Terra D writes:
With the way the economy took a turn for the worst, we are all aware that money does not grow on trees. Though the American economy is trying to rekindle that old flame, we must still budget correctly.
Do you have a strict hair budget? Is it working? Any ideas for those of us that can’t control our product junkism?
I calculated the cost of my hair, and it came up to $300 per year. This includes all products, styling tools and professional services. When I had a perm, I would spend roughly $700 per year, so this is an improvement.
Thanks for the love!! Accidental Chic is hot too for sure, good call.
Time to poke around your site a bit 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Since I have always know how to do my own hair and only went to the salons when I wanted a cut or trim or because I was too lazy or just wanted a nice blow out, I've always known what products worked for my hair. I also only but sample sizes if I want to try something new. Luckily I am that person who can always find a sale. When I first wanted to try Aussie Moist I found the regular size on sale at Wally World for $1.
(Danielle here)
Here are my two cents:
–RESEARCH your hair products before purchasing them. You Tube is very resourceful… But be wise: take advice on hair care products from people who look like they actually take care of their hair…I'm not trying to be mean…there are alot of random videos out there, too….
–Use a product for at least 3 weeks before disgarding it or writing it off.
–If it aint broke don't fix it. If you find a product that works, stick with it. No need to jump on every bandwagon.
–Buy in bulk if you can. I also like the idea of not spending more that $5/oz…I found a website that sells Giovanni products, pure almond oil, and other oils/butters by the GALLON!
Check it out:
http://www.massagewarehouse.com/products/giovanni-50/50-balance-remoisturizer-1-2-1-1-1-1/?sourcecode=MGOOPF
I just wrote an article about this on my blog caprice-panache.blogspot.com.
I realized I always try the expensive products that people swear by. So a few weeks ago I tried the Suave conditioner (family size is $3) and another $3 deep conditioner with mineral oil (which I try to stay away from). But no product has worked for my hair like the 2 of those together. Long story short don't cut the cheap products before you try them.
Another tip is try to use all of the product. But if it really doesn't work for your hair, find another product junkie and swap products. "One woman's hair enemy can be another woman's hair holy grail."
@Queenofthe4s: Some call it ghetto, others call it resourceful = fabulous.
I have sensitive skin and when I decided to have natural hair, I had to change products. What worked on my relaxed hair felt nasty on the natural hair. I had already started to make my own lotions and from there it was just a small step to making my own hair products. That doesn't mean cheaper products. It means better products for lower costs and I get to decide what it smells like.
I also learned better what I could buy off the shelf and find a lot of really cheap products like VO5 and Suave have some really good basic ingredients and work just as well as some of the middle expensive brands.
I have to post this link, because this lady is amazing. She gives guidelines for formulating your products and her article on hair is very interesting. Be warned though, PJ's will have a field day once you start reading about all the properties of the oils, butters, humectants, and other ingredients.
http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/
I go by a $1/oz rule. That way I can look at a 6.5 oz bottle and know that I'm splurging if it costs much more than $6.50. If I find something that's awesome, but expensive, I search cheaper products until I find the duplicate.
The only thing that continues to break this rule is Aphogee 2 Step Protein. It's hard to find quality protein products so I'm okay with that!
I have had to learn how to become resourceful with my hair due to the sensitivity of my skin and immune system. It is a blessing and a curse. I have learned what products I need to use in order for my hair to be healthy and I only use those products. I am gradually learning what products can be used in certain seasons and I plan to stick with it. Giving my hair only what it needs to be healthy is key to me and it has greatly improved the health of my hair. (Please note my current issue is addressing the heat damage on the ends from a time in my life when the health of my hair wasn't as important as the appearance of it. Need to research.) Plus I am always on the prowl for a sale, discount, or save my money until I make a bigger order to get free shipping. I have become a resourceful naturalista that can budget. Live, Love, Peace. ~ Sweetsop
Suave conditioner — about 3 bucks
Aloe Vera Gel from Wal-mart 4 bucks
LaBella Blue Gel from CVS or Family Dollar — 4 bucks for the 32oz.
Shea Butter from Beauty Supply — about 6-7 bucks
So, that is about less than 20 bucks
And I think you would be straight for a month and a half!
Side note, I usually use the term "Some call it ghetto, others call it resourceful."
As a product of the ghetto, I see no need to get offended when people use the term. People in the ghetto typically do what they have to do to get by.
