Affordable Beauty: Tips to Look Good, For Less

Amy Hannold, 

247Moms Frugal Living Editor

I’ve been a client at a particular salon in town for some time.  During my latest visit, I asked them for their ideas and advice.

First of all, visit more than one salon when you’re new in town or looking to find a new stylist.  Recommendations from friends whose looks you admire can be reliable, but ultimately you need to find someone you want to build a long term “beauty relationship” with.  Loyalty to one particular stylist and/or salon has its benefits.  Discounts for referring friends, your birthday, anniversary or other unadvertised specials may be available. 

When you interview stylists, look for those who are genuinely interested in the look you want.  Showing them magazine pictures is helpful; however remember that beauticians are not magicians.  Stylists recommend bringing photos of yourself with hairstyles that you liked (or didn’t).  When you leave with the look you love, take a photo of yourself for your next visit.

Before you decide on the work that you want to have done, be sure that you have communicated your budget.   An experienced stylist should be able to help you create an affordable version of the look you want, and not try to “up-sell” you on something that is more than you can maintain.  Consider and discuss the frequency you wish to have “touch-ups” done.  Stylists may offer you discounts based on how often you visit.  Those that have their hair colored every 10 weeks will pay the published price.  If you like to have your color updated more often, you’ll pay less. 

Other Hair Color Tips:  With your stylist, choose a hairstyle that’s consistent with the amount of time you usually devote to your hair. To get the best result with a coloring process, discuss any products you’ve been using, water type at home and any color-related negative experiences.

Money-Saving Ideas:

Coupons can be found for beauty expenses.  Look in local phone books, on the backs of grocery receipts, ValPak.com, chambers of commerce, newspapers and other couponing places.  Before you “salon-hop”, from one deal to the next, realize that cheaper may not always be better.  Sometimes longevity and trust will pay better dividends in the long run. 

Hair product prices change similar to grocery prices.  Companies may also discount their products seasonally and/or with holidays.  Inquire about the sale cycle of the products you prefer.  Salon shampoos and conditioners are concentrated.  Use less!  The best buy is a 1-Liter bottle, which should last several months to a year.  Unopened product has a shelf life of 2-3 years.  When you find a good price on the product you prefer, stock up. 

Salon products are purer than drugstore brands.  When you invest in coloring your hair, you want that look to last.  Drugstore brands contain wax and other additives which long-term, are known to deteriorate the life of your hair color processes. 

During busy seasons, or to handle the “less-fun” tasks of doing hair, salons may be agreeable to trading your work for reduced beauty treatments.  Inquire, and be sure you understand the bartering requirements. 

Once your hair process is underway and you’re comfortable with what your stylist is doing, delve into what they’ve heard lately.  Hair stylists talk to a whole lot of people over the course of a week.   They’re good sources for jobs, finding reliable businesses, jobs, babysitters, and other beneficial information.