Let’s be honest, freelance hairdressers often find taking deposits harder than employees do. Why? Because there’s no front of house team, no manager and no one else to ask for the money. It’s just you. You have to look a client in the eye (or more likely, send a message) and ask for money before you’ve even picked up your tint brush, and that can feel deeply uncomfortable. But here’s the harsh truth: if you’re not taking deposits, you are 100% taking money out of your own pocket instead.
So, let’s break it down. How many cancellations did you have last month?Multiply that number by 12. Now, add up how much those missed appointments cost you. Was it £800? £3,000? £5,000? Try to imagine what that money could have done. A weekend away with your partner? Paid off a credit card? A holiday with the family? When you put a personal cost to that number, it hits differently. Not charging deposits isn’t just a financial hit; it’s an emotional one. That’s your life you’re giving away because you’re afraid to draw a line.
Most hairdressers struggle with the same four things:
What lies at the root of all of this? The fear of not being good enough. But here’s something to remember: every business you admire and every brand that feels professional and respected has boundaries. Taking a deposit isn’t rude; it’s business. It’s time we stopped seeing it as anything less. If you’ve never done it before, know this: the best time to start was yesterday and the second-best time is today.
Sure, a few clients may get the hump about it, but it’s always just a few. One or two complain, and suddenly it feels like everyone’s upset. But you have to remember, that’s just your brain’s negativity bias talking. Did you know we’re six times more likely to remember negative feedback than positive feedback? At the end of the day, if five people grumble and 100 people pay their deposit without a fuss… you’re winning.
If you’re going to take a deposit, make it count. Anything less than 50% isn’t enough to protect your income or deter time-wasters. A 50% deposit is your insurance policy, and it’s the standard for a reason.
“But what if they cancel? What if it’s one of my loyal regulars?” Let me tell you what we did at Not Another Salon. One day, a regular called in a panic – she’d cancelled outside the 48-hour window and didn’t want to lose her deposit. I could’ve just let it go, but instead, I said, “Let me do everything I can to fill the stylist’s space today. If I can rebook it, I’ll give you the full deposit back. If not, it’ll be kept, because that space would’ve gone unused.” That approach felt fair to everyone involved and she respected it. It showed we weren’t just keeping the money for nothing, and we were protecting the livelihood of our team.
If you want to raise your prices, level up your service and be seen as a serious, high-end professional, then you need to stop making decisions based on fear. It’s time to start showing up as the business owner you are. Yes, you can make exceptions. I’m not saying you need to turn into a robot! If a client has been with you for years and never missed an appointment, maybe you let it slide once a year. But anything more than that? You’re letting fear run the show. In 2025, a beauty business that doesn’t take deposits feels… amateur. You’re better than that.
Still nervous about what to say? Use this: “To secure your booking, we take a 50% deposit. If you’re happy to pay that today, we’ll get you booked in. If now’s not the right time, that’s totally fine, just give me a message when you’re ready to pay and I’ll do my best to hold the space for you, though I can’t guarantee it will still be available.” Clean. Clear. Kind. You’re not being pushy; you’re being professional.
You didn’t go self-employed to be walked all over; you did it for freedom. However, real freedom doesn’t come from winging it; it comes from structure and boundaries. Start taking deposits today – you’ll thank yourself when someone doesn’t show up next week… and you still get paid.
