The word “recession” has been making waves in various industries, including beauty. With the current economic shifts, many are looking for smarter ways to spend, especially when it comes to salon visits. Enter “recession hair,” a trend gaining popularity on platforms like TikTok. But what exactly does it mean, and how can it save you money? Let’s dive into the concept and how to make it work for you.
What Exactly Is Recession Hair?
“Recession hair” isn’t about dealing with a receding hairline; instead, it refers to trimming costs on haircuts, coloring, and styling without compromising style. It’s not about going back to DIY methods or box dyes but opting for low-maintenance styles and colors that naturally grow out without requiring frequent salon visits. The goal is to create a hair routine that lasts longer and costs less, all while ensuring your hair looks great.
How to Practice “Recession Hair” and Save Money
With haircuts costing around $100 and dye jobs anywhere from $100 to $600, reducing your trips to the salon can save hundreds annually. Here’s how you can adopt recession hair and cut down on salon expenses:
Choose Low-Maintenance Colors
Maintaining a color far from your natural shade is expensive. Stick closer to your natural tone to avoid frequent touch-ups. Opt for colors like recession blonde or bronde, which blend better with your natural roots as they grow out. Celebrity colorist Matt Rez suggests avoiding drastic color changes, as keeping your base color intact will help you stretch the time between salon visits.
Tone Your Hair at Home
Between salon visits, you can tone your hair at home to extend the life of your color. Professional products can neutralize brassiness, add shine, and bring out the desired warmth or coolness. This DIY method helps you stretch your color without frequent salon appointments.
Use Color-Safe Shampoo
Preserve your color for longer by using sulfate-free shampoos designed for color-treated hair. These products help keep your tones intact and prevent fading, allowing you to go longer between color touch-ups without damaging your hair’s vibrancy.
Opt for Easy-to-Maintain Haircuts
Select haircuts that grow out well, so you don’t have to go for frequent trims. Styles like long layers, soft shags, or blunt cuts maintain their shape as they grow. These cuts are versatile, work with your natural texture, and look flattering even as they grow out, cutting down the need for regular salon visits.
Keep Your Hair Nourished Between Appointments
Healthy hair stays vibrant longer and requires fewer touch-ups. Invest in strengthening shampoos and deep conditioning treatments to maintain the health of your strands. Healthy hair not only looks better but also holds styling products more effectively, extending the time between salon trips.
Cover Grays Strategically
Frequent visits for gray coverage are a costly part of regular hair care. Instead, ask your colorist to incorporate a mix of highlights, midlights, and lowlights to help blend grays. This strategy ensures a seamless transition as your hair grows out. Between visits, use root touch-up sprays and powders to keep your grays under control.
Master the Blowout at Home
Regular salon blowouts can become costly. Instead, learn how to give yourself a salon-worthy blowout at home. Many stylists offer tutorials on platforms like YouTube, teaching you how to use a round brush, styling cream, and blow dryer to achieve a professional look on your own. This simple skill can save you money and give you that fresh-from-the-salon look without the price tag.
