The Cost of Eliminating Bad Hair Days
I’ve been a bad girl. It’s only the beginning of the week and I spent over half of my weekly allowance on pure vanity. I spent KWD 57.500 today at the salon.
Last week, when I was at the salon getting my weekly blowdry, my hairdresser mentioned that they have a treatment for my long curly hair that will eliminate my bad hair days for the next six months. The treatment will take place over a period of four sessions. Each session is an hour long and will cost me 60 dinars. The final result will reduce the coarseness of my hair and eliminate frizz. It will also eliminate my need to get my weekly blowdry. It will save me time AND bad hair days!
I got there today I arrived fully prepared to spend the money. The process was a little boring. My hairdresser washed my hair clean, and then proceeded to distribute the product on my hair brushing it through. As I’ve mentioned, my hair is long and curly so it took a while to get it all covered. Then she had to use a hair straightener over my hair to lock the product in. When she finally straightened all my hair she took me back to get my hair washed and a masque put on my hair. This was the relaxing part. She spent ten minutes massaging my scalp and it was the loveliest feeling. After that she washed the masque out of my hair and blow-dried it.
When I got to the cashier I was ready to pay KWD 60 but they only charged me 50. I was charged KWD 10 less and I got a free blowdry! The cashier told me that I will continue getting a free blowdry for the next three sessions. My hairdresser recommended that I use a special shampoo to supplement my treatment and I bought it for KWD 7.500. That’s what brought my total expenditure to KWD 57.500.
How much does taking care of my hair usually cost? My usual blowdry costs me KWD 6 and I always tip my hairdresser KWD 1. Over a period of six months I spend KWD 168 on blow drying my hair at a salon. The treatment I’m going to continue will cost me KWD 200. I don’t mind spending the extra money when it will dramatically reduce the time I go to the salon.
To all my girls out there, what have you spent in the name of beauty? I know that we sometimes get ridiculous when it comes to hair, make up and clothes.
I’ve always believed men had it better when it comes to saving money from haircuts to clothes. Guys, how much does it cost you to look that good?
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girrrrrrrrrrl! I’m sooo proud of you! You have no idea how intense the virtual hug I’m sending is (I’m not even a touchy feely kind of gal really…so this is a BIG deal). I didn’t know Kuwaiti personal finance blogs existed and a woman…sadgeeni I’m beaming like a proud momma at her kids play.
Now to answer your question, I’m kinda low-maintenance/anti-consumerist and contempt with “doing” my hair myself so its not that big of a deal unless its wedding season and then it depends on who, what, where, when, why and how. Same goes with makeup, I buy as the need arises but I’m not adverse to cheapo stuff either. I’ll buy expensive foundation and eyeliners/shadows (sensitive eyes). I try to limit what I buy to things I’ll actually use, which is not a lot…I’m very tame compared to Arabs.
But at least four times a year I’ll cut my place at a decent shop where it’ll run around 30-35 dinars a visit including tips.
(sorry about the long comment…but I can barely contain myself)
I also consider myself low maintenance, and yet . . . I spend around 300KD per year protecting my skin from aging prematurely (no surgery so far) and . . . well, hair matters. I do my own coloring, because I don’t think it is as important to anyone else as it is to me, and I spend a LOT on a really really good haircut because it matters to how I see myself. Other than that . . . (other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?)
Your are right, Kuwaiti woman, us guys do have it easy when it comes to haircuts and cloths. My hair isnt long or anything, it just covers my whole head ( no bold spots, not yet anyway
)and when it grows to a certain limit, I just trim it which would cost around 2KD. I usually cut my hair every 3-4 weeks snice my hair grows very slowly, which I think is a blessing if you are guy :). We also have to deal with weekly bread shaves, which still doesnt cost much, even at the most expensive places, Most places charge 1-1.5 KD but there are places that charge higher. With that shave comes some facial treatment with different types of facial cream. Even if you wanna go all out, I think the most that a guy can pay at a saloon is 50 KD, which usually is for wedding perparation.
BTW, Its great to see the increase in funds, Keep up the good work.
G.E&B Thank you so much for your support! I’m happy to do you proud and hope you’ll stay by my side all the way
I think I am fairly low maintenance however I really have to take care of my hair because it is too unruly for Arab sensibilities. I conform to the norm instead of breaking out the crazy hair heheh. I think it would make me too self-concious.
Intlxpatr I think my low maintenance prescribes to your definition of the term. Taking care of my hair is important to me because bad hair days will guarantee a grumpy Kuwaiti Woman. Sad, but true!
Bader you men are lucky in that regard! Maintaining your looks comes cheap! From hair to clothing, I really think men have it better. One thing I never understood is why men shave outside their homes.
Thank you for noticing! I’ve added KWD 300. It was supposed to be KWD 500 but I had to take out the money for my hair treatments.
I think its because it takes some practice to learn how to shave your bread evenly, I tried it once and, mmm well, lets just say it wasn’t a very good, idea
My side burns were uneven and I dont know how times I cut myself.
Heheh I didn’t know it required so much effort. I guess because it just looks so easy in the movies.