JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Local stylists are reporting a trend in women's hair seems to be going from light to dark, and it appears to be related to the troubled economy.

Stylists said a lot of women have ditched blond highlights and traded them in for a more affordable brunette do.

"My last hair appointment was $180. That's a lot," one woman said.

Stylists at Beauty First at the St. Johns Town Center said they've seen the transition from light to dark multiple times in just the past few days.

"With the economy the way it is, people are no longer able to afford highlight touch ups," stylist Chris Duke said. "Basically, we've been doing a lot of tint backs, which is people going darker."

The stylists said customers save money in the amount of time spent on maintaining the color of their hair. They said blond hair must be colored every four to six weeks, while coloring brunette hair is not as frequent and is also cheaper.

"With foils around $90, and color upkeep, it's usually about $65-$70," the stylist said.

Stylists say women also seem to be choosing waxing over more expensive facials.

Some women said they think a color change may help them get through some tough financial times.

"You have to do it like every six weeks, and it just adds up," one woman said. "If you do it in a box, which they warn you not to do at the salons, and a box is $15 and a salon is like $60."