Most guys who color their hair don’t talk about it. And that’s kind of the point, the best men’s color work is invisible. You just look better. More rested. Like you haven’t aged since 2019. Nobody needs to know why.
At 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons in 4S Ranch, we offer three core color services, gray blending, full color, and men’s perms, plus color correction for when a DIY job goes sideways. Each one serves a different purpose, and our stylists will tell you honestly which one (if any) makes sense for your hair.
Here’s what each service involves, who it’s best for, what it costs, and what to expect when you sit down.
Gray Blending: The Most Popular Men’s Color Service
Gray blending is what most guys start with, and most guys stick with. It doesn’t eliminate your gray, it softens it. Think of it as turning the volume down from “distinguished professor” to “guy who takes care of himself.” You’ll still have some gray, but it won’t be the first thing people notice.
The process is fast. A semi-permanent color is applied at the shampoo bowl, sits for 10-15 minutes, and gets rinsed. Total time is about 20-30 minutes. The color fades gradually over 4-6 weeks, so there’s never a hard line or obvious grow-out. Some guys push it to 8 weeks and still look fine.
Who it’s for: Men who are 30-60% gray and want to dial it back without a drastic change. If someone told you “you should try something for your grays,” this is what they meant. It’s subtle, low-commitment, and reversible, if you don’t like it, it fades out on its own.
Price: $50 at 18|8 in 4S Ranch (30 minutes), or $107 booked with a Classic Haircut as the Classic Haircut & Grey Blend.
Maintenance: Every 4-6 weeks to keep it consistent. No root touch-ups needed, the fade is gradual and natural.
For a deeper dive on gray blending and men’s color in general, check out our complete guide.
Full Color (Single Process): Complete Coverage
Full color is one uniform shade applied to all of your hair. This is for guys who want to fully cover gray or restore their natural color. If you’re mostly gray and want to go back to the dark brown you had ten years ago, this is the service.
A good single process doesn’t look flat or painted on. Your colorist adjusts the formula to keep some natural variation, slightly different tones at the roots vs. the ends, so the result looks real, not like a helmet.
Who it’s for: Men who want full gray coverage or a meaningful color change. Also works for guys whose natural color has faded or dulled and want to restore the richness. This is more of a commitment than gray blending, the coverage is more complete, but so is the maintenance.
What to expect: 30-45 minutes. Color is applied root to tip, processed, and rinsed. The result is immediate and dramatic compared to gray blending. You’ll walk out looking noticeably different, in a good way.
Price: Hair Coloring is $75 (75 minutes), or $133 with a Classic Haircut as the Classic Cut & Color.
Maintenance: Every 3-4 weeks to manage root growth. This is the highest-maintenance color option because the grow-out is visible. Semi-permanent formulas last 6-8 weeks and fade more naturally if you prefer less upkeep.
Men’s Perms: Texture and Volume Without the Daily Effort
Perms are back, and they don’t look anything like they did in the 80s. A modern men’s perm creates loose, natural-looking waves or curls that give your hair body, movement, and texture. Think Korean perm, textured wave perm, or just “my hair finally does what I want it to do.”
Here is the process. Your stylist wraps sections of hair around rods, the rod size determines how tight or loose the curl will be. A perm solution is applied, processes for a set time, then gets neutralized and rinsed. The whole appointment takes about 90-120 minutes. You’ll see the texture immediately.
Who it’s for: Men with straight, flat hair who want more body and movement without styling every morning. If you spend 15 minutes with a blow dryer trying to get any kind of volume, a perm does that work for you. Works best on hair that’s at least 3-4 inches on top, you need some length for the curl to show.
Price: $155 at 18|8 in 4S Ranch (90 minutes).
Maintenance: A perm lasts 3-6 months. As new hair grows in straight, the curl gradually grows out, no harsh line. Use sulfate-free shampoo, wash every 2-3 days (not daily), and use a curl-enhancing cream or mousse. Skip the brush, finger-comb or wide-tooth comb only.
Color Correction: Fixing What Went Wrong
Tried a box dye and ended up with an orange tint? Previous salon didn’t match your tone? Color correction brings your hair back to a natural, even shade. No judgment, it happens more often than you’d think, and it’s fixable.
What to expect: Varies depending on the situation. Could be a single appointment, could require two sessions. Your colorist will look at what happened, explain what went wrong, and give you an honest timeline and cost for the fix. The goal is to get you back to a natural look without further damage.
Why Get Color Done at a Men’s Salon
Color is chemistry, and men’s hair is different from women’s, coarser texture, shorter lengths, different growth patterns. A stylist who works with men’s hair every day knows how formulas react differently, how to blend color that looks natural at a half-inch length, and what “subtle” actually means for a guy.
At 18|8, every color appointment starts with a consultation. Your stylist will look at your natural color, your skin tone, your gray pattern, and your lifestyle, and recommend the right service. If the answer is “you don’t need color,” they’ll tell you that too.
And if you’re in San Diego, our outdoor lifestyle matters for color. Sun, salt water, and chlorine all affect how color holds and fades. A colorist who understands that will choose formulas and recommend aftercare that actually works here, not in a climate-controlled office in New York.
Aftercare: Making Your Color Last
-
Switch to sulfate-free, color-safe shampoo. Regular shampoo strips color faster. Your stylist will recommend one.
-
Don’t wash your hair for 24-48 hours after coloring. Gives the color time to set.
-
If you swim, rinse your hair before getting in the pool. Wet hair absorbs less chlorine.
-
For perms: skip the brush entirely. Finger-comb or use a wide-tooth comb. Brushing pulls out curl definition.
-
For gray blending or full color: a color-depositing conditioner can extend your color between appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does men’s hair color cost at 18|8?
Gray blending is $50, hair coloring is $75, highlights are $75, and a perm is $155. Color correction depends on the work involved, so book a consultation for an estimate.
Will people know I colored my hair?
Not if it’s done right. Gray blending is designed to be invisible, you just look fresher. Full color should be within 1-2 shades of your natural tone. The goal is always “you, but better.”
How long does men’s hair color last?
Gray blending fades over 4-6 weeks. Full color needs a touch-up every 3-4 weeks. Perms last 3-6 months.
Is a perm the same as a “texture treatment”?
Essentially yes. “Texture treatment,” “wave perm,” and “Korean perm” all refer to the same chemical process, the difference is the rod size and technique, which affects how tight or loose the result is. Your stylist will help you decide.
Can I get color and a haircut in the same appointment?
Yes. Most guys combine a gray blending service with their regular haircut. Just mention it when you book so we allow enough time.
I tried box dye and it looks bad. Can you fix it?
Yes, that’s what color correction is for. Book a consultation and we’ll assess what happened and give you an honest plan to fix it.
Does color damage men’s hair?
Modern semi-permanent formulas (used for gray blending) are gentle. Full color involves more chemistry but with proper technique and aftercare, damage is minimal. Perms use a chemical solution that can dry hair out, so aftercare matters, your stylist will walk you through it.
Book a Color Consultation at 18|8 in 4S Ranch
Not sure which service is right for you? Start with a consultation. Our stylists will look at your hair, talk through what you want, and recommend the right approach. No commitment required.
More about our color services.
Complete men’s hair color guide.
Location: 10543 4S Commons Dr., Ste #176, San Diego, CA 92127
Phone: (858) 914-5418
Book Online: schedule your appointment
Your hair. Your call. We just make sure it looks right.
Last Updated: September 2026
