Expensive Beauty Looks for Less

When money's no object, getting great hair, skin and makeup is easy. For the rest of us, it's trickier. Here, pros reveal the hallmarks of heiress-worthy looks -- plus, surprising ways to score them without spending a fortune

By Genevieve Monsma

High-Class Hair

Hallmark #1: Luster "Rich girls always have shiny, touchable hair," says Kevin Lee, creative director at the Kenneth Salon in New York City.

Get-it-for-less tips:

• Scale back on shampoo (limit to three times a week); your scalp's natural oils will hydrate your hair.
• Stay away from mousse. While it does add body, it also dulls your finish. Stick to creams and gels.
  MC recommends: Kenneth Polishing Cream

Hallmark #2: Lush Color "Rich hair is never flat or monotone," says Sharon Dorram, a colorist at John Frieda's 76th Street salon in New York City.

Get-it-for-less tip:

• Base your color on your budget, says Lee: If you can't afford monthly touch-ups, opt for a lower-maintenance look. Try a single-process shade simply one tone deeper or lighter than your natural hue ‑- or a quarter-head of highlights, which requires touch-ups only three times a year.

Hallmark #3: A Customized Cut "Moneyed hair is never trendy or celebrity-driven," says Lee. "The rich get simple, classic cuts that flatter their face and body."

Get-it-for-less tip:

• Forget the every-six-weeks rule. To get a truly tailored-to-you cut, you probably will have to pay up, says Lee. But you should only have to splurge two or three times a year; a really great cut ought to last for months. And if you need a trim in the interim? Pop into a chain like Supercuts and ask the stylist to "dust the ends."

For Luxuriously Shiny Locks:

Splurge: La Prairie Cellular Intensive Hair Repair Mask, $27
Steal: Kiehl's Silk Groom Serum, $15