Salon hair colour too expensive

Citygirl1

I started colouring my own hair using Castings semi permanent for about two years and recently decided to go back to the salon. Its now costing me 54 a month and I'm finding it too much and to be honest my hair feels more out of condition than it did before. However I kind of feel obliged to keep going as I stopped before and my friend who goes there too arranged for me to go back. Does anyone else feel obliged with these salons.

podperson

A friend of mine is a hairdresser, I used to go to them for cuts and then decided to get a colour. I didn't really like it and never had it done with them again - did feel a little guilty as they would ask sometimes if I fancied having it redone and would make excuses. However that was for a friend, I would definately not feel guilty about not going to a salon where I didn't know anyone. Surely your friend would understand if you mentioned it to her? And tbh I don't really understand how she 'arranged' for you to go back - the salon is a business, they're not going to refuse to book you in if you call up normally to make an appointment!

Citygirl1

Hi, thanks for your reply. I guess I feel guilty because I did go to the salon for some time and got to know people there, I asked my friend to mention about me going back because I felt cheeky for going back after not going for so long and now I will feel the same again if I stop. However, £54 a month for a colour is getting too much, I was only paying about £6 a month when I did it myself and about a fiver now and again at a walk in salon to have it trimmed.

Tinkerspalace

I find salons way too expensive, I either do home colouring myself or get my cousin to do it (who is a mobile hairdresser). I would much rather spend the money on something else - like clothes :-)

Always_Harassed

Why should you be spend your hard earned money on something you don't want to. Hairdressers deliberately try to build a relationship with their customers so they get this long term loyalty. It is a business practise. I was talking to my hairdresser last week and she said that customers are now leaving their hair longer so instead of every 6 weeks they are going 8. I only get it cut and home dye it, I deliberately keep it short as it is easier to dye yourself.

Bronnie

I don't know what the situation is where you live, but my compromise was to find a cheaper salon in a less affluent area nearby. Having said that I just have my regrowth done, so it is not a complicated technical job. Also, I like the new salon and staff very much. Couldn't go somewhere cheaper if I didn't warm to them.

I used to pay £54 like you for a regrowth and blowdry. I hold the salon in high regard and acknowledge their professionalism so don't think their charges were untoward, just more than I wanted to pay! I also had thick, short hair which needed trimming every 5 weeks to keep in shape, so things proved expensive.

I have grown my hair, so the cutting is less frequent and technically less complex and found a lovely salon, which will do a regrowth and blow for £26 with an experienced stylist.

There is a difference. They work more quickly, don't section the hair as thinly for the regrowth colour and have instant coffee not fresh filter! However, they do use L'Oreal products and for the price difference, I am happy.

I understand what you say about salon loyalty. I sometimes contemplate going lighter and tbh, would prefer the first salon for anything more technically advanced, however for routine stuff, the compromise suits me fine.

Mags30

The cost of maintaining my hair is a nightmare. Maybe a year ago I cut back and started using home root touch up kits. It looked ok but my hair ended up with a band of colour that was too dark for hi-lites or anything else so I ended up at an expensive salon getting the colour stripped out in January. Now I just tolerate the cost so that this doesn't happen again. Although my hair is long, like half way down my back so difficult to do myself.

I'm loyal to my hairdresser mostly because I find the colour is better if I stick with one brand of dye. Going to different salons would mean different brands of dye and over time the result from that isn't great.

It's a small independent place run by ex Toni and guy people and I like supporting a small business rather than a big chain.

I would change though if ever they did anything to upset me as plenty of other places are equally good.

I don't think you should feel obliged to keep going to the hairdresser or feel guilty if you stop. It is a lot of money so you should only be paying it if it's a priority for you.

Mags30

PS the condition of your hair has very little to do with good or bad hairdressers. Any colour home or salon is bad for your hair so you need to use conditioning masks every week and leave them on for ages, like while watching tv or posting here:)

Jacks_xxx

When I used to go to a hairdresser for colour services I used to get a patch of hair at the back that was always too dark and dry and rough and over processed.

Since I've been doing it myself for a couple of years I don't get that.

I do agree that deep conditioning helps. I used Philip Kingsley Elasticizer for years until recently and swore by it. I ran out in January I think and I'm using up random sachets and treatments before I buy any more.

So far my hair's still in lovely condition. (if I do say so myself! :D)

the_cake

Someone on this board recommended the red boxes of permanent hair dye from Wilkinsons, which cost £1. Just wanted to say that I used one yesterday, and am thrilled with the result. The colour looks nice and natural, my hair still seems to be in good condition ... and I managed to avoid making too much of a mess in the bathroom! It's only the second time I have coloured my hair myself (the first time I used something much more expensive which did not cover the grey), but I cannot afford to go to a salon any more. So, a happy and very cheap result, thanks to MSE posters.

jess1974

I have dark brown hair and use the poly colour tint dye usually around £2 a box, i've never had a dodgy dye disaster, and my hair colour looks natural(i'm only covering up grey at the roots and fringe), there is no way i'd pay salon prices....