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Hair Beauty on a Budget Experts� tips for gorgeous hair � without having to miss your mortgage payment 
Even though the economy might look terrible, most people would prefer not to look terrible as a result. But hair products can get awfully expensive, and they probably place lower on your �Absolute Necessities� list than food and paying the electric bill. No need to don the paper bag just yet. Here, the experts share the Do�s and Don�ts of beauty for fashionable-but-financially-strapped consumers. Hair Do: Find products and styles that allow you to go longer between salon visits Ken Paves is a celebrity hairstylist and product developer who has worked with the likes of Jessica Alba, Jennifer Lopez and Fergie. Adding a small amount of his Healthy Hair Boost Up Color Drops ($40; ULTA.com) to your regular conditioner or styling products will enhance your overall hair color and improve hair health. Available in six shades, they soften brassiness and add warmth and depth. �Just two pumps and you�re good to go!� says Paves. Another helpful product if your roots are killing you but your paycheck is already spoken for is the Clairol Nice & Easy Root Touch-Up Kit ($6.99), says Elizabeth Martinez, a cut and color specialist at the Bumble and Bumble and Wella salon, Salon Pop, in Long Beach, Calif. Available in drugstores, it�s great for root coverage and won�t mess with what your stylist does next � it�s designed for in-between visits. As for styles, if you have to cut back on spending, go longer. �The more creative and textured your haircut, the more you have to get it trimmed � shags are among the worst,� says Martinez. �And the same goes for bangs. Side bangs are best if you can�t afford to cut them often.� If you want a commitment-free way to play with new style and cuts, you could also invest in the HairDo Clip-In Extensions (HairUWear.com) developed by Paves with Jessica Simpson. �They allow you to change your look day to day without visiting the salon,� says Paves. Don�t: Skimp on shampoo and conditioner �You shouldn�t skimp on your shampoo and conditioner, since these are the base for healthy hair,� says Paves. �Look for formulas without sulfates and with parabens that are less-aggressive.� Keep in mind that many high-end brands are available in travel sizes that allow you to test out the collections without committing to the full size cost. Many professional product lines can also be watered down, adds Martinez. �With Bumble and Bumble, a little goes a long way � throw a little water in there and make it last longer,� she says. And remember that most people only need to wash their hair every other day. Do: Save your pennies on styling products Two of Paves� favorite budget-friendly products are VO5 Hot Oil Treatment (it restructures damaged hair, adds moisture and �helps guarantee a good hair day� for $3.99) and Spornette�s round hairbrushes, which provide lift and volume, minus static, for under $9 (SallyBeauty.com). Martinez likes Redken�s Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Spray ($13.99), which can be found at various online beauty supply sites, often at a discount. |
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