Women's Haircuts

So, it's been over four months - I am due for a haircut.  Also, I, like millions of women in America, have gotten in this crazy habit of highlighting my hair.  My mom told me, when I first let dye touch my hair 'once you start, you'll never stop'.   I am pretty sure cocaine is an ingredient in hair dye.

Anyhow.  My hair is long, straight and thin.  And I've pretty much been getting variations of the same haircut for the past 12 years.  Still, it is, quite possible screw it up - as I have experienced.

A couple years ago, a good friend recommended a good hair girl within Chicago.  She does well.  I cannot say that I am in love with her - but she has gotten the job done.  Maybe it is not possible that I would get a haircut that I am 'in love with' - in fact, I'm not sure it's happened.  (Don't we know if we are in love?  Can only love break your heart?  I digress.)

Ok - recently - she has changed locales.  And prices.  I am not sure exactly what I was paying before, but now she is up to $55 for a haircut and $85 for a partial highlight.  No.

So, I have cold called a new place which got good reviews on yelp.  I will be getting my hair cut for $35 and my highlights done for $70.  I have called around.  This is on the cheap end, if we take supercuts/greatclips/etc. out of the running.

Ok - how much does a woman's haircut cost in Chicago?  How much SHOULD a woman's haircut and highlights cost?  Does everyone pay around this amount?  I have raised this question in the ultimate forum, facebook, and got a mix of responses.  Someone suggested that the real issue is supply and demand - there are enough women out there who are brainwashed into believing it's necessary to spend this amount of money to get a good haircut.  How much is a reasonable amount to spend on one's hair?  Is a hair salon really any better of quality than Supercuts?  Your thoughts?