Who Spends More on a Haircut? Lina or Her Poodle?!
Do you SAVE or SPLURGE on haircuts?
What if I told ya I spent about $14.99 on my last haircut? Ha! Yep, which means after tip my price point is around $20 every couple months for my hair. I confessed on our last team retreat that I usually never have the same stylist, and get my hair done at affordable spots like Great Clips, Supercuts, and Fantastic Sams – and my team was shocked!
On a side note, this post was written up last year, but due to all of the engagement and great conversation going on in the comments, I thought it was worth a refresh and bump. Be sure to check out the previous comments for awesome advice on cutting your own hair or DIY dog grooming!
I actually get asked often who cuts my hair, and many seem surprised when I reveal my salon choice, even my friends and family.
My mom recently shared that she spends $60 for a cut/style, and we live in the same area, and have a similar hairstyle! Hah!
You can be stylish with a frugal haircut!
I guess I’ve always been a saver when it comes to salons, but I still love stylish hair! I remember in college I would go to a hair stylist’s home to save on cuts, and then after college, I would go to a local beauty school for even deeper discounts. Finding your local beauty school is a great resource to save on cuts and colors!
It’s funny, though, because I do splurge on myself sometimes in other ways like salon pedicures, gel nails, or lashes, etc. I definitely understand those who’d want to pay more for cuts and color services.
IMPORTANT NOTE –
Salons are starting to open again after quarantine, and they look much different. I just got my haircut for the first time last week and each stylist and client wore a mask. The photo below was taken before the coronavirus pandemic.
I’m super busy and rarely schedule an appointment for hair.
I actually like the fact that you can just walk-in to places like Great Clips, Supercuts, and Fantastic Sams –whenever I have some spare time between work and mom responsibilities. I take my kids with me, and we’ll all get cuts at once for convenience.
Hip Tip: Often, you can save an additional few dollars with paper coupons that come in the mail, so I’ll look for those, too, in my local neighborhood mailers.
Yes, my dog’s haircut costs much more than mine, and I’ll gladly spend it.
When you have a large standard poodle, the grooming that comes along with this type of fur can be spendy. His bill is $75 plus tip. 😱 We love our groomer, and it takes hours to clean and groom our active dog Chewy, so I understand why it’s pricey! I didn’t know this, however, when we first decided to welcome a pet, LOL.
Hip2Save team members share how much they spend!
I recently asked our team to spill how much they spend on hair salon services, and I received a wide range of answers. Most spend $40+ for hair cut/style, and up to $150 for cut/style/color. Here’s what some had to say:
“I pay $40 before tip for wash-cut-style. My girl could raise her prices to $100, and I’d still go to her. It’s rare to find someone who can handle my thick hair.” – Alana
“For just a haircut, mine is $50, which includes tip. My cut, highlight, and style is $150 including tip. It’s not cheap, but my stylist does a great job highlighting so that I only have to see her 2 or 3 times a year, as opposed to every 6-8 weeks like most!” – Emily
“I pay $35 plus tip for highlights, lowlights, and a cut… beauty schools are amazing! They’re supervised and do a great job! Seriously. Look up area beauty schools!” – Jamie
Let us know your price point for haircuts in the comments, and if you have any money-saving tips for haircuts, too
I was personally attacked by that headline 😂😂😂. I spent $20 on my last and $65 on my poodles last.
For years I went to a local stylist and enjoyed doing so, even though it was pricey. Then I moved and had a hard time finding a new stylist. Now it’s Great Clips for me. I love that I can walk in anytime I have a few minutes, and I’m very happy with the results. I have a simple style and just get a trim every couple of months. At Christmas they sell cards you can load with haircuts for $9.95 a cut. I load up enough for a year. With tip, my cut comes to $13.00! Can’t beat that.
Wow! Great tip Cindi! I used to move a lot also and can relate to that struggle 👍 thanks for stopping by!
