In today’s evolving beauty industry, inclusion isn’t just a trend, but it’s a necessary shift that reflects the diverse clients we serve. This Pride Month, we invite you to consider adopting one of the most impactful ways you can promote inclusivity: gender-neutral pricing in your salon. This supports your LGBTQIA+ clients and fosters a more equitable, welcoming environment for everyone who sits in your chair.
Why make the switch?
Traditionally, salon services have been priced based on gender: men’s cuts and women’s cuts. However, this binary system doesn’t always accurately reflect the diversity of your clientele. It can create discomfort or confusion for non-binary, trans, and gender-nonconforming clients, and often results in pricing disparities for similar services.
Gender-neutral pricing not only removes these barriers, it:
- Builds trust and loyalty with all clients by respecting identity and expression.
- Better reflects the actual service provided: time, technique, and product usage.
- Streamlines your pricing structure, making it clearer and more consistent.
- Demonstrates through action that your salon is a genuinely welcoming space, not just in words.
Choose your pricing model
Making the shift doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are three inclusive approaches to consider.
Time-based rate
Practical and fair, this pricing is tied directly to the work involved. On your menu, include the service name, approximate time, and cost. This is easy for clients to understand and easy for your team to apply consistently.
Technique-based rate
Structure your services around what’s being performed — haircut, color, highlights. You can up-charge for specialized skills like fashion colors or razor cuts. This model rewards your expertise rather than making assumptions about the client.
Hair length or density-based rate
Basing pricing on hair length or density gives clients clear expectations regardless of gender identity. You can combine tiers to build a structure that’s both fair and comprehensive. For example, pairing a length tier with an add-on for thick or textured hair.
What this looks like in practice
Here’s an example of how a gender-neutral service menu might be priced based on averages across the country. Please adjust pricing to reflect your market, experience level, and service time.
| SERVICE | MAJOR METRO | MID-SIZE CITY | SMALLER MARKETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Cut | $80-$120 | $55-$80 | $35-$55 |
| Medium Cut | $100-$150 | $70-$100 | $45-$65 |
| Long Cut | $120-$170 | $85-$120 | $55-$80 |
| Fashion Color/Speciality | $150+ (consultation) | $110+ (consultation) | $80+ (consultation) |
Pro-Tip: Include a brief note on your menu or booking page that pricing is confirmed at consultation — this removes uncertainty for new clients and reduces awkward conversations at checkout.
Ready to get started? 4 Steps for Implementation
1. Update your menu and website: Clearly reflect the new pricing model online, on booking apps, and in-salon. Use inclusive language and describe services based on time, technique, or hair type, not gender. Make sure your booking flow doesn’t ask clients to select “men’s” or “women’s” services.
2. Educate your team: Ensure every team member — not just stylists, but reception and assistants too — understands the importance of inclusive practices and feels confident applying the new system. Train staff to ask about hair goals and preferences rather than assuming based on appearance, to use clients’ preferred names and pronouns, and to avoid gendered language throughout the appointment. A client who feels respected from the moment they walk in is far more likely to return and refer others.
4. Create a clear feedback channel: Some clients may have questions or feel uncertain about where they fall in the new pricing tiers. That’s normal. Make it easy for them to raise concerns: a quick word with their stylist, a note at the front desk, or a feedback link in your booking confirmation all work well. The goal is that no client leaves feeling they were charged unfairly or without understanding why.
