8 Ways to Get Free and Cheap Haircuts

Are you tired of paying for expensive haircuts? There are several ways that you can get great-looking cheap or free haircuts for you and your family.

Beauty and Cosmetology Schools

Many beauty and cosmetology schools have student salons that offer a variety of salon services to the public, at super-low prices or for free. The students are always under the supervision of a licensed instructor, and because it is a teaching environment, the standards are usually high. If a mistake does happen, it is corrected on the spot.

Call the beauty and cosmetology schools in your area and find out what services are offered and their prices and which days the salons are opened to the public.

Work-at-Home Stylists

Many stylists are set up to work from your home or theirs as a way to cut back on the expenses of working in or owning a commercial salon. It is also a popular option for retired stylists who are no longer interested in punching time clocks.

Generally, the prices charged by work-at-home stylists are going to be less than salon stylists, and they will often charge a bulk price when working with an entire family.

Another benefit of becoming a regular with a work-at-home stylist is that many times they are more flexible with their time and will help you if you are in a time bind.

A good way to find work-at-home stylists is through craigslist.com, your local paper, or by word of mouth.

The Local Barber

For basic hairstyles, there is no reason to pass up going to the local barber for a trim or a cut. Many barbers have been cutting hair for years and are highly skilled. Prices are cheaper than salon prices, and customers are usually in and out quickly. It is also an affordable option for children.

Coupons and Loyalty Programs

Many salons offer coupons regularly through companies like Valpak, the newspapers, and email. Coupons for Supercuts, Fantastic Sams, Regis Salons, and more can often be found with a simple search for "Salon Coupons" on Google.

You may also want to sign up at the salon websites to receive coupons and other special promotions via email or directly on your cell phone.

Daily deals sites like Groupon and LivingSocial also promote local and national salons periodically where the savings can be as high as 40 percent off specific services.

Modeling Gigs

There are several reasons salons are always in need of people willing to sit quietly while their hair is styled in whatever way the stylists want to do it. One of the main reasons is so that a salon owner or senior stylist can demonstrate a new technique to the other stylists.

Generally, models are not paid, and some salons may actually charge models for the services that they receive. Therefore, before you agree to model, ask about payment, pricing and discounts, and find out what the plan is for your hair.

Trading Skills

A friend who cuts and styles hair may be willing to trade services for something you are skilled at doing. Many people are trading skills these days as a way to save money. It never hurts to ask.

Cut Your Own Hair

If you do a search online or at websites like YouTube, you will find how-to videos for people interested in learning how to cut their own hair. There is also a video on how to trim your bangs.

Different products are marketed as tools to help DIY hairstylists. For example, the Creaclip is designed to help individuals cut their own hair in layers or trim their own bangs. A curved (straight for bangs) clip holds your hair in place as you snip.

Work at A Salon

If you have some extra time on your hands and you enjoy having your hair styled, why not try to land a part-time job at your favorite hair salon? Not only will you get a discount on any services and products that you receive, but you will also be privy to any modeling jobs.