2025 Hair Extension Service Expectations Part Three: A Real Client Breakdown with Meg at Moss Salon
If you've been following this series, Parts One and Two covered the rise in hair extension prices, the lack of transparency across salons, and why clients in Eau Claire should compare stylists, methods, and pricing before booking. I am Meg Ann Lee and for Part Three, I'm breaking down a real extension and color appointment from my chair at Moss Salon, so you can see what a full transformation actually costs in 2025 and what long-term maintenance really looks like.
A Real 2025 Extension Appointment: What This Client Paid
This client came in wanting new hair, more length,thickness and a brighter blend. Because of her natural hair length and her desired end result, she needed three rows of extensions to get the density and shape she was after.
Her service included $810 in extension hair, a $150 partial foil, a $30 treatment, three rows installed at $90 each, and a $35 haircut add-on. Her total investment came to $1,295.This price range is an extremely average price range in 2025 for a full extension transformation in the Midwest. The cost varies because every client starts with different hair, needs a different amount of grams, and requires a different approach to blending and color. If you want to see more BTS of this appointment on tiktok check it out HERE!
Maintenance Reality: What Extension Wearers Need to Know
Extensions require consistent upkeep, and most clients come in every six to eight weeks. How often you return depends on your install method, your texture, and how well you care for your hair at home. If you brush regularly, sleep in a loose braid or bonnet, and avoid unnecessary tension, you'll get more time between appointments. If you're harder on your hair or skip the recommended routines, you'll need to come in sooner to avoid tangles or scalp discomfort.
Color does not need to happen at every maintenance, and honestly, I prefer that it doesn't. A softer, natural root is healthier in the long run. Some clients like a mini foil or toner now and then, but bleaching every move-up is something I advise against.
As for replacing the extension hair itself, that timeline is different for everyone. Blonde clients often need new hair every eight to 10 months, while brunettes can get anywhere from 12 to 14 months of wear with good home care.
Why This Series Matters
When I reached out to other extension stylists while researching Parts One and Two, I noticed how inconsistent and unclear the industry can be. Pricing wasn't discussed and not shown on websites, education and experience varies wildly, communication varies even more, and clients are often left confused - which is how misunderstandings end up on TikTok as viral story-time rants versus clients going back to their trusted stylists.
My goal with this series is to shift that. Clients deserve real numbers, real expectations, and honest conversations about what it takes to maintain extensions. And stylists deserve to be paid for the thousands they put into education, certifications, and ongoing training.
My POV as an Extension StylistÂ
When someone sits in my chair and asks for long, thick, dimensional hair, my job is to create it. Your job is to decide whether the investment fits your lifestyle, budget, and maintenance comfort level. I'm here to tell you what it costs and why - not to upsell you or hustle you into services you don't need, but to guide you through a luxury service with transparency so you can achieve your hair goals.
I love giving clients the hair they've been dreaming about, and sharing real numbers and real examples helps set everyone up for success. If you're researching hair extensions in Eau Claire, the Chippewa Valley, or anywhere in the Midwest, make sure you read Parts One and Two to help compare pricing, understand maintenance, and choose the stylist that's right for you <3