A professional blow dry in the UK typically costs around £25 to £45, although prices vary depending on your hair length, the salon, your location and the style you want.
For shorter hair, you may find appointments from around £25–£30, while medium or long hair often costs £30–£45. More elaborate bouncy, curly or event styling can rise to £45–£60+, particularly in London or at premium salons.
Current salon pricing supports this range. Supercuts currently lists a wash and blow dry from £26 for short hair, increasing to £36 for its longest hair category. Its separate Super Blow-Dry package costs £39 regardless of length and includes washing, a treatment and professional styling.
So, if you are asking how much a blow dry costs in the UK in 2026, budgeting around £30–£40 for a standard appointment is a sensible starting point.
Average Blow Dry Prices in the UK
Typical 2026 prices look roughly like this:
| Blow dry service | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Short-hair wash and blow dry | £25–£30 |
| Medium-hair blow dry | £28–£40 |
| Long-hair blow dry | £32–£45 |
| Extra-long or very thick hair | £35–£50+ |
| Bouncy blow dry | £30–£50 |
| Curly blow dry | £30–£55 |
| Premium London blow dry | £40–£60+ |
| Blow dry with treatment | £35–£50+ |
| Cut and blow dry | £40–£70+ |
| Blow dry after colour | £25–£45+ if charged separately |
These are useful market ranges rather than fixed national prices.
Real salon menus show why there is such a broad spread. Supercuts currently charges from £26 to £36 according to hair length, while a Fulham salon lists blow dries at £29 for short hair, £39 for medium hair and £42 for long hair.
A King’s Road stylist lists straight wash-and-blow-dry appointments from £35 to £45, while curly blow dries range from £38 to £50 depending on hair length.
The best way to compare salons is therefore to look at the exact service rather than the starting price alone.
What Is Usually Included in a Blow Dry?
A standard salon blow dry generally involves washing the hair, applying suitable styling products and drying the hair into the requested finish using brushes and a professional dryer.
You might ask for a smooth finish, extra volume, loose movement, a bouncy style or a straighter result.
Some salons include a conditioner or basic treatment in the price. Others charge extra for specialist treatments, heated tools or more complicated styling.
Supercuts, for example, currently charges £39 for its Super Blow-Dry, which includes washing, a treatment and professional styling. Use of straightening irons can be added separately for £9.50.
This is important because two salons advertising a “£30 blow dry” may not be offering exactly the same appointment.
How Much Is a Blow Dry for Short Hair?
Short-hair blow dries commonly cost around £25 to £30.
Supercuts currently starts its wash-and-blow-dry service at £26 for hair above the ear.
A Fulham salon currently lists a short-hair blow dry at £29, while a London salon on Treatwell lists short-hair wash-and-blow-dry appointments from £35.
The length of the appointment can be shorter for short hair because there is less hair to wash, dry and style.
However, complicated short styles can still require significant precision, so length is not the only factor affecting price.
How Much Is a Blow Dry for Medium Hair?
For medium-length hair, expect approximately £28 to £40.
Supercuts currently charges from £30 for hair around jaw-to-shoulder length.
At Hairartlondon in Fulham, medium-length blow dries are currently listed at £39, while Hair Space London charges £40 for medium hair.
This places roughly £30–£40 comfortably within the current market for medium hair.
How Much Is a Blow Dry for Long Hair?
A long-hair blow dry usually costs around £32 to £45, although very long or particularly thick hair can cost more.
Supercuts currently charges from £34.50 for hair below the shoulder and £36 for hair below the breastbone.
Hairartlondon charges £42 for long hair, while Hair Space London currently lists £43 for long hair and £46 for extra-long hair.
Another London stylist lists a wash and blow dry at £40 for short hair, £45 for medium hair and £55 for long hair, showing how long-hair pricing can move further upward in premium areas.
If your hair reaches well below the shoulders or is particularly dense, it is sensible to mention this when booking rather than assuming the advertised starting price will apply.
Why Does Long or Thick Hair Cost More?
Long and thick hair usually takes more time to wash, section, dry and finish.
It can also require more styling product and more detailed brush work to achieve a smooth or bouncy result.
The difference is visible in many current salon menus. Hair Space London, for example, allocates 30 minutes for short hair, 40 minutes for medium or long hair and 50 minutes for extra-long hair, with prices increasing alongside appointment length.
So the higher price is not simply a “long hair surcharge”. In many cases, the stylist is genuinely providing a longer service.
How Much Does a Bouncy Blow Dry Cost?
A bouncy blow dry typically costs around £30 to £50.
This style is designed to create movement, lift and volume rather than simply drying the hair smooth.
