I think that most people have either a love-hate or hate-hate relationship with their hair. It’s certainly one of personal hygiene habit that most people take extremely seriously (and there are a lot of hair myths that cost us all a fortune and hair can teach us a lot about personal finance). A hairstyle is one of those things that we can control that gives a first impression about ourselves. The problem, of course, is getting that perfect cut (or even one that is acceptable) is expensive and can be downright wallet emptying to keep it that way on a regular basis. That being said, there are a number of ways to save money when getting a haircut. Here are some options:
Cut Your Own Hair
The best way to save money on the cost of haircuts is to not pay for them at all. If you are willing to have a simple hairstyle, don’t have hair that is difficult to cut and are willing to put scissors and sheers into your own hands, you can save a small fortune cutting your own hair. The tools that you need can be purchased at most drug stores and will be paid for after a few self cuts. While this option isn’t for everyone, it should be the first choice for anyone that really wants to save money in this area.
Trim In Between Cuts
If you’re trying to save money on trips to the barber or salon, think about cutting your hair in between visits. A good haircut needs to be maintained every three months, but if you’re paying $50 per cut, that’s $200 a year. Trimming your own hair – or having a friend do it for you – during those off months will help you push out a cut for another month or so, saving you some money in the long run. After all, most people go to the hairdresser every few months for a trim to cut off the dead ends. So why not do that yourself?
Air Dry Your Hair
Blow drying your hair is incredibly convenient if you need dry, styled hair quickly. However, blow drying your hair is also really bad. The heat damages your hair and causes split ends, which means that you’ll need to visit the hairdresser more often, especially if you want to keep your hair healthy. In order to save some money on frequent trips to the hairdresser, air dry your hair to keep it nice and healthy.
Grow Out Your Hair
If you have a short or medium length haircut, consider growing your hair out for a little bit. Shorter hair needs to be trimmed more frequently than longer hair. Hairdressers suggest that short hair needs to be trimmed every 3 to 5 weeks while longer hair can be trimmed every 6 to 12 weeks. Plus, with longer hair, it’s easier to throw it up in a bun or ponytail – or to trim it yourself!
Shave It Off
If men are looking to save money on haircuts, one of the easiest options is to shave their hair off. This is usually an easy haircut to do at the barbershop or at home. Of course, this type of haircut won’t look good on everyone, so you’ll have to decide if it’s really for you. If it is, consider buying a pair of clippers and doing your own haircuts. You’ll be saving a lot of money shaving your own head or doing your own buzzcuts!
Ask for New Stylists
If your normal salon or barbershop has a new stylist or hairdresser, consider asking for them to cut your hair. New stylists are usually cheaper than professional stylists since they’re just starting out in the field. Sometimes – and of course, this all depends on where you get your hair cut – they can be up to 50% cheaper! You might not have your hair cut exactly the way your normal hairdresser might cut it, but you’ll be saving some money.
Grand Openings
When you’re driving around town, keep your eyes open for hair salons that are just opening. Grand openings are a great way to get a haircut at a large discount. The new salon is often looking to find new customers. To attract new clients, they will often offer deep discounts over their regular prices to get people in the door.
Use Coupons
You might not think that there are coupons out there for salons or hairdressers, but there definitely are. Many new salons will hand out coupons or discounts in order to attract new customers. Local barbershops or salons will also give coupons or discounts to returning customers. Businesses love enticing new customers and in this day and age, coupons and discounts are their best bet of attracting your business.
Donate Hair
If your hair is long enough, why not donate it? There are plenty of charities out there, such as Locks of Love, that take donated hair and offer it to people who have lost their hair due to illness. By donating your hair, not only will you be supporting a good cause, but you’ll be getting a free haircut. A lot of salons or charities support these types of events, so it’s worth considering donating your hair to charity.
Become a Hair Model
Whether you have long or short hair, becoming a hair model is a great way to save some money on your haircuts. Salons or beauty schools love hair models because they can practice new styles. It should be noted that you might have to deal with some really crazy styles, but you’ll be getting some good discounts on all your haircuts!
Visit Beauty Schools
Most beauty schools often send out advertisements for people looking for cheap haircuts. Cuts at beauty schools are similar to becoming a hair model. Beauty schools are full of hairdressers learning how to cut and style hair, so they always need someone to practice on. Most of the cuts you receive there are around 75% cheaper than normal hairdressers or salons. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Alternate Salons
If you get your hair colored and cut, consider going to one salon for one treatment and another for a different. Sometimes, a higher end salon might do a wonderful color job, but their cuts leave something to be desired. If you have a fairly simple cut, there’s no need for you to pay $50 when you could be paying $20. This also gives you the excuse to shop around and see which hairdressers or barbershops you like the best.
(Photo courtesy of Rochelle, just rochelle)
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