Beauty Tips

Road Test: In-Salon vs. At-Home Treatments

Should you splurge on the salon treatment or go the do-it-yourself route? Find out which treatments should be done by a pro -- and which ones you should attempt at home

by Dawn Davis

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Summer is peak season for beauty treatments. From spray tans to bikini waxes, it seems like the higher the temperature gets, the more high maintenance we become. And it makes perfect sense -- if we're showing more skin, we want that skin to look as pretty as possible.

I'd rather be at a spa than just about anywhere else, but even I experience beauty treatment fatigue this time of year. Not to mention the cost of salon treatments and the significant time commitment -- I could spend my entire summer getting ready for the beach without ever actually stepping a well-pedicured foot onto the sand.

This is where at-home beauty treatments come in. Fortunately, there are at-home versions of just about every service imaginable. Maybe it's a result of the recession, but more and more companies are dedicating time and energy to making DIY products that are as good -- or even better -- than the ones you'd find at a spa or salon.

Skip ahead to find out which at-home beauty treatments you should try for yourself and which services you should leave to a pro.

I set out to test some of the newest at-home versions of these treatments, and I asked experts to weigh in with their recommendations as well. Much of what they said was surprising (it's pretty awesome when a salon owner tells you when to not come into the salon). Read on for the at-home beauty treatments that'll get you feeling primped and primed for the season -- with enough time and cash to really enjoy everything summer has to offer.

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products mentioned

Shu Uemura Essential Drops Purifying Blend

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Clairol Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10

7.4

Sephora by OPI Gelshine At-Home Gel Colour System

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KeratinPerfect 30-Day Brazilian Hair Smoothing...

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Sally Hansen Simple Spa Wax Warmer Kit

3.0

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Older comments

great advice - i wax myself (yes, where i can see, so i do visit the salon from time to time), i sometimes colour my own hair and I would love to try the DIY gel nails and face peel.

by AstridB Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 04:52AM Report as inappropriate

Keratin Perfect may not be any good--never tried it myself-- but don't assume all DIY keratins are bad. I've tried about eight--some were crap, but I actually think Uncurly is better than the Brazilian Blowouts I used to pay $400 for and I think it costs me around $25 per use. I would say Keratin Earth, Pravana, and whatever Sally's brand is called were a waste, but Uncurly and Global were successful for me. A few more whose names I don't recall were so-so--not great, but not as bad as you're describing Keratin Perfect to be. If your hair's like mine--thick, too curly/wavy, and a frizz disaster in humidity--keratin is NOT optional and money IS limited, so you need to be able to do it yourself.

by patriotwoman Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 07:26AM Report as inappropriate

Being so un-geeky this article definitely left me with the attitude that all is not lost. I will at least try one or two of the DIY's. Thanks Total Beauty!!!

by aussiegene Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 03:16PM Report as inappropriate