There’s a lot of noise right now about hairstylists: what we “should” charge, how long things should take, what clients should expect. And if I’m being honest, it can get in your head. 

Knowing your worth as a stylist isn’t just about numbers on a price list. It’s emotional. It’s layered. It’s built over years of education, trial and error, mistakes you paid for (literally), and the quiet pressure of wanting to be accessible while also wanting to be sustainable. 

Charging your worth can feel uncomfortable – especially in an industry rooted in service and care. We’re taught to make people feel good, to accommodate, to go the extra mile. And when you pair that with social media content that paints hairstylists as greedy, lazy, or out of touch, it can make you question yourself even when you know you’re doing things with integrity. 

But here’s the truth that often gets left out of those conversations: your price isn’t just for the finished hair. It’s for the consultation where you listen closely. The color correction knowledge you carry. The continuing education you invest in to protect your clients’ hair. The physical toll on your body. The mental energy of holding space for people while staying creative and precise. 

Learning to charge your worth doesn’t happen overnight. Most stylists don’t wake up one day magically confident. It usually comes after undercharging, overworking, and realizing that burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning sign. 

There’s also grief in it. Grief for the clients who won’t come with you when you raise your prices. Grief for the version of you that thought working harder would always be enough. And that part deserves to be acknowledged instead of rushed past.

Choosing to charge in a way that supports your life is responsible, not selfish. When a stylist is rested, fairly compensated, and respected, the work is better. The experience is better. The relationship is healthier on both sides. 

Social media loves extremes, but real life is more nuanced. Most stylists aren’t trying to price anyone out. We’re trying to stay in the industry we love without burning out of it. 

If you’re in the middle of this shift, you’re not behind. You’re not “too much.” You’re learning what it takes to stay. And that matters.