Chris Appleton defends $277K haircut after backlash: ‘I got dragged for that’

After backlash, Chris Appleton said the $277,000 fee covered more than just a haircut

Chris Appleton is defending the eye-watering price tag behind one of his most talked-about jobs.

The celebrity hairstylist, known for working with stars like Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez, addressed backlash after revealing he once charged $200,000, roughly $277,000, for a single hair job.

Speaking on The Great Company with Jamie Laing, Appleton admitted, “I should never have said it. I got dragged for that.” He also revealed he had initially downplayed the number, saying, “It was $200,000 but I said 100 because I was afraid of what everyone would say.”

According to Appleton, the headline-making fee was not simply for a haircut. He said the job involved extensive travel, major time commitments and a much larger scope than a typical salon appointment. “There was a lot of travelling and it was a whole commitment,” he explained, adding, “when you break it down it’s not as much.”

Kim Kardashian’s hairstylist Chris Appleton says he charges up to $200K for a haircut pic.twitter.com/U18lksaww1

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He also pointed out that taxes and professional fees take a significant cut, saying that by the time taxes, agents and business managers are paid, the final amount is far lower than people assume.

Appleton remains one of the most sought-after hairstylists in entertainment. Most recently, he was behind Kardashian’s dramatic blonde transformation for the 2026 Met Gala 2026, a look that quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about beauty moments.