Expensive Beauty Looks for Less 1: High-Class Hair

When money's no object, getting great hair, skin and makeup is easy (see: Paris Hilton). 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.

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, $27Steal: Kiehl's Silk Groom Serum, $15