It costs a lot to get your hair taken care of in NYC. Especially if you’re a woman. Even more so if you’re a woman who’s dishwater blonde and got her first grays at 27… Yes, I mean me.
I spent my whole adolescence coloring my hair out of boxes from the drug store. It was an addiction and I refuse to ever go back! I also refuse to spend $200 to avoid feeling dishwatery and dirty. (Seriously, dark blond/light brown hair has the worst names.)Try Groupon, one might think. I’ve never had a good Groupon hair experience. Last time I bought a Groupon I ended up in tears because I hated my hair. It’s soured me to the site.
What’s my secret for getting my hair colored on a budget in NYC? Being a hair model!
I’ve been a hair model dozens of times in NYC, for cut and color, and I haven’t cried once! Every style I’ve gotten as a model has been a success, though they have ranged on a scale from “this is fine” to “OMG I LOVE IT”.
Most people think that if you’re a hair model, you have to get whatever cut/color the stylist wants to give you. That’s only true if you’re being paid to be a hair model. Don’t do that unless your very brave and open to change! Otherwise, in my experience, I’ve always gotten what I tell the stylist I want.
There are so many people studying hair in NYC, at all levels. The level that is the sweet spot for modeling is a stylist who was a star at their salon in Bumblefuck and is now training in New York to make it in the big city. This happens all the time! Cosmetology school is taken very seriously here. Another great model experience is when the stylist is auditioning for a salon chair. They need a demonstration to show the salon what they can do! As they’re trying very hard to impress their potential employer, they know they need to make you, the stand-in customer, happy too.
Yes, there are some downsides to hair modeling:
1. It usually takes significantly longer than a normal salon experience.
This is often because students are slow to insure they avoid any kind of mistakes and instructors check their work along the way.
2. It can be a little awkward.
I’ve listened to stylists get down-right yelled at by their instructors. This has never been about their technique with hair, it’s always been about how they talked to me, the client. There’s a huge part of hair styling that is about making the person in the chair feel confident and like they are in good hands. This bed side manner seems to be crucial to making it as a stylist in NYC. It requires practice!
Often the service will be free, but for coloring you will be asked to pay for product. This is usually around $20-30.
How do I find stylists looking for hair models?
I troll Craigslist. I know it sounds sketchy, but it’s seriously worked so well for me! I search “hair model” in the Beauty Services section, scroll past a lot of posts that aren’t helpful to me, and don’t always find a good fit on the first search. It can take me a couple days of this to find a good fit. But I’ve almost always found one!
So yes, it does take time on multiple levels. But if a little time sounds better to you than a lot of money, you should absolutely consider being a hair model!
Have you ever been a hair model? Would you ever or is it too scary? Can you commiserate with me and share when you got your first gray hairs? Any other “dishwater” babes out there??
Dishwasher blonde – I’m totally stealing that phrase haha! I was randomly stopped in the street by a young man who told me I needed a haircut and he would do it for free if I was prepared to sit for a period of time while he tried out a new technique… It turned out that it was for one the of high end salons and was the best haircut I’ve ever had…
And you look fabulous!
Yes to all your questions! It is SO expensive to maintain blonde in this town. I used to hair model all the time. The best places were Louis Licari on 5th (but it took 5 1/2 hours!) and Aveda. I can’t handle giving up my time like that anymore, but I always got amazing color at Licari.
Haha I love this – you gotta do what you gotta do! After a traumatizing experience as a child that resulted in a boyish pixie cut for the end of elementary/beginning of middle school, I’ve been terrified of getting my hair cut and am super, annoyingly picky about who does my hair – not sure I could do this! When I moved here, it took me 4 different salons/stylists, but I’ve *finally* found my person – only took me 15 years to get over the trauma! LOL
Lauren recently posted…If You Take a City Mouse to the Country…
This is such a good idea! Your hair looks lovely ?. I always liked the sound of being a hair model and this post has encouraged me even more! Thanks for sharing your experience ? xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Bexa recently posted…Improve Your Blogging Skills feat. Tangible Stationery Co.
Wow what a great idea! My local salon has trainees I maybe should let them look after my hair once!
sophieannetaylor.com
I’ve never been to a hairdressers as my mum has always cut my hair (she’s trained) but this is such an amazing way to save money to get it done in a salon – I might just have to do this for the experience! Thanks for sharing!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk / http://www.foodandbakertravels.co.uk
Jessica & James recently posted…Budget Series: Aubergine, Bean and Potato Curry #Nomineat
Near my University, they have been advertising for hair models being needed and although I think I’d definitely go for it, I feel a degree of loyalty to my regular hairdresser who has looked after my hair since I was 15! But if I ever get the chance I might go for it, see what exciting change there is!
Loool at the phrase dishwater blonde ? I’ve always been intrigued by hair stylist in NY & Beverley Hills like they usually have some mad skills! And they always more so swift. I think you’re right the hair dressers attitude can honestly make or break your experience in the chair. My hairdress at home wanted me to be a hair model for her a time back but I fell ill. Your experience sounds exciting! I’m actually pumped to try this if I travel to NY. Thanks for the lovely read ?
xx Lena | https://lenadeexo.com
This is so cool! I definitely respect you for having the balls to do it though I think I’d be too scared that they might get it wrong! Your hair looks great though so clearly they’re doing a good job so far!- https://sophiehearts.net x
What a great way to save money on getting your hair done! Our local college offers a similar service and has their own salon run just by people training! I have never been brave enough before to try it maybe I should give it a go!
Melanie | http://www.frasersfunhouse.com
What a brilliant idea, why have I never thought of this? Hair colouring can be so expensive if you have to get your hair coloured every 3-4 weeks (yes, I’m with you on the grey hair issue). Great tip, I’m going to look into my local colleges next week! X
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Long hair gives vast potential outcomes with regard to formal haircuts.
Would love to be a hair model cut and color. I got gray and hate it! I’m a senior model can you use me? Lola. lola3844@gmail.com