Would you/have you been to a college salon....

[AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy]

I’m tired of paying so much money for my hair. It’s shoulder length, one length and I have a half head of foils every 3 months. I used to pay £90 but, in the past 18 months, it’s increased to £143. I can’t afford it. I can’t justify it as I’ve better things to spend my hard earned cash on. A friend has said she pays £30 for cut, colour and blow dry, at the local College training salon. I’ve looked online and it looks just like a posh salon.

Would you go to a trainee? My hair isn’t in some fancy style so, I’m kind of thinking “what could possibly go wrong?” Presumably, the students are supervised/under tuition?

Not sure what to do.

I have. A cut and colour can take up to 4 hours.

Not had it done yet....my appointment is on Tues.

I would agree with a couple of the other posters here - I have a mobile hairdresser who is fantastic and much much cheaper than the salon. Before that I've also tried students at a local college - very happy with the results, didn't go back as it took quite a long time. Similarly some of the larger chain salons have offers on a Monday/ Tuesday for cut and colours.

@Maranello, that’s interesting. I just find salon prices so expensive now. There’s always a good month where my hair feels a mess but, I’m not booked in for another 4/5 weeks. (I usually book my next appointment when I leave the salon). If I could find somewhere less expensive, I could afford to keep up with it more, iykwim?

As I said, getting a mobile hairdresser where I live has proved very very difficult 😐

Yes my SIL and one of my best friends both teach at hairdressing/beauty colleges and both always look fabulous as get all their treatments done cheap at the college salon!

You've got a kind of younger Mrs Robinson thing going on there, OP!

My daughter had hers cut and dyed at a college - it was fine - she said it took longer (which didn't bother her) but she could hear the hairdresser breathing heavily as she was concentrating so hard on putting the dye on!

I've had my hair cut and also had several beauty treatments at college salons. It might take a little bit longer than you'd find in a salon, but the results were always good. I always used to go before I moved, but now the nearest college salon is too far for me to travel alone. I'm gutted!

Pre kids (when I had lots of time) I used to get my legs waxed at the local college. They took ages but it was dead cheap and good for a chat.

@HollowTalk....I’ve two decades + on Mrs Robinson. I’m aware that I might be coming into the “mutton dressed as ...” (horrid phrase) category but just can’t bring myself to have it cut off just yet.

I’m feeling much more confident about my appointment on Tuesday morning. What come across is the need for patience 😐. Actually, it’ll do me good to sit and relax for a few hours as my days are usually a blur!

No, don't get it cut yet! It looks great.

So, I go tomorrow morning. One last question, do I tip the student or the teacher or both? 😐

You tip the student. I don't think the teachers are allowed to take tips! You might find there's a tip jar at the reception area, which is split between them or put towards things they need.

I didn’t tip either though I was very pleased with results. Didn’t feel right to tip somehow. Only point to add is there isn’t the chit chat you can have with a regular hairdresser. They tend to be younger and timid/shy and concentrating like mad

I’ve never considered this before but having looked at the price list for our local college I really want to try. Looking forward to finding out how you get on tomorrow.

Yikes! Hope I don’t need to have a repair job done at my usual salon 😐. I have Aspergers and frankly, the chit chat side of things is an aspect of having my bonce done, that I do out of social politeness, so that’s fine.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Updating:

Am done. It took maybe an hour longer than usual at the salon I used to go to. Very pleased. Lovely girl doing it. £24.00. Half head high/ low lights, cut, finish. £2 tip. Booked in again the last week of college, to take me to autumn 😊

Looks fantastic!

I love it!

Thanks. I think she did a good job, now need to review my usual makeup choices.

Yes... even with supervision it was a nightmare. Damaged my hair after a colour test and second colour appointments and took a good 18 months for it to get back to condition again. May have been a one off but never again.

Wow, fantastic idea. I've just looked at my local college spa, sounds great. Think I'll stick to my usual hairdresser for highlights and cuts, but I often need a blow dry but £30 is too expensive to be more than an occasional treat. Wish I'd known about this when I was pregnant and really struggling due to back issues and couldn't wash my hair... would have been much less smelly and expensive.

Oh dear, @Grimtimes. I hope it wasn’t a lucky one off for me. I’m just relieved at not having to spend so much. And, I must say, my usual salon used to spend time telling me what I couldnt have so, even having soent nearly £150 a time, it was always a nearly right “do”. For my £24 I got exactly what I asked for. I assumed I’d need an all over colour between the foils and the student (assistant by the tutor) said “why do that when we can just add in some of your own colour to break up the beige blond?” 😊