A Cuban woman from Matanzas, known on TikTok as Sheyla (@sheyreyes03), recently shared a video outlining the costs of various beauty services in Cuba, prompting mixed reactions from her followers. The video, which has garnered thousands of interactions, details the prices Sheyla pays for hair treatments, microblading, eyelash extensions, facial cleanses, and manicures.
Sheyla explains that a single tube of hair dye costs between 1,500 and 2,000 Cuban pesos (CUP), adequate for one application due to her hair volume. Additionally, she notes that highlights in a beauty salon can reach up to $100. One of the priciest treatments she undergoes is keratin, priced at 1,500 CUP per ounce. She requires about six ounces for her hair, totaling 9,000 CUP per session. She clarifies that this treatment is not done monthly, but every two or three months instead.
Microblading, another regular treatment for her, costs $30 for the initial session with touch-ups ranging from $20 to $25. Natural eyelash extensions are priced at 1,000 CUP, but for more volume or length, the cost can climb to 3,000 CUP. Facial cleansing prices vary, ranging from 3,000 to 3,500 CUP, depending on the procedure. Lastly, Sheyla mentions that her current beautician charges an average of 1,500 CUP for manicures and pedicures, although some salons demand up to 6,000 CUP.
The video sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok. Some users criticized the prices, questioning how such services can be afforded given Cuba's low wages. "I don’t understand, you need a truckload of money," commented one user. Others suggested Sheyla provide dollar equivalents to aid comprehension, as many of her audience live outside the island. "If you speak in Cuban pesos, no one understands, darling, your audience mostly doesn't live in Cuba. You need to talk in $," another follower remarked.
Speculative comments about her income sources were not absent, with some suggesting that her partner abroad supports her financially. However, others defended her right to enjoy whatever treatments she desires. "They attack and criticize her as if it’s a crime to have a providing husband. Well, I’d say it’s more envy than anything," one user opined.
Sheyla’s account emerges at a time when the cost of living in Cuba is characterized by rampant inflation and a depreciated national currency. As of February 4, 2025, the U.S. dollar traded at 340 CUP on the informal market, making a 9,000 CUP keratin treatment roughly equivalent to $26.50.
These costs, when compared to the island's average wages, highlight the economic disparities in the country. Previously, she had shared that she spent 25,000 CUP over three days in a house with a pool, while five days at a hotel like the Grand Aston with her partner cost $600.
Sheyla's video not only sheds light on beauty service costs in Cuba but also ignites a broader discussion on spending priorities and the challenges 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 define life on the island.
Understanding Beauty Service Costs in Cuba
Why are beauty service prices in Cuba so high?
Beauty service prices in Cuba are high due to the country's economic situation, characterized by inflation and a devalued national currency. This affects the cost of goods and services, including those related to beauty and personal care.
How does the cost of living in Cuba affect access to beauty services?
The high cost of living in Cuba, coupled with low average wages, makes access to beauty services challenging for many citizens. The disparity between income levels and service costs underscores economic inequalities in the country.
What impact do these prices have on Cuban citizens?
These high prices limit the ability of many Cuban citizens to afford beauty services, contributing to broader discussions on economic inequality and the prioritization of expenses in daily life.