I had a friend of mine throw in some highlights and I'm growing it out again so no real need to stick with my past salon-at least not right now.

Although I already go to a chain salon, (Toni and Guys) I still consider it pretty expensive for my budget, but I have not cheated on my stylist once! I love her to death, it's worth the higher price but she's given me plenty of discounts over the past year for being a loyal customer anyway, sooo.

I did prolong the months between haircuts but I had an important interview coming up so it wasn't really an option.

Absolutely not. This is one of the things I won't really skim on. I had a bad experience at a chain salon, so it seems kinda snobby, but I refuse to go to them now. I just get my hair cut though, I don't do color, and that is what really adds up!

i hate Supercuts. It's the only place to go in the burbs ... and they always eff up my hair. I always end up getting it cut again weeks later.

I actually switched from one chain (Regis) to a cheaper chain (Great Clips). I admit it's not quite the same, but I just moved across the country, so it's not like I can go back to my old stylist anyway. I have a simple haircut, so it works out okay for me.

I do my relaxer, color and cut myself to save money. Ironically, my hair's never looked better.

No, but I haven't been going as often, either, and I'm considering doing my color at home - it can cost me over $400 sometimes to get my hair done where I go.

I've started colouring my own hair and doing my own extensions and bang trims...I'm saving $700 every 10 weeks...and no one has noticed a difference...it looks just as good!

YES! I'm so sad about that because my stylist was perfect but then she moved to a different salon where they charged $80 for hair and over $100 for highlights. I had to go back to my childhood haircut place, where old ladies with perms and walkers are the clientele. Luckily, there is a young stylist there and she is GREAT! I got a haircut and highlights for $140 and she does awesome work.

I spent $90 for a haircut and $120 for highlights every 2 months over a year ago. Now I go to the Paul Mitchell Salon School here and I get my cut for only $10 and highlights for $40. LOVE IT!!!

I've extended my time between appointments from 8 weeks to 10 weeks and I'm only getting highlights every 3rd appointment. It took me forever to find a stylist I loved and now I've gone to her for 3 years so I'm not going to switch unless I really have to.

No I haven't but what I have done is reassess the necessities. I no longer get Brazilians they cost way too much and I'm not going to Brazil anytime soon ha!

There are compromises I have made but haircare is NOT nor will it ever be one of them. To me, hair is one of those things worth shelling out that extra cash (hair products, salon services, etc).

I've never been picky about my haircuts. I've gone to Supercuts for as long as I can remember and have never had a truly horrible haircut.

No, I havent switched b/c of economy. My cuts are only $18, $22 w/ blow dry. I love my stylist too. She always does a great job.

yes i go to papa murphys now.

That is just one of the things I just will not sacrafice/switch bc of the economy or my budget if at all possible. I know others have difficult hair as well, but as an african american woman it's hard to find a stylist that knows and is willing to treat your hair w. care and concern. I have been going to mine since I was in the 5th grade and am now 25 yrs old. and my hair is healthy thanks to her.

No way. One close to me completely DESTROYED my haircut and I will never go there again.

Nope! I have been with the same hairdresser for 5 years, and I have always loved everything she has done with my hair. I would rather pay more for a hairdresser that knows what shes doing, then get a cheap haircut. She works independently and runs her own business, so i like that im also supporting small businesses in this economy!

I've had the same hair stylist for 10 years now. She's the only person I trust, and her prices are very reasonable.

Funny you should ask - I just paid $100 for a haircut today, and I'm unemployed, but I did use Lifebooker for a 20% discount. I did the free haircuts at Bumble and Bumble schools for years, and the cheap Aveda school haircuts, and the John Louis David chain cheap haircuts - I even tried my boyfriend's barber! No one has gotten my hair right until my current stylist. I only get my hair cut two or three times a year at most, and don't color my hair, so I think it's worth it.

I'm with ladybirda. But my cuts are *gulp* $135. When I started seeing my stylist, it was 7 years ago and the cuts were 75. I've grown my hair out and baby the heck out of it, so I only need a cut three times a year, with bang trims in between. I went to a cheaper place once, and they jacked my hair so badly, I cried when I got in my car.

