by VICTORIA WURDINGER

Finding a great stylist is no problem if you just inherited a bundle, but finding a hair Houdini whose prices won't make your hair stand on end requires ingenuity and a little groundwork.

The first step toward finding a fabulous hairstylist who you can afford is to put aside the notion that the more it costs, the better quality it must be. Not so, say thousands of women who got burned, including a First Lady or two. Next step? Know what you want up front. You might think the Gabor sisters or Ann Landers could look better for their bucks, but clearly, they're getting what they demand.

ARMED AND READY

Armed with attitude (hey, hairdressers have plenty), make a preliminary list of questions that you want answered before a