Are hair extensions considered a luxury?

I get my hair cut and coloured ever 8 weeks ish. It costs more than £85. Is it a luxury? Yes but having half decent hair is really important to me and I’d cut down on almost anything else before I gave that up.

People can justify what they want but blaming society because they are made to spend money on fake hair or lips or tan or nails any other fake things is different to gadgets or othet spending

I dont know anywhere in society that shows fake looks good

They absolutely are a luxury, but if they're within your budget and they give you confidence, then why not!

I was in the same boat @uhminagandahing and I loved my extensions, but couldn’t justify £150 every 6 weeks (for recolour / cut as well as maintenance). I thought I’d get a nice bob cut and take a break for a bit to see how I got on.

that was just after Christmas - it is different, for sure, and I miss them sometimes. But I don’t miss the faff of styling or the cost 😄 I would say give it a go, get a really nice hair cut, invest in some good thickening serum and volumising powder and enjoy the break / cash in your pocket for a bit!

I agree! Horrible comment.

Several people I know have extensions but I only know that because they told me! Well one woman went from short to long overnight but that blew my mind because I couldn’t see the extensions.

What a mean comment! Wow.

Up until this moment I would have said I’d never seen anyone with extensions. Presumably I have and just didn’t know. So I suppose they’re not obvious to everyone, and not everyone is as mean as some of the posters on this thread.

OP I cut my own hair because it always looks rubbish anyway. I don’t care about it. But I don’t think what you’re paying is that bad to have really good looking hair! If you can afford it then enjoy it, if not then rethink.

It goes without saying they're a luxury (or non essential or however you want to frame it).

However, whether you include the cost in your budget depends on your overall situation and what other non essentials you're paying for.

If you're in debt, have no savings, not saving for a pension, need to pay for school uniforms, replace the washing machine, are struggling with bills etc etc, then they should go, or you should massively cut back - for example can you get them done at a college for less money?

However, if you have lots of non essentials in your budget, haven't reduced the cost of your bills by shopping around, spend loads in the supermarket etc etc, then you might be able to free up money elsewhere to keep paying for them if you feel they're worth it.

You can only spend each pound once, so keeping the hair extensions might mean you have to give something else up, so it's up to you to decide.

Absolutely - it’s how you choose to spend that money. Some people spend on their hair. Some spend the best supermarket products. Some buy a new gadget from Amazon.

I totally see my £80 cut & colour every 6 weeks as a luxury but it would be the last thing to go if I had to cut back!
I use Aldi skin care & make-up, my clothes are either vinted or the same stuff I’ve been wearing for decades and I rarely eat out or go to the cinema etc
I have friends who couldn’t shop anywhere other than M&S or Sainsbury’s for food or have expensive gym membership/hobbies. We all have different priorities and I know my hair looking good makes me feel good and I’d find that hard to give up!
Op are you looking at your finances because you’re really struggling or just contemplating reducing your spending?

Can you find another way of saving 20 quid a week? I think you should keep the extensions as they make you happy and make savings somewhere else.

Of course they're a luxury but if you can afford it without having to cut a Necessity then crack on!

Some people have to go abroad on holiday at least once a year - others would consider that a waste of money and frivolous.

We all (well most) have a Thing that makes our lives that bit better.

You mean you thought they might be essentials?

Could you extend the time between appointments? So get the refit every 8 or 9 weeks instead of after 6?
I too have thin hair and regular cuts and colour really help elevate what it looks like. I manage the cost by going every 8-9 weeks and I don’t have nails or lashes etc

Agree that they are a luxury but feeling good about your hair gives you confidence. People notice others hair and teeth ( well I do), so for me it’s worth spending money on. I’d try and cut back in areas that aren’t as important to you.
Biotin is supposed to be good for hair and nails.

Agree, I have thin, rubbish hair, I think extensions would look awful and obvious but if there were a way to make them look ok, I’d do it in an instant and consider it money well spent.

This.

If hair extensions are done well they're not noticeable, I've met various hairdressers (out and about not in salons) who never realised I had extensions until it was mentioned.

I had mine out in lockdown and have been considering having them back in ever since as I hate my hair without it, the only thing really stopping me is my boisterous toddler who will probably rip them out!

Definitely. They’re so expensive for good ones.

Its all relative honey. If you can afford them and they make you feel great carry on.
Try also taking high strength vitamin d its really helped my hair thickness.
Some people get manicures or smoke or lashes or drink or whatever.
In the grand scheme providing everything is met financially you do you x

Of course it is

No it’s not social pressure - I colour my hair 3 x a year - due to chronic health conditions, limited finances & the consequences of menopause on my hair & cancer. If I could afford to go more I would. It literally gives me a new lease of life & is the biggest tonic for how I feel overall. My life is locked down in many ways due to chronic health conditions & this is one treat that I have in place of so many others, that I used to take for granted before chronic ill health.
If I could afford to get it done more I would. Hence my encouragement to OP to continue if it makes her feel good & save that glass of wine or coffee habit in its place. I’m sure you spend on things that are not strictly essential for your survival?
I think women assuming that engaging in any kind of self care are doing it to conform to beauty standards is misjudged & another form of women hating on eachother. We literally can’t win.

No, I think hair extensions are essential, up there with food, water, and gin.

It is a shame that people feel this way though, societal pressure sucks.

Can’t believe how many voted Yabu! Ithink hair is Massive &.can carry all
lesser things whilst making you also look fab. I think is more of a therapy than clothes or nails for eg. So v hard to give up naturally. I long for good hair like pre memo & now a dull mess. The feeling I get coming out is 🍖 worth it for that alone so I’d be staying out Op.

i mean it isn’t one of life’s essentials for anyone. It is a luxury.

But it doesn’t matter what you label it, if someone wants it and can afford it, why not!