Money Saving Hair Tips from Rodney Cutler of Cutler Salons

Now one does not usually associate an upscale NYC salon with saving money, it's true, but I recently had the pleasure of vising Cutler Salon on 57th St. in New York City again and I was able to ask Rodney Cutler for some tips on hair that just might save you some money (and who doesn't love that?). Here is Rodney's advice on looking chic without breaking the bank.


“I am constantly asked if our salon business is suffering b/c of the economy. Fortunately we are not, but I have definitely noticed that clients are stretching out their appointments. One client even asked me if she should change her hair color from blonde to brown, as it would be less of a financial burden. Definitely a good solution, but I’m not sure the millions of blondes out there are willing to give up their light locks to save a few bucks. The good news is there are a few ways to save your wallet and still keep your desired look!”

One thing Rodney suggests is "Hidden Highlights". "This process leaves the top layer of hair un-highlighted and highlights are scattered underneath, giving you the luxury of allowing your highlighted pieces to grow without a noticeable re-growth."

"Limit your full head of highlights to once a year: A partial/half highlight will give you the coverage required while keeping the price down." Good to know!

This should be a no-brainer, but we are all guilty of breaking this rule at one point or another- "Use color protectant shampoos and conditioners at home! While they won’t cover grays, they will keep your color fresh in between salon visits."

As far as cutting back on cuts, Rodney recommends: "Don’t choose a cut that only works at a specific length as it will force you back to the salon more frequently than you may feel comfortable with."

"Layered haircuts tend to give you more longevity in your look and work well as they’re growing out." Trust me on this one, I have layers and it makes all the difference. "If one length hair is a must, keep the length below the shoulders, as that extra inch of growth won’t be as noticeable."

This knowledge is essential- "Most high-end salons offer either a minimal fee or a complimentary bang trim in between cuts. This is sure to give your style a few extra weeks!" My own personal recommendation is to check if/ how much a salon charges for a bang cut because I generally end up going back after 3-4 weeks and getting a bang trim. Sometimes I'll get 2 bang trims between cuts and if your salon is charging you $15 a pop for a bang trim (plus tip) you technically have to figure that into the price of your haircut. You may think you are saving money at a certain salon and then spending an extra $40 in between cuts on bang trims. For that kind of money you may be able to afford a nicer salon w/ free bang trims. Cutler Salons offer free bang trims.

Rodney says: “Not that we want you to stay away from the salon, but I can definitely sympathize with prioritizing budgets. With these tips, you can look and feel beautiful without feeling the guilt!”