I am also a go to whoever and pay $20 for a cut kind of girl, although I do lately find myself going to a slightly more upscale place then great clips and paying more like $30 before tip… but I like my haircut so much better. That being said I also have a standard poodle, my husband had severe sinus issues about 4 years into our marriage and we had to rehome our Australian Shepard because it was just adding to his problem. It broke both our hearts (although luckily we were able to find her a wonderful home with good friends and still see her often) so after much research we got a standard poodle. I made sure I knew exactly what I was getting into grooming and cost wise and after paying obscene amounts of money to get him groomed I eventually invested about $300 in clippers and tools and started grooming him myself. It is a lot of work, but honestly I wouldn’t go back. I can groom him quite a bit more often then we could realistically afford to take him in, most helpful in hot summer months, and I know hes getting everything done he needs done. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone and you really have to research it, standard poodles need their ears cleaned out of hair regularly too or else they get impacted and infected, but for me it’s worth it. I’ve had the same clippers I clean and oil regularly for about 3 years and I would estimate I’ve saved thousands already on $70 groomings 4 times a year.
Wow! That’s so interesting Krystal! Good for you on figuring out what works for your pup! 👍
What brand of clippers I have a labradoodle
I have Oster clippers for my Pomapoo.
I love my Andis clippers for my goldendoodle…spend the extra to get the steel clipper blade (the plastic attachments r way worse).
My mom took grooming classes after we got our 2nd poodle to save money. Definitely not something everyone will be up to. It takes a lot of time, is physically demanding, and can be a challenge if your dog is not well behaved. (I specialize in cleaning poodle ears 😉) 15+ years later our 3rd and 4th poodles look almost as good as they do when they get their annual professional cut.
Hey Lina, we also have a standard poodle and for 2 years we were taking him to the pet store and paying upwards of $100, including tip (yuck!). Finally, one of the groomers branched out on her own and now his haircut is closer to $65 with tip. Your Chewy is beautiful, and we were told that poodles are more expensive to groom when we got our puppy. We have a daughter with dog allergies, that’s why we got a poodle. Yes, my dog’s haircut is more expensive than mine!
Ah thanks Cindy! Yes we have pet allergies too, hence our poodle. ❤️🐩
I go to the nearby college and get a cut. It’s pretty cheap & they do a great job. And for my dog. Luckily my husband cuts his hair every month. It saves us a lot of money. That’s his buddy so he makes sure he bathes him once a week. He even sprays cologne on him. He gets the royal treatment. 🙂
That’s great to hear about the college! And lol 😂 that’s cute, and money saving about your pup!
Don’t forget to check Groupon I find a lot of local hairstylist listed and pay around 20 bucks
Oh that’s a great tip too! Thanks Denise!
Great Clips, they just had a special for 7.99
SuperCuts for me. They have an online system now and I check to see if my favorite stylist is working and then request a time. Works great. Glad we have a cat – I paid about $1.50 for his brush!!
Lol! Oh that’s good to know for Supercuts!
My dog’s haircut is more than mine! I pay around $30 with tip for mine and $42 with tip for hers (small poodle mix dog). She also goes more often than me. LOL! It used to be $60 but we found someone closer to home that will do her cheaper and it turns out just as good, if not better. But I don’t mind paying for hers, I would rather someone else groom her as I don’t want to do it! I drop her off and she comes home clean, hair cut, nails trimmed. Can’t beat that! Your hair is super cute, Lina!
Ah thanks Becky!! I agree, I love when he comes gone fresh and clean from the groomer ❤️
I have been an instructor for years for Paul Mitchell. You can get a good cut/color most of the time, however it can go drastically wrong too if the student doesnt follow instructions or just plain isnt very good yet. The discount is awesome be prepare for your service to take hours. Students need a kind and patient client.
Thanks Anna! Definitely something to consider 👍
I am so cheap when it comes to getting a haircut because it costs 60$ + here!! I end up not cutting my hair for like 2 years lol
Same here! I try to see how long I can stand going without a haircut! 2 years last time. Then I go to Smart Style inside Walmart. Also never had a manicure or pedicure in my life. I wouldn’t even know what to ask for!