At Hairartlondon, current bouncy blow-dry prices start at £29 for short hair, £39 for medium hair and £42 for long hair.
A bouncy finish may require more sectioning and brush work than a basic straight blow dry, which can make the appointment longer.
If you want a specific look, such as a large-volume “90s blowout”, send or show the stylist an example beforehand. That helps clarify whether a normal blow-dry appointment is enough or whether a more involved styling service is required.
How Much Does a Curly Blow Dry Cost?
A curly or waved blow dry typically costs around £30 to £55.
Prices depend on whether the curls are created predominantly through brush work or whether additional styling tools are used afterwards.
A King’s Road stylist currently lists curly blow dries at £38 for short hair, £45 for medium hair and £50 for long hair.
Hairartlondon currently lists curly blow dries from £29 to £46 depending on length.
If the salon needs to add irons or other finishing tools, check whether this is included. Supercuts, for example, currently charges £9.50 when straightening irons are added to another service.
How Much Does a Blow Dry Cost in London?
London prices generally sit toward the upper end of the UK market.
A standard wash and blow dry commonly costs around £30 to £50, with premium salons or complicated long-hair styling reaching £50–£60+.
Current London examples include £29–£42 in Fulham, £35–£45 on King’s Road and £35–£46 at Hair Space London depending on length.
Another central London stylist currently charges £40 for short hair, £45 for medium hair and £55 for long hair.
That makes £40–£50 perfectly normal for a professional London blow dry, especially with longer hair.
Outside London and other expensive city centres, you are more likely to find prices around £25–£35.
Is £30 Expensive for a Blow Dry?
No. £30 is a very normal current UK price.
Supercuts starts at £26 and reaches £30 for medium-length hair, while several independent London salons start their blow dries at around £29–£35.
For short hair in a smaller town, £30 may sit toward the middle of the market.
For medium or long hair in London, it can be relatively inexpensive.
Is £40 Normal for a Blow Dry?
Yes.
£40 sits comfortably within the current market, especially for medium or long hair, a bouncy finish or a London appointment.
Current examples include medium-hair blow dries at £39 and £40, while long-hair prices commonly move into the low-to-mid £40s.
If £40 includes washing, conditioning, styling products and a professional finish, it is not unusual.
Is £50 Expensive for a Blow Dry?
£50 is toward the premium end for a standard blow dry but is still realistic.
It may be reasonable for very long or thick hair, curly styling, a senior stylist or a premium city-centre salon.
A current King’s Road listing reaches £50 for a long-hair curly blow dry, while another London stylist charges £55 for long-hair wash and blow dry.
For a very basic short-hair blow dry outside London, however, £50 would be expensive.
How Long Does a Blow Dry Take?
Most blow dries take around 30 to 60 minutes.
Short hair can often be washed and styled in about 30 minutes.
Medium hair commonly takes 30–45 minutes, while long or extra-long hair can require 45–60 minutes or more.
Current salon bookings illustrate this clearly. Hairartlondon lists appointments of 30 minutes for short hair, 40 minutes for medium hair and 45 minutes for long hair.
Hair Space London allocates up to 50 minutes for extra-long hair.
Very thick hair or elaborate styling may take longer.
How Long Does a Professional Blow Dry Last?
A professional blow dry often looks good for around two to four days, although this varies considerably.
Fine or oily hair may lose volume sooner, while some people with thicker or drier hair can maintain the style for several days.
Humidity, exercise, sleeping, rain and the styling products used all affect longevity.
For many people, this is why blow dries are commonly booked before weekends, weddings, parties, holidays and other events rather than as an everyday service.
Blow Dry vs Cut and Blow Dry: What’s the Price Difference?
A blow dry does not include a haircut.
A standalone blow dry generally costs around £25–£45, whereas a women’s wash, cut and blow dry more commonly costs £40–£70+.
Supercuts currently starts its wash-and-blow-dry service at £26, compared with £39.50 for shampoo, condition, haircut and blow dry.
At higher-priced salons the difference can be much larger. Headmasters currently lists cut-and-blow-dry appointments from £62 with a stylist, rising according to stylist seniority.
If you need a haircut as well, our guide to women’s haircut costs in the UK explains those prices in more detail.
Is a Blow Dry Included With Hair Colouring?
Sometimes, but not always.
Hair colour services are particularly important to check because salons structure their prices differently.
A balayage or full-head colour price might include a blow dry, while another salon may quote for colour only and add the finish separately.
This can make two apparently similar quotes very different.
For example, a £100 colour service plus a £35 blow dry becomes a £135 appointment.
Whenever you book colouring, ask for the complete price including toner, treatment, haircut if required and finishing.
If you are considering more complex colour, our balayage cost guide explains the wider costs involved.
