Recession linked to bad haircuts now, too
Many times, it’s inherently obvious when something’s wrong.
Like, if Ludacris is in your new movie, for example. Chances are, that thing’s gonna suck (yes, we’re including you, Crash).
But if you’ve noticed a bunch of people walking around with bad, Phil Spector-like hairdos lately, there’s a strong likelihood you didn’t see the reason for that one coming.
As it turns out, the latest casualty of the recession has been decent hair care.
According to the Wall Street Journal, people have given up paying for a salon ‘do en masse as the economy continues to sputter, leading to a revolution of self-stylists – no matter the results.
Consequently, salons – especially high-end ones – have seen a considerable drop-off in patrons.
A recent WSJ poll of 600 beauty shops revealed about 72% have seen a big time dip in customers, likely to blame for a lot of people nowadays looking like this.
In fact, self-cuts have gotten so bad that it’s led to a kind of feel good, silver lining on the whole ordeal.
Where business at higher-end salons has faltered (and increased at electric clipper manufacturers), opportunities at old-fashioned barbershops and more traditional hair parlours has seen a boost because of people screwing up their own cuts.
Some barbers told the WSJ that up to a third of all customers now come in for “corrective” styling, charging into their salons with hair that would make Carrot Top blush.
“I’ve seen women come in, crying hysterically,” said one stylist. “It’s a big deal (to get it fixed.)”
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: Salon Coordinator | Sep 3, 2021 11:32:10 AM
Thank you for your article! As the coordinator of a large upscale salon, I am first in the salon to deal with teary and/or hysterical women coming through our door having either done their hair themselves or have gone to a 'low-cost' location.
If budget is a consideration - talk to your stylist!! There are many ways in which you can maintain the health and integrity of your hair on a reduced budget. A few well placed foils instead of a full head, custom color blending to allow grey to grow in naturally, a new style that requires less cutting and maintenance, a few well chosen professional hair care products to replace the dozens hiding out beneath the bathroom sink!! Many upscale salons also have training classes and workshops requiring hair models to cut or color. Do not be timid. Admit that you are now on a different budget and let your stylist give you alternative options. Don't cheap out on your hair as correcting color mistakes can be a costly procedure, and the only way to fix a really bad haircut is to cut more off!
Posted by: Mk2 | Sep 3, 2021 4:09:51 PM
man I lkvoe being a guy it's easy to cut out hair and costs way less and we could even do it ourselves
Posted by: No Job in sight | Sep 3, 2021 8:37:49 PM
The cost going to a hairdresser can buy alot of groceries.
When a family is living on a reduced income, it makes no sense to be spending money on your hair.
I found alot of sites that provide how to tips to cut your hair your self, bangs, trimming your eyebrows. YouTube is another great source. There are also help lines as well as toll free numbers to call for tips on colouring your hair
Hope this helps someone.
Jobless
Posted by: Dwayne D | Sep 3, 2021 11:02:24 PM
Well with some of the ridiculous prices I see for a haircut or style it's no wonder people are going elsewhere.
Also, they all expect a tip on top (no matter what you're already paying) and if you don't give one than you're a cheap a--hole...
Posted by: betonit | Sep 5, 2021 1:11:46 AM
i went to a hairdresser and just about dropped when the price for a measley color was nearly a hundred bucks!! you can beleive that i havent been back doin it myself with a little help from the drugstore!
Posted by: Dom | Sep 5, 2021 9:19:12 AM
I love dreadlocks.
Posted by: Get a hair cut!! | Sep 5, 2021 2:26:03 PM
Dudes..if you can't pay for a haircut you are not budgeting right. How much coffee do you buy in a month..how many times at starbucks??? cut back on some of the luxuries in life and get a decent haircut for christ sakes!!! Remember its everybody else that has to look at you walking by with a ridiculous haircut!
Posted by: Mooniekate | Sep 5, 2021 3:40:47 PM
As a stylist, I resent that people assume that I expect a tip. I don't expect them, I appreciate them. We don't make our prices, the corporations do. I got in trouble for handing out too many coupons, and I have an empty model book, even though I ask EVERYONE. You want a free haircut or colour? Ask to be a model. Go to a hair school. It's usually cheaper, and the teachers oversee everything. You can even ask to be a model there. Look, FREE! So don't complain about prices, especially to us, because; we have no control over our prices, you are paying for the service and the chemicals used, and our time and effort. I have to pay my rent, too.
Posted by: Sparkles | Sep 5, 2021 9:36:55 PM
You don't have to go to a super expensive salon to get a good haircut. It's about whos cutting your hair, no matter whether you go to a high end salon or just some chain like firstchoice haircutters. I've been to expensive salons and gotten AWFUL haircuts, but also have gone to inexpensive places and gotten AMAZING haircuts. Don't complain it's to expensive to keep your hair healthy, when the price can be as low as 10$.
Posted by: Ted Grigoleit | Sep 6, 2021 3:56:35 PM
Hair salons suffering? Well, they should first of all consider REALISTIC pricing!
I'm a 73 year-old male senior with a few strands of hair left on my head, which only need trimming as opposed to a fancy haircut.
A year ago I walked in to an empty, average salon and asked for the price. I was offered $25.50. I felt like asking, "So, that's one dollar for each hair?"
Consequently, I bought a set of electric clippers and have given my own haircuts ever since.
I even had complements on my "nice" haircut.
Posted by: Mike Simmonds | Sep 6, 2021 6:51:07 PM
As a profession, my wife decided to become a hair dresser. $10.000 dollars later and a solid year at school, her dream became reality. What we didn't do however, was research the amount of money a hair dressers actually makes. If you don't mind working for minimum wage after a years worth of schooling and working every weekend, it's probably a safe bet you will love it. I have a hard time excepting the reality of this underpaid profession. People are always bitching on how much it costs to have their hair colored, cut and looked after. Most of the general public don't understand that 99% of all hairdressers make peanuts for a wage, its one of the most cut throat professions out there. I would suggest to anyone considering this profession to look into something else. You can be a LPN with 6 months of schooling and only $5000.00 dollars and make $18.00 dollars an hour to start. You can be an Insurance agent with a 2 month course for $500.00 and start at $18.00 dollars an hour.
Next time you get your hair done, be grateful there is actually someone in this crap profession to do it for you.
Posted by: Bill | Sep 7, 2021 12:43:25 PM
This reminds me of the 1981-82 recession which was also a time also when bad haircuts (especially mullets and perms) ruled the earth. Also people were wearing ugly clothes back in the 1980s (and this without counting Boy George or Cyndi Lauper), and some of those styles have unfortunately returned in the last 2 years, and bingo a recession as bad as in 81-82.