Expensive salon cuts vs. cheapo Supercuts--does it make a difference? - YouLookFab Forum

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Expensive salon cuts vs. cheapo Supercuts--does it make a difference?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I am so bad about getting haircuts that I only end up getting it done once or twice a year. I've only gotten it cut three times since joining YLF a year and a half ago! The first two times were at salons:
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....ure-outfit
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....date-night

This last time I just went to Supercuts because I didn't have time to schedule a salon visit, plus I wanted to see if I could get away with a cheaper cut since I really never style or blowdry my long straight hair so it seems like a waste to spend all that money.

#1 is before the latest cut, and #2-4 is after the $20 Supercuts. It was much quicker (10 min vs 1 hour), and no real layers. #5-6 is after the first salon cut, #7-8 was after the second salon cut at a different salon (Though it looks different because he blow dried and straight ironed it and I never ever do that--no iron and no time!).

Do you think going to a salon makes a difference and is worth the extra time and money? I don't remember how much the salon cuts were but probably at least around $100 with tips. After this last cut when I came home DH said my cut was very "nondescript" and thought I should get it cut at a salon next time. What do you think--salon or Supercuts? Oh, and do you like me with bangs (#4-5) or no bangs?

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Dressing

40 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Karie

(website)

Veteran

The Supercuts pics look nice, but my favorites are #5 and #6. I vote for the Salon cut with layers and bangs

Jules

Veteran

If you're only going twice a year, it's not too much money to spend at the salon, and you can time it for an event or date night and ask them to flat iron or whatever you want for styling for a night out. I have short hair and I'm at the salon every 6 weeks! I cheap out by doing my own colour.

Thistle

Veteran

I like 5-6 the best. However, you have such beautiful straight hair that you can get away with Supercuts. Still, those layers look beautiful, and I wold never ever trust Supercuts with layers.

Honestly, the right cut can really make styling go fast, especially if you find a good stylist who understands the time constraints you are under.mthose stylists are almost always at a salon, though.

rute

Veteran

I prefer 7 and 8!!

Anonymous

I am going to vote salon. Nothing against supecuts and the like but you get a more precise cut from a salon. Cut looks good anyhow! Not bad for ten mins.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think people with longer blunt-cut hair can get away with cheap haircuts much easier, but I have never been happy with the few experiences I had with those places. My hair type and texture can be challenging to cut in a shape that grows out well. A bad haircut on me means that the waves hit in weird places, stick out, and put bulk where it's not needed. Thick, straight hair like yours is much more predictable.

Your hair always looks nice and sleek, so there is not a drastic difference in appearance between the two approaches. Still, I do like the layers, and I think they add a little extra sophistication to your look. I like 5-6 in particular. How does it feel to you? Do you feel better after a Supercuts cut or a salon experience?

For me, it's worth the extra money to relax in a nice salon six times a year, flip through fashion mags, chat with my stylist (who I have been going to for 10 years), and most importantly, walk out feeling fab with something a little different each time that I love. Budget wise, so I buy one less jacket or something a year -- that's fine! I think you need to decide whether its worth it to you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I echo what Janet says. You can certainly get away with the inexpensive cut because you wear your hair in a simple style and it is in great condition. But the salon styles do look more "finished." So...maybe you can combine the approaches? Me, I'm in the salon every six weeks, too, for cuts. Then again, I don't have to do anything to my hair to style it between times except add a bit of product.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

$100 with tip for just a cut is high - there are plenty of salons cheaper than that but still a big step up from Supercuts.

I think it's worth going to a salon just to have your hair cut by the same person every time.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I definitely see a difference in the salon cuts and I prefer the salon myself, I do it 2-3 times a year.and have used the same stylist for 7 years now!!!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Because I have such short hair with a very specific style, a bad cut can be incredibly obvious and downright disastrous - I personally would never have my hair cut anywhere other than a good salon.

I think for someone with your hairstyle, you can get away with a quick trim from a place like Supercuts but I'll be honest Natalie, your hair looks incredible in pics #5-6 in particular. It's not that the cheap cut looks bad (you could never look bad!), but it doesn't look as "finished" and is less styled. That having been said, $100 for cutting your hair seems excessive - maybe a slightly less expensive salon?

Joy

Veteran

It sounds like DH would like to see you in a style with more shaping. I used to wear my hair like yours when in college, but needed something more professional when I got out. My compromise for awhile was to wear it down at home and up in a French roll for teaching.
I like the bit of fringe and would suggest having your hair cut at a salon at an angle ( shorter in back angling to the front or vice-versa. It may not be thick enough to layer at that length, but you would know best. To keep it looking sharp, go more often. Like specs, your hair style is seen daily and worth maintaining.