Lol! I have gone to the beauty school many times to save money, that is a cheap option if you need one! A lot of patience is required though. I would always end up with the instructor taking over and doing it. The haircuts were 8$ so cheap. They do Manis and pedis at those places too if u want to ever try one, girl!
Sounds like me. Make sure you sign up for coupons…they send me a $3 off one at least a couple times a year.
Yes! I do take advantage of the coupons!
This is funny. I won’t even say what I spend on my dog and its just a bath and deshed every month. But I figured since I don’t spend tons on mine I’d get his done. 🙂
Ha yes of course!
I go to a hair college-training place. Price has gone up from $6 to 8, but I’ve been going for 20 years. At Christmas they have gift cards, buy $40, get $10 free! Coloring costs about $45, if I do that.
Oh nice! Thanks for sharing 👍
If you have great hair like Lina, whose hair is thick and healthy, I don’t think that could be messed up by going to a discount hair salon or beauty college. As someone who has babyfine hair and not a lot of it, I wouldn’t trust going to just anyone. From personal experience, I have concluded that a lot of hairdressers don’t know how to cut babyfine hair.
Thick hair can absolutely be messed up by a bad cut! Lol
Right?? Having nice hair doesn’t mean that you have lower standards when it comes to your stylist…and nobody can afford a bad haircut! Such a strange comment to make lol
I would have to agree with that my son has baby fine blond hair. It took me a long time to find a hairdressers to cut his hair so you don’t see ever cut.
i have thick hair great clips had no clue how to layer it. the whole cut took under 10 mins and I left with my hair damp they will dry it but wont style it what a waste.
Oh darn, thanks for sharing g your experience.
I have thick dark,wavy,frizzy hair and my haircut costs $40 to $45 and my hair stylist does such an amazing job with layering and everything. Every time I find a hair cut that I want,my hair stylist does it so perfectly and she hugs me at the end and thanks me for challenging her. She is so worth it.
Aw I love that! ❤️ Thanks for sharing Patricia!
Recently moved away from my long time stylist who I came to know when she worked for a salon. $35 plus tip for shampoo, cut, style. She eventually went out on her own in what I call a salon condo, where there are at least a dozen stylists each in their own separate rooms who are independent operators. Same price there. I always tipped her well, more if I had gone a long time between cuts and more at the holidays. I have medium thick hair, but have a lot of it, so I know my hair is much more work than many others, such as my daughter. I am not a color/highlight person which saves a lot of money, but I really have just never been interested in getting that type of service.
I have since moved and go to one of the Signature Style group salons ( operate under several different names.) Price about the same, but usually can get a coupon for $4 off or so.
I really prefer to be able to make an appointment – such a time saver for me that I never have to wait and a guarantee that I get someone I already have confidence in.
Never had a dog who required grooming, so cannot weigh in on that!
Thanks for sharing Suz!
I’ve been wanting to try Great Clips but was a little afraid. Thanks for the reviews!
I went there with a friend and we both left with long strands that were missed. They were not able to cut a straight line and didn’t put my hair up in sections. It seems like with cheap haircuts you have to go back more often.
Great Clips can be hit or miss. But if u like someone there you can keep using them. I have thick hair too and i get them to thin the bottom. I used to pay $70 for a cut but i didnt like it any more than i do my $14 cut
Thankfully, i have Great Danes. I can wash them both and have them dry in an hour. That includes nails and ears.
Before kids I would spend whatever my stylist of 10 YEARS wanted to charge for a haircut. I always had a really short, really great cut that people always asked me about. I loved feeling good about my hair.
After kids…& seriously commiting to have retirement savings; I’m so frugal I only go ONCE a YEAR & put anything we have left over each month into savings. I just can’t spend anything on myself like Inused to; it’s too hard/too much practicality. No one is going to care about the hair I had in my 40’s when I’m 70. I keep it way longer than I actually prefer (I’m a stay at home mom so it’s usually up on top of my head anyway) & wait until October when Ulta offers $20 dollar donation haircuts so that I feel like I’m getting great stylist (just like I was “used to”…for whatever reason I cannot get over myself to go to a Sports Clips-like place). I pay whatever the donation costs ($20) plus $30-$40 directly to the stylist. So, for $50-$60 once a year; I feel really nice.
