "starting at" nonsense that means nothing. Just real numbers based on what we actually charge at Rock Paper Scissors.

I'm Danielle, I do extensions and color, and I've had way too many awkward conversations where someone is clearly trying to figure out if they can afford this but they're too embarrassed to ask. So here's everything.

The Initial Cost (AKA The Part That Hurts)

When you get extensions for the first time, you're paying for two things: the hair itself and the labor to install it.

The hair is the expensive part. Good quality human hair extensions cost anywhere from $400 to $1,200 or more depending on how long you want them and how much volume you need.

If you just want a little bit of length and thickness, you might only need a few packs of hair. That's on the lower end, maybe $400 to $600.

If you want full, thick, long hair, you need more hair. That's going to be $800 to $1,200, sometimes more.

The brands we use most often are Bellami, Christian Michael, and SEHE. They're all good quality. The price difference usually comes down to length and how much hair you're buying, not necessarily the brand.

The installation fee is what you're paying me for my time and skill to put the extensions in. This is usually $200 to $400 depending on how long it takes and what method we're using.

Tape ins are faster, so they're on the lower end. Hand tied wefts take longer, so they cost more.

Sometimes we also need to do custom color blending, either on your natural hair or on the extensions, to make everything match perfectly. That's an extra $75 to $150.

So when you add it all up, your first appointment is probably going to cost somewhere between $700 and $1,500. Maybe more if you're going really long or really full.

I had a client a few months ago, Ashley, who came in wanting long extensions. She had chin length hair and wanted it down to her waist. I told her that was going to require a lot of hair and would probably cost around $1,400 for everything. She sat there for a minute, clearly doing math in her head, and then said, "Okay, let's do it."

She paid for it and loved the result, but I could tell the price was a shock even though I'd warned her. That's why I'm being so upfront about this now.

The Ongoing Costs (AKA The Part People Forget About)

This is the part that catches people off guard. Extensions aren't a one time cost. There's ongoing maintenance.

Every 6 to 8 weeks, you have to come back for a move up appointment. As your natural hair grows, the extensions slide down. We have to take them out, move them back up closer to your scalp, and reinstall them.

Move ups cost $150 to $250 depending on how much hair you have and how long it takes.

So if you're coming in every 6 weeks, that's about $1,200 to $2,000 a year just in move up appointments. Every 8 weeks is a little less, maybe $900 to $1,500 a year.

The hair itself doesn't last forever. Tape ins usually need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months. Hand tied wefts can last a year or longer if you take really good care of them.

When it's time to replace the hair, you're buying new hair again. Another $400 to $1,200.

You also need to use the right products. Sulfate free shampoo and conditioner, special extension brushes, maybe some leave in conditioner or oil. That's probably $50 to $75 up front, and then you're spending $25 to $50 a month replacing products as you run out.

I've had clients who didn't realize how much the ongoing costs would be. They could afford the initial install but then started skipping move up appointments because they couldn't keep up with it financially. And when you skip move ups, your extensions start to look really obvious and can damage your natural hair.

One woman came back after skipping her move up for almost four months. The extensions had slid so far down that you could see all the tape. Her natural hair was matted at the roots. It was a mess. I had to charge her extra to fix it because it took so long to untangle everything and redo the install.

If you can't afford the ongoing maintenance, don't get extensions. I'm not trying to be harsh, I'm trying to save you from wasting money on something you can't maintain.

Which Method Costs What

Different extension methods have different cost structures.

Tape ins have a lower upfront cost but need more frequent move ups, usually every 6 weeks. So you're spending less per visit but you're coming in more often.

Hand tied wefts cost more up front because they take longer to install and the hair is usually higher quality. But you can go longer between move ups, sometimes 8 to 10 weeks. So you're spending more initially but less frequently.

Clip ins are the cheapest option overall because you can take them out yourself and you don't need professional maintenance. But you have to put them in and take them out every day, and they're more obvious than permanent extensions. Some people love clip ins, some people hate them.

I usually recommend tape ins for people who are new to extensions because they're less expensive to start with and if you hate them, you're not out as much money.

The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About

Here are some costs that might come up that you need to know about:

Removal fees. If you decide you want the extensions taken out permanently, some salons charge for removal. We don't, but some places do. Ask about this up front.

Color correction. If the color match isn't perfect and we need to tone your hair or the extensions after they're installed, that might cost extra. We try to get the color right before installation, but sometimes adjustments are needed.

Damage repair. If your extensions get matted or tangled because you didn't brush them properly or you skipped a move up appointment, fixing that is going to take extra time and might cost more than a regular move up.

Emergency appointments. If an extension falls out or something goes wrong and you need to come in between regular move ups, that's an extra appointment you're paying for.

I'm not listing these to scare you. I'm listing them so you know what could happen and you're not blindsided.

Is It Actually Worth the Money?

That's up to you.

For some people, absolutely. If you've been dreaming about long hair for years and you have the budget for it, extensions can be life changing. I've had clients tell me they feel more confident, more put together, more like themselves.

For other people, no. If you're stretching your budget to afford extensions and you're going to be stressed about the cost every month, it's not worth it. Hair isn't worth financial stress.

Here's how I think about it: if the initial cost makes you nervous but you can swing it, and you can comfortably afford $150 to $250 every 6 to 8 weeks for maintenance, then go for it.

If the initial cost is going to max out your credit card or the ongoing maintenance is going to be a struggle, wait. Save up. Get your finances in a place where this feels comfortable, not stressful.

I had a client last year, I don't remember her name, but she came in for a consultation and when I told her the cost, she said, "Okay, I need to think about it." She came back six months later and said she'd been saving specifically for extensions and now she was ready. That's the right way to do it.

What About Cheaper Options?

You're going to find salons that charge less. You're going to find people on Instagram offering extensions for half what we charge. You're going to see ads for $300 extension installs.

Here's the thing: you get what you pay for.

Cheap extensions are usually synthetic or low quality human hair that tangles easily and doesn't last. Cheap installation usually means someone who doesn't have a lot of experience and might damage your natural hair or place the extensions wrong so they're obvious.

I've fixed a lot of bad extension jobs from other places. It always costs more to fix than it would have cost to just go to a good salon in the first place.

I'm not saying you have to come to us specifically. But go to someone experienced who uses good quality hair and has reviews or photos you can look at. Don't just pick the cheapest option because it's cheap.

So What Should You Actually Budget?

If you're seriously considering extensions, here's what to plan for:

Year one: $1,500 to $3,000 total. This includes your initial install and several move up appointments.

Year two and beyond: $1,000 to $2,500 per year depending on how often you need move ups and when you need to replace the hair.

If that number makes you feel sick, extensions probably aren't for you right now. And that's okay.

If that number feels manageable, come in for a consultation and let's talk about it more specifically based on your hair and what you want.

We're at Rock Paper Scissors, 5222 D St. in Chino. Call (909) 707-9553 or book a free consultation online.

I'd rather have an honest conversation about money now than have you regret spending money you didn't have later.

Danielle