A hair dye costs up to 2,000 pesos and keratin treatment is 9,000: Details on beauty service prices in Cuba spark reactions

A young Cuban resident in Matanzas, identified on TikTok as Sheyla (@sheyreyes03), recently shared a video detailing the costs of various beauty services in Cuba, eliciting mixed reactions from her followers. In the video, which has garnered thousands of interactions, Sheyla breaks down the prices she pays for hair treatments, microblading, eyelash extensions, facial cleansings, and manicures.

Sheyla describes that a single tube of hair dye costs between 1,500 and 2,000 Cuban pesos (CUP), enough for one application considering the amount of hair she has. Additionally, she mentions that highlights at a beauty salon can cost up to 100 U.S. dollars.

One of the most expensive treatments she offers is keratin, priced at 1,500 CUP per ounce. She explains that for her amount of hair, she needs approximately six ounces, which totals 9,000 CUP per session. Sheyla clarifies that she does not undergo this treatment monthly, but rather every two or three months.

The microblading, another of its regular treatments, costs 30 dollars for the initial session and 20 or 25 dollars for follow-ups. Furthermore, natural eyelash extensions cost 1,000 CUP, but if more volume or length is desired, the price can reach up to 3,000 CUP.

Facial cleansings also vary in price, ranging from 3,000 to 3,500 CUP depending on the treatment. Finally, Sheyla mentions that manicure and pedicure services have an average cost of 1,500 CUP with her current aesthetician, although some salons charge up to 6,000 CUP.

The video sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok. Some users criticized the prices, questioning how it is possible to afford those services in a context of low wages in Cuba. “I don’t understand anything, you need to bring a truck full of money,” commented one user. Others suggested that Sheyla include dollar equivalents to help her audience understand better, as many of them live outside the island. “If you talk in Cuban pesos, nobody understands, my love, your audience mostly doesn’t live in Cuba. You need to speak in $,” remarked another follower.

There were speculative comments about the source of her income, some of which suggested that the young woman is financially supported by her partner abroad. However, others defended her right to enjoy the treatments she desires. "They attack and criticize her as if it were a crime to have a providing husband. Well, I would say it's more about envy than anything else," commented a user.

Sheyla's testimony comes at a time when the cost of living in Cuba is marked by rampant inflation and a devalued national currency. In the informal market, the US dollar was trading at 340 CUP on February 4, 2025, meaning that a keratin treatment costing 9,000 CUP is approximately equivalent to 26.50 USD.

These prices, in comparison to the average salaries on the island, highlight the economic disparities in the country. Previously, she had mentioned that she spent 25,000 CUP in three days at a house with a pool, while five days at a hotel like the Grand Aston with her partner cost 600 USD.

Sheyla's video not only highlights the costs of beauty services in Cuba, but also opens a broader debate about spending priorities and the difficulties many citizens face in accessing these services. While some view her posts as a reflection of a privileged reality, others see them as yet another example of the deep inequalities that characterize life on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions about Beauty Services and the Economic Situation in Cuba