Reader Melissa gets her hair cut and colored for a steal of a deal at the Salon Professional Academy, and she graciously wrote a very detailed review to share here on SpringsBargains.com:
I heard on the radio that the average woman spends $70,000 in her lifetime on haircuts, color, styling products, and so on. That surprised me and I’m sure many of us break that norm! In fact, some of you probably cut your own hair to save a few bucks! I’m not that brave and I enjoy some salon pampering, so I had to figure out a way to make it affordable.
Almost three years ago, I stepped inside the Salon Professional Academy (4388 Austin Bluffs Parkway, next to the ARC thrift store) for the first time. Honestly, I was a bit nervous to have a student cut my hair, but the experiment has paid off over the last few years and I’ve always walked out with a great haircut. I have an appointment every 8 weeks for partial highlights and cut!
Here is a list of the available services:
Haircuts (includes shampoo and dry) ….. $10
Children’s cut (age 12 and under)….. $7
Special Occasion Style ….. $22
Color and Style ….. $25
Additional Color ….. $10
Partial Highlights (less than 30 foils) ….. $23
Highlights ….. $33
Conditioning Treatment ….. $6
Perms ….. $33
Facial ….. $25
Aromatherapy Body Wrap ….. $19
Waxing ….. $9
Full Face Wax ….. $14
Manicure ….. $9
Pedicure ….. $20
Paraffin Dip ….. $5
Acrylic Full Set ….. $21
Acrylic Fill ….. $13
Touch up Make up ….. complimentary
What can You expect?
I have found the services and products to be salon quality. In fact, when the students graduate, they will be hired by top salons across the country. They use Redken products and the students perform all services under the supervision of licensed professional educators.
When you sit down for a hair cut or color, the student will talk through what you’d like done. Then he/she will bring an instructor in for a consultation. The instructor will discuss with the student and review the techniques for your particular service. You can expect the students to know and understand cutting-edge techniques and products.
Tips for a Great Experience
Over the years, I have picked up a few tips that will prove helpful to you.
- If you want a specific cut or color, clearly describe your expectations to the student. If you are like me, I let them do pretty much whatever they’d like to try!
- Allow plenty of time. The students take a lot longer than Great Clips! When you make your appointment ask how much time you should allow for the appointment. (In my experience, 3 hours for highlights and cut, 1 hour for a haircut)
- If you like the results, make your next appointment with the same student.
- It is not mandatory to tip, but the students are not compensated for their work. They appreciate the gesture!
- If you are not happy with the results, speak up. They want you to leave happy.
- When planning your budget, please understand there are various levels of students. You will pay a few dollars more for the higher levels of students, but they won’t take as long either. I believe the prices go up one dollar for each level reached. You can always ask for a price when you make the appointment. If you are wanting the least expensive salon experience, ask for a level 1 student.
Have you tried Salon Professional Academy, or any other cosmetology school here in the Springs? What was your experience like? Make sure you mention Melissa’s name if you decide to try Salon Professional Academy!
That is a great idea…I think I will try that!
I love it! They make me feel so special while they are cutting/etc my hair. Its like a huge girl party! I can’t wait for my next appointment!
I’ve gone to the Academy for several years and really appreciate the time the students and instructors take to make sure you get what you want. A friend graduated from there last year so now I go to the salon where she works but if it ever gets too expensive that way I’ll definitely be going back to the Salon Professional Academy!
There is also the Paul Mitchell school here in town and they are FABULOUS! They’re located at 118 West Colorado Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 636-1426
Open Mon 5pm-10pm; Tue-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat 9am-5pm
I’ve used them in the past and have always had a wonderful experiance there and I love the Paul Mitchell Brand.
I went there for a manicure and pedicure. It took “three” hours and the next two days all the polish fell off. I would not go there again.
I went there for a manicure and pedicure. It took “three” hours and the next two days all the polish fell off. I would not go there again.
You convinced me! I’m going in this afternoon to get a cut & I’ll let you all know how it went!
I went there after reading this review, and got a great haircut from Kayla R. for $10. I couldn’t be happier! I’ll definitely go again. I’m sure the quality varies from student to student, but they definitely take their time and want to make sure you leave satisfied.
I haven’t been in a while, as I’m growing my hair out long and have been doing my own trimming, but I’ve had really good luck at Salon Professional Academy in the past and wouldn’t hesitate to