And unless you’re into the ’80s rock vibe or still sporting a man bun, you can only put off a haircut for so long.
Depending on where you live, an average women’s cut runs about $69 while men’s cuts are lower at roughly $43 — and don’t overlook the tip! That can add up quickly if your paycheck is already stretched across rent, food, gas and other essentials.
Though a haircut might seem like an indulgence, don’t underestimate how much looking — and feeling — polished can help, especially if you’re job hunting, attending networking events or angling for that big promotion.
No one needs to know how little you paid for that chic bob or daring undercut. Here are four ways to score great, fashionable, inexpensive haircuts — without blowing your budget at the salon.
4 Ways to Get a Haircut for Free or Cheap
- Go to your nearby hair school.
- Schedule a trim during happy hour.
- Volunteer as a hair model.
- Try an in-and-out salon chain.
1. Go to Your Nearby Hair School
Having a student cut your hair might sound risky. But if you’re patient, you can leave with a salon-quality cut and more cash in your wallet.
Look up cosmetology institutes or hair academies near you. Many provide haircuts at a tiny fraction of salon prices. If you’re concerned about results, check reviews from previous clients.
Here are examples of budget-friendly rates at beauty schools across the U.S.:
- Paul Mitchell’s school in Denver charges only $13 for a cut and style.
- At the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill, NC, a cut and style is just $18.
- A haircut at the Empire Beauty School in Boston, including shampoo, conditioner and a blowout, is just $12 — and $6 for children under 12.
Here’s what to expect. You call the school and book an appointment the same way you would at a regular salon. Some programs let you pick a student by experience level — typically beginner, intermediate or advanced.
When you arrive, you’ll meet your stylist-in-training and discuss the services you want.
Then the student will flag a supervising instructor to discuss the details. They’ll review the tools the stylist plans to use or what color blends might work best.
Because students want top grades, many are extra careful, double- and triple-checking their work. That can mean your appointment takes longer than at a conventional salon, but the result is usually worth the wait.
The instructor will check in at various stages. At the end, they’ll evaluate the cut, re-measure lengths and inspect the student’s work. They might tidy up a few stray ends or offer tips to the student to refine a technique discussed in class.
When it’s finished, you’ll walk away with a professional-looking haircut for under $20. If you’re pleased with the result, remember to tip.
Also take note of other inexpensive services the school may offer — blowouts, braiding, color, perms or special-event styling.
If you’re not ready to give up your regular mani, you can also get nails done at a cosmetology school to save money.
2. Schedule a Trim During Happy Hour
Mmmm, happy hour — budget-friendly drink specials and tasty bites.
Some salons embrace the happy hour concept by running deals during slower parts of the day or on specific days of the week. If you’d rather sit in a professional’s chair than a student’s, consider booking at a salon when you can get more value for your money.
Shampoo Avenue B in New York City gives 20% off all services Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Annastasia Salon in Oregon started a talent happy hour with discounted rates.
At the Chop Shop Hair Studio in Knoxville, Tennessee, you can get 10% off your haircut during happy hour — 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. (If you can play a song all the way through, you can snag 20% off anytime.) And in classic happy hour fashion, the salon often includes a complimentary glass of wine or beer.
A little online searching can reveal other salon-specific ways to save on haircuts. Some salons have first-time customer promos or discounts for showing a student or military ID. Many new studios use platforms like Groupon and LivingSocial to offer steep introductory discounts.
3. Volunteer as a Hair Model
When a professional stylist interviews for a salon role, they’re sometimes asked to demonstrate their abilities with a live haircut.
If you’re willing to be their model, you might receive a free or reduced-price trim.
The site Salon Apprentice lists numerous requests for volunteer hair models in cities nationwide. Occasionally a stylist needs a model to practice a current trend, so many listings specify that models be open to a particular style.
4. Try an In-and-Out Salon Chain
Lastly, don’t overlook budget-friendly haircut chains such as Great Clips.
If you usually pay the $69 average for a women’s cut, that totals $414 a year for six haircuts. At Great Clips, you’d pay about $20 per cut (styling extra), totaling around $120 for those same appointments — a $294 difference.
If you worry that a lower price equals a lesser cut, you can always call ahead and request a more seasoned stylist.
Many chain salons offer à la carte services, so if you don’t want your hair washed, you don’t have to pay for it.
Bottom line: Don’t feel stuck paying sky-high salon bills — there are plenty of ways to find inexpensive haircuts.
