Trying New Hair Salons Stlye and Beauty
Trying New Hair Salons - Stlye and Beauty Beauty & Style
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts Test-driving a new hair salon is risky business. Unlike or , a bad haircut or a crummy color job cannot be exchanged or returned. And it may be months before we can shake off — or at least outgrow — our resulting grumpy mood.
So … how should you handle the urge to defect to a new stylist? When does it make sense to splurge on a , and when is it better to economize? I'd have an easier time answering these questions if the options weren't so many. I want to support my neighborhood salon, but that low-cost mall chain also looks terrific (or will it merely turn out to be tacky?). They make me feel so comfortable at Casa LuxeHaven, but how do I justify the indulgence? Here are some tips for anyone tempted to switch allegiances. If you have easy hair: Let's say your hair is fairly healthy. You use a do-it-yourself color — or don't dye your locks at all — and you prefer the timeless chic and easy care of a classic bob or lob. If those three conditions pertain, there's really no need to spend more than $18 or $20 for a chop and blow-dry. Just make your way to an inexpensive, nationwide chain for a cookie-cutter perfect cut. (I'm thinking of outlets such as Fantastic Sams, Supercuts, Hair Cuttery or SmartStyle at Walmart.) The stylists at each franchise follow a prescribed formula, so you'll see consistent results even if you don't patronize the same salon or stylist every time. Walk-ins are welcome, but don't expect any frills. The inside skinny: Chains are perhaps the best-kept secret of age-50+ CEOs and entrepreneurs with expensive-looking hair; they save their hard-earned cash on a good basic bob, then go elsewhere for color and highlights. If you visit often — and love personal attention: Though prices at "boutique" salons vary widely, expect to pay $25 to $50 and up for a cut and blow-dry, and $35 to $75 or more for color or special services. Offsetting those higher costs is the comfort factor that comes from finding a stylist/colorist who understands your hair's peculiarities — and your preferences. No matter which direction you want to head in — camouflage thinning hair, add layers or bangs, or gracefully grow out your gray with highlights and lowlights — there's security in having a team that works with you, not just on you. The inside skinny: Tip everyone — yes, even the salon owner, provided she cuts or colors your hair. The rule of thumb is 15 to 20 percent for the stylist/colorist, and 5 to 10 percent for assistants. (And don’t forget to slip a couple of dollars to the shampoo person!) Your thoughtfulness will elevate you to the status of priority customer, which in turn may enable you to negotiate a price — or cop a treasured last-minute appointment — down the road. If you want to make a big change. Ready to boldly go blond, or short and edgy? Need to fix that unwise-in-retrospect drugstore color incident? Job hunting? Recently separated or divorced? Dating again? On a diet? In a major funk? Have I got the remedy for you: Splurge! Even if it’s only once or twice a year, a fresh pair of trend-aware eyeballs in a pampered environment — a cocktail or a latte with macaroons or biscotti — can dislodge you from your hair rut, restore your confidence and boost your spirit. Brand-name salons charge as much as $185 for a cut and blow-dry, and $150 for coloring or color correction. On the other hand, they offer free advance consultations. Provided you can resist their hard sell on hair products — whose exorbitant markups are a salon’s biggest moneymaker — it’s likely you’ll enjoy the special treatment. The inside skinny: Ask for an assistant or junior stylist or colorist, not the resident "star" who charges $600 to $800 when she's not busy coiffing the newest celebrity. Deals and discounts at A-list salons may be available through Groupon or RetailMeNot. For more beauty and style tips for women 50+, check out and AARP's new , which is available for tablet. Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
What Would You Pay for Great-Looking Hair
It' s the ultimate cosmetic because we never take it off But why should we pay $300 to curl up and dye
Istock What would you pay for great-looking hair?More Lois Joy Johnson
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts Test-driving a new hair salon is risky business. Unlike or , a bad haircut or a crummy color job cannot be exchanged or returned. And it may be months before we can shake off — or at least outgrow — our resulting grumpy mood.
So … how should you handle the urge to defect to a new stylist? When does it make sense to splurge on a , and when is it better to economize? I'd have an easier time answering these questions if the options weren't so many. I want to support my neighborhood salon, but that low-cost mall chain also looks terrific (or will it merely turn out to be tacky?). They make me feel so comfortable at Casa LuxeHaven, but how do I justify the indulgence? Here are some tips for anyone tempted to switch allegiances. If you have easy hair: Let's say your hair is fairly healthy. You use a do-it-yourself color — or don't dye your locks at all — and you prefer the timeless chic and easy care of a classic bob or lob. If those three conditions pertain, there's really no need to spend more than $18 or $20 for a chop and blow-dry. Just make your way to an inexpensive, nationwide chain for a cookie-cutter perfect cut. (I'm thinking of outlets such as Fantastic Sams, Supercuts, Hair Cuttery or SmartStyle at Walmart.) The stylists at each franchise follow a prescribed formula, so you'll see consistent results even if you don't patronize the same salon or stylist every time. Walk-ins are welcome, but don't expect any frills. The inside skinny: Chains are perhaps the best-kept secret of age-50+ CEOs and entrepreneurs with expensive-looking hair; they save their hard-earned cash on a good basic bob, then go elsewhere for color and highlights. If you visit often — and love personal attention: Though prices at "boutique" salons vary widely, expect to pay $25 to $50 and up for a cut and blow-dry, and $35 to $75 or more for color or special services. Offsetting those higher costs is the comfort factor that comes from finding a stylist/colorist who understands your hair's peculiarities — and your preferences. No matter which direction you want to head in — camouflage thinning hair, add layers or bangs, or gracefully grow out your gray with highlights and lowlights — there's security in having a team that works with you, not just on you. The inside skinny: Tip everyone — yes, even the salon owner, provided she cuts or colors your hair. The rule of thumb is 15 to 20 percent for the stylist/colorist, and 5 to 10 percent for assistants. (And don’t forget to slip a couple of dollars to the shampoo person!) Your thoughtfulness will elevate you to the status of priority customer, which in turn may enable you to negotiate a price — or cop a treasured last-minute appointment — down the road. If you want to make a big change. Ready to boldly go blond, or short and edgy? Need to fix that unwise-in-retrospect drugstore color incident? Job hunting? Recently separated or divorced? Dating again? On a diet? In a major funk? Have I got the remedy for you: Splurge! Even if it’s only once or twice a year, a fresh pair of trend-aware eyeballs in a pampered environment — a cocktail or a latte with macaroons or biscotti — can dislodge you from your hair rut, restore your confidence and boost your spirit. Brand-name salons charge as much as $185 for a cut and blow-dry, and $150 for coloring or color correction. On the other hand, they offer free advance consultations. Provided you can resist their hard sell on hair products — whose exorbitant markups are a salon’s biggest moneymaker — it’s likely you’ll enjoy the special treatment. The inside skinny: Ask for an assistant or junior stylist or colorist, not the resident "star" who charges $600 to $800 when she's not busy coiffing the newest celebrity. Deals and discounts at A-list salons may be available through Groupon or RetailMeNot. For more beauty and style tips for women 50+, check out and AARP's new , which is available for tablet. Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > See more Entertainment offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures