Advice on reducing hairdresser cost please

[Merryclaire]

I’m due to go on maternity leave in a couple of months and not sure I’ll be able to sustain my current hairdresser cost - which is currently close to £100 for each appointment (usually every 5 weeks).

This consists of a tint and wet cut.

I have quite difficult big, thick wavy hair that is completely grey underneath my hair dye. Cutting my own hair doesn’t feel like an option as I have so much unruly hair.

I previously used to dye my own hair but it looked quite lacklustre whereas now the colour is fantastic.

I feel miserable for those last two weeks when my roots start to look bad, and not ready to embrace the grey at this stage in life.

If I were to colour my own hair, the brand the salon uses isn’t sold to the public and I wouldn’t even know where to start with choosing something new.

Any advice on what I can do to still have good hair for less money?

I don’t want to leave my hairdresser as she’s great, but not sure I can afford this anymore.

Yes, someone who says they get a cut every six months of they remeber clearly doesn't have problematic hair 🤣🙄

It's not patronising - hair can be cut into different shapes that are less high maintenance. Or it can be worn in protective styles.

It's a fact. You can make hair more high maintenance by having a hairstyle that requires a trim every 5 weeks to look good, or you can change it to something that requires a cut less frequently.

Same for colours.

Or I could just care less than some people about how I look and tie it back in a pony tail every day.

I've also struggled to find a decent hairdresser in my area since moving back home 8 years ago and have had years of terrible cuts and even worse colours which have led to a huge distrust of hairdressers of all qualities in this area. So I've cracked in with my own colour and infrequent cuts. Hopefully I'll find someone eventually!

I use this between hair dresser trips and find it pretty good www.amazon.co.uk/Clairol-Permanent-Long-lasting-Intensifying-Application/dp/B078214KD7?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
You just do the bit at the roots so it’s quick and easy. You could then do a salon trip every 2nd or third time so maybe every 3 months?

What style do you have and is it possible to have a slightly more severe cut initially in order to keep it ok for 3 months. If it gets big/frizzy either try curly girl method (or a pared down version - I use a gentle shampoo and no silicones and find that helps my wavy/curly hair without needing to do full on curly girl) or try L’Oréal 8 second wonder water?

I use a salon dye at home and buy it through an online hairdressing wholesalers. I mix the dye and developer 50:50 in a small bowl on electric scales, then apply with a dye brush (looks like a paint brush). It's much better than a box dye and then you just need the same brand post-colour treatment that neutralizes oxidation (it's a special conditioner). I use the brand website and look at their colour charts to choose the right shade.

So much cheaper and I do my roots every three weeks, or whenever they need it. I use Wella Illumina Color but most salon dye brands can be bought by individuals.

I also have dark, thick and fast growing hair and I am going grey. What I am doing is going lighter every time I go. So I add highlights every time and colouring my roots a slightly lighter than before shade of brown. That way it's not so noticeable when the grey grows out. I still go every 6-7 weeks though, but could make it last another week or two if needed.

What she does she use? Most salon dyes can be bought from sallys

What dye*

I used to pay that much pre kids, now I pay half that with a local hairdresser that works from a salon at her home. Also though I used to have dark brown hair and eventually had to succumb to the blonde and it's definitely less ageing to have some dark roots on blonde hair than white roots on brunette. I'm quite grey (white) at the front. I have gone natural a couple of times since then but I found it adds ten years to my face although I like the idea of natural hair a lot and it really suits some people.

And you're right about finding time for a cut and colour with a baby, it's not the same relaxing experience it once was. Ask on your local FB page for local recommendations, I actually think my hairdresser does a better job than my £100 plus one used to do

My hair is shoulder length with layering to take out the bulk. Within a few weeks of it being cut, it starts to get very big and triangle-shaped. Because the top sections of my hair are curlier than those underneath, this top bit then lifts up and it’s like I have two different hair cuts going on! It swamps my face too.

However I think I will try growing it a bit longer to help it hang down more with the weight, and then reducing the number of cuts.

It’s the colour where I really don’t know how to go lower maintenance. My hair is very grey underneath. It doesn’t hold colour well, so my hairdresser has had to make lots of tweaks over the years to help it get good coverage.

She says I need to go darker until all the hair underneath is lighter grey, as she says it’s very difficult to provide a good, even coverage with a lighter shade on hair that is mixed dark and grey (though mostly grey) and doesn’t take colour well. Otherwise I would go light brown to disguise the roots more (though my skin colouring and eyebrows suit darker brown).

