Frugal Hair Care: DIY Tips for Fabulous Locks on a Budget

Let’s talk hair—because these luscious locks (or frizzy mop depending on the day) don’t manage themselves. And salon prices? Highway robbery with a complimentary scalp massage. No, thank you. Around here, we’ve learned to keep our hair game strong without letting it shear our wallets.

First up: Mr. Frugalist, a true DIY trailblazer. He learned to cut his own hair at 17 when his dad handed him a pair of old clippers and said, “Here kid, figure it out.” Did he get it right the first few times? Absolutely not. There were a few “oops” moments that looked like lawn mower accidents. But now? He’s a self-styled pro. I haven’t seen the inside of a barbershop on his behalf in decades. That man trims, shapes, and fades like he’s got a license in the drawer (he doesn’t, but don’t tell him that).

And then there’s me: Queen of the Thick Hair. It’s like a forest up there. I keep it short because, frankly, if I had to wrestle with long hair every day I’d just give up and wear a hat until spring. I do get it cut professionally every 8 weeks—or 10 if I’m trying to prove a point or just pretending I’m too busy. (Spoiler: I’m not.)

As for the color, let’s just say my husband moonlights as a hair colorist. That man has put on gloves and helped me dye my hair more times than I can count, and not once has he complained. Okay maybe once, but I told him to hush and handed him the developer. When you’ve got the budget of a frugalista and the pride of a lion, you make do, and you make it work.

Now, let’s rewind a bit to when our girls were little. Back then, there wasn’t exactly a YouTube tutorial for every texture and curl pattern. So Mama had to figure it out—the relaxing, the moisturizing, the detangling, and yes, the tears (theirs and mine). I was determined that they would feel beautiful and cared for, even if I was learning one deep conditioner at a time.

Fast forward to now and both girls are in the thick of it, pun fully intended. My youngest daughter is a hair magician in her own right. She relaxes her own hair, pops in her own extensions, and doesn’t trust a soul with her crown unless it’s me or maybe the TikTok girl with 2 million views and a satin bonnet. Honestly, I’m impressed. She’s turning into the kind of DIY hair goddess I wish I’d had to learn from.

And my eldest? She’s deep in the trenches now, learning to braid like a pro and fighting the good fight with those tangles, curls, and cries of “I don’t want my hair done!” Lord, it does take time. Braiding isn’t for the faint of heart or the weak of wrist. But she’s determined and doing an amazing job, even if some days end with both her and the kids needing a nap and a cookie.

Even her husband got tired of shelling out for the boys’ haircuts and decided, “You know what? I’m doing this myself.” So now he’s the resident clipper commander, buzzing little heads like a champ. Honestly, the savings alone deserve a standing ovation.

And then there are the grandbabies. Oh, Lord help us. I sat down to brush out my granddaughter’s curls today and we made it halfway through before we both waved the white flag. She was tired, I was tired, and that comb was about to give up. We’ll try again tomorrow, after I’ve had coffee and maybe a pep talk from the ancestors.

P.S. Why do kids never, ever brush their hair when you tell them to? Is it an act of rebellion? A test of my patience? A rite of passage? I don’t know. But I swear if I had a dollar for every time I’ve said “go brush your hair,” I’d be sipping a latte in a salon chair I didn’t have to pay for.

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