I’m no economist but I have learned a thing or two over the years. One advantage of being a Hairdresser is that you get to meet all types of people, get to pick their brains and learn a lot along the way. I’m also at that age where you seem to turn into your parents, meaning, I try and watch the news as much as possible instead of cartoons.

As the world goes into economic chaos we hear reports and advice from all quarters and so here’s a bit from me. In Australia we have an economy that’s quite healthy compared to a lot of other countries and as much as we like to complain about how much our banks screw us and the huge profits they make, they have provided a much needed buffer to the strife affecting places such as the USA.

In such uncertain times there is a tendency to stop spending, but from what I’ve been able to understand, that would slow down the economy too much. The answer as I see it is to keep spending, but spend smarter and spend a little less. “So how does this relate to hair?” I hear you think.

Luxuries are the first thing to go during these times and for many if not most, hairdressing could be considered a luxury. What you need to get is the most value for your money but still get an exceptional result. Most Hairdressers are trained to up-sell and recommend extra services and products that you may not actually need, want or can afford. So be strong and say NO. The biggest cost for most people is hair colour, especially if you have to get it done every 5 or 6 weeks. I’m still a bit shocked when I hear how much people have been paying to have their hair done, but this doesn’t mean you have to find the cheapest place you can or chance doing it yourself.

To get the most out of a colour choose one that is close to the colour of your regrowth, this is even more important for those of you who are covering grey. If you still have about 50% or more of your natural colour then you should try for something a touch lighter, but if you’re almost totally grey then I recommend around a level 7 or 8 (medium or light blonde), to see what this colour looks like see this post.

For those who have Hilites, try going for something with 2 – 3 blondes in there as this will soften the regrowth line and give you a little more mileage for your dollar. Many people get their Hilites done around the 6 or 7 weeks mark, so if you can stretch it out to say 9 – 10 weeks, that could be saving you around $20 – $30 each week that you stretch it out. This means that you can spend a little extra on getting a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Now these products will actually last you longer than cheaper “supermarket” style brands, giving you a better result meaning you may even need to wash your hair less. So if these products last you 2 – 3 times as long as your old shampoo and conditioner, there’s your saving again.

For those of you with kids, shampoo can be a real expense, especially if you have 3 girls with long hair. Ask your Hairdresser if they are able to get you the large bottle of generic shampoo and conditioner that many salons use at their basin. They are decent quality but doesn’t contain any extra nutrients etc that coloured hair needs but it is fine for kids and even your husband.

Lastly, if you’re in the market for a new hair dryer, get one from your hairdresser rather than a department store. First, you’ll be supporting small business, and secondly, you’ll be getting a professional grade dryer which will last you longer. Yes it may cost you a little more but when you look at it with as a cost per use, it is much cheaper. I have had my dryer for 5 years and paid about $130 for it, and expect that it will last me a few more years. Think about how much use I have gotten from my investment for the outlay! The most important thing to remember with your dryer and especially your GHD, if you have one, is DO NOT keep it in the bathroom. This is because it will be exposed to steam and water which will reduce the life expectancy dramatically. If you take a little more care with your appliances they will last you much longer.

I hope these little tips help in some way, and remember that if you have any questions feel free to contact me.