Yes, I did (Cost Cutters). Unfortunately the new person who did my hair screwed it up! Instead of giving me a few caramel highlights she gave me almost a half head of bright blonde!! I don't trust going back to that place for them to fix it so I'm going to have my aunt (whose done her own hair for years) fix it for me!

I said no, but it's the location of where i am that factors into my switching salons (to find a good stylist). I just get one major nice haircut at my salon at choice (less than $55) once a year or year and half, and just upkeep my hair at a beauty school for $5. I sometimes go for years without a salon haircut just because I stick to simple and natural cuts and I can get by without the pricey services. I just cut my hair short so I think the $55 i spent last week justified my splurge.

I'm loyal to my stylist. I go to a nice salon, I don't pay too much, and hey, we all have to pay bills! Might as well help my stylist!

No, it would require too much effort to change up (e.g. driving distance, cost). I'm fine with my normal hairstylist.

I just go to the salon less often, I used to get my hair cut every other month but now I go every three and I also picked a new style that grew out better so I don't look shaggy between cuts.

I moved to a new city last year and found out about an Aveda school nearby. I have gotten my hair done a few times there (it is so cheap) but have noticed it isn't looking as great as it once did. I am considering trying out a different salon to see if I notice a difference in my hair quality, and if I do, the extra money is worth it!!!

I go less - this means trimming my own hair and only getting a "real" haircut every couple months when it needs to be shaped (such as now). I still keep up on eyebrow waxes and use the local beauty schools for color - but I've always done that.

the only time i need a stylist is for a haircut i do my own hair

I have taken other measures to accommodate my budget....first I've finally read the newsletter from my salon and discovered donating clothes to Dress for Success, entitled me to a $25 discount on my next service! Additionally if I book an appointment on a "slow day" Tuesday or Wednesday I get a 10% discount. Work it!!

I've been going to the same stylist for over 10 years and have followed her to different salons but now she is on her own so I'm supporting the local economy. She is reasonable but so far, I'm not cutting back my cut and color schedule.

I would sale my soul of myself and all my family members before changing hairstylist.

Nope because I don't go that often to begin with; three seasonal haircuts a year do it for me. My stylist only charges $30 and it always looks great.

Lately, I rarely go to the salon(more like the last 2yrs) however I am switching salons. The pricing is not the problem (with quality comes higher amounts) but because the stylist did not listen to me well. Asked for natural, barely there blonde highlights; I get medium-sized bold, stripey highlights. I do not want to risk a repeat problem.

* Clarify: I've been to the salon once in the last 7 months (roots. noticeable roots. eek!) and in the last 2-3 yrs I had to cut down my salon visits to once or twice a year (high price.) Still, I would rather go 1-2x's yr and know I am dealing with an expert, rather than pay a cheap price and get a cut that reflects a low cost. Too much risk.

I've learned the hard way that haircuts are just something I can't skim on. Only last year I found my current stylist and love her. At 30 bucks a cut, it's reasonable and she always does a wonderful job. Supercuts, Great Clips, etc...they always screw up my hair and never know what I'm going for. My current stylist actually "gets" what a pixie cut is and gave me an amazing one.

I totally get this! I actaully just got my hair done at Ulta this weekend! I am a bartender and live off my tips, and lets just say, as the economy is not booming right now, neither are my tips! They have a great special going on for new guests.... it's a $30 signature cut... I got a shampoo, custom blended Redken conditioning treatment, cut, styling lesson and blow dry, ALL FOR $30!!!! My stylists was great- she took the time to have me fill out a profile on my hair history and actually read it and answered my problems with great service and product recommendations. What I loved most is that I did not feel pressured into getting a bunch of stuff I did not need- we've all been there!!! I did however get 10% off my products and can earn free cuts from using my club card. This is so great- it's just like my coffee shop, the more I go, the more I earn for free, so it really does help absorb cost. Why suffer with an in-and-out stylist who is timed to do your hair at one of those quickie places when you can get a quality, stress-free appointment with highly educated Redken stylists at Ulta? You know who you are, and you know you are not happy with what you got from that stylist! My vote is in! You should check it out