Does Having Hair Extensions Make a Blow Dry More Expensive?
It can.
Hair extensions add extra length and density, which usually means the stylist has more hair to wash, dry and style.
The stylist also needs to work appropriately around the attachment method.
Some salons therefore charge extra or require a longer appointment for clients wearing extensions.
If you have extensions, mention them when booking rather than arriving for a standard 30-minute appointment.
Our guide to hair extension costs in the UK explains the main extension methods and their ongoing maintenance costs.
How Often Can You Get a Blow Dry?
There is no fixed schedule.
Some people book weekly appointments because they prefer having their hair professionally styled, while others only book for special occasions.
The financial difference can become substantial.
At £35 per appointment every week, professional blow dries would cost around £1,820 per year.
Every two weeks at the same price would cost around £910 per year.
One £40 blow dry every month would cost approximately £480 per year.
If you are considering regular appointments, salon packages or blow-dry bundles may sometimes provide better value than paying the standard price every time.
Are Blow Dry Packages Worth It?
They can be if you book frequently.
Some salons sell several appointments together at a lower effective price.
One current King’s Road stylist, for example, lists a Blowdry Bundle from £98 for short hair, £108 for medium hair and £128 for long hair.
Whether a package is worthwhile depends on how many appointments it includes, how long it remains valid and whether you genuinely plan to use them all.
Do not buy a package simply because the individual appointment price looks cheaper.
Can You Save Money on a Blow Dry?
The most practical way is to compare the complete service and avoid paying for extras you do not need.
Hair length is one of the biggest pricing factors, but salon location, styling complexity and technician level matter as well.
If you only want a smooth straightforward finish, you may not need a premium curly or event-styling service. Likewise, if a salon charges extra for heated-tool finishing, decide whether you actually need it.
Regular customers can also look for packages, weekday offers or loyalty schemes, but the quality of the result should still matter more than saving a few pounds.
How to Choose a Good Hairdresser for a Blow Dry
A blow dry might seem simpler than a major haircut or colour transformation, but technique still makes a noticeable difference.
Look at the stylist’s recent work, particularly on hair similar to your own in length, texture and thickness.
Someone excellent at sleek, straight styling may not necessarily be the strongest choice for large, voluminous curls.
Customer reviews can also help when comparing salons, particularly when several recent customers mention reliability, styling quality and how long their blow dry lasted.
Reviews are not automatically trustworthy, though. If you rely heavily on ratings when comparing local businesses, our guide to spotting fake reviews explains some useful warning signs to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a blow dry cost in the UK?
A professional blow dry typically costs around £25 to £45, with short hair usually at the lower end and long, thick or more complex styling toward the upper end. Supercuts currently charges from £26 to £36 according to hair length.
How much is a blow dry for long hair?
Expect approximately £35 to £45 at many salons, although premium London appointments can reach £50–£55 or more.
How much is a bouncy blow dry?
A bouncy blow dry commonly costs around £30 to £50. Current salon examples range from £29 to £42 depending on hair length.
How much is a blow dry in London?
Approximately £30 to £50 is common, with premium, long-hair or complex styling potentially costing £50–£60+.
Is £40 a normal price for a blow dry?
Yes. £40 is very normal for medium or long hair, especially in larger cities.
Does a blow dry include washing?
Usually, a service advertised as “wash and blow dry” does. If the menu simply says “blow dry”, check the description because salons can use the terms differently.
Does hair length affect the price?
Often, yes. Supercuts currently charges from £26 for short hair to £36 for its longest category, while other salons show similar increases.
How long does a blow dry take?
Usually around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on hair length, thickness and the desired finish.
Is a haircut included in a blow dry?
No. A cut-and-blow-dry is a different service and generally costs more.
Is a blow dry included after balayage?
It depends on the salon. Some colour packages include finishing and others charge separately, so always request the complete appointment price.
How Much Should You Budget for a Blow Dry?
For most people asking how much a blow dry costs in the UK, a realistic 2026 budget is around £25 to £45.
Expect approximately £25–£30 for short hair, £28–£40 for medium hair, £32–£45 for long hair and £40–£60+ for premium, particularly thick or more elaborate styling.
The biggest price differences usually come from hair length, styling complexity and salon location.
Check whether washing, conditioning, treatments and heated-tool finishing are included before comparing prices. A £32 appointment with everything included could represent better value than a £27 service that becomes £40 after extras.
If you are planning more than styling alone, you can also compare our guides to women’s haircut prices, balayage costs and hair extension prices to understand your complete salon budget.
And if you need a local hairdresser or hairstylist, you can also discover service professionals through The Right Guy.
Author: The Right Guy Team
UK service guides published by The Right Guy Ltd.