Whether other hairdressers would agree with her assessment, I don’t know, but she hasn’t let me down yet.

I am willing to colour it myself should money get really tight, but I do worry about finding a home hair dye that will give me the same lustre and coverage.

I wish I could pull it off - during lockdown I had huuuge roots, and felt I looked a lot older. Maybe one day I’ll do that, but at the moment I already feel old having my first baby at 40 - if I embrace the grey too, everyone will think I’m the grandma!

Not the point of the thread, but I wore my hair up pretty much all the time on maternity leave whereas previously always wore it down, because I had a baby that would pull it if I didn’t!

My hair is shoulder length with layering to take out the bulk. Within a few weeks of it being cut, it starts to get very big and triangle-shaped. Because the top sections of my hair are curlier than those underneath, this top bit then lifts up and it’s like I have two different hair cuts going on! It swamps my face too

She's not doing a good cut if that's the case. With hair like ours it needs slicing into to remove the weight and to stop that Crystal Tips triangle look. My hairdresser takes a lot of weight off the under section so the top layers lie better.

**what you are describing is exactly what I get when someone who doesn't know how to manage thick/ wavy hair cuts mine!

Could you get an undercut? Or a Brazilian blow dry? It sounds like we have similar hair and those are things that helped make mine more manageable in the past. I have a bleached pixie now, so much easier, but does require frequent cuts (it grows fast ) so that it doesn’t look scruffy but I only get charged for a gents cut now.

Couldn’t agree more. Your hairdresser is cutting it badly if it’s doing what you say.

I’ve got super thick curls (3B/c) and when it was longer I cut it myself. On maternity leave you really want something low maintenance.

I’ve got a pixie too. Game changer!

I get my roots done every 4 weeks and get a cut and some foils every 8. That makes it cheaper. I'm going to go to a cycle of every 5/10 weeks. I just use root powder for the last week or so of roots.

I have dark hair that grows fast and I dye at home. I've used the Live box dyes and find them very good. I do my roots every 4 weeks.

I know what you’re saying but she’s the best I’ve had and helps me keep the styling low maintenance as I don’t like to blow dry my hair.

Underneath the hair is finer and straighter, while the hair on top is thicker and curlier (really different texture) - so it is tricky to get it right. Especially given I usually just stick product on and let it dry naturally - can’t be doing with lots of heat styling unless going out. And I don’t see that changing on maternity leave!

It also all hangs forward onto my face like cousin IT as I have a small forehead. This means it needs to be tucked behind my ears, making it heavier at the sides. No hairdresser has ever been able to dry or style it so that it doesn’t all just fall on my face.

Most hairdressers have just over layered it in the past, which makes it look worse, but she gives it a lighter touch which I prefer. My hair is stubborn and just does its own thing really. The more I fight it, the worse it looks without arduous styling, so I have just opted for a regular trim to keep it looking its best.

You say you have wavy hair, have you tried the curly girl method? You have to take get your head round it, but I found it helped with the condition of my hair which helps keep the shape and colour better. I also like others decided to embrace the grey or if couldn't cope with it went for bright coloured box dyes, but that depends a bit on what you do for work or in life in general and are allowed bright hair or not. Or as others have said, bite the bullet and try elsewhere, or have an honest conversation with your current hairdresser about your situation they may choose to charge you less for while just to keep your custom.

Does your salon have juniors/trainees? I used to work in a salon and hair with the juniors was half price. You could go to the junior for your colour and your normal stylist for your cut if so.

Undercuts and pixies sound a bit trendy for me! I’m really not edgy at all - I quite like having slightly wild hair but at the same time don’t like it verging on ‘given up’! (Hence the regular hair dresser trips!)

Is there anything else you can cut down on in your overall budget?

When we were struggling I cancelled various tv subscriptions, reduced the sky tv channels to basics and renegotiated our broadband package.

We also swapped brand foods for supermarket versions and reduced the food shop amount each week.

Overall we managed to save £60 per month and didn't really notice the difference once we got used to not having sky cinema or Brit box or whatever.

I haven't had mine cut in over 12 months. It's not problematic. I have naturally curly hair and as most people with curly hair can testify, I do better job of styling it than 95% of hairdressers I've ever been too.

I colour it myself and TBH the colour doesn't look as good as if I got it done at a hair dressers. But when the difference is between £10 for a box of John Frida hair dye vs £100 for the hairdressers, every four weeks, I'm not that precious about it.