Graphic: Haley Reid
In recent months, students have been changing their beauty routines to combat rising inflation and rising prices.
Debbie Rowland, owner of DMR Salon & Extension Bar in Oxford, described these trends as “a combination of economy and style.”
“We’re seeing more women going for vibrant blondes and vibrant colors, and it’s less maintenance than getting highlights,” Rowland said. “I think more and more people are trying to spend less money…and just have a lower maintenance look, so they don’t have to come to the salon as often.”
Roland uses techniques such as “tease light” and root smudging toners to blend natural colors into a client’s desired look. This strategy allows clients to wait up to 3-4 months between appointments, compared to 1-2 months for blonde maintenance.
DMR customer Kaylin Begley, a freshman general marketing communications major, transitioned from a light blonde to a low-maintenance brunette in 2024 because she knew she wouldn’t have time to go to the salon often in college.
“It’s easy to maintain,” Begley says. “It’s great because I don’t have to spend as much money on products. I’ve only been there once in the last few months.”
I used to spend about $200 per monthly appointment to maintain my blonde color, but now I go to the salon less often and spend less overall.
Madeline Champagne, a junior integrated marketing communications major, made a similar change and said the switch saved her a lot of money.
“Blonde was high maintenance, so it was hard to keep up with it. … So I decided to go back (to) brunette in December. At first I thought it was going to be more gradual. But my hairstylist took me from full blonde to full brunette in one appointment,” Champagne said.
Champagne said she now pays only $100 every two to three months, compared to $150 to $200 a month before. She now realizes the financial implications of this decision.
“I think it was a great decision because we’re starting to see a pattern in the economy,” Champagne said. “I’m certainly happy that I don’t have to pay so much to get my hair done.”
In addition to saving money, Champagne said she also gained confidence.
“A lot of celebrities are coming back to their true colors,” Champagne said. “I think this is a reflection of staying true to myself. … Embracing my natural hair color has made me feel more confident.”
For Julia Drozd, a freshman forensic chemistry major, economic circumstances meant choosing instant nails over professional manicures.
“I usually get my nails done every weekend when I get home. But right now I’m a college student and I really can’t afford it, so I’m getting press-ons from Walmart,” Drozd said. .
According to Yelp.com, the average price for a manicure in Oxford ranges from $25 to $75 and lasts from two to four weeks, depending on the type of service. The average price of press-ons at Walmart is $8 to $12 and lasts one to two weeks.
Kaiya Cisaride, a freshman biology major, has also changed her nail habits in recent years to save money.
“I used to always get designs done on my nails, but they get very expensive, so now I only do French tips,” Sisaraid said. “Now I only buy it when my mom is in town.”
Claire Wright, who has worked at beauty store Amy Head Cosmetics since 2010, has noticed that customers affected by the economic downturn are turning to smaller luxury products that are less financially burdensome.
According to Business Insider, the 2008 Lipstick Index shows that during economic downturns, consumers tend to limit their beauty store purchases to “small luxuries” such as lipstick.
“People who don’t have a lot of money tend to gravitate towards lipsticks and lip glosses because they’re easy to change and don’t cost a lot,” says Wright. “Going out and having your makeup done and buying products that will last for months is a lot less expensive than going out to buy a new wardrobe.”
Despite the national correlation between economic conditions and cosmetic services, Wright noted that Oxford is more resistant to “recessionary beauty trends.”
“I don’t want to say it’s recession-proof, but as long as it’s a college town, people will flock there and keep coming,” Wright said.
