Can’t justify the cost of highlights anymore

[70sShmeventies]

It’s just so expensive. I leave it 3 months because I’m a tight arse but hate the roots. I’m naturally a dark warm blonde and I alternate between full and half head of highlights. I’ve been copper and it was easier but no less expensive.

I’m not sure I can brave growing it out. Has anyone dyed their hair back to their natural
dark blonde whilst growing out the bleach?

[buttons123456]

I go to a naice salon and pay £50 for a tip up of highlights . I don't have it cut or dried as I can do that myself ...

I have grey roots now and I'm not prepared to have that at 48 because it's very ageing ( on me ) ..

I got every 7/8 weeks which works for me

[Redundantmum22]

Following because my highlights are brassy and my hair is dry. But I'm a natural black

I look much healthier with blonde hair. But I can't justify the salon anymore:(

[70sShmeventies]

I usually leave it 12weeks but by the end of that the roots are awful. I’m going to book in for balayage to try and grow out my natural roots.

[mrsfollowill]

I have a mobile hairdresser, so she comes to my house - usually 3 x a year for highlights/colour/cut and style. Takes 3 hours and she charges £60. I always give her a £10 tip on top. £210 a year on my hair is fine- I cannot fathom the whole £190 every 8 weeks thing but each to their own! I love how my hair is once she has worked her magic and I work bloody hard every day, so this is one of my 'perks'!

[ineedafairygodmother]

Please don't use henna on your hair if you think you may go back to highlights.... you can't (shouldn't) bleach on top of henna so would have to wait for the henna to grow out. Personally (as a hairdresser) I'd try balayage with the lighter pieces but also adding some of your natural colour through to break up the blonde, then you can go longer between appointments, buy treatments to use at home so your hair stays in great condition and you'll probably find if you have a good cut, you can go longer between haircuts too. A lot of local salons (which tend to be cheaper) have great hairdressers who've had the same training and experience as the salons in a town centre where you'd pay far more as they have higher overheads but your getting exactly the same service.

[FunnysInLaJardin]

If you have dark brown hair with greys then Henna! It is fab, super cheap and great for your hair

[Metabigot]

I was quoted £200 at the local salon Inc £70 to strip the original colour which was crazy.

I went to a cheaper salon who did it for £50. I'll be honest I probably would have got a better result at the more expensive salon but I couldn't afford paying 4 x as much and I'm happy with what I got for the money paid.

Hairdressers are going crazy prices right now as they use so much energy and are something many people will cut right back on. The expensive place I could tell they were chancing it with the £200 quote and a look of fear in their eyes as they're probably cacking it on the current climate tbf.

[RiverFlowers]

Same here, I have been having highlights for the last 2/3 years, alternating between full and half head. I didn't get them done as often as recommended as it was too expensive but last time I went she had upped her prices to £150 for a full head and I just decided to stop having them done.

Before having highlights I dyed my own hair and it was always easy enough so I found a medium brown dye with some red in (for warmth) and just coloured my entire head. It covered all the highlights and was fine and turned out nice and upkeep is considerably cheaper!!

I am trying out a copper dye at the weekend!

[Backtoreality22]

I had highlights for years and the roots cracked me up, especially during the pandemic when I couldn’t get to a hairdresser.

I used a mid brown box dye all over and it was fine. Well it was a bit patchy and slightly khaki on the first attempt as my hair was so bleached but I did it again a couple of days later and it was fine. Definitely easier to manage and cheaper too of course.

[Bargoed]

Either move to balayage or just get a face frame and a few highlights through the top to give dimension - it's called a t section. If you wear your hair up ask for a few foils round the perimeter.

[Janedoe82]

These prices are insane. I am 65 with a girl who works from her home. Years of experience in salons etc.

[70sShmeventies]

@Isabelle70 every 15 months wow, is be happy to do that!

I so want to just buy some box colour and try it but it seems like it’s more likely to go wrong than right!

[Isabelle70]

I have balayage about every 15 months and it still looks good as it grows out as the sun does do a bit of lightening too. I also use a purple shampoo every week or so when I remember and don't mind the purple finger dye 😀

[Ballsaque]

Definitely try and find a mobile hairdresser

[Northernlass99]

I tried. Did myself with box colour for a while, and it was ok but pretty boring. Then went to a mobile hairdresser for highlights but it was awful. Went back to my original salon but am now having the apprentice and she is awesome. The senior stylist was creeping up towards £179 but the apprentice is about £80. I don't want to undervalue what they do and they are very skilled, but I just couldn't keep paying that money for the senior stylist.

[Geewhizzr]

shivermetimbers77 you have just made my day ! I didnt know yiu can get box dye that allows variation of colour , thought it wd be a block colour !? What do you use please.
Op our dd has the balage thing , she can go 6 months without colour this way . She has a mobile hairdresser. Never more than 50 quid inc cut.

[fancyfrogs]

I was like this a little while ago. Got a box dye of an ashy blonde which I thought was pretty close to my natural colour. Not an exact match of course, but close enough that roots were barely visible. Almost 3 years now no dye and back to natural colour except about 1-2 inches right at the very bottom which are ever so slightly lighter. Sooo much easier!

[dutyfirstselfsecond]

Switch to balayage / root melt

It's quicker and lasts longer but still pricey

[wwyd2021medicine]

My full head went up from 115 to 125 (plus inconvenient hours) so I moved and it was £65. In 2013 I once paid 160 for a full head and cut 😳
My neighbour goes to a more distant postcode (a 10 minute drive) and hers is even less but I like to have somewhere I can walk to

[Nejnej2]

I've had balayage for the past 4 years or so, and have decided to stop because of money. My hairdresser moved away too, which made getting to appointments a pain.
Mine has admittedly always been reasonably close to my natural colour but it's fading out beautifully. I'm about halfway grown out now, and it still looks pretty natural!

[70sShmeventies]

It’s about 170 for a cut and colour. I’m worried I’ll look drab….

[Mummummummumyyyyy]

Me too I looked like Marge Simpson

[Pollytiffin]

Which brand shiver? Mine attempt to use a box dye was horrific!! 😅

[shivermetimbers77]

Yep I gave up highlights about 2 years ago and now I box dye with semi permanent dark blonde and it’s honestly fine.. Of course the highlights looked better but not better enough to justify the 20x price difference ! The box dye is nice , I still have different tones so it isn’t just a flat colour , and my hair is much healthier too.

[Pollytiffin]

Me, I hate it but it's sooo hard to justify!! I don't have many vvices but it's one of them. I tried doing it myself earlier this year. Total disaster, hairdresser saved me. Looks great for a couple of months then..... 😬