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There are some expenses that cannot be completely eliminated, but for me the easiest section of my budget to minimize is the personal care and hygiene area. This means not buying new makeup (even though I want to so badly), using up products I already have before buying new ones, and cutting my own hair.
I know cutting your hair sounds risky, but I promise it’s easier than you think.
Here are my frugal tips for cutting your own hair.
Ready for my totally irrational fear?
I’m scared to let other people cut my hair.
I guess this probably developed as a result of not finding someone who I trusted to cut my hair at a young age. Every time I would go to a salon, the results would be a massive let down and therefor I avoided going.
I’ve had long hair for as long as I can remember, but recently I let it grow to the longest its ever been. Although it was my security blanket all winter, I knew when the spring weather hit that I needed to cut it! My hair is not only long, it’s incredibly thick, which means lots of weight to carry around during the summer months.
I grabbed my scissors and went to town!
Cutting your own hair sounds intimidating, but it’s easier than you think.
Through my own experience, I’ve come up with a few tips for cutting your own hair.
Get the Right Tools
I know it’s temping to save money by just using whatever scissors you can find, but please don’t. Using kitchen or paper scissors can damage your hair, so please invest in a pair of shears. Amazon has a ton of inexpensive options.
I also suggest investing in a some good hair clips, but you can pick up a spray bottle and comb at the dollar store.
Watch YouTube Videos
The first time I tried to cut my own hair, I completely winged it. I tried to remember what the last haircut I had was like and just mimic that. Bad idea.
There are so many amazing YouTube videos on how to cut all types of hair in all styles. For me, there was one video in particular that helped me get the hang of things – Farah Dhukai’s “How to Cut Your Own Hair in Layers”
Learn What Works For You
Over time, I began to develop a routine for getting my hair to look just how I wanted it. My routine now starts with a wet cut and ends with a dry cut of my layers.
I like to wet my hair, cut the length, and work my way up in layers. This eliminates all of the dead ends and weight. Immediately after, I blow dry my hair and create more layers during a dry cut. Sometimes cutting wet hair can be deceiving, so this dry cut is crucial to the finished product for me.
Alternate Between Salon Cuts and Home Cuts
If you’re not ready to give up salon cuts but would really like to save money, try minimizing the amount of times you have to pay. Cutting your own hair every other time still amounts to a savings!
Another option is to do all of your trims at home by yourself, but visit a salon for drastic changes.
Keep Practicing
The only way you’ll ever get the hang of cutting your own hair is if you practice. I practiced on my my own hair long enough to feel confident to cut my kids hair, and in the end it’s been a huge money saver.
Calculate Your Savings
My biggest motivation for avoiding the salon is calculating exactly what I save each time I cut my own hair. Just last month I was feeling a little bit lazy and had my husband take our son for a haircut – $20! It would have taken me 15 minutes at home, which ultimately killed my frugal soul.
In the after shots of my hair, you can see how much healthier it is! It may not be perfect, but it saved me some room in my budget.
What are your frugal tips for cutting your own hair?