By The Eye desk · Last verified 7 October 2026
Hair prices in Singapore come in three broad tiers. Express chains and neighbourhood barbers do a quick cut without the frills; a June 2026 price survey by the personal-finance site The Money Bees found express chains charging from about S$12 to S$18 and heartland barbers about S$8 to S$12 for a men’s cut. Mid-range and premium salons charge more for a wash, cut and blow-dry, with the price rising by stylist level. Colour, perms, rebonding and treatments are usually priced by hair length and product, and are where bills climb fastest. The rule that saves the most: ask for the full nett price, including GST, before anything touches your hair.
A good haircut is one of life’s small, reliable joys. Knowing how the menu works means you leave with a smile on your face and in your wallet.
Quick facts
- Express chains focus on a quick cut, usually without a shampoo, at a posted fixed price.
- Salons price cuts by stylist level: junior, senior, director or similar titles.
- Colour and chemical services are commonly priced by hair length (short, medium, long).
- Add-ons such as toner, bond-protecting treatments and scalp treatments are charged separately.
- GST is 9%; check whether a menu is “nett” or shown before GST.
- CaseTrust-accredited beauty businesses offer a five-day cooling-off period on packages, according to CASE.
What you pay for at each tier
| Tier | Usually includes | Price guide |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbourhood barber | Quick cut, sometimes a shave or trim | About S$8 to S$12 for men (The Money Bees, June 2026) |
| Express chain | Timed cut, vacuum or air wash instead of shampoo | About S$12 to S$18 (The Money Bees, June 2026); prices posted at the door |
| Hairdressing school | Supervised cut by trainees or junior stylists | Often the lowest salon-style price; check the school’s list |
| Mid-range salon | Consultation, wash, cut, blow-dry | Varies by stylist level; check the menu |
| Premium salon | Senior stylists, longer appointment, styling advice | Highest; director-level cuts cost most |
What adds to the bill
- Hair length and thickness: long or thick hair needs more product and time, so colour and chemical prices step up.
- Stylist level: the same service costs more with a senior or director-level stylist.
- Technique: balayage, highlights and bleaching cost more than a single all-over colour; bleaching may need more than one session.
- Extras: toner, bond-protecting additives, treatments and scalp care are often offered mid-service.
- Products: premium colour lines or ammonia-free options may carry a surcharge.
- Tax: some menus show prices before 9% GST.
A worked example: listed price to final bill
This illustration shows how extras stack up; it is not a real salon’s price. Say a menu lists a colour at S$100 before GST for medium-length hair, and the stylist suggests a S$40 treatment while you are in the chair.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Colour, medium length | S$100.00 |
| Treatment added mid-service | S$40.00 |
| Subtotal | S$140.00 |
| GST at 9% | S$12.60 |
| Total | S$152.60 |
Your expected S$100 has become S$152.60. Nothing here is wrong if you agreed to each item; the trick is to agree knowingly. Ask, “What will the total be, including GST?” before each extra.
Packages, pressure and your rights
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) reported that prepayment losses in the beauty industry rose to S$108,000 in the first half of 2025, from S$19,000 a year earlier, and that about 28% of beauty complaints involved aggressive or misleading sales tactics. In 2025, three companies running HairFun-branded salons gave undertakings to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) after targeting elderly customers, some of whom were charged thousands of dollars. CCCS’s advice is that consumers should not feel obliged to pay for goods or services they did not ask for.
- Ask for the total, in writing or on screen, before any chemical service starts.
- Say no clearly to extras you do not want, and ask for them to be removed if they appear on the bill.
- Avoid large prepaid packages; if you buy one, prefer a CaseTrust-accredited business with a five-day cooling-off period and refunds for unused sessions.
- If a dispute cannot be settled, contact CASE.
The WahLiao Verdict
For a tidy-up, an express chain or neighbourhood barber does the job at a fair price. For colour or a big change, pay for a stylist whose work you have seen, ask for the full nett total including every add-on before they begin, and pay per visit rather than signing up for a package on the spot. A kind stylist will respect a polite “just the cut today, thank you”.
Questions people ask
Why does colour cost more for long hair?
Longer and thicker hair uses more product and takes longer to apply and process, so most salons price by length bands.
Do I need to tip my hairdresser?
Tipping is not expected in Singapore. A kind word or a return visit is appreciated, and a tip is a personal choice.
Can I refuse to pay for a treatment I did not ask for?
CCCS says consumers should not feel obliged to pay for goods or services they did not ask for. Raise it at the counter calmly, and contact CASE if it is not resolved.
What is CaseTrust?
An accreditation scheme run by CASE. For spas and beauty salons, CASE says accredited businesses offer a five-day cooling-off period and refunds for unused packages.
Sources: Consumers Association of Singapore, beauty industry prepayment losses and CaseTrust advice; Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore, hair salons’ undertakings; The Money Bees, budget haircut price survey, June 2026; Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, GST rate. The Eye explains; it does not endorse.
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For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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