Jules

Veteran

I'll be honest that $100 does not sound out of line to me. Of course there is a huge range, but I pay $80 with tip and I know people who pay a lot more (and a lot less). But you can certainly ask around.
The only thing about getting into more detailed haircuts is that they require maintenance, and you have to figure out how that fits into your lifestyle, not just financially but time and effort-wise. I was terrible about getting my long hair cut and I knew it, so I didn't go short and high-maintenance (meaning in frequency of cuts, not daily styling effort) until I found a stylist around the corner from my house.
My style is not anywhere near your level, it's pretty basic. I don't wear make up and I'm bad at styling my hair. So I feel a high-maintenance cut with a lot of style is pretty important for me. I don't think YOU need to do this, it'd be more a matter of WANT. And I wouldn't be wanting to start in with a newborn coming, personally

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Yes, where you go to get your haircut makes a HUGE difference. More specifically, who cuts your hair makes a huge difference. The quality of cuts can differ in the same salon. My previous stylist did a nice job, but her tastes were different than mine. My current stylist is very talent and her tastes are more in line with my own. I never walk out of the salon feeling disappointed or end up having to fight with my hair to make it behave.

I think it's even more important to get a good cut if you don't style your hair much in the mornings. The better the cut, the nicer shape it will have. I spend very little time on my hair in the mornings, and it generally falls into a shape I like.

I like your hair with a few layers. Bangs will mean more time needed at the salon or *gasp* trimming them on your own. Since I'm low maintenance, I prefer no bangs for myself and suspect you might feel the same way.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Agree that 100$ only for a cut and brushing is high, and that you can get something verty nice for less (around $75).

I do much prefer pics 5 and 6 and see a difference. The subtle layering gives your hair more shape and body.

I find the whole scheduling business, on top of high prices, a real drag, but to me it's worth it. I schedule many apt. in advance, all on Saturday mornings so it doesn't feel like an extra thing I must do and for which I have to destroy my weekly schedule.

Anonymous

I think the true test is how your hair behaves once you get home, shower and fix it yourself. You might not have "fussy hair" and might be able to get more inexpensive haircuts. I go to Great Clips and I have a specific stylist that I ask for. She is very accommodating. You could try taking a picture of your haircut in #5 and asking them to copy it at the inexpensive place if you like the bangs and layers that you have there (I do). But if hubs wants to to spring for the salon experience, by all means, go for it!

Isis

Veteran

$100 (with tips) does not seem at all out of line considering you live in the bay area. The salon has to pay rent, the stylist needs to pay rent, etc. You can't compare prices across the country.

And $100 for 6 months is not much for a fashion item since you wear your hair with every outfit, every day!

The time thing is another issue. I schedule my next appointment at the end of the last one. My stylist is booked months in advance, and otherwise my hair drives me crazy if I wait to schedule when I need a cut! Also, I enjoy the hour in the salon; it's relaxing. No phones, no internet, I close my eyes and relax....I would go to a cheaper place to get a 10 minute cut if I didn't enjoy the experience or I didn't preschedule.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I don't think $100 on a haircut is 'too much' in some absolute sense - I'm just suggesting that there are options in between $100 haircuts and Supercuts if you're not totally comfortable with either of those.

I agree with Inge about scheduling the next appointment when you leave the salon, it's much easier. They will call to confirm/remind a couple days ahead of time most places.

catgirl

Veteran

I don't think the cost matters as much as the particular person you get. I want consistency not in my cut but in my stylist. My hairstylist is a little pricey ($55 for a cut), but I will move to another state if she does, because she is so familiar with my hair and what works in terms of cutting it how I want. If she were at Supercuts, I'd go there. I do think the best people tend to move to places where they can make more money for their expertise and have recurring clients, rather than dealing with walk-ins.

Diana

Veteran

Well, you know we have similar hair and the same philosophy toward (not) styling it! I ALWAYS go to the salon precisely because I don't want to spend a lot of time styling. My stylist knows this so she cuts layers and angles it in the front so it will look good without much effort. When it's shorter she also does a modified undercut so the bottom is not overly poofy. These are things that they generally wouldn't do at supercuts. I guess it's important to have a good relationship with your stylist so he or she works with your preferences too.

(Plus I get my hair colored, and I definitely don't trust cheap places to do that!)

I do have friends who swear by the cheap stylists in Chinatown though... but frankly my chinese is not good enough so who knows what horrid hairstyle I'd end up with???

