Banyan Tree executive director Claire Chiang's long and silky black hair has left a deep impression on many hearts, yet the luxury spa owner rarely visits a hair salon.

In fact, the thrifty 58-year-old cuts her own hair.

"I only visit the hair salon when I want to pamper myself," Ms Chiang told participants as she fielded questions at a Lianhe Zaobao seminar yesterday, adding that she also cuts her family members' hair. Ms Chiang is married to prominent businessman Mr Ho Kwon Ping. The couple have three children.

Ms Chiang started growing out her hair as a small child as she had to bun it up for ballet lessons.

Now, when cutting her hair, Ms Chiang first snips the sides of her tresses. She then flips her hair from the back to the front and finishes cutting it.

Apart from being her own hairstylist, the thrifty Ms Chiang does not visit the beauty salon and spends only $50 a month on cosmetics, reported Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao.

"I can't do anything much when I sit in the hair salon for two, three hours. It is more productive if I wash and blowdry my hair at home as I can work on other things thereafter," she told the audience.

For the ex-Nominated Member of Parliament, the pursuit of productivity is a value needed to survive changes in life.

Her personal motto? Change one's mindset and boost one's ability. Do not hold onto thoughts that "things will always be like that". One must always be true to one's word and determined in deed. Be realistic - it is better to have tried and failed than not to try at all.