Okay, I Hear You. But Read This Before You Decide.
Let's just address it.
We're more expensive than a lot of salons around us.
I know.
If you're comparing us to the salon down the street, there's a good chance we're going to be more expensive.
Here's the thing: You are not comparing apples to apples.
And in my opinion, extensions are not something you should price shop for.
Before you decide where to go, I want you to have all the information so you can actually compare the two.
Right now, you might only know to compare pricing. What you should be comparing is everything that happens behind the scenes. Everything before you even sit in the chair.
Trust me when I tell you, one mishap from the less expensive place can end up costing far more than choosing the right place the first time.
Later in this article, I'm going to give you a list of questions every extension artist should be able to confidently answer before they ever touch your hair.
A One-Day Expert?
These days you can watch a few TikToks, buy some hair online, take a weekend certification class, and start offering extensions.
The problem?
Your hair doesn't care how confident someone is. How many things have you learned in one day and then immediately become confident youre the expert on that subject?
Exactly.
Especially without years of support, mentorship, continuing education, and real-world experience.
I've been doing all types of extensions for about 15 years. (First class was in 2009)
I didn’t just take one class to learn how to install them. Over these years, I’ve been learning how to install them safely. Learning how to protect natural hair while wearing them. Learning how to troubleshoot problems. Learning how to work with fine hair. Learning how to work with all things hair loss. Learning what happens six months after an install, not just six minutes after.
There is a massive difference between someone who can put extensions in your head and someone who knows how to do it seamlessly, safely, and expertly.
The best part is, I’ve been so honored to be able to share ALL of my knowledge with my Citrine team!
So what are you actually paying for?
Before we go any further, let's talk about pricing.
What most people don't realize is that our pricing is package pricing.
That big number you're seeing?
That's the total.
Not the hair only. Not the install only. Not the starting point. Not the "we'll figure out the rest later" number.
The number you see is the most you're going to spend. We do it this way because like you, I hate expensive surprises. And I hate not having a clear plan more.
When you invest in extensions at Citrine, your package includes:
High-performing extension hair (The majority price of the package)
The installation (Your service to put the extensions in. )
A custom root blend so your extensions actually look like they belong to you. This is crucial for when you bend over to pick up your groceries or when the wind blows. If your Root color and the color on the extensions don’t match, you are a walking ad for ‘bad extensions’
Cutting and blending so light and bespoke that everything moves naturally and seamlessly.
A box full of our favorite full-size products that are proven to work with extensions. Shampoo, conditioner, detangler, hair oil, an extension brush, a satin scrunchie, and a sectioning clip
Video tutorials so you can revisit your home care whenever you need to. (An in chair maintenance plan is overwhelming and you miss every detail. Having something to watch anytime you need to is worth it alone!)
A one-week follow-up blowout appointment. (This is to make sure your hair and the extensions are playing nice.)
Most salons charge ala carte or separately for most or all of these things that come as our baseline. When you compare pricing, get pricing for all of these things listed above and then compare the pricing.
The goal is making sure nobody can tell where your hair ends and the extensions begin. Even when it's up, down, curled, straight or in a pony tail!
The goal isn't extensions. The goal is undetectable extensions.
Before you’re even in the chair-
You're also paying for all the things you don't see. We are a team that specializes in extensions.
Our books are filled with extension services day in and day out. We don't just do them occasionally or just for fun. We specialize in extensions.
This is our every day thing.
So what are you actually paying for?
Hundreds of hours of education
Ongoing training
Fine hair expertise
Hair loss expertise
Knowledge on proper color matching
Knowlegde on cutting and blending
Proper placement depending on your bone structure, hair density and head shape.
Scalp and hair protection.
High-performing hair
High-performing products
Support after you leave the salon
A full wall of hair to pull from
Many different options for textures
And above all else?
A team that genuinely gives a shit about your results.
You're also paying for someone to tell you "no" when a service isn't right for you. Honestly, I think that's something a lot of people won’t or are afraid to do.
*Please remember we have different stylists at different levels. Even our base extension stylist has more training that anyone who's just starting out. If youre still wanting to find a commentate artist in your price range let us know!
The Most Expensive Hair Is The Hair You Have To Buy Twice
Want to know how many women sit in my chair after going somewhere cheaper?
