Trump tariffs on China could lead to more expensive hair appointments
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- New tariffs placed on China by President Donald Trump could impact customers the next time they sit in a salon chair.
While the exact percentage still remains to be seen, the uncertainty is rippling across industries, including the beauty world.
Leanna Tribune owns Tame Hair Studio. She relies mainly on imported hair products.
"A lot of our products come from overseas, we depend on them to bring it in," Tribune said. "There are so many stylists and barbers in the city, there are so many products we depend on them to bring things in."
Tribune isn't the only one. Christina Anderson owns The Masters Touch hair salon and also buys products from overseas. She said right now it's a waiting game.
"Are we willing to wait and see how this whole thing folds out?" Anderson said. "This nation has been in the hole for a long, long time and a lot of money has been going places it should not be, going into the wrong people's hands."
Tribune said products coming from China are more expensive these days after the 145% tariff was placed on certain goods. Central Ohio hair salons like hers are feeling the impact from hair extensions to stylist necessities like gloves and foil.
"We buy things in bulk, so some things where the average person may buy one thing, we buy twenty or we may buy 10," Tribune said. "So each individual thing may go up $3, $4 a piece which can be $30 to $40 each order we put in."
While Tribune hasn't had to raise her prices yet, she said she'll need to if prices continue to increase.
"That's just the way the cookie crumbles," Tribune said. "Unfortunately, that's how things work in the industry. When things go up for me, they go up for my customers. Not the best feeling. Not the best thing I want to report or have to say to my clients, but it is real life today."
But to many, the hair salon goes beyond the blow dryers and combs. It's sanctuary. Tribune said even in these uncertain economic times, she doesn't anticipate people will stop getting their hair done.
"That's one thing about, especially African American hair salons, we are coming to get our hair done," Tribune said. "So, it's just a matter of keeping my clients happy and keeping their pockets happy, and mine too at the same time without having to rock the boat with the prices."
For now, Tribune is bracing for what comes next, hoping to continue meeting her bottom line while keeping her clients happy.