Festoon Salon in downtown San Francisco
Hair today, (budget) gone tomorrow. That kinda sums up what can happen when you throw down for frequent visits to the salon (which we’ve been known to do). But there are things you can do to make your coiffure cash stash last longer. For that, we checked in with Festoon Salon owners John and Melissa Ryan.
With salons in Berkeley and San Francisco, the Ryans have treated the tresses of many a Bay Area beauty fan during their 23 years in business. Notably, their salon happens to hold the unique distinction of being the first to carry the Oribe product line from the famed stylist-to-the-stars of the same name.
To save big on cuts and services, you could always opt to offer up your locks in the name of education as a hair model at one of their locations. But for those with less tolerance for risk, there are, thankfully, other ways.
Read on for John and Melissa’s favorite tips for stretching your beauty budget at the hair salon:
Invest in quality hair care products to extend the life of your salon services at home: It might seem like an additional expense you can’t afford at the time – purchasing costly product at the counter in addition to paying for your salon services – but spending the money up front for great hair care really is an investment that saves you money in the long run. Our top choices for product investments, and why:
*Weekly deep conditioners keep split ends at bay which lengthens the time between cuts. Once those ends start to go, the damage spreads quickly. If you condition at home once a week, the hair remains healthy, pliable and shiny. Deep conditioners also protect the luster and longevity of your hair color.
Product tip: We highly recommend the EX Conditioner from Caretrico, an exclusive Japanese line that we carry at Festoon.
*Color-preserving shampoo and conditioners with UV filters prevent the sun’s damaging rays from taking their toll on your hair…and your hair color. Healthier hair means hair that styles better – with less help from your stylist.
Product Tip: All Oribe shampoos and conditioners have UV protectors in them along with no parabens and only natural surfactants. Water and parabens are the main ingredients for most products. Oribe products are highly concentrated; a small amount goes a long way.
*Use hair texturizing spray or dry shampoo for a day or two between washes instead of daily washing. Shampoos strip the natural moisture and emollients that nature has designed to protect the hair. Hair needs a rest from the chemical process of cleaning for optimum health and shine. Hair color also lasts much longer with less-frequent shampooing. If you are going to invest in color, protect it from fading or getting brassy.
Product Tip: One of our favorite products is Oribe’s Dry Texture Spray, which is also great for putting hair up – a brilliant styling idea for the second and third day of no shampooing.
Find products that do double duty: Use a product that can be used wet and dry, for example, or products that condition while styling. By investing in a styling balm that gives body, shape and hold during your blowout, it can also add sheen and moisture to the ends of your hair due to the product’s formulation.
Product Tip: Gel Serum, a gel that is a serum for conditioning the hair. Makes hair lustrous and shiny.
Talk to your stylist about a more low-maintenance coloring regime: We know you love your platinum highlights or your deep, mink-colored tresses, but you could save yourself money by choosing less dramatic color. It doesn’t have to be a huge shift away from what you love, but a simple, tiny nudge in a more natural direction could lengthen the time between color visits by 1-4 weeks. Over a year, this adds up. If you’d like to lengthen your time between color services, here are a few things to try:
*Choose dimensional color over single-process color. This minimizes the contrast of your regrowth which buys you more time out of the salon chair. Use highlights and lowlights – strands of lighter and darker hair – this has a natural appearance since hair is a complex blend of many shades naturally.
*Ask your stylist to use a technique that shades your roots and places lighter pieces at the ends. This creates the appearance of hair that is lighter all over but blends the line of demarcation at your scalp when the natural hair grows in.
*Cut down on weekly blow outs. They are a nice treat, but maybe not necessary, especially if you invest in a Keratin relaxer or Brazilian blowout. Both of these treatments fundamentally change the hair texture, allowing you to get great results from your own blow dryer and styling products at home. The hair is improved, so clients can grow their hair longer than before. These hair treatments cost more up front, but they last for 3-5 months instead of a few days.
*Consider a new hair cut. Specific cuts grow out better than others, razor cuts generally grow out better than more geometric styles (razor cuts generally last at least 7-8 weeks). If you are absolutely married to your signature look, a good stylist can often achieve a similar overall look and feel even when they use a different technique.
Ask if your Salon offers complimentary services. Festoon often offers a complimentary bang trim a month into your haircut.
John and Melissa Ryan
Photography courtesy of Festoon Salon
