How Much Do Hair Highlights Cost in Canada? (2026 Price Guide)

Foil highlights are one of the most booked colour services at Canadian salons, and the price difference between partial and full foils is significant. Based on publicly advertised prices collected from 43 independent Canadian businesses across 8 provinces in October 2026, full highlights prices range from $105 to $220, with a national median of $165. The middle 50% of salons charge between $145 and $180.

Partial foils — focusing on the crown, part-line, and face frame — have a distinctly different price structure, and the two services are not interchangeable when comparing quotes.

Full vs partial highlights: understanding the price split

Before looking at numbers, the distinction matters. A full head of foils places lightener in sections across the entire head, from the nape of the neck to the front hairline. A partial highlight typically covers the crown and part-line only. The under-sections and nape are left untouched.

This research tracked both variations across the same 43-salon sample:

A partial highlight service typically costs $40 to $50 less than a full head at the same salon. If brightness at the part-line and face-frame is all you need, a partial may deliver the result for considerably less money. If you want all-over dimension, the full head is the appropriate service.

For a fuller explanation of what a full-head foil service involves, see our full head of foils guide.

Provincial prices for full highlights

Ontario has the highest provincial median at $185, driven by Toronto’s concentration of premium salons. British Columbia follows at $175. New Brunswick’s provincial median of $142.50 falls below the national median; as with balayage, part of this reflects deeper sampling in lower-price markets and training academies.

City-by-city comparison for full highlights

Notes on the table:

• Toronto’s range ($175–$220, median $187.50) reflects established mid-to-premium city colourists. The national median of $165 is somewhat below what clients should typically expect in downtown Toronto.
• Fredericton’s median of $124 is noticeably below most other cities. This reflects a sample that includes a training academy at the low end and several community-market salons pricing independently.
• Saint John has four salons sampled and a wide range ($140–$210). The $210 at the top suggests at least one premium provider in the market; the median of $149 is a more grounded indicator of what most Saint John clients will encounter.

New Brunswick highlights pricing

New Brunswick received deep coverage in this research, with 14 salons documented across three cities.

Fredericton (5 salons — sufficient city sample)

Full highlights in Fredericton ranged from $105 to $145, with a median of $124. This sample includes a training academy at the lower end. Established independent salons in Fredericton tend to sit in the $120–$145 range for full highlights, which is below the national median. Fredericton is not a discount market — it is a smaller, community-based salon economy with fewer premium-tier providers.

Moncton and Dieppe (5 salons — sufficient city sample)

Moncton and Dieppe salons advertised full highlights from $135 to $165, with a median of $145. The range is tighter here than in Fredericton, and the pricing sits closer to mid-market national levels. Clients in Moncton looking for full foils can expect the majority of published options in the $140–$160 range. Browse Moncton hair salons to compare current salon options.

Saint John (4 salons — sufficient city sample)

Saint John had four salons in the research with a range of $140 to $210 and a median of $149. The wide spread is worth noting: the $210 observation stands well above the other three. The median of $149 is probably a more useful planning figure than the full range. Browse the New Brunswick salon directory and confirm current availability with the salon.

What drives the cost of highlights

Several factors can affect quotes for the same service.

Full vs partial. This is the biggest single split in highlights pricing — a full head costs roughly $40–$50 more than partial in most markets. Confirming which service the quote covers before booking prevents surprises.

Hair length and thickness. Thick or very long hair requires more foils, more product, and more time. Extra lightener bowls are typically charged at $20 to $35 per additional bowl. A stylist assessing your hair at consultation will be able to give you a realistic total.

Stylist seniority. Junior and new-talent colourists price highlights $25 to $90 below senior and master-level stylists for the same listed service. At many salons the technique is equally sound — the difference reflects experience and demand for their chair.

Toner. Foil highlights almost always require a toner to neutralize brassiness and refine the final tone. Some salons include it in the base price; others price it separately at $30 to $60 (median $45). Always ask whether toner is included. If it is not, factor it into your budget.

Bond treatments. Olaplex, K18, and similar treatments can be added at $30 to $50 (median $40). They protect the hair structure during lightening. Not all clients need them, but stylists often recommend them for colour-treated or fine hair.

Student clinics. Supervised academies (Mane Institute in Fredericton, Aveda in Winnipeg) offer highlights at $100 to $110 — well below standard market rates — with appropriate supervision.

What is typically included

Included in most advertised highlight prices:

• Pre-service consultation
• Foil placement and lightener application
• Rinse and basic toner (where bundled)
• Basic finish blow-dry or styling

Commonly charged separately:

• Toner or gloss ($30–$60 if not included)
• Bond builder treatment ($30–$50)
• Extra product bowls ($20–$35 each)
• Haircut or trim with colour service ($30–$55)
• Stylist seniority surcharge
• Provincial sales tax (all advertised prices are pre-tax)
• Gratuity (typically 15–20%)

Questions to ask before you book

• Is this price for full or partial highlights? What sections does it cover?
• Is toner included, or will it be billed separately?
• Does the price change based on my hair length or thickness?
• Which stylist level does this appointment use?
• Is a bond treatment available, and what does it cost?
• How long should I allow for the appointment?

Frequently asked questions

How much do full highlights cost in Canada?

Based on advertised menus from 43 independent businesses across 8 provinces in October 2026, full highlights range from $105 to $220, with a national median of $165. Most salons in the middle of the market price full highlights between $145 and $180. These are advertised starting prices; hair length, toner, and stylist level can all push the final bill higher.

What is the difference in price between partial and full highlights?

In this sample, partial highlights had a median of $120 compared to $165 for full highlights. Partial highlights cover the top sections of the head only; full highlights include the nape and under-sections as well.

Does the highlights price include a toner?

Not always. Toner after a foil service is strongly recommended, but whether it is included in the advertised price depends on the salon. Where it is charged separately, it typically runs $30 to $60. Confirm before booking.

Are highlights more expensive in Toronto than in New Brunswick?

The sample data supports a meaningful difference. Toronto’s city median for full highlights was $187.50; Fredericton’s was $124 and Moncton’s was $145. The difference reflects rent, market demand, and the concentration of premium-tier providers in larger urban centres. New Brunswick clients have access to several well-reviewed salons at below-national-median prices.

How often do you need to book highlights?

A full foil service produces root-to-end brightness, which means regrowth is visible earlier than with balayage. Most clients booking foil highlights return every 6 to 10 weeks for maintenance. The frequency varies by how fast your hair grows, how light the highlights are, and your tolerance for visible regrowth. See our balayage pricing guide if lower-maintenance colour is a priority.

About these prices

Pricing was compiled from advertised highlighting service menus at 43 independent Canadian businesses across 16 cities in 8 provinces, researched in October 2026. Businesses were identified through first-party salon websites; booking platform data supplemented where direct menus were unavailable. All prices are CAD and represent advertised starting rates. Current pricing at any specific business may differ.

Actual costs vary based on:

• Full vs partial foil coverage
• Hair length and density
• Whether toner is included or billed separately
• Bond builder add-ons
• Stylist seniority level
• Extra lightener product required
• Provincial sales tax (HST/GST/PST excluded from all listed menu prices)
• Gratuity (typically 15–20%)

Prices change. Confirm the current rate directly with the salon before booking.

Browse highlights services or hair colour services to find salons near you. For solid all-over colour or root-regrowth prices, see the hair colour cost guide. Our balayage pricing guide explains how foil highlights differ in price and maintenance from hand-painted lightening. For darker dimension rather than lightening, compare lowlights pricing.

Compare other service categories in our Canadian salon and spa pricing guides.