Haircuts,
color and products can add up quickly at the salon, and
while you may not want to cut corners when it comes to
your hair, it’s possible to cut costs while keeping
your cut fantastic. We reached out to salon experts
across the country to learn the behind-the-scene secrets
to savings at the salon.
Ask
about referral discounts. Many salons will offer a $15
referral discount, said Jamie DiGrazia, stylist,
colorist, hair care brand ambassador and owner of Logan
Parlor in Chicago. "Salons and stylists love giving
discounts for referrals," DiGrazia said. "It
really helps the salon gain new and loyal business when
the salon is referred by friends."
Go
to a gender-neutral salon. If you’re a woman with
short hair, you can save money by going to a salon that
charges by the length of your hair rather than by
gender, said DiGrazia, whose salon’s pricing structure
goes by the time and length of the cut instead of by
gender. "It’s now become a very popular way to
charge," DiGrazia said. "It is fair and equal
to the guest and to the service provider."
Ask
about being a hair model. Often, stylists are looking
for models to enter into a hair show or competition, or
to add diversity to their portfolio, said Greg Auer,
stylist at PureBeauty Salon & Spa at Macy’s in
Chicago. Many salons also require hair models for
on-site training. "This is a great way to get a new
look on a dime — or even for free," Auer said.
Speak
up. Your relationship with your regular hairdresser is
important, said April Masini, a relationship and
etiquette expert and author of four relationship advice
books. "Usually, people don’t realize this
importance until things go wrong, but if you’re
looking to save money, and you have a regular
relationship with your hairdresser, simply talking to
them about your budget concerns is step one,"
Masini said. The hair dresser may suggest more time
between appointments, leaving out special treatments you
didn’t realize you were paying for, or simply avoiding
the cost of blow dry services, especially in the summer
when you may not need or want it. "Many people don’t
talk frankly to their hairdresser, and this creates
miscommunication and second-guessing," Masini said.
"If you start skipping appointments because you’re
trying to save money — but you’re not cluing your
hairdresser in, they may think you’re not happy with
them, or you’re finding someone else to go to."
If you speak with them, but don’t want to lose their
services, they may try to help. If you don’t tell
them, they won’t have that opportunity.
Seek
out a new stylist. Go to a high-end salon and choose a
new stylist who is in the beginning of his or her
career. "Typically, a newer stylist will come with
a lower price tag, but while they may lack experience on
the floor, they are usually in the middle of a
high-level training program," said Tony Gordon,
stylist with Gordon Salon, which has four locations in
Illinois. At his salon, new stylists are $39, as opposed
to master stylists, who can charge upward of $60.
Look
for discounts. Even higher-end salons, like the Mario
Tricoci chain, will offer discounts, said Tammy Baltrus,
a top stylist there. Baltrus said her salon accepts Spa
Finder gift cards, which can be purchased at Costco,
saving clients $20 for every $100 they spend. "Some
salons are on the AAA list to receive 10 percent off
products and services," Baltrus said. She also
recommends asking every salon if they would accept other
salons’ coupons, as well as offering your email and
phone number to your technician so she or he can keep
you informed about current promotions.