Beauty School Drop In

By MBonesGuest Blogger(view all posts by MBones)
at 1:56PM Wednesday February 24, 2010
under Money Saving Tips

More and more women are turning to hair dressers-in-training to tame their tresses for less. But is it worth the risk? Here are the pros and cons of going with a non-pro.

A great haircut and color can make you feel like a million bucks, but with the average price of a haircut closing in on $50 (more in metropolitan areas) how can you get stylishly sheared without feeling like you've been fleeced? Sure, there are chain salons where you can get a cheaper cut, but those can often be a crap shoot, and they still cost upwards of $40.

So, what do you do to look fresh on the cheap?

More and more women are turning to beauty schools to get their locks looked at. We've done the legwork to see how risky it really is to get your hair done by a stylist-in-the-making. But is it a good idea? Seems like a mixed bag.

Charter school planner, Julianna C. recounts her money saving hair cuts during her college years:

"I had a great experience--there was a place down the street from Vassar that I only learned of my senior year. Apparently I had a more experienced student doing my hair...my friend was not so lucky. Her haircut took approximately three hours and resulted in slanty bangs. She cried."

My Twitter friend and Perfumer, InisCologne recalls:

"Once volunteered for a friend's beauty final: hair cut and manicure--except she didn't get to do me. Results were not pretty."

Sally K. says she loves saving money and looking good with beauty school cuts:

"I've only had good experiences...if you go to the Aveda salon, they have new hire talent that costs about half the price of their more tenured stylists."

Actress Megan M., however, got a major dud:

"In Boston I had mine done at Vidal Sassoon. HUGE mistake. The only thing you can pick is the length. I said no shorter than chin length and the stylist left one strand in the back at chin length--and cut the rest super short and into a mullet! I kid you not You know me, I can't rock a mullet! It was way too asymmetrical and avant garde for little ol' me. It was 'free' but then I had to cut all my hair off and spend $100 on a corrective cut at a normal salon!"

Bio-Chemistry Professor, Jess R. says:

"I used to go to a beauty school in Portland. They did a great job - the instructor would even come over and make sure that everything looked alright before they letting you leave, but I learned not to go during lunch break because it often took 2+ hours just for a cut."

Seems like if you're adventurous, don't mind a haircut that takes a while, and prefer not to spend an arm and a leg, beauty school might be for you. Here's how to make it work:

First determine how particular you are about your cut. Do you just want your usual trim, or are you up for a change? If you're feeling adventurous, Model School from Bumble and Bumble might be for you. You have to sign up for a consult to see if you're right for their program. If you're accepted, you can receive free haircuts, color, and styling from top hair dressers to be at Bb.U. If you know Bumble and Bumble, you know their products are top notch. In this unique program, you have to be up for whatever style they deem appropriate. But remember, you will be officially selected based on your unique hair, so the look they give you is more likely to be killer.

For an added sense of peace of mind, try a training school that offers free redos if you are unhappy with your cut. Aveda Institute has the policy, which means you know if your hair cut is a bust, a trained stylist will swoop in and make it right. Plus you get to enjoy fabulous products by Aveda.

If there is a salon you love in your area, call them and inquire about their Salon Training nights. Many top notch salons set aside one night a week with up and comers to give great cuts on the cheap.

If you're in New York, check out these cheap haircut listingsfor more options. Check out this training night listing from Allure for other cities, including L.A.

With a few precautions, it's possible walk out of a salon looking coiffed and fabulous for less than the price of a fancy shampoo--sometimes even free! Follow these steps to be sure you get the right cut for you. And be fearless! Remember, even Vidal Sassoon himself once had to learn how to hold a pair of shears.

And if it doesn't work out, remember...it's hair! It'll grow back!

Got any rants or raves about haircuts past? Leave em in the comments below. And follow me on Twitter @SavingsMBones for the best beauty deals.