Sometimes. A basic Supercuts haircut typically doesn’t include a shampoo, and your stylist usually just wets your hair first. Higher tiers (often called Supercut II or Supercut Plus) add a shampoo for a few dollars more, and some locations sell it as an add-on. Names and prices vary by location, so ask at check-in.
It Depends on Which Supercut You Choose
Supercuts sells its haircuts in tiers. The shampoo is what separates them.
The base cut is built for speed. The tiers above it add extras like a shampoo, a blow-dry, or hot-tool styling.
One thing trips people up: every Supercuts haircut ends with the Hot Towel Refresher. Supercuts describes it as a finishing touch that leaves you feeling clean and ready to go. It’s a towel finish, not a hair wash.
What’s Included in Each Supercuts Haircut?
Based on third-party menus of Supercuts’ tiers, here’s the typical lineup:
| Service | Shampoo? | Blow-dry? | What else |
| Supercut | Typically no | No | Haircut + Hot Towel Refresher |
| Supercut II (sometimes “Supercut Plus”) | Yes | No | Shampoo, haircut, Hot Towel Refresher |
| Supercut III | Yes | Simple blow-dry | Adds a basic dry-and-style |
| Supercut IV | Yes | Simple blow-dry | Adds hot-tool styling |
| Supercut Jr. / Sr. | Varies | Varies | Cuts for kids 12 and under, and adults 65 and older |
Supercuts salons are walk-in and set up locally, so tier names, inclusions, and age rules can differ from one salon to the next. Treat this table as a guide, not a guarantee.
What Happens If Your Cut Doesn’t Include a Shampoo?
Your stylist will usually wet your hair with water and start cutting. Most stylists prefer to cut hair that’s damp, so this is normal.
Here’s the catch. Water alone doesn’t remove styling products. Stylist-education sources point out that a spray bottle won’t clear enough gel, wax, or buildup to protect the hair and the blades. Products can also hide how your hair naturally falls, which makes the cut harder to get right.
So with a base Supercut, you’re the one responsible for arriving clean enough to cut.
How Much Does a Shampoo Cost at Supercuts?
It varies, because prices are set by location. Here are a few examples pulled from individual store pages by a third-party price tracker:
- Connecticut: about $22.75 for the cut vs. $29.57 with shampoo
- California: $28 vs. $35
- Florida: $24 vs. $28
An independent price guide estimates a standalone shampoo add-on at roughly $8 to $15 at most locations. That’s an estimate, not an official price list.
Your salon’s number may be different, so confirm before you sit down.
Should You Wash Your Hair Before Going to Supercuts?
Use this rule:
- Buying a cut with no shampoo? Arrive with clean to day-old hair. A stylist-run salon in Denver recommends washing about 24 hours before a haircut so your natural texture and shape show clearly.
- Buying a cut with a shampoo? You don’t need to wash first, unless your hair is heavy with product.
- Wearing gel, wax, hairspray, or dry shampoo? Rinse it out or wash before you go. Heavy products are the main thing that causes trouble in the chair.
- Curly or coily hair? Some textures are cut dry. Tell your stylist when you check in, and arrive detangled.
Is it rude to show up with unwashed hair? Not at all. Stylists see every kind of hair. But if you’ve got buildup, sweat, or a strong scalp smell, a quick wash the day before is a kind gesture.
The 30-Second Check-In Test
Because pricing and tiers vary by location, don’t guess. Ask three questions at the front desk or when you check in:
- “What’s included in the basic cut at this location?”
- “What’s the price of a shampoo?”
- “Will my hair be cut wet or dry?”
Those three answers cover almost everything. Supercuts is no-appointment, and you can also check in through the Supercuts app, so you can do this by phone before you leave home.
Conclusion
A basic Supercuts haircut usually doesn’t include shampoo. If you want one, pick a higher tier or add it on, and expect the price to vary by location. If you skip the shampoo, show up clean or day-old, and rinse out any heavy product first. When in doubt, use the 30-Second Check-In Test.
FAQs
Is shampoo included in a Supercuts haircut?
Usually not in the base cut. A shampoo typically comes with the next tier up (often called Supercut II or Supercut Plus) or as an add-on. Confirm your location.
How much is a shampoo at Supercuts?
Prices are set locally. Sampled store pages show about $4 to $7 more for a cut with shampoo, and one independent guide estimates $8 to $15 as a standalone add-on. Ask for your salon’s price.
Should I wash my hair before going to Supercuts?
If your cut doesn’t include a shampoo, yes: arrive clean or day-old. If it does, you can skip it unless you’re wearing a lot of products.
What’s the difference between a Supercut and Supercut II?
The base Supercut is a haircut with a Hot Towel Refresher. Supercut II adds a shampoo before the cut.
Is it rude to go to a haircut with dirty hair?
No. Stylists work with all hair. Just wash out heavy product, sweat, or buildup beforehand if you can.
Do I need an appointment at Supercuts?
No. Supercuts is a walk-in chain, and you can also check in with the Supercuts app to hold your place.
Do you tip at Supercuts?
Tipping is customary. One price guide cites $4 to $5 on a $20 haircut as a standard tip, about 18 to 25 percent.