Day 22: Afford All Things Hair Care

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This post is part of the 31 Days to Radically Reduce Your Expenses series. Visit this page for even more ways to slash costs and eliminate unnecessary spending! 

Give yourself a top-notch quality and style experience with these 6 budget beauty basics, and finally save some money on hair care!

Even though I’m a frugal girl through-and-through, I just can’t bring myself to “cheap out” when it comes to my hair. I have not had good experiences with chain salons, and I’ll gladly pay a pretty penny for a professional stylist even though I cringe every time I have to write out that check.

For me, hair care is very important. Call me vain, but when my hair feels soft and looks pretty, I’m a much happier and confident girl all around — and that’s worth it to me!

While it’s obvious I’m not opposed to paying full price for good quality, I still enjoy {and try} to cut costs on hair care as much as I can. Here are some fantastic tips to help you save not only at the salon, but also on those everyday hair products you use at home!

How to Save Money on Hair Care:

1. Find a Good Stylist – I cannot stress enough how important it is to find a good stylist, especially if you are super picky with your hair. I’ve been through enough haircut crises that I will pay a premium price for a stylist that I can always count on for a good cut. Otherwise, I would just end up paying even more to get it fixed! Always be sure to ask around for recommendations from those who’s hair you do like, and don’t be afraid to ask for a discount as a new customer. Many salons also have referral programs so you can earn a free or discounted haircut for telling your friends.

2. Go Longer In-between Appointments – If you can squeeze an extra few weeks or months out of your haircut, do it. Yes, it’s important to get rid of split ends to reduce damage to your hair, but you can save a bunch by skipping one or two haircuts a year. I used to go every 6 months before I highlighting over my greys {yes, it’s already starting!}, and now I try every four. That’s still much better then the recommended 6-8 weeks from the salon, and now I have more time to save up for that next appointment.

3. Prevent Damage – Just maintaining a healthy head of hair can slow down the need for an extra trim. Don’t wash or shampoo your hair everyday if you can get away with it, {excess washes will strip your hair of it’s natural oils and create even more damage that harsh shampoo already leaves behind.} You should also use a heat protectant spray {I like this one} when straightening your hair, and let it air dry after a shower if at all possible.

4. Learn to Cut Hair – It took 7 whole years, but I finally convinced Joseph to let me cut his hair! He is super particular about getting a good cut, and even though it would save us about $16 every month, he still insisted on going to the salon. I’m definitely getting better the more I do it, but my best advice would be to watch YouTube tutorials and practice practice practice. I’ll be sharing a post soon on the exact method I use to cut his hair, and which tools I recommend investing in.

5. Use Coupons – Buy the Sunday paper or browse these printable coupon sites for product discounts that you can almost always match up with store sales. I’ve never scored a completely free bottle of shampoo or conditioner, but I have saved some serious money on higher end items. It only takes a few minutes to clip and scan the current week’s ads, but it’s so worth taking the time to do a little research and stock up!

6. Sign Up for Free Samples – I’m always on the lookout for product samples, not only to “try before I buy”, but also to make my own supply last just a bit longer. Scout out MoneySavingMom.com or Freebies4mom.com and don’t forget to sign up with a separate email address. Most samples take between 4-6 weeks to be sent, but you should be able to get 2-3 uses out of them when they arrive!

Today’s Challenge:

Can you skip your next hair appointment, print a few coupons, or look for some free hair product samples? Try something new this week and give me your best hair savings tips in the comments below, or tweet @KalynBr00ke using the hashtag #ReduceYourExpenses!

{Go to Day 23: Find Clothes For Less}

If monthly payments are taking control of your budget, you don't want to miss this 31 Days Series to Radically Reduce Your Expenses.

Give yourself a top-notch quality and style experience with these 6 budget beauty basics, and finally save money on hair care!

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8 Comments

  1. We cut everyone’s hair at home. My husband cuts his own and I cut the bottom edge and around his ears for him. We take turns cutting the boys’ hair, but he is doing it more and more. I cut the girls’ hair. He cuts my hair. I went a year without having it cut (no money) and it had become so long that I decided to have him give cutting it a try. He does a great job! The savings for 9 people on haircuts is significant!

    I also combine coupons and sales for hair products, usually stacking a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon and a sale, and sometimes there is a gift card deal involved as well.

    1. I can’t imagine paying for 9 haircuts at once, let alone throughout the entire year! It sounds like you have a great system in place. Oh, and gotta love those gift card deals, for sure! 🙂

  2. I get my hair cut about twice a year, and in between cuts at the salon my husband trims my hair for me. My friends are all shocked by this, but he’s done a pretty good job!

    1. Wow, that’s pretty cool! I’m not sure I could let my husband get anywhere near my hair with scissors. 😉

  3. I cannot agree with #1 enough. I have curly hair and my stylist specializes in cutting curly hair, which is expensive especially after you add the color. But a good cut means I can use less product (and cheaper product).

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