Now that I’m a little (ahem) older, I’m finding I need to go the hairdresser more and more often due to these annoying little grey hairs that keep coming through. Whether you are at the greying stage or not, getting your hair done – as lovely and pampering as it is – is really expensive. So here at Stay at Home Mum we have devised some tricky little tips and hints on getting the most out of your visits, and saving you as much money as we possibly can!

Saving Money On Hair Cuts

Check out your Yellow Pages (or the internet) to see if you have a nearly Tafe College or Hairdressing Academy that may need models for haircuts. These haircuts range in price from free (hoory) to half the usual cost and are supervised by experienced hairdressers. It wouldn’t hurt to contact your local hairdresser either to see if they have a trainee looking for models to practice on (they practise waxing too!).

If you have boys in your household with short hair maybe you could invest in a set of clippers. Most sets come with a instructional DVD and practice does make perfect! A good set will usually set you back around the $80.00 mark – but they would certainly pay for themselves within a few months.

If you are growing your hair long – perhaps invest in a set of hairdressing scissors and just trim the split ends and your fringe – or get hubby to help – a haircut can cost upwards of $50 – so doing small trims at home can really save you some serious money.

If you must go to a hairdresser – shop around. Ask friends where they get their hair done and the prices – fancy salons do not necessarily mean the best haircuts or colours!!! When you do find a hairdresser that you love, see if they have any loyalty programs. Many hairdressers these days offer a discount or 10th haircut free if you visit them regularly, take them up on it!

If you have a very simple and straight forward haircut, perhaps even try your local Barber. Most are experienced hairdressers and if they are quiet, most will be happy to take on a female client. It’s a good idea to call them first though!

Another good tip is to skip the hair dryer and straightening at the end of a haircut. Styling takes time, and most salons will charge from $20 to do this. If you don’t have anything scheduled for after your hair cut or colour, ask them to skip the blow dry and save some dollars!

If your hair is long and you have a fringe, consider getting a fringe cut every fortnight, and a cut every eight weeks. Most fringe cuts start at about $5 and keep your ‘bangs’ looking great. That way you still feel like you have had time at the salon without the huge cost.

Saving Money on Hair Colouring

If you just can’t give up going to your local hairdresser, try to keep your hair close to your natural colour whilst your on a strict budget. It will mean less trips to the hairdresser and it will be a lot easier to maintain. If you can stretch out your hair colouring to eight weeks – you save a few trips to the hairdresser per year.

Of course there is the obvious home hair colouring kit, and they have come a really long way in the last few years. Provided you follow the directions and protect your clothes and furniture – it is achievable to have a professional looking colour at home. If your not sure – get a friend to put it in for you. Just remember though that most of these colours are permanent! So be sure before you pick a colour. Colours as a rule need to be done every six weeks – but when that times comes around – only use a small amount of the mixture (in a separate bowl) and just touch up the roots. Colour brushes can make this job easier and you can pick one up from the chemist for around $5. You could get up to three touch-ups out of a single box of colour!

If you have paid good money for a colour, consider spending a bit more and get a good quality colour treatment shampoo. They will keep your colour looking better for longer. Some cheaper shampoo’s can just ‘wash your colour’ right out.

Other Ways to Save Money on Your Hair

To keep your hair in terrific condition, try a home made treatment. Coconut Oil is a great, natural way to keep your hair silky and shiny and it will last you for ages. Coconut Oil is available at most supermarkets, chemists and health food stores.

Swap your cotton pillowcase for a satin or if you have the money, a mulberry silk pillowcase. Satin is not only lovely to sleep on, but it doesn’t ‘pull out your hair’ like cotton ones can.