A whole lot.
I've built a large part of my career repairing terrible extension work. I still have nightmares about some of it.
The stories are usually the same. "I dont know exactly whats wrong, but this just doesn't feel right.” "She didn't even try to match my color."
"They never blended them." "They looked great for two weeks."
And my personal favorite- "I spent thousands and now I have to start over. I wish I would have found you first."
The reality is that bad extension work often costs more than good extension work.
Because now you're paying to:
Remove everything
Repair the damage
Buy new hair
Reinstall everything
And if you end up with thinning or a bald spot?
Woof.
There's not a magic fix for that. Hair takes time. Unfortunately, some damage can't be undone overnight.
Let me throw some shade here-
Sometimes cheaper is cheaper for a reason.
Ask yourself:
How are they able to give you a lower price?
There are really only two levers in extension pricing.
The cost of the hair.
And the cost of the installation.
That's it.
If The Hair Is Cheaper...
Then chances are the hair quality isn't great.
Poor-quality extension hair tends to:
Turn warm or orange quickly
Become dry
Tangle constantly
Break from the ends
Shed excessively
Look fake faster
Are they recommending products specifically for extension care?
Are they teaching you how to maintain it?
Are they setting you up for success?
Or are they handing you a bag and wishing you luck?
If The Installation Is Cheaper...
Then chances are education is where corners are being cut.
Good education is expensive. Advanced education is even more expensive. Traveling for education is expensive.
The people investing heavily in their craft need to make a return on that investment. Thats just business.
So if someone is significantly less expensive, ask yourself why.
Maybe they don't invest in education? Maybe they use the same method on everyone regardless of density, hair type, or lifestyle? Maybe they don't specialize in extensions?
Maybe they're brand new? Maybe you're the guinea pig.?!
And if that's the case, unfortunately your hair becomes the experiment.
Citrine doesn't need to experiment.
We've already made the mistakes. We've already taken the classes. We've already solved the problems.
Questions You Should Ask Any Extension Artist
Whether you choose Citrine or not, ask these questions.
Every extension artist should be able to answer them confidently. Feel free to save these to ask Citrines team!
How long have you been doing extensions?
Not hair.
Extensions.
How many extension clients do you currently see?
Every day?
Every week?
Every month?
What methods do you offer and why?
Can they explain why one method is better for you than another?
What would make me a bad candidate for extensions?
A good extension artist should have reasons they'd say no.
How do you prevent damage?
This answer should come quickly.
What happens if I have an issue after I leave?
Do they support you?
Or are you on your own?
What education have you taken in the last year?
Not five years ago.
Last year.
What type of hair do you use and why?
Can they explain it?
What products do I need at home?
If the answer is "whatever you already use," that's a problem.
Can I see your grow-outs?
Not your installs.
Your grow-outs.
Show me the hair eight weeks later. Show me the maintenance appointments. Show me the real life results.
That's where the truth lives. Anyone can put great looking hair on their instagram page show me what a healthy grow out looks like.
What We Actually Care About
At Citrine, I don't care if your hair looks amazing for Instagram. I care if it still looks amazing six months from now.
We care if your natural hair is healthy. We care if your extensions are comfortable. We care if you're getting a solution that actually fits your lifestyle. We stay up at night thinking about exactly what to do for your hair.
Anyone can sell you hair.
Anyone can install it and tell you it looks amazing while it's fresh out of the package.
The hard part is helping it continue to look amazing while protecting what's underneath.
Are We For Everyone?
Nope.
And that's okay.
There are plenty of salons that cost less than we do. There are also luxury cars that cost less than a Mercedes.
There are handbags that cost less than Louis Vuitton. There are hotels that cost less than The Ritz.
That doesn't make them bad.They're just different experiences.
If your biggest goal is finding the lowest price, we're probably not your salon.
But if your goal is finding people who are obsessed with education, specialize in extensions, and genuinely care about the long-term health of your hair, then we're probably worth having a conversation with.
If after that conversation we're not still the right fit?
You'll know. Or we’ll tell you. Either way, you'll leave with a plan.
Because I'd rather lose a sale than put someone in a service that isn't right for them.
That's how we've always done things. And that's not changing anytime soon.
Xoxo, Citrine Team.
