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Recession Hairstyles

I recently received a relevant (alliteration fairy!) email from a reader, Chelsea:

In February, I chopped off my long, wavy hair into a chin-length angled bob. I loved it, but not as much as my longer waves. It’s now grown out to a shoulder-grazing length and I was planning to work with my stylist on growing out, but…

I just got laid off and won’t have the money for regular trims. I’m planning to get my haircut in the next month or so, and I was hoping you could give me some direction on a haircut that will look good without constant trims and will look professional and not grown-out.

I’d be more than happy to help, Chelsea. This is a great topic, not only for the recently unemployed (sorry about that!), but for anyone who doesn’t have the time nor the desire to deal with monthly cuts. (Hello, new moms!)

Hair Thursday’s Golden Rules for Recession Hair:

1. Steer clear of short and/or angular cuts.

2. Rethink highlights. Try an at-home semi-permanent color instead.

3. Unless you plan on trimming yourself, don’t even consider blunt bangs. However, a longer sideswept bang can grow out gracefully.

4. Find a haircut that works with your natural hair texture. Straight hair? A shoulder-length bob will be easy to manage. Wavy or curly hair? Go for long, subtle layers to enhance your texture.

5. To avoid the dreaded triangle, be sure to add some layering throughout. Texturizing is a huge bonus for very thick tresses, and will keep hair under control during the lengthy period between salon visits.

6. Remember to utilize your tools and products to keep your style fresh. Flat irons, curling irons, smoothing serums and pomades can dramatically change your day-to-day look!

Here are some stylish cuts that should be able to withstand the long haul.

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8 comments
  1. Aimee

    June 5, 2009 at 6:38 am

    I’ve been growing my hair out for awhile. My cut is very similar to Courtney Cox’s style above. It’s really easy to maintian and my stylist told me that since I’m growing my hair out (and my hair is healthy), I should have it trimmed every three months. hair grows an average of 0.5 inches a month – after three months a trim (of 0.5 inches) will still leave you with an inch of good growth. I was surprised she told me this since you’d think she’d want me to come in (and pay her) more often. So I thought it was nice advice.

  2. Chiada

    June 5, 2009 at 8:26 am

    Great advice! I only get my hair cut 3 or 4 times a year. What I’ve found that helps keep my hair healthy is to go easy on blow drying and using hot tools. I almost always blow out my bangs, which takes about 30 seconds. But other than that I usually let it air dry unless I have a special occassion to go to. And even if I do have a special occassion to attend and I want my hair looking in top form, I still let it air dry and then proceed to using my hot tools like flat iron and such. That way my hair isn’t being doubly assaulted with heat. Or, vice-versa, sometimes I blow dry it but don’t use hot tools. I also use a de-frizzing serum (CHI Silk Infusion) almost every day; it really helps keep my hair look smooth, shiny, and manageable. To keep my hair feeling fresh and not so grown out between visits, I go to my stylist for a complimentary bang trim once or twice inbetween cuts. Having good side swept bangs really makes a difference when the rest of my hair is getting long.

  3. Heather

    June 5, 2009 at 10:03 am

    I get my haircut once every 6 months because I’m growing it out. Believe it! My stylist says my hair is in great condition. It’s curly.

  4. Richard

    June 5, 2009 at 11:23 am

    This is the cool thing about HT – you move seemlessly from the pure satiric fun of the Reverse Mullet (the image of the Reverse Mullet Barbie is hard to shake – someone should forward that post to Jon Stewart of the Daily Show, I think Kate G has already been a frequent target there anyway) – to a very practical, well-constructed piece people can easily use!

  5. kat

    June 5, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    my hairstylist gives me free bang trims so that definitely helps make my haircut last longer.

    a favorite hairstyle for my hair as it gets uber long is to do the “lauren from the hills” one braid back which is a new hairstyle but can work with lots of lengths!

    i also try to take it easy on the weekends – no products, no blow drying. just natural to give it time to breathe. i have NO idea if that actually does anything though. ;)

  6. Brandy

    June 7, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    Perfect timing. I was laid off recently can’t continue the 7 week highlight/hair cut cycle I have been on for the past billion years.

    How do I go from light blonde high lights (medium and dark blondes low lights) to an all over color? I saw my stylist and mentioned doing this at home and he gave me the look of death! Is at home coloring really that bad (or difficult)?

  7. Deanna Pherrin

    June 8, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    there is an awesome article at http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/p_makeover_elie about the shape of your face and what works good. if you have short you can grow it to medium and to long- all the while looking great! check it out.