With the bad economy how do you plan on budgeting for your hair?

[almond eyes]

Dear Ladies,

It's great to be back in the States again. However, I did not realise how bad the economic crisis was. I was able to catch an episode of Oprah yesterday where Suze Orman said that people in the States need to start saving and spending less. With that being said, I am a real product junkie when it comes to my hair but since I have learnt was works now, I feel like I don't need to buy any more things. However, I get so tempted when I hear things about Hairveda and the Phibbs dryer. My step cousin who is a hairdresser said that she is already seeing the effects of the economy on her hair salon, she said less black women are coming in to get relaxers as many of them are going natural or self-relaxing on their own.

So the question is will the economy effect the way you spend on hair products or go to the hair salons?

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[DarkHair]

Welcome back Almond Eyes.

I don't leave the house unless I have to. I've vowed to myself to stretch my relaxers, and to only go to the salon on touch-up day. I used to go every three weeks, but I've had to learn to take care of my hair all over again. I am seriously thinking about self-relaxing again.

 

[gymfreak336]

I do my own rollersets and relaxers which saves me money off the bat.

In terms of products.....I buy things on sale like when I get one for free or half price. I get things in big bottles, especially when I find things at places like TJMaxx or Marshalls and whenever I get a deal, I buy in bulk so it lasts me a while. Like when Ulta has joico liters or kenra and tigi on sale, I buy extra and those will last me a good while.

 

[naturalmanenyc]

I rarely go to a salon and I have been trying to find drug store products that work well for my hair.....Garnier Fructis is working well for now.

 

[Tarae]

I never go to the salon so I save that way. I'm on my second "Buy Nothing" challenge. I really don't need anything at all.
I use Silk Elements relaxer, which is cheap anyway, and I stretch 12 weeks. And when I do need/want to buy something, I wait until it's on sale. I get good deals from Sally's and Drugstore.com when they have those BOGO deals.

 

[Andy1979]

Well, one of the reasons I went natural in the first place is to save money at the salon. Unfortunately, I made up for it buying a bunch of product to try, but now that I have my regimen down, I don't feel the need to try things out. I am using up all product before tossing it, finding cheaper alternatives to my favorites (Olive OIl deep conditioner instead of Pantene Breakage Defense Mask, aphogee hair oil instead of CD Lisa's Hair Elixer etc.), and staying the heck out of ULTA!!!

 

[cocoaluv]

I still go for my weekly wash and sets from the dominicans because I work and go to school and no longer have the time/energy to be a diy'er anymore. However I am no longer a product junkie like I used to be. I make sure I use up everything before I buy anything new/more. I havent bought any hair products since august I believe....thats big for me.

 

[Priss Pot]

I plan to not buy any new hair product for the next 2 months at least. It's been hard to do in the past, but I really need to stick to it now. I have just about everything I want in terms of haircare right now (except for Avocado butter, but that can wait). I need to realize that I don't *need* anymore hair care (and beauty) products. And the new *it* product that comes out, I can wait to get it cause it'll be there months from now.

This really should save me a lot of money in this economic crunch. I need to focus on other things.

 

[myronnie]

Only buying the essentials..and they have to be cheapies...
Also, stretching my relaxer.

But the henna, indigo, shea butter, and camellia seed oil are putting a hurting on my pocket... but i love them so much!

 

[Covergirl5906]

I don't really jump on bandwagons anymore...I know what works for me...so I stick to buying only those things....I have enough staples to last me for the next several months...I started doing my own touchups as well so I am good to go!

 

[Ms Lala]

I have stopped trying new products unless I am swapping something I already own for it. I also have started using products that I can get multiple uses out of. For example I use hairveda moist 24/7 condish for my DC and leave in. No new appliances are coming in my house and I already do my own hair.

 

[indefinite]

I've found a great $10 salon, so I save money on product and visits all in one pop.

 

[yuriko]

I now only go the hair salon for touch ups which I do every 16 weeks, I plan however to try to use cheap con like vo5 or suave for cowashing

 

[sareca]

Haven't changed a thing... don't plan to.

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

I've been really bad the since joining in August...I won't even mention how much I've spent trying to find my right combo of products. I've kinda got it narrowed down...sooooo Ima try not to buy any more products until what I have runs out...I should be good till December! Ebay and PayPal are the debil!!!!!erplexed

 

[A_Christian]

I buy all of my staples in the biggest sizes they come in and stretch them as far as I can. I've also been doing my own hair between touch-ups and have scaled down the touch-ups to 2 or 3 times per year instead of every 8 - 12 weeks. I haven't been totally cured of my product junkie ways but I am enjoying the fact that the staples I've been using work better than most of the new products I try so I'm hoping that I will get to the point that I'll only buy staples and won't be so eager to try so many of the other products that everyone raves about.