Like recently I made a birthday cake and then realized I didn't have any candles. But I did have some wooden matches, so they stood in and did the job quite well.
Some call it ghetto, I called it resourceful!
🙂
Oh, and when purchasing online, I only purchase from manufacturers who accept PayPal (it makes a difference when you're purchasing with your cash versus charging everything to a credit card)
I am so cheap when it comes to hair products that I don't need to budget! LOL! If a product is more than $5 I have to really talk myself into buying it.
But for you other ladies out their who are Giovanni junkies, have you noticed that they have the HUGE pump bottles at TJ Maxx for only $12.50 each?? I bought one a few months ago (Tea Tree) and have seen others pop up recently like the 50/50 and Smooth something or another… 🙂 They have the shampoos and conditioners. I got a bonus this month..might have to treat myself to that 50/50!!
queenofthe4s.blogspot.com
Rejecting the PJism is SO hard! I love products by nature, so I can get very caught up in trying new stuff, and I tend to prefer natural/organic products over drugstore brands, so it can definitely get pricey. I'm always ordering online, and after two years of trying and buying whatever I wanted (yes, WANTED, not needed), I have tried pretty much everything, so I know what works and what doesn't. Now I employ the following "checks" to help curb my PJ appetite:
*A product can't be more than $5/ounce (I try to average $3/ounce, or less, there's only one HG product I use that's $5/ounce)
*I will only purchase certain products when there is a free shipping sale
*If there's a sale on a HG/staple product, and I want to take advantage & stock up, I can not buy more than 2 items
*I read all ingredients CAREFULLY before buying — I know what works and what doesn't work for me, regardless of the bandwagons
*All my products must fit in their designated space (either the hair section of my medicine cabinet, or the hair shelf of my shower tower) — if those are full, then I don't need any product!
We need to be careful with our word usage, "ghetto" is more so a state of mind and behavior it has nothing to do with a product. Aloe comes from the Aloe plant this is a very natural product that is very affordable and healthier for you than some products that have been mentioned so far.
My husband and I are thrifty so I have $100 a month to spend on whatever I want with no questions asked. So I brown bag it to work to support my hair habit.
I would not skimp when it comes to purchasing quality body (food) why do it for my hair.
With that said trial and error are the only ways to find your true staples and even those have to change after a while because your hair gets used to it.
So I spend about $25 a month on average, more or less some months but I always want the option to purchase so I save most of my $100 just in case.
I had a moment of PJism when I did my BC & spent $200-300 the first month. After gathering all my receipts & realizing that I didn't like any of the products, I nipped that in the bud quickly. Now I have a list of basics that I use that consists of shea butter, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, EVOO and Giovanni Direct Leave-in with the occasional splurge on a new EO every couple of months. Beyond that, my ears perk at the mention if a new find but I rarely make a purchase.
I have a $5 rule where it's okay to buy things that fall under that cap without too much thought. Anything above that has to be thought out & have multiple uses or can be super-powered when mixed with a staple item. No matter what it it, use it ALL & get ghetto by adding water/aloe vera to stretch it! LOL
I try to invest in quality products. Though they may cost more up front, they are worth it if they work. I recently bought a steamer for just under $100 and though it was a big investment, it greatly increases the efficacy of even the cheapest conditioners. My cost per use is already down to about $5 and I've only had it a couple of months! http://basicwoman.blogspot.com/2010/07/hair-basics-i-bought-steamer.html
kinky curly, knot today conditioner and curling custard and aloe vera gel for my edges.
NaturallyCurly.com's 4a board turned me into a PJ almost overnight, seriously. Now, three years later, I've finally curbed myself. Rather than having a strict hair budget, I limit myself with the following unwritten rules:
– Stick with what works. After a year of seemingly trying out every conditioner under the sun, now I've settled on 3-4 brands I like.
– Use it until you run out, OR give it away to a "needy" or newbie natural.
– I made a list of my fave 5 basics. As long as I have those, I'm okay. Anything extra is icing.
– Find products that multi-task, kind of like the LBD you can wear to work, on a date, to church, etc. If I find a DC that doubles as a twist product (e.g. SheaMoisture's Deep Treatment Masque, $10 @ Target), it's a winner.
I'm just starting out on this journey, and on top of that I'm away from home. B-U-D-G-E-T is the only word I know right now :). I just keep it down to the essentials…the things I ABSOLUTELY need for my hair are the only ones I purchase.