If anyone is interested in seeing some stunning hair makeovers, check out themakeoverguy Minneapolis on YouTube. This guy, Christopher, is a true artist.
Funny you would mention Christopher Hopkins. I used to live near his salon and when I was younger and single and spent $$$ on things like hair, I went there & didn’t realize that not all of his stylists were as good as him. Anyways, my hair was butchered & I actually cried. He came over & tried to fix it (but it was too far gone by then). He did his best to make it better & was so nice. Anyways, moral of the story is that even a $100 haircut can be bad! My son just got a cute cut at the great clips $6.99 sale.
As someone with curly hair, it’s necessary for me to see stylists with that specific training. I’ve had way too many bad cuts over the years (do not wet curly hair before cutting!). For that reason, my cut is $100 before tip. I can go three months between cuts, though.
Oh ya that’s understandable 🙂
I have two shih tzus and thier haircuts added up. $110 every two months. I bought a quality grooming kit over a year ago and haven’t looked back 🤣 it’s definitely time consuming to do a good job though, I have to carve out at least 4 hours of my day to do them both so it’s not for everyone. The dog has to trust you with a razor too 😬
Wow – great job though on figuring it all out though!
I can’t believe I haven’t read any comments yet for those that do it themselves Ha! I started cutting my husbands hair 6 years ago and learned by watching youtube videos. He prefers my cuts now to any salon. Then I got a creaclip (Lots of videos on youtube as well) and started cutting the kids hair and my own. I trim it myself every 6 weeks. I learned to do highlights by watching youtube videos as well. I also do my own nails and have learned to die my own eyelashes. I’ve saved thousands and friends always say I look nice. I was very afraid when I started doing everything but now I can’t imagine paying someone what I’ve learned to do myself. The money I save goes for paying down the house.
Wow- I’m impressed! That’s inspiring! <3
Same here! I learned how to cut my own hair from youtube videos. I also cut my husband’s hair and trim my daughters’ hair. So far I’ve been happy with the results!
I personally find that Great Clips does a horrible job cutting a simple hair cut. It always ends up much shorter than I asked.
ah- thanks for sharing your experience Shirley.
You have to find the right stylist and then always ask for them.
This may sound nuts but I do mine myself! I used to let it go so long between cuts (at least a year) but since I have long layers, I’ve had great success with doing the ponytail at the forehead method (there are lots of YouTube videos). It looks great and I do it every month or two. I also started doing home highlights and balayage using the revlon frost and glow kit after watching other DIY videos.
No – I think that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing your method!
I have long hair too and normally ask my husband to cut a straight line across for a trim m. He’s always done great. I’m going to try the forward ponytail tip because I need more layers! I go maybe once a year to a stylist but the last two times I have seriously had to come home and fix it myself as there was no symmetry. Thanks for the tip!
I do mine same way A so free haircuts for me yay
Our family uses Great clips to save money and we use the same stylist bc she does a great job and knows what we like.
That’s so great! 👏 Thanks for sharing Lolie.
We haven’t spent any money on haircuts in years. We invested in good clippers, scissors, clips and a few other tools to make the job easier. My husband cuts his hair and our boys, and I do mine and the girls. When I first started, it took a lot of time and I was prepared to spend the money to get it fixed if I just couldn’t get it right myself, but it turned out just as good as what I had been paying for.
That’s great! Thanks for sharing Amy!
Haha Haha! I am all about this. I diy my hair- cuts, color, everything! My dog gets $65/mo grooms.
One of these days I’ll skip the dog and go treat myself, lol!
Oh haha 😆😂 That made me laugh Brenda!
I have always cut my Schnauzers but my little 2 yr. old is difficult to do – especially her ears. I trim her body in between grooming but have to have her groomed a few times a year.
