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AIBU?

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Original poster

Are hair extensions considered a luxury?

86 replies

uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 19:56

I know this might sound trivial but would you consider hair extensions a luxury? I've had them for years as I've got such rubbish hair myself. Thinking of cutting down on some expenses though as everything is getting more and more pricey and this would save £85 every 6 weeks (maintenance) but then I feel self conscious with out them!
Aibu- loose the extensions, waste of money
Yanbu- worth it for the confidence

OP posts:
Malinia · 09/04/2026 20:44

You spend over a grand a year on hair extensions??!??? Definitely a luxury.

Listlostlast · 09/04/2026 20:44

As has already been said, of course they’re a luxury but only you can decide whether it’s a luxury worth paying for.

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 09/04/2026 20:44

It's only £2 a day :)

Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:43

LaurieFairyCake · 09/04/2026 20:41

Yes, but there’s NO WAY I’d give them up. I look bloody brilliant with them and I’m vain as fuck

Haha yes my thoughts exactly 😅 🤣I'm not sure how I'll manage my own sparse hair without them haha

OP posts:
hahabahbag · 09/04/2026 20:42

Of course, things that aren’t essential are luxuries including most beauty products and treatments (everything beyond basic haircuts, basic shampoo, shower gel/soap and deodorant really you don’t actually need them)

LaurieFairyCake · 09/04/2026 20:41

Yes, but there’s NO WAY I’d give them up. I look bloody brilliant with them and I’m vain as fuck

Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:35

OrigamiOwls · 09/04/2026 20:30

Whether it's worth it to you is a separate issue. But they are definitely a luxury - but only you know if it's worth it for you

A good point...I've got a fairly expensive gym membership but it's 5 mins from my house and I love going there. So this is definitely a non negotiable for me..and others might have other things that are important to them but might seem expensive to others!

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 09/04/2026 20:35

Well they are certainly not an essential!

Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:34

5128gap · 09/04/2026 20:28

What type of extensions do you get? My neice has ones on little tiny metal rings and you don't have to be skilled to maintain them yourself. She got the tools and rings from Amazon and her partner takes them out and puts them up higher when they need maintenance. In lockdown she even got the extensions on line and he replaced them all. If you've a willing pair of hands available, it could be worth a try to save costs.

Wow your niece is very skilled - I wouldn't dare attempt this!
I've got tape extensions

OP posts:
OrigamiOwls · 09/04/2026 20:30

Whether it's worth it to you is a separate issue. But they are definitely a luxury - but only you know if it's worth it for you

5128gap · 09/04/2026 20:28

What type of extensions do you get? My neice has ones on little tiny metal rings and you don't have to be skilled to maintain them yourself. She got the tools and rings from Amazon and her partner takes them out and puts them up higher when they need maintenance. In lockdown she even got the extensions on line and he replaced them all. If you've a willing pair of hands available, it could be worth a try to save costs.

Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:17

uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:16

Thank you all for your

Sorry pressed send to soon! I meant thank you for all your balanced views. I think I might brave it for a couple of months and see how I get on. If anyone has any recommendations on thickening hair up I'll be Very grateful

OP posts:
Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:16

Thank you all for your

OP posts:
jellyfish798 · 09/04/2026 20:12

AnneLovesGilbert · 09/04/2026 20:07

Get a wig

🙄🙄 can be v uncomfortable far too hot in summer and no my extensions aren't really too hot, they're clip ins & don't cover my whole scalp.

Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:11

jellyfish798 · 09/04/2026 20:09

My hair is very thin, grows slow and I sometimes feel pretty low about my looks when I don't have my extensions in. I put up with it for years and felt unattractive and an ex who tormented me about how horrible my hair was created deep seated insecurities that I'm still working on. Have done lots to help my hair grow and nothing has worked. They're not cheap but the difference they make to my confidence is worth it's weight in gold 😊 I make sacrifices in other ways to afford them, small cutbacks here and there add up so I can afford them and other treats like nice nails, skincare etc. it's like anything, if it's important to you see if you can budget on other things to help afford them if you like them x

I can so relate to you!! I think people with thick hair don't quite understand it 🤣 but yes my confidence is so much higher when I have extensions in. I might take a break for a little bit and see how I get on

OP posts:
5128gap · 09/04/2026 20:11

If I was on a budget the last thing I'd cut back on appearance wise is my hair. I'd rather have a tiny wardrobe of clothes from the charity shop than have rubbish hair, because my hair is the one thing I'm never seen without. Great hair elevates my whole look, and conversely, regardless of the rest of me, bad hair will always pull me down.

