Introducing The Salon Bill, a Gate DXB series exploring what goes into the cost of everyday beauty services in Dubai.
You have found a colour you love, spotted a “from” price and are ready to book. Take one more step: ask which result, hair length and set of services that price covers. An official menu may list several prices for one service depending on the stylist, with toning, treatments and blow-drying shown separately.
We looked at three salons’ official menus. These are examples of how a bill is structured, rather than a ranking: a starting price alone cannot tell you the quality of the work or the full cost of a visit.
Pastels: stylist level changes the starting price
At Pastels, regrowth colour starts at AED 335 with a Junior Stylist and AED 470 with a Master Stylist / Creative Director. Full colour starts at AED 440 and AED 580 respectively. At Stylist level, the listed starting prices are AED 350 for regrowth and AED 460 for full colour.
The difference between the first and last regrowth prices is AED 135 before discussing any additional services. The specialist’s name and level belong in your request for a quote.
306 Spa: hair length and the service included
At 306 Spa, full colour is listed at AED 600 for short hair, AED 700 for medium hair and AED 800 for long hair. Root Tint starts at AED 375.
The menu also lists a separate T Section roots service at AED 150. Do not assume it covers the whole regrowth area: confirm which sections are included. For full highlights / balayage, the salon specifically lists a complimentary moisturising treatment.
UNIQUE PERSONA: check the branch and VAT
At the UNIQUE PERSONA Dubai Marina branch, full colour with a Hair Stylist starts at AED 450 for short hair, AED 650 for medium hair and AED 800 for long hair. This page states that prices exclude VAT, with 5% added to the bill.
That makes AED 450 AED 472.50 including VAT, and AED 800 becomes AED 840. These calculations cover only the named service. The final quote depends on the scope of work and is confirmed at booking.
Five questions to understand the final bill
- Which service matches my request? Send a current photo of your hair and an example of the result you want. Ask which menu item applies.
- Which length and thickness category are you using? Clarify this before the visit, particularly if the menu has several categories.
- Who will do the work? Confirm the stylist level and whether the quote would change if another specialist takes the appointment.
- What does the quote include? Ask the salon to list colouring, toning, washing, drying or styling, treatments and any other proposed steps. A separate menu item does not by itself prove an extra charge applies to your booking.
- What is the total payable? Confirm VAT and any changes that might follow an in-person consultation. If the scope changes, discuss the new price before work starts.
For a useful comparison, ask each salon to quote for the same starting colour, hair length, desired result and set of services. You can then compare the cost, time and specialist’s approach.
In future editions, we will look at manicures with removal and getting ready for an evening out. Find more stories about beauty, specialists and everyday life in Lifestyle.
Official menus checked on 27 October 2026. Salons may update prices; confirm the cost of your own request at booking. This article uses publicly available information. Illustration: a stylist working with hair. Photo: Yovanka Loria Salon / Unsplash.
