4 Reasons Why Stylists Don’t Charge for Extra Color (And How to Fix It)

Hello! 👋🏼 My name is Casey and I’ve been a hairstylist since 2017. I spent the majority of my time as a commission stylist in a beautiful salon in a beautiful city. Before making the move to SalonScale, I’ll be honest—I didn’t always (or ever!) see things from the owner’s perspective. 

As a stylist, I was focused on my clients, my craft, and making sure they left feeling their best. But since stepping into this new role, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for what it takes to run a salon. I understand now why my salon made certain decisions—things I didn’t fully get back then.

It’s been eye-opening, and it's why I’m so passionate about helping salons bridge that gap between creativity and business because let’s be honest, we’ve all been there—mixing up an extra bowl of color mid-service and hesitating to charge for it. Maybe we worry about the client’s reaction or feel like it won’t directly affect us. But when those extra bowls go untracked and uncharged, they chip away at both the salon's profit, and the stylists income too.

The Impact of $1

Let’s break it down: if you mix up an extra 30g of color and don’t ring it in, that’s money straight out of both your and the salon's pocket. Now, multiply that by every service, every day, across an entire year. The losses add up quickly. And the worst part? Most of the time, stylists don’t even realize how much they’re actually giving away.

I’m a Hairstylist, and This Is Why I Didn’t Ring in My Color at My Commission Salon…

If you’re the salon I started my career at… STOP reading! 😱

When I worked in a commission salon, I didn’t understand the true cost of color—or the ripple effect that one "extra bowl" could have on a salon's future. Looking back, there were a few key reasons I didn’t ring in the color I used…

1. “I didn’t always need a full extra bowl of color.”

Sometimes I would need just a small amount to finish my clients service. In my mind, I didn’t think these few scoops would have an effect on anything at all. But the reality is, that product was still being used. It came out of the tube, out of the backbar, and off the salon’s shelves. Though the cost of this bowl alone wasn’t extraordinary, this is exactly where the “ripple effect” begins. 

2. “I thought if I charged the client for the extra color I needed, it would create tension.”

I was scared. I worried the client would feel blindsided by an extra charge or think I didn’t know what I was doing if I had to mix more. So, instead of confidently communicating, I stayed quiet and ate the cost—or worse, let the salon absorb it. I wasn’t trying to be dishonest—I just didn’t feel equipped to explain the value of the product or the why behind the charge. I wanted happy clients, even if that meant undercharging.

3. “I never took into account our allotment. I would mix what I thought I needed right from the get-go.”

We had an allotted amount of color per service, but I never paid much attention to it. I didn’t fully understand how those numbers were calculated or what it meant for the salon. I mixed based on feel, not facts. And if I went over the limit? I didn’t always ring it in—because I didn’t want to face the client at the end of the appointment. It wasn’t about disrespect—it was about lack of education.

4. “It never crossed my mind that the owner of our salon had to pay out-of-pocket for the color I wasn’t charging the guest for.”

This one hits hard now. At the time, I didn’t realize that only 7% of salons actually turn a profit. I thought the color came from a magical color closet that refilled itself. I didn’t see the invoices, the budgeting, or the stress behind the scenes. Now that I’ve seen both sides, I understand that every ounce of color not accounted for was money out of the owner’s pocket. And worse, it was unintentional theft—because the client got a service they didn’t fully pay for, and the salon paid the price.

How SalonScale Puts You in Control

SalonScale changes everything. Our real-time color tracking ensures that every gram of color used is accounted for—no guesswork, no forgotten bowls. With SalonScale, every mix is automatically measured and logged, making it easy to charge for exactly what was used. This means no more estimating, no more recipe cards, and no more lost revenue.

SalonScale’s Tools to Keep Your Pricing on Track

SalonScale doesn’t just track color—it provides the tools to help you charge fairly and confidently. Here’s how:

• Real-Time Cost Tracking – Every bowl of color is weighed and recorded, so you always know the exact cost.
• Formula Management – Save and remix formulas with precision, ensuring consistency while preventing waste.
• Financial Transparency – Salon owners can see exactly how much is being spent on color and adjust budgets and expenses accordingly.

No More Lost Profits

Let’s be real - It doesn't matter how perfectly you've set up your pricing structure, if the stylists aren't using it correctly, it means nothing.

With SalonScale, there’s no room for error and with a Parts and Labor pricing model, the only thing being negotiated is the stylist’s time—not the cost of the product. That means the salon loses less money on materials, and it opens up more opportunity for stylists to earn what they’re truly worth. 

You’ll also never forget to charge for an extra bowl because the system tracks everything for you. That means confident and fair pricing, stronger profit margins, and a more sustainable business.

It’s time to stop absorbing the cost of color and start charging what your services are truly worth. Let SalonScale do the math so you can focus on what you do best. 

If you’re ready to see how SalonScale can benefit your salon, book in for a one-on-one demo with our team here! 

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