Skin care

Are Salon and Spa Treatments Worth It?

Experts weigh in on what hair and facial skin care treatments are worth splurging on and which ones you can do at home

by Molly Roemer, Sharon J. Yi

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Get blonde highlights at the salon Why: "Hair color is a delicate area," says Tingley. She explains that highlights are more difficult to do yourself because the application is very precise and since most are done with bleach or high-lift color formulas, they can be damaging if they are over used or left on for too long.
Money-Saving Tip: Olsen suggests, "ask your colorist for a partial highlight with a few foils at the nape of your neck (for ponytail purposes)." This costs a fraction of the price, but gives the same overall effect. If you normally get a double process, ask for highlights every other visit and just do the single process (which is cheaper) every time. "This cuts the price down, as well as being a less-damaging alternative," she says.

SEE NEXT PAGE: But ... brunettes can color their hair at home

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Older comments

Very informative

by cyndi_albritton_hall Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 08:04PM Report as inappropriate

DIY is great stuff!! I swear by Grape seed oil and extract!!

by Mommy_of_Ethan Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 07:04PM Report as inappropriate

Valueble information

by EricaC123 Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at 04:59PM Report as inappropriate

These are all great tips. A massage by a professional sounds like heaven.

by kimihavens Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 12:40PM Report as inappropriate

Useful information on what do get done professionally and what to DIY. I much prefer to do most of my beauty treatments at home, but there are a choice number of things that should be left to the professionals.

by HeathRene Monday, October 8, 2012 at 04:50PM Report as inappropriate

GREAT ADVICE... MY HAIR IS EXTREMLY DRY. MY SKIN IS DRY EXCEPT MY FACE, IT'S COMBINATION GOING THROUGH MENOPAUSE. GREATTTTTTTT INFO. I COULD USE ALL THE ADVICE i CAN GET. YOU PEOPLE ARE AWESOME.

by Tlee Monday, September 24, 2012 at 01:56AM Report as inappropriate

really helpful!

by michellefuentes Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 06:01PM Report as inappropriate

Highly informative. Sometimes you get what you pay for, and sometimes you truly don't. If you find a good spa or treatment expert, do not let them fall to the wayside. Self proclaimed experts are a dime a dozen.

by robyne00 Monday, August 20, 2012 at 08:21PM Report as inappropriate

This was really cool!

by Dahlia84 Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 06:24AM Report as inappropriate

Actually, this is a great way to get a deep conditioning treatment for your hair without spending a fortune. I wouldn't use lots of my regular conditioner though. Spending a few extra dollars on a quality deep conditioner is worth it to use maybe once a week. The shower cap traps in the heat from your head and therefore is able to penetrate the hair folicles better. I have dual processed hair, so it can get feeling pretty dry and brittle if I don't keep up with the deep conditioner. If you don't have a shower cap, just go to the kitchen and grab some saran wrap. Use a couple large pieces of saran/plastic wrap to cover your head and then put a towel wrap on top. These are some really great alternatives to the expensive spa treatments.

by flirtygirl214 Friday, July 27, 2012 at 03:08PM Report as inappropriate