Once again, it’s time for some money saving tips. Today, I’m going to give you simple ways on how you can be frugal on hair care.

We’ll tackle hair products, styling practices and some common sense strategies on how you can save a little cash and yet, manage to stay silky-smooth.

I asked some of my girl friends (that’s two words okay?) and did a little research on the internet on proper hair care.

Here are some money saving tips I stumbled upon. I hope that you find them helpful and informative.

Shampoos and Conditioners
Expensive shampoos and conditioners are not necessarily better than their economical counterparts. In fact, most of them actually use the same ingredients. Don’t waste your money paying for the imported name brands if you can get the same beautiful result from using local commercial brands.

As a kid, I could remember only four types of shampoos – for oily hair, normal hair, dry hair and for dandruff. Nowadays, there are numerous varieties which promise to solve various hair problems. Personally, I think that all this is just marketing strategy.

Do you know that hair is actually a dead part of the body, much like our fingernails. This means that there is no such thing as oily hair type, only oily scalps, which is caused by hormones. Unfortunately, there isn’t a real solution to this so just wash your hair regularly. Moreover, damaged hair cannot really be repaired and the only way to get rid of it is to cut them.

Frugal advise:
Buy hair products that fit your budget. Test several brands, even the cheap ones, and find the one that gives the best results for you. Don’t be swayed by new product advertising, specially if you already have a regular brand. If you really insist, buy a sachet first to test if the new product is better.

Styling and Coloring
For styling products, the same advise for shampoos and conditioners apply here – expensive doesn’t mean it’s better. Find the one that gives you satisfaction and stick to it. Furthermore, try not to put on so much styling products and change hairstyles too often because this is the main cause of hair damage.

Now for hair color – if you just want a subtle change, then your most economical option would be to buy a commercial hair dye and just do it yourself. They’re cheaper and not much different from what salons use. Just be sure to carefully follow the instructions. However, if you’re going for some drastic changes, I’d advise that you solely seek professional assistance.

Frugal advise:
Simply go natural and just accessorize with the right attitude.

Hair Cuts
One of the best ways to save money in hair salons is to learn how to say “No”. Hairstylists get commission on every service you avail so they’ll naturally push recommendations while casually chatting with you. Don’t believe them when they say you urgently need a hot oil treatment or you’d look better after a hair spa. If you went to the salon because you believe that you simply need a hair cut, then just get a hair cut.

Furthermore, always be on the look out for salons that have special promotions. The hair service industry is so competitive nowadays and most of them try to attract customers with discounts and incentives. Go ahead and try these places, specially if you just need a trim.

Frugal advise:
It pays to be loyal to a specific salon, but don’t be afraid to try others, specially the inexpensive franchises, every now and then. Moreover, don’t let your stylist persuade you into availing services you don’t really need. And lastly, always remember to give a tip.

Hair Care
Finally, here are some more simple tips on how you can save money on hair care:

• Try not to shampoo and condition everyday. Every other day usually works fine.
• Sport a wash-and-wear style to lessen electrical expenses on blow drying.
• Don’t blow dry your hair too much, it damages the hair.
• Learn how to cut your own hair or encourage friends to learn with you and cut each other.
• For parents, learn how to cut your children’s hair. It’s not that complicated.
• Eat a healthy diet. Protein, iron and vitamin B enriched foods help in good hair production.

Can you add more to the list? Kindly share them and leave a comment below.

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Update:
This article was given a bronze medal in the Finance Fiesta: Olympic Edition. Check it out and read more articles about wealth building and personal finance.

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Movie stills courtesy of You Don’t Mess With The Zohan by Sony Pictures