Doing my cut and color saves me $60 a month

**cab54** · 09-08-2008, 11:37 PM

I've been cutting my own (short) hair now for a few months. Saving a bundle.

Well, I thought I'd try highlights next time I needed them ---at home.

I used to do it years ago when my hair was about shoulder length. I had never done short layered hair. Plus, it was 'iffy' when I did it years ago--sometimes great, sometimes sucked.

Well, I bought L'oreal's La Petite Frost. Only $6.76 at WM. It's made for people who don't need a lot of highlighter mix--those with short hair or those who just want to do a little hair, like framing the face. My natural hair is sort of medium ash blonde w/about 25% grey. (the highlighter sort of camoflages it--for now).

I never used to like those little caps you pull hairs through. Thought I'd try it and see if I felt any differently. Nope, still hate them.

Tossed the cap. Went and got an old (cleaned up) mascara wand that I used to use for painting or brushing highlights on. Did that instead. Works GREAT! Always did. Have to get a good glob of highlighter on the wand.

Right when I was supposed to rinse out the color, it started to rain on my laundry hanging out. Argh!

So, I got the laundry in quick as a rabbit, and jumped in the shower

and rinsed it out, shampooed and conditioned, and then cut it. I LOVE it. I honestly think it looks better than when I've had it done at the nicest shops. You know how it's nice when YOU can control the cut? My dh trims the back neckline for me. Tada!

Used to go to the cheapest place that did a good job and it worked out to about $60 a month with cuts and highlights

and THAT'S NOT COUNTING TIPS! Now it costs me $3.38 a month. I'm excited!

**tammy8701** · 09-09-2008, 06:48 AM

l just did my last week l also have short hair and l just trim it and did the colour myself its nice to save $$$ l just nee dh to trim the back for me

**Squirt** · 09-09-2008, 06:54 AM

I've been doing my own hair for a long time. Sally Beauty supply has packets of powdered highlighter, toner for coloring, and developer which can be used for the highlighting and the toning. It will come out to a lot less than $6 a pop if you buy these components, and you can just mix as much as you need.

I didn't do anything to my natural color for about 2.5 years. It was so easy, yet highlights and fun colors keep beckoning....

**Michelle** · 09-09-2008, 07:06 AM

That's great

The salon where I go to charges $32 for a wash/cut/blow dry, and highlights start at $75.

I don't highlight, but I color it monthly. I get it cut only once or twice per year too. I don't trust myself cutting anything but my bangs. The rest of my hair is layered and stacked in the back. Can't do that myself.

**Squirt** · 09-09-2008, 12:20 PM

FYI- I can't be trusted to cut my own hair either.

I'm not good at it!

The only reason I've been doing it is because I'm growing it out from super-short and I don't want to lose more that 1/2" at a time.

**cab54** · 09-09-2008, 05:32 PM

Yeah, stacking would be impossible to do yourself. I got mine in a stacked bob once. I liked it but dh didn't. LOL! Mine is pretty easy, it's just a basic short cut--pull it out straight from the scalp and cut 1/2 inch off every month. Trim the bangs, sides, and back and voila!

The thing I'm saving the most on is highlighting. And tipping. My shop charged $55 for highlights and $35 for haircut/blow dry. $30 for the cut when it's at the same time as the highlights. I'll have to try Sally's for even more of a savings. Thanks!

I like the idea mainly, that I am self sufficient when it comes to my hair. I'm not a salon type of person.

Just feel awkward and self-conscious, or something having someone do my hair and everybody sitting around watching. I'm not good at asking for what I want, either. Or talking about 'beauty' stuff with people. The whole thing's a pain for me.

**frugalfriend** · 09-09-2008, 05:56 PM

Good for you! I wish I could do that! Tomorrow I'm having my hair colored for the first time.

A friend who is in beauty school is doing it in her home. I have blond hair with some gray starting to be too noticeable to hide anymore, so I'm taking the plunge! LOL She's going to do highlights and lowlights, but I asked her to keep it as natural looking as possible and close to my natural color. I hope I can maintain it some on my own. That is what has kept me from doing it so far, the maintenance.

**HandyMom** · 09-09-2008, 10:38 PM

My DB took my DD to a shop to get highlights and a cut. They also were talked into buying sculpting gel and some other hair products. The cost was almost $100.

This year, I purchased a frosting kit (mainly because I liked the tools it had that I could reuse) and I cut and highlighted DD's hair. I also bought her a flat iron and some protecting spray to use with the iron. Altogether, cost of everything for her new look was less than $30 and she loves it. Next time all I will buy for her is some powder bleach since I already have creme developer on hand for when I do my Mom's hair.

**brennasmom** · 09-09-2008, 10:40 PM

I just trimmed my shoulder length hair last weekend too. I don't think it came out too bad. Or at least noone has laughed at me yet.

**cab54** · 09-09-2008, 11:34 PM

Yes, longer hair is even easier to cut--just bring it forward and cut. Have your SO or sister or whatever check the back to even it up, and catch any strays you missed. I always cut my own hair when it was shoulder length or longer. I always said "any 5 year old can cut a blunt cut." LOL.