Surviving Trump’s 2025 Tariffs: A Salon Owner’s Guide

Salon owners, buckle up—Trump’s new tariffs in 2025 are here, and they’re targeting a wide range of imported goods. From hair color to hair extensions, the very foundation of your services might now come with a higher price tag. But before you panic, let’s make one thing clear: at Destroy The Hairdresser, we don’t react emotionally; we respond intelligently.

These tariffs are a challenge, but they’re not the end of the world. Let’s dissect what’s happening and craft a game plan to keep your salon not just surviving but redefining what success means in this industry.

What’s Being Affected? 

Trump’s tariffs have hit several critical areas for salon owners:

 • Hair Color: Imported professional color brands, especially European ones, may now cost significantly more.

 • Hair Extensions: Human hair sourced from global markets like India and China is now pricier, making it harder to maintain your usual profit margins.

 • Salon Tools and Furniture: Scissors, dryers, and chairs—everything you need to run your space efficiently—is also on the list.

The good news? This isn’t your first rodeo, and we’ve got strategies to pivot with power.

How to Handle the Hair Color Tariff 

1. Reevaluate Your Color Line 

Do you really need 50 shades of one brand? Probably not. Start by auditing your inventory and streamlining your offerings. Fewer options mean less waste and more focused purchasing.

2. Bulk Buying 

Look for opportunities to purchase larger quantities at once. Partnering with other salons in your area for group buys could help offset costs.

3. Pass Costs Intelligently 

Switching to hourly pricing, a cornerstone of DTH’s methods, ensures you’re charging for your time and expertise, not just products. It allows you to adjust rates as your expenses rise without nickel-and-diming clients on color services.

Navigating Hair Extensions Tariffs 

1. Local Sourcing 

Explore local or regional extension suppliers who may not be affected by the tariffs. Build partnerships with emerging brands that align with your salon’s values.

2. Affiliate Marketing 

Switch to an affiliate model for extension sales. Partner with brands that offer profit-sharing on online sales instead of buying and holding inventory yourself.

3. Premium Pricing 

Clients who invest in extensions understand their value. Be transparent about tariff impacts and adjust your pricing to reflect the higher cost of materials.

Smart Strategies for Salon Success 

Reacting emotionally to tariffs only leads to chaos. Instead, let’s focus on strategy and critical thinking with these key approaches:

1. Streamline Your Inventory 

From tools to retail products, it’s time to go lean. Stick to what sells and what supports your services most profitably.

2. Educate Your Clients 

Your clients trust you—so communicate. Share how you’re navigating these changes and why their investment in your services remains worthwhile.

3. Focus on Emotional Intelligence 

A salon that’s calm, collected, and well-informed creates confidence for clients and team members. Your leadership in these times is your most valuable asset.

4. Adopt Modern Methods 

Ditch outdated systems like retail and service-based pricing. With Destroy The Hairdresser’s methods—hourly pricing, station sharing, and gratuity-free policies—you can absorb rising costs without losing control of your margins.

Salon Owners, It’s Time to Lead 

The 2025 tariffs are just another test of your leadership and resilience. At Destroy The Hairdresser, we coach salon owners to respond to challenges with strategy, not emotion. These tariffs may increase costs, but with the right systems and mindset, they don’t have to shrink your profits.

Let’s Rewrite the Industry Together 

It’s time to stop reacting to change and start leading it. If you’re ready to pivot powerfully and future-proof your salon, join our coaching program today.