Hair
Hair Tips
Budget Hair Tips

Budget Hair Tips

You asked us for budget hair tips so 4Beauty got together 10 Years Younger expert Lisa Shepherd, art director Jason Cocking, trichologist Philip Kingsley and hair colour expert Jo Hansford to come up with the best expert advice, from getting creative with condiments to understanding how to use your products.

1. Use Less Product

Most of us use way too much product. Your first shampoo does not need to lather to be working - you'll notice that the second wash, even if you only use a tiny bit, lathers sufficiently. Brush through your hair thoroughly before you start so the shampoo works through the hair evenly. Also, don't over-rinse your conditioner - you want some product to remain and do its job.

2. Read the Box

Home colour kits have really come a long way but they won't provide you with magic results. Look at the back of the box and check the recommended shade. If your hair is too dark, the dye will not be able to give you the result that you see on the front of the box. And you might be faced with an expensive colour correction at a salon. If you are not sure which colour to choose, Nice 'n' Easy has some good advice on how to select a cool or warm shade, depending on your skin tone.

3. Look for a Deal

Savvy shoppers can get discounts on hair and beauty products by browsing websites like Promotional Codes. Visit and 'like' the Promotional Codes Facebook page to keep up-to-date on the latest bargains. Other sites like Wahanda or Vouchercloud often offer discounts on salon visits or treatments.

4. Hold the Highlights

If you usually have a full set of highlights, swap to just having top-up lights for two out of every three appointments. This is where you get the top, parting and hairline re-coloured and then a toner through the rest. Not only is it better for your wallet - it's kinder to your hair.

5. Invest in a Good Haircut

Especially if you are going for a change or a big tidy-up. Ask for the most senior stylist you can afford and, in your subsequent cuts, a more junior stylist can follow the shape. A good, reputable salon will also offer free fringe trims between cuts and, the better the cut, the longer the gap you can take between visits.

6. Look After Your Hair

Don't brush your hair when it is sopping wet, it's more likely to break and result in split ends. Don't use elastic bands or very tight hair bands when you put your hair up (clips and grips are less likely to split the hair shaft) and avoid completely drying your hair when using a hair dryer. Try and leave your hair slightly damp.

7. Use Olive Oil

Don't waste your pennies on expensive conditioners, grab a bottle of virgin olive oil from your kitchen cupboard. Warm a cupful and smooth through dry hair. Wrap your hair in a warm towel and leave for twenty minutes. Shampoo out. Be careful you don't slip in the shower! You can also try almond, coconut or jojoba oils, which you can buy very cheaply from The Aromatherapy Shop on Amazon. Rosemary is also known for it's conditioning properties so add a couple of sprigs to your oil and let it steep a few days.

8. Upgrade Your Shampoo

This might sound counter-productive, but cheaper brands often contain harsher chemicals, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, which can strip and damage the hair. More expensive brands often use natural-based ingredients and are more concentrated so go further. For more information about the chemicals in your hair products, read our guide to cosmetic ingredients.

9. Don't Believe the Hype

There is no such thing as 'build up' with hair products. Marketers selling clarifying or build-up-removing shampoos want you to believe this myth. Think of your face, you don't use build-up remover to clear your face of make-up - you use a cleanser, or soap and water. Similarly, your regular shampoo will cleanse your hair of so called build-up, so don't waste your pounds on them.

10. Pass the Ketchup

If you have blonde hair and it turns green after excessive swimming, apply tomato ketchup liberally through the green areas before conditioning to return your hair to its correct colour (the food dye in the ketchup neutralises the green of the chlorine). This will work just as well as shampoos that are marketed for the purpose.