Hair colouring

How to book hair colouring with a colourist at a good price

Updated 20 October 2026

The price of colouring depends on your hair, not just the technique

The same name, say “airtouch”, can mean completely different work. Lightening dark hair with bleach and toning takes far more time and colour than a simple root tint. That is why a colourist will almost never give an honest price without three things: length, thickness and colouring history.

The biggest influences on the final bill are: the technique (single colour, roots, balayage, ombré, highlights, toning, bleaching, grey coverage), length and thickness, dark dye or henna already on your hair, the number of stages and the materials. If you are unsure about the technique, you can attach one photo of the result you want, and describe the condition of your own hair in words.

What to include in your request

• Technique — as you know it: single colour, roots, balayage, airtouch, toning, bleaching.
• Length — to the shoulders, to the shoulder blades, below the shoulder blades.
• Hair condition — previously coloured, henna, percentage of grey, thickness, damage.
• Desired colour — cool blonde, chocolate, copper; a reference photo.
• Colour and materials — brand, ammonia-free, or whether you will bring your own.
• Date and time, and salon or home visit.
• Area, the colourist’s experience (portfolio, specialisation) and budget.

Example: “I need airtouch colouring with toning. Hair below the shoulder blades, previously coloured dark, about 30 percent grey. The result I want is a cool blonde (photo attached). Durban, Saturday around 12:00. A colourist with a portfolio, budget up to R 1,600.”

How offers work

You write your request once, and before it is shown it is checked for ads and contact details. Colourists and stylists in your city reply in chat: they say whether they take this kind of work, give a price or what it depends on, and suggest a time. Each can see where they stand among the others, so terms often get better.

BlaBlaPrice shows the best-value offer first and adds reviews of the stylist. Only the person you choose sees your contacts. Read about how it works here.

What to look at when choosing a colourist

Ask for examples of work in your exact technique and on similar hair. Ask whether toning, aftercare and styling are included, and whether the price is calculated by length or by hours. If you need complex lightening, the colourist may suggest several sessions: that is normal, as long as you agree on it in advance.

Typical mistakes: not mentioning henna or home black dye, expecting a “light blonde in one visit” on dark hair, and choosing only by the lowest price with no notes about materials. If you also need a haircut, see hairdressing services, and for brows and lashes see lashes and brows. To start, create a request.