The Observer, December 2, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12
Getting great hair on a college budget
What college student has money to spend on their hair? Often, instead of opting for a professional, many will go for the bathroom salon, letting friends try out their scissor fingers and dyeing skills. Many times great do's come out of the lavatory, but for those students who are unwilling to trust an untested stylist there aren't many affordable options in the area.
Obvious choices like La Barberia and Fast Eddy's Chop Shop who do extensive advertising on campus come to mind, but these have not been proven to be the best quality. Recently, there seems to have been a rash of unhappy ladies leaving La Barberia. Having entered the salon with specific ideas for their hair, they were left unsatisfied with the results.
Whether the length was too short, the cut too radical, or their skin ripped off after a bad eyebrow wax, trips to La Barberia have resulted in many wishing they had left well enough alone. A caveat: if you are entertaining the idea of going to La Barberia, the best results are found when you come in with an open mind and are not too picky about your hairstyles.
Students willing to traipse up to Coventry for a haircut and style have faired better. A visit to Fast Eddy's Chop Shop, while sometimes pricey, won't leave you in tears. Also, Hair in Motion in Little Italy provides a nice atmosphere, fragile, older Italian women getting their hair set, and a fairly-priced hair experience.
For anyone with a car, some time on their hands, and a sense of adventure, the greatest hair option in Cleveland is the Brown Aveda Institute in Mentor. The students of Aveda Institute are able to cut, color, and style your hair with prowess under expert supervision, and services are available for men, women, and children.
Since it is a training school, a decent amount of time is required since every step of the process must be approved and supervised by an instructor. Do not schedule an appointment if you are pressed for time. Since each student is graded on how well they conform to what you want, you will leave with the hairstyle you came in expecting. Also, each cut or color comes with a mini facial, make-up application, and hand and arm massage – all very enjoyable. The Institute also offers most other salon services like waxing, facials, massages, manicures and pedicures.
All that aside, the best part of the experience is the pricing. With a cut and style for $13, it's almost like having your friend do your hair, only with the guarantee that you won't look like someone took a lawn mower to your head. Also, since the stylists are students, tipping is not permitted at the Aveda Institute, so the price set is the price paid, perfect for the college budget.
So save your money and your hair from unfortunate styling; with a sense of adventure, a slim wallet, and some time, you can have a great and unique hair experience only a short drive from Cleveland! For more information, visit www.brownaveda.com.