I go to Cost Cutters on Tuesdays as they have a discounted price that day. I can pay $15-16 for a cut, tip included. Plus I only go about once or twice a year. It’s just hair. I spent much more when I was working full time. But with kids, I have other expenses I prioritize first. The stylists at my store have been there for years and know what they are doing. Just takes some searching to find something like that. My entire family goes there as well.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing ❤️
I cut my own hair and my kids too although my daughter wants to be rapunzel so not much cutting there lol. Watch you tube, so many people out there cut their own hair and it looks great too! Yesterday 2 different people told me they like my hair! The best compliment!
I agree that is a great compliment! Great job!
Just know you may get what you pay for. As a cosmetologist, I know many of these places do not train outside of hair school. I went to an excellent school and still wouldn’t have been comfortable doing a great haircut without an apprenticeship for a year or two. A great cut can last longer too.
Of course, some are great. So hang on to the good ones if you find them at that price!
As a cosmetologist who’s salon just got franchised to a SuperCuts, we actually will have a ton of continuing education every year. Not every great hairstylist charges a ton for a haircut 🤷🏻♀️
Nah, it all depends on the stylist. When I had more discretionary spending and lived in a metro area, I was always searching for that elusive fab stylist that was going to give me amazing, trendy hair…$150+ later, I rarely loved it anymore than any other haircut (no matter where I go, I seem to generally end up with the same cut 🤷♀️) and usually had to suffer through an insult or two from the snobby stylist and a hard sell for $30+ products or additional services that I didn’t want. I go to Great Clips or Hair Cuttery now since I don’t have the time, money, or patience to deal with that nonsense.
I have curly 4c type hair and last time i got a haircut plus style it was for $135. Haircuts for my hair starts at least $85 and up. I was so amaze reading the comments and to see people paying $20 for an haircut. I get charge $20 for a trim and i can’t go in there only asking for a trim, i have to include a style. I like where i go and i trust them with my hair.
Great feedback – Thanks so much!
I also have curly hair. I see a stylist who works exclusively with curly hair, and I pay $100 plus tip for a cut, wash, and style.
I’m so fortunate to live in a large city and have access to several schools. Aveda, Paul Mitchell, Ogle (my favorite), all offer cuts from students at a low price. It’s fun to be around such vibrant energy!
I agree – I think it’s a fun environment too 🙂
If I just get my haircut then it’s $20 and I’ve been going to the same stylist for over 20 years. If I go for a cut & color which is what I normally do then it’s $75. My hair is past shoulder length so I feel $75 isn’t bad for a cut and color. I’ve only had two stylist my whole life. My aunt was a stylist and cut my hair until she passed away which I was around 20 and I found my current stylist after that so I would pay her way more just because I have trust issues with my hair. Also I spend way more on my dogs when it comes to their health care and their food so I get paying for a good dog groomer. 🙂
Oh that is neat you have a nice set up. Thanks for sharing kd!
I go to a “one woman show” salon – she’s the owner and solo and I pay $25 with tip but I literally go maybe 2x a year. Then I get a highlight+cut 2x a year and it’s $70 with tip. She’s super, super reasonable (esp for my area – many of my friends spend $150-$200 for highlights and a cut!). I have very simple hair, though.
I had a Lhasa Apso (just lost him after 16 yrs 🙁 ) and it was $60 for his cut/bath (with tip) and we did that more frequently than I had my hair done…haha. But where he didn’t shed, he needed a good trim/bath at least every few months…
I go to Paul Mitchell The School. It is a lot cheaper than a stylist. I go to Phase 2 which are students that are graduating in a couple of months, the most. This way I know I am not getting someone that touches hair for the first time. And they are faster as well. I do have long hair (lower back) and when I first moved here and I went shopping for hair stylist I got upset that they had prices for long hair and every time they saw my hair they told me that for my hair it is a lot more expensive! I found it not fair to have listed prices and then change them just because. At least list the prices for extra long hair!
Oh great tips on the phase 2 students 👍
Free because my sister is a cosmetologist and my nails are free because well I have a license to do them 🙂
Ha sounds perfect!
Lol! I just had this same discussion with our groomer last week! I’ve been bringing my dog to the same woman for 13 years, typically pay about $50-65 each time for my pooch. Meanwhile, my mop gets cut wherever I find a coupon to 😂
😂 haha so true! Thanks Jenna!