Kristin L

Veteran

I prefer salons, though it's been a long while since I have been. It is more expensive, but I feel like the stylist listens more closely to what I have to say about my hair and I feel like they take their time more to do it.

And I like the bangs.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I want to cry/vomit if my hair cut costs me more than $40, so I understand your dilemma. My sister has similar hair to yours, and it looks like you got a reasonable job at Supercuts. Last time she went, it was quite terrible and choppy and looked like I had cut it for her with butcher scissors - so she had to go and get her hair cut again at a salon to 'fix' the problems.

I think Supercuts is a gamble, but your hair looks nice! I also vote for fringe.

Aziraphale

Veteran

For me, yes. Last time I cheaped out and went for a cut at a local salon, I came out looking like Joan Jett. Not good.

Perhaps straight asian hair like yours is more forgiving!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Wow, thanks for the insights! I am surprised at the overwhelming support for salon cuts--it must get expensive for those of you who have to go in every six weeks! The problem with me not having time to style my hair is that it looks great after the salon cut, but I'm worried it turns into the Supercut version after I wash it. I was trying to be frugal, but if DH wants me to get a nicer cut next time who am I to argue?

Actually Diana, you bring up a good point. DH goes into the city to one particular $15 Asian barber shop (he needs a buzz cut every 3-4 weeks because it's so short) and he doesn't trust Supercuts or even salons. One time he had to go to a regular salon in town here because he didn't have time to drive out to the city and he was SO peeved--it cost $50 and he said it was the worst haircut of his life. So he always takes the extra time and pays bridge toll to drive out to this cheap place because there are two Asian barbers there that know exactly how he likes his hair cut and know Asian hair. But he won't let me get my hair cut there because he doesn't think they'll be good at cutting women's hair, LOL. A lot of the salons in this area are pretty fancy and $80 and up seems to be the norm (darn high cost of living). I could go searching for a stylist who might be cheaper (I think there may be some Asian salons that are more reasonable, but more of a drive).

Krish and Isis, I agree, the hassle factor of having to schedule the next cut and planning in advance is what makes me go so long between cuts. If I was more on the ball I'd schedule the next one at the time. I probably should get it cut more like 4 times a year instead of twice a year.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I prefer your salon cuts. But the super cuts cut isn't bad

I pay MUCH more to have my hair done every 6 weeks and I do so with pleasure because my hair is an extremely important part of my style. A super short cut has to be cut to perfection - more so than longer cuts - and I am not going to skimp on that part of my look. It's a priority that I budget for and I'm lucky to be able to afford the luxury.

tayleigh

I would probably not get my hair cut at all by non-Asian salons, because I feel like the Asian salons know Asian hair better. But I've noticed the difference between the $15 cuts I used to get when I was younger and my current Japanese salon ($40 for a cut and dry) is amazing and that's barely a difference in cost. Of course what's most important is that you find a stylist that you really like, I think.

qfbrenda

Veteran

For what it's worth I like all the cuts, though I like 5/6 best. But this seems like a false dichotomy, as if a $20 cut and a $100 cut are the only two options. I don't think you have to spend $100 to get a good haircut. There are lots of places that do hair cuts in the $30-$50 range that do a good job.

This is so dependent on budget. If I had to spend $100 on a haircut, I would have to get a style that could be cut only a couple of times a year. Instead, I pay about $35 and go every 7-10 weeks. It's what I can afford to do. If I could afford the $100 hair cut, then maybe I would try it. Until then, I don't what to know how much better it could be!

I agree with Una that consistency with the stylist is very important.

cciele

Veteran

I also prefer your salon cuts and totally emphasize with the cost of cuts (and really, everything else) in the Bay Area. The thing I like about a good stylist is you can tell them, I don't have time to style or fuss with my hair, and they'll give you a great cut that works with your hair and can be pretty much wash and go. Also, good cuts tend to grow out well so I can go for a looooonnnggg time (sometimes 6 months) between cuts--and it's like growing into a longer hairstyle

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think hair style and texture do matter when going for a less pricey cut. I also don't go in for a cut as often as I should. Usually I go 3 or 4 times a year. I pay under $50 before tip. Add me to the list who doesn't want to have to bother styling my hair most days, so I'd rather the cut do the work for me

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Una, I follow my stylist! She has been doing my hair for six years now, and I don't intend to change that in a foreseeable future. The most important thing is to find someone that you can trust, who understands your ideas and have the skills to execute them. Price matters, too, but there is always a choice no matter your price point. I pay mid range, I think, and I'm often surprised when I hear what others have paid for the same service. It surely is costly to have a nice looking hair!

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