One of the reasons I go to the salon is that my stylist and colorist (yes, I have a Hair Team!) both know my hair, they know me, they know my life, and they work with me to keep my look current and appropriate. Plus I love going in regularly and being pampered and treated like somebody special. I spend a fortune on my hair but it's worth it to me.

Since price isn't really an object for you, I really recommend that you look at is as pampering in addition to just plain upkeep.

I agree about following my stylist. The main thing is finding someone who is really good with YOUR hair, and that is possible at a Super Cuts or another less expensive option, but it is harder to find the really great stylist at those places, IMO. I found my stylist at a JC Penny of all places. I followed him to a nicer salon (more $$) and now he has just opened his own salon with a partner and I have followed him there. He is the right one for my hair, and he is well worth the expense (I do not find $100 out of line for a cut and style). My mom, on the other hand, found her stylist at an inexpensive place. She recently followed that stylist to another salon, but she discovered her at a walk-in, chain place.

And honestly, I think your hair is so shiny and beautiful that you could get away with almost any stylist! I like all the pictures, although I prefer you with fringe.

Agree with the others who've said that it's the stylist that makes the biggest difference. And also that your particular hair will factor in. My own hair, which is thin, fine, and curly, isn't a very common type at all. I have had PLENTY of bad cuts, both expensive and inexpensive; most stylists just don't have experience with my hair type! When I find a stylist that does AND who gets my style desires? I hold onto them as long as possible!! With my short hair, I'm happily paying around $90 every 6 weeks or so to get it cut. I ADORE my current stylist, she really knows her stuff AND is experienced with my hair type. It is absolutely worth it to me. Like Angie, my hair is a HUGE part of my look and so getting the right cut is a priority that I budget for. When I wore my hair longer, I got it cut every few months (same price) because it didn't need to precision that a short cut does.

I quite like your salon cuts Natalie, especially #5/6! The bangs and feathered ends are really nicely done. Plus I think the layering really does make a difference in the overall look. And hey if hubby likes the salon look, who's to argue?

If you want a really simple cut and very few layers, I think Supercuts is A-ok. This is coming from someone who cut her own long, non-layered hair for 10 years without anyone saying boo.

Have you seen those flat irons that dry your hair as you go? I'm wondering if you could get the same effect of 7-8 with your Supercut and without any extra time. I also have this tool that my mom gave me, and it takes about 3 mins to straighten my hair whereas I never would have dreamed about flat ironing before.
http://www.misikko.com/maxiglide-xp-flat-iron.html

I'd say it's worth the money for a salon cut if you go only twice a year. I go every 5 weeks or so and I go to a salon every time!

I have had bad experiences with cheap salons in the past, although there is always the chance that you'll find someone talented at once of those places.

Another vote for a salon cut, but I suggest at least four times a year to maintain a polished look. I think it is important to find a person you can worth with and then stay with him/her since that person will know your hair and how it grows and behaves -- so you will ultimately get better cuts. When I was looking for a stylist, a lady at a clothing store was talking about how she thought she would fly him out to the Virgin Islands where she was moving, since she didn't trust anyone else with her hair. I figured that kind of loyalty was quite an endorsement! And although he is in the Bay Area, he has clients drive down from Fresno and fly out from Hawaii. I have followed him to several different salons since starting with him in 1985 or 1986.

He happens to be Chinese American, and I'm also Asian but with the world's coarsest hair (not at all like your shiny hair), but I've never seem him cut another Asian's hair. When my daughter was young, I used to get my hair cut at some ridiculous hour like 6:30 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday (hardworking Asian, right? :)), so I would schedule my appointments 12 - 18 months out so as to reserve the slot. I knew I would be up anyway. . .

OK, you all convinced me to go back to a salon next time! Maybe I should find out who DonnaF uses--he sounds amazing!

I have to say your 'cheapo' version would suit me just fine if I could get away with it. Your fabulous hair texture and condition really, really ensures it looks anything but 'cheap', even though viewed side-by-side, I have a preference for the extra movement of the bangs and layers in #5/6 too.

This was an interesting discussion for me because, for similar reasons to you --- saving on budget and time and effort --- I'm actually going the opposite route. I'm booked with a different, more expensive stylist this month, who is supposed to be good with wavy hair and short styles especially. I'm enjoying the easier wash-and-dry of short hair, but anticipate little time for regular trims once the baby arrives. So I hope to get a shorter cut that grows out well and will let me go a few months without looking too disastrous, before I go back to my usual stylist more regularly. Let's see how that plan works out!

I've been going to the same guy for years at $20 . I''ve had several different styles but had gotten into a rut & would tell him to cut the same do. Last year I decided on a big change and collected.photos. Was torn between going to an unknown persons vs.him.. Went to him. He took a lot of time and talked about what he would do a little differently based on how my hair would behave. Also I always tell him don't dare cut it in a way I have to duplicate his blowout skills.

After that people literally turned heads or pulled.me.over to tell .me how.much they liked my New do, and that is still going on a year later (which I imagine is as much a sign of how badly I needed a change.)

So the common threads are not just price but results & relationships & consistency. Your friends' stylists might or might not be the one for you and you might have to try someone out & be prepared to make a change if you don't hit it off. The good thing about hair is that you do get a second chance( especially with just cuts) .

I still really like my guy but paradoxically feel more open to someday trying a new stylist
with the idea that new can be fun.

I have very similar hair to yours (Asian/straight/long and generally low-maintenance), having tried both layered and non-layered cuts at mid-range "regular" salons and Asian salons in Philly Chinatown. Hands-down, I much prefer the Chinatown hair salons. The prices are cheaper, which is a bonus, but I really feel like the hassle of going into the city is worth the confidence I have in a stylist who cuts my type of hair every single day.

In fact, right now I'm in Europe for 4 months and am going to try to grow out my bangs until I go home. Especially in the south of France, I don't really trust the salons to have experience cutting Asian hair.

No question. Salon cut. However, yes, $100 is significant moola.

I personally don't know what to do either. I am procrastinating on even searching for a place to go. I am in the mood to buy gadgets, not hair cuts... but the $40 haircut bus experience fills me with trepidation: I did not pay for style, I did not get style.

Also I am going to argue: I would never go to Chinatown for a haircut. Don't make me tell my Toisan stories. You KNOW the style is defined by hiding from the *tax* collectors (and German Hello Kitty and Japanese Honda). The haircut bus lady was Chinatown Asian. Your husband is right: all those little places are meant for men... RANT RANT RANT ;>