I grew up in a salon. It was my first job and my mom (who will be 70 this year) still goes to work a few days per week as a stylist. I was fortunate to be able to get professional color and go the DIY route at home when I moved away. I did that for about 10 years. In addition to being messy, my hair got greyer & greyer until it was 100% grey in my late 30s. That meant it really needed to be colored every 3 weeks. I decided it was time to change things because I was sick of the time, the mess, etc. Since I went from dark red/purple to blonde, I needed a professional. I go every 6 weeks and haven’t looked back. It’s $78 + $20 tip and it is worth every penny! I also have thick, heavy wavy hair. I did the low-cost places for awhile, after having a few bad cuts at higher-priced salons. But having someone who consistently does a great job on my hair is priceless to me.
Nice! Thanks for sharing 👍
I go to the salon every 7-8 weeks to get my hair colored/ highlighted and it’s not cheap. 99$+tip. But, my hair is fine and the gal I go to knows how to cut/style it so, for me, it worth paying a little extra.
I used to go to beauty schools when we lived near them. I would find someone I Iiked but then of course they would graduate. So I started asking the person I liked, ‘who is someone not graduating yet that you would trust cutting your hair?’ Then I would use that person next time and continue the cycle.
Oh that’s smart! Great tip ❤️
Can we get more at home dog grooming tips, or ways to save money? I love my boys but it is so expensive.
Watch YouTube videos for your breed.
I go once every 6-9 months to a private salon owner. I have long thick curly hair and have had more bad haircuts than good. I pay 35.00 for cut and tip. My adult son goes to her as well since he also has long thick hair. My husband has long but thin hair but I cut it for him.
As a stylist myself I hope you all are tipping these girls extra well especially if you are using a coupon on top of cheap prices. I honestly don’t know how those girls working in these chain salons make a living!
My cut costs $14 and I tip her $6. That’s almost 45%. She doesn’t wash my hair and barely styles it. I’m in and out in less than 30 minutes. When she cuts my husband’s hair, it takes less than 10 minutes. So some stylists can do 3-4 cuts in an hour. That’s how they do it.
I have been going to the same fantastic Sams for years…. my dogs cost me $65-$75 each every 8 weeks 🤦🏻♀️
Ha yep! I love F/S ❤️
I cut and color my own hair (platinum blonde) so I only pay the price of supplies to touch up my roots monthly which is probably under $5 worth of materials.
I cut my own hair, went to school years ago. I get compliments a lot. I also cut my dogs hair, YouTube is your friend:) I also clip his nails and bathe him. Saves so much $$.
Wow fantastic – I bet! Thanks for sharing Beth. ❤️
I have thick curly hair, if I go cheap it’s a triangle fro cut……..I do a diva cut for curly hair (found a stylist online) and priced them and go to a girl who charges 55$. After 30+ years of bad hair cuts i finally found dry cuts are the way to go.
Thanks for sharing Mari!
I’m very low maintenance. I wait a couple of years between cuts, and this last time I watched a youtube video and cut it myself. I literally just put my hair in a ponytail on the top of my head and cut it. Done.
I cut my own hair too, it’s actually kind of fun and free, I have no training either.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents..I’m african American and once a month i get my hair relaxed trim and rinse and it averages about $85
In the ’90s, I used to spend upwards of $100 for my spiral perms (do they still do those??) anyway, now I just head over to Great Clips when I can’t stand my hair anymore. I have a long layered look and it looks shaggy once in a while. We have Labs so we don’t get them cut (but they do shed excessively, does that count??} About 20 years ago, my hubs got tired of paying someone to cut his hair, so I have shaved it bald ever since. My 19 year old pays $26 before tip for her short ‘do.
I love this post. I have two rescue Poodle mixed dogs and spend more their hair cuts than I do on my own. And clothes too!
I bought a crea clip on amazon for $20 a year ago and now cut my hair in about 2 minutes at home with perfect layers. i have long thick hair and it used to take an hour for a vut and usually cost $60 plus. Now my cuts look way better and its so easy. I will never pay for a haircut again.