Sexy Hair: On a Budget

During the recession, we can’t help but feel a little guilty having spa days.

Garrett of Vim & Vigor Salon

The thing is, we don’t have to give up being gorgeous – we just have to start going about it smartly. I chatted with San Francisco-based Vim and Vigor salon’s master stylist and educator Garret Hamabata and he had some great tips for us on saving money – and our hotness!

Garret says our goal is to get a hair cut that will last a long time. The easiest way to do this is to create a style or cut that works WITH the natural texture of our hair, not against it. Garret says every person who sits in his chair will have a different cost-effective style solution. But the worst thing you can do is get a cut that goes against the grain of what happens naturally with your hair (texture, part, quantity, etc.).

Every hair texture is different and every different hair texture CAN have a natural cut that looks good no matter what. Someone with a cut that works with their natural texture, a long-layered look as opposed to a short, technical bob, for example, will be able to ride out the cut for weeks, sometimes even months longer, saving hundreds of dollars.

Garret also warns against overuse of expensive products. Some of us have huge collections of different products all over our bathrooms. This is something that I myself learned – we waste so so much!!! You only need a small amount of shampoo and conditioner to get results. Don’t overuse your product, and it will last longer, and save you money

Lastly, just about all the gals I know get color or want it. They don’t have to give it up: But consider coloring your hair closer to your natural color.

By doing this, Garrett says we will save tons of money. Roots will be less obvious as the color grows out. Also less highlights means less damage to your hair and less cost repairing that damage. Also, back to what we were chatting about before, shampooing too often can also fade your expensive color treatment. If possible, shampoo every other day with a shampoo for color-treated hair. This will preserve your color – and your product!