 

[Barbara]

I need to use all of my secondary products up before I start buying new ones.

Also, I did a good job doing my own hair early last month, :superbanana: except it took about five or six hours. I need to take the time to do it more often instead of going to the salon, since I've been going just about all of my life.

 

[MonPetite]

THIS IS WHY I REVIEW SO MANY DRUGSTORE BRANDS.

After I use up the salon stuff I'm on now (and my Victoria's Secret treats), its back to simple, cost-effective natural products or higher-end drug store brands.

If anyone should know how to save a dollar without their hair suffering I should.

I'm going to have to break up with Trade Secret and tell him I've found a new man...Meijers.

 

[LovelyLionessa]

I don't waste $$ on random products anymore. I get my faves on sale and conditioners in larger value size bottles. I save also since I haven't been to a salon in years. I relax, rollerset, and do semi-permanent color all from home sweet home.

 

[TexturedTresses]

getting products that i can buy in bulk.

 

[NappturalWomyn]

-No random product buying.
-Sticking to coconut oil, shea butter for twists, LeKair cholesterol (mixing with coconut oil for overnight leave in-kind of an oil wash)
-Bought shea butter in bulk and coconut oil in bulk. Have enough ACV and shampooto get through winter.
-Using black soap on face (bought in bulk),drinking enough water to cause water poisoning, not skimping on veggies or fatty fish (the BFF for my hair and skin)
I'll be fine.This economy is skin tight, and no time forPJism...

 

[IrisDaVirus]

I've been fortunate because I don't do much to my hair and my hair doesn't need much. I stick to my usual routine which is stocking up on conditioners and moisturizers when they are on sale.

 

[MJ]

I don't need to do anything different. I know what my staples are (AO conditioners, castor oil, henna, a conditioner for cowashing, baking soda, and Giovanni direct). These are all inexpensive, and a bottle of each lasts me a few months becauase I believe in "less is more."

As for experimenting, I've already been keeping that to a minimum. I research, research, and then give myself a few weeks to mull over the idea/product. 9.5/10 times I decide not to get the product. A few years ago, I had tons of products -- much more than I could ever have used in a 2-year period. I prefer the simplicity of my current regimen.

 

[kadej]

I plan to keep it simple and continue using what's working for me at the moment. I'm trying to avoid buying new products until the spring (only replenishing when necessary).

 

[MizAvalon]

Dear Ladies,

It's great to be back in the States again. However, I did not realise how bad the economic crisis was. I was able to catch an episode of Oprah yesterday where Suze Orman said that people in the States need to start saving and spending less. With that being said, I am a real product junkie when it comes to my hair but since I have learnt was works now, I feel like I don't need to buy any more things. However, I get so tempted when I hear things about Hairveda and the Phibbs dryer. My step cousin who is a hairdresser said that she is already seeing the effects of the economy on her hair salon, she said less black women are coming in to get relaxers as many of them are going natural or self-relaxing on their own.

So the question is will the economy effect the way you spend on hair products or go to the hair salons?

Best,
Almond Eyes

Welcome back Almond Eyes!

I saw that episode of Oprah yesterday. I've been doing my own hair for quite some time so that won't change. One thing I am doing is being a little less generous with my products so that they last longer.

I have been wondering how hairdressers are holding up in this economy. I figured they were taking a hit.

 

[gloomgeisha]

I won't. I'll budget anything else. I do my own hair. I don't buy clothes or shoes anyway, and I'm not big on gadgets or anything else. I rarely eat out or go out. My only frivolous spending comes from books and hair care and I intend to keep it that way. I need some pleasures in life. LOL!

 

[hillytmj]

I plan to continue doing my own hair maintenance between relaxers, and timing my relaxers at 8 weeks for 2009. That way, I will only get my relaxer professionally done at the salon about six times. I also like to get a protein DC once at the salon between relaxers, but that may change too if I get really good at self styling.

I'm a person who used to spend anywhere from $1700 to $2500 a year in the salon, so any reduction is a big change for me!

 

[HoneyDew]

Kinda. I will continue to buy my staples. But, I have found myself NOT impulse buying as I used to. Even if I have the $$, I think I can do better things with my money these days.

I had planned on getting braids for a while, but @ $180 a pop, NOT including the hair, I decided to save my money for a rainy day. It is not worth it for me these days.

 

[trj1922]

I'm going to keep going as I have been. I do my own hair and only spring for expensive products if are really well researched and generally on sale. I'm mostly Ayurvedic and I live in a city with a decent Indian population. I can get staples like amla powder for $1.49 a box and a $5 bottle of Vatika just keeps going, and going, and going...

I am a PJ to some extent, but I have guidelines for what works for me and what ingredients I look for and avoid. That narrows the range of things I'll try considerably. The occasional splurge is not bad if it's in your budget, you just can't be indiscriminate.