How much do you typically pay for a haircut? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
A great haircut is an easy way to spruce up your look. On average, a women’s haircut costs around $70 and nearly twice as much if you call a major city like Atlanta, Chicago or Minneapolis home. In New York City, you’ll fork out $163, give or take a few dollars.
In life, you often get what you pay for, but your salon tab doesn’t have to resemble a small car note to see professional results. Did you know that many cosmetology schools offer a full range of services, including haircuts, color retouch, braiding and even chemical relaxers? If you’re leery about students touching your crown, they are supervised by instructors.
So, that $163 haircut in NYC we mentioned earlier? You’ll only pay $12 at Empire Beauty School’s Manhattan location. The student stylists at Paul Mitchell Schools will cut and style your hair for $15 — and you’ll receive a relaxing scalp massage as a bonus! A haircut at Aveda Institutes goes for $30. Even after tipping, you still won’t break the bank.
And in Atlanta, a $103 haircut becomes $12 at Empire and $15 or $20 at Paul Mitchell depending on where students are in their program. Aveda asks for $25.
Of course, you may not get all the bells and whistles that come with a hefty price tag, but for a fraction of the cost, who’s complaining?
Snip, snip, snip…more money-saving hacks!
Volunteer to be a hair model If you’re comfortable with being photographed and with the hairdresser having free rein, you can request to become a hair model in exchange for free or discounted salon services, from layers to highlights and everything in between. SalonApprentice.com and SalonModel.co are solid databases to check out.
Good to know: Always let someone know your whereabouts on the day of, and never agree to meet at a private residence.
Take advantage of happy hours Sis, we’re not talking about your favorite tapas restaurant around the corner that’s known for $5 cocktails after 4 o’clock. Many hair salons have happy hours with discounted services on certain styles and cuts, but a possible caveat is that the deal could be reserved for first-time clients, so why not try a new salon near you? (Think about following a few salons across social media to keep up with any special deals.) And if you’re 65 and older, well-known hair salon franchises like Great Clips and Fantastic Sam’s offer $2 to $5 off a regular haircut.
Ask for help Leaving the hair salon automatically puts a pep in your step, but steep prices keep many sisters from booking an appointment. You don’t have to skimp on looking (and feeling) your best, even if money’s tight due to hardship, illness or limited income. If you have a good relationship with your existing stylist, consider confiding in her about your situation and ask if she can accommodate you.
You can also look out for events offered via nonprofits. ClipDart provides free haircuts to struggling communities across the U.S. Organizations like Haircuts 4 Hope in Illinois, Part of the Solution in NYC and The Kind Cut in Los Angeles County operate in a similar fashion — the latter extends its services to homeless shelters and hospitals. (You can also donate to some of them if you don’t live in the area but still want to pay it forward.)
Seek out assistance from your local council for the elderly to find out what other resources may be available.
Prices are subject to change
How much do you typically pay for a haircut? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