POTC · 09/04/2026 20:10

mindutopia · 09/04/2026 20:04

Yes, of course, they are a luxury. 😂 I am missing a chunk of my head and hair from cancer and I wouldn’t consider extensions a necessity even for me. I wear a head covering that cost me £4. I literally haven’t even been to a salon since before COVID. I cut my own hair! No way I’d be paying £85 every month and a half on my hair (and honestly, I’ve yet to see extensions that looked nice, certainly not £85 ones, sorry!). I think the money would probably be better spent on other things, but yes, it’s a luxury.

There are some amazing wigs for less than £30 on Amazon. There's a really lovely woman who posts on social media about wearing wigs for alopecia, and has done several unsponsored reviews of wigs that she wears herself. On Facebook it's /carolinethethrifter or search for Caroline Shops, and on Instagram or Tiktok it's caroline.shops
She's 49 and lived with hair thinning and hair loss for a long time, so seems to just genuinely wants to share when she finds things that help her feel better. Plus her posts roasting the misogynistic twats that leave comments on her posts are bloody hilarious!

jellyfish798 · 09/04/2026 20:09

My hair is very thin, grows slow and I sometimes feel pretty low about my looks when I don't have my extensions in. I put up with it for years and felt unattractive and an ex who tormented me about how horrible my hair was created deep seated insecurities that I'm still working on. Have done lots to help my hair grow and nothing has worked. They're not cheap but the difference they make to my confidence is worth it's weight in gold 😊 I make sacrifices in other ways to afford them, small cutbacks here and there add up so I can afford them and other treats like nice nails, skincare etc. it's like anything, if it's important to you see if you can budget on other things to help afford them if you like them x

Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:09

Huckleberries · 09/04/2026 20:06

Yes, that is a luxury
I didn't realise they'd be so expensive to maintain

I presume they are real hair extensions

I love my beauty stuff, but what a hassle as well as the expense

Are you one of these people who walk around with advert hair all the time I suppose I can see how that would be tempting

there is a lot of perfect hair where I live, but the hairdresser always says to me that most of what I'm looking at enviously is fake

So the ones I have are £280 for the hair which then lasts about a year. Then every 6 weeks colour and refit are £85. In the grad scheme of things that's not much for extensions - most people need more hair than me so easily pay double or triple!

But yes I think I'll try and get my own hair into better shape and form and try to embrace it. It really is just too expensive. And a hassle as you say! Maybe I should start taking collagen

OP posts:
DarmokAndJaladAtTenagra · 09/04/2026 20:09

It's all about priorities though. Are they worth £735 a year to you? Could you give up something else of a similar value instead? Can you find savings in your bills by swapping suppliers or negotiating when it's time to start new contracts? Or are you trying to get down to a bare bones budget?

ItsOnlyHobnobs · 09/04/2026 20:07

I think they are a choice/luxury.

Depending on your financial setup, and if you need to reduce outgoings to match what’s coming in, or you want to save towards something etc.

I have hair extensions and there are a lot of things I’d sacrifice before they were culled off the list.

RaininSummer · 09/04/2026 20:07

Definitely a luxury but I guess unless utterly broke, we all chose what luxuries to spend our money on.

AnneLovesGilbert · 09/04/2026 20:07

Get a wig

Original poster
uhminagandahing · 09/04/2026 20:06

mindutopia · 09/04/2026 20:04

Yes, of course, they are a luxury. 😂 I am missing a chunk of my head and hair from cancer and I wouldn’t consider extensions a necessity even for me. I wear a head covering that cost me £4. I literally haven’t even been to a salon since before COVID. I cut my own hair! No way I’d be paying £85 every month and a half on my hair (and honestly, I’ve yet to see extensions that looked nice, certainly not £85 ones, sorry!). I think the money would probably be better spent on other things, but yes, it’s a luxury.

Wishing you best of luck and hope you are fully recovered!! 💓

You're also right that extensions often look fake...I shall embrace my natural look.

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 09/04/2026 20:06

Sounds like the maintenance is about £15 a week (£85 every 6 weeks).

If budget is tight, what are you alternatives to save £15 a week and how do they compare to how much you like having extensions.

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