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How to Use This Calculator
Getting your personalized savings projection takes just three quick inputs:
- Average cost per visit: Use the slider to enter what you typically pay for salon styling (blowouts, updos, special occasion styles). Don't include haircuts—just styling services.
- Visit frequency: How often do you get your hair professionally styled? Weekly for regular blowouts, monthly for occasional updos, or somewhere in between.
- Tip percentage: Select your typical tip amount. This is added to your per-visit cost for accurate totals.
Once you click "Calculate My Savings," you'll see your annual savings projection, five-year savings, and how quickly a DIY kit pays for itself.
Understanding Your Results
Your results break down into several key metrics:
- Annual savings: The total you'd save in year one by switching to DIY styling (accounting for a $50 starter kit investment).
- Cost per visit: Your salon cost plus tip—the true price of each appointment.
- Break-even visits: How many salon visits' worth of money covers your entire starter kit. After this point, you're saving with every DIY style.
- Five-year savings: Long-term perspective showing cumulative savings (quality clips last 5+ years).
These numbers assume you maintain some level of DIY styling. Even replacing half your salon visits with DIY alternatives cuts your savings estimate in half—still significant!
The True Cost of Salon Styling
Here's a number that might surprise you: the average American woman spends $1,800+ per year on hair care services. That's not even counting haircuts—just styling appointments like blowouts, updos, and special occasion looks.
And it adds up fast. A $45 blowout every two weeks becomes $1,170/year. Add tips (because you should always tip your stylist), and you're looking at closer to $1,400.
Our calculator above shows you exactly what you're spending—and how much you could save by mastering a few simple DIY styles.
The DIY Alternative: What $50 Can Do
A quality claw clip starter kit costs around $50. That one-time investment gives you the tools to create salon-worthy styles at home—every single day, for years.
Let's do the math: if you currently spend $50/month on salon styling (a conservative estimate), switching to DIY saves you $550 in year one alone. By year five, that's $2,950 back in your pocket.
The kicker? Most people find they prefer the DIY styles. They're faster (no appointment needed), more comfortable (style in your pajamas), and completely customizable.
What's In a Starter Kit?
To replace salon styling, you need a few key items. Our starter kit builder personalizes recommendations for your hair type, but here's a general guide:
The Essentials
- 1-2 claw clips in your recommended size (use our size calculator to find yours)
- Bobby pins (50-100 pack) for finishing touches
- A good scrunchie or hair tie for base ponytails
Nice to Have
- A small clip for half-up styles
- Barrettes or snap clips for accent pieces
- Texture spray for extra grip
The Teleties Large Claw Clip is our top recommendation for thick hair—strong hold, beautiful acetate finish, and durable construction that lasts years.
Styles You Can Master in Minutes
You don't need to be a professional stylist to look like one. These four looks cover 90% of occasions and take under 5 minutes each:
The Classic Claw Clip Twist
Gather hair as if making a low ponytail, twist once, fold up, and clip. Takes 30 seconds. Works for everything from work meetings to grocery runs. See our complete styling tutorial.
The Half-Up
Section off the top half of your hair, secure with a medium clip or pins. Instant polish without full commitment. Perfect for video calls and casual outings.
The Low Bun
Create a ponytail at the nape, twist into a bun, secure with bobby pins or a claw clip. Elegant enough for date night, comfortable enough for all-day wear.
The French Twist
The slightly more advanced option—still takes under 5 minutes with practice. Our French twist tutorial breaks it down step by step.
But What About Special Occasions?
Here's the strategy: learn DIY for everyday styling, and save the salon for truly special events. Even if you get professional styling for weddings, proms, or major events (4-6 times a year), you're still saving hundreds compared to regular appointments.
Many people find that as their DIY skills improve, they even tackle special occasions themselves. An elegant updo is absolutely achievable with practice—and you can always do a trial run the week before.
For formal style inspiration, check out our guide to elegant claw clip hairstyles for weddings and formal events.
Time Savings: The Hidden Benefit
Money isn't the only thing you save. Consider the time cost of salon visits:
- Driving to the salon: 15-30 minutes
- Waiting time: 5-15 minutes
- The actual service: 30-60 minutes
- Driving home: 15-30 minutes
That's 1-2 hours per appointment. Multiply by 12-26 visits a year, and you're spending 12-52 hours in salon logistics.
A DIY claw clip style? 2-5 minutes. In your own bathroom. No appointment needed.
Why Quality Clips Matter
Here's where some people go wrong: they buy cheap clips that break within months, then conclude DIY doesn't work for them.
The difference between a $3 drugstore clip and a $15 quality clip is dramatic:
- Spring tension: Quality clips have metal springs that maintain grip for years. Plastic springs weaken quickly.
- Materials: Cellulose acetate and premium acrylics resist breakage. Cheap plastic cracks and snaps.
- Teeth design: Better clips have teeth that grip without snagging or tangling.
Think of it this way: a $50 starter kit that lasts 5+ years costs $10/year. A salon appointment costs $45-100 per visit.
See our replacement calculator to understand how long different clip materials last.
Getting Started: Your First Week
If you're new to DIY styling, here's a practical plan:
Day 1-2: Learn the Basic Twist
Watch our 10 easy hairstyles tutorial and practice the basic claw clip twist. Don't aim for perfection—aim for "good enough."
Day 3-4: Try It for Real
Wear your DIY style to work, errands, or wherever you'd normally go post-salon. Notice how it holds up. Make mental notes on what needs adjustment.
Day 5-7: Add a Second Style
Once the twist feels comfortable, add a half-up style or low bun to your repertoire. Two styles give you variety without overwhelm.
By the end of week one, you'll have broken the salon habit and built confidence in your own skills.
Common Concerns (Addressed)
"My hair is too [thick/thin/curly/straight] for clips"
Every hair type has clips designed for it. Use our size calculator to find what works for your specific hair. Thick hair needs jumbo clips with wide teeth. Thin hair needs small clips with closely-spaced teeth.
"I'm not good at hair styling"
Neither was anyone, at first. The claw clip twist requires literally one skill: twisting and clipping. If you can use a clothes pin, you can use a claw clip.
"It never looks as good as the salon"
It doesn't need to be identical—it needs to be good. And honestly? Most claw clip styles look more effortlessly chic than a stiff salon blowout. The "undone" aesthetic is in.
"Won't I damage my hair?"
Claw clips are actually gentler than elastic ties and heat styling. See our damage risk calculator for details. Ditching the blowdryer and flat iron might actually improve your hair health.
Calculator Limitations
This calculator provides accurate estimates, but keep these factors in mind:
- Assumes full DIY transition: Your actual savings depend on how many salon visits you replace. Partial transitions yield partial savings.
- Doesn't include learning curve: The first few DIY attempts may take longer than salon visits. Speed comes with practice.
- Starter kit costs vary: We estimate $50, but you might spend $30-100 depending on quality preferences and hair needs.
- Special occasions excluded: You may still want professional styling for weddings, proms, or major events. That's okay—even occasional salon visits represent huge savings over regular appointments.
- Regional pricing varies: Salon costs differ significantly by location. Urban salons typically cost more than suburban ones.
Need help finding styles for special events? Our occasion style finder helps you choose the perfect look—whether DIY or salon.
Ready to Start Saving?
Use the calculator above to see your personalized savings projection. Then head to our starter kit builder to get a customized shopping list.
In a month, you'll wonder why you ever paid salon prices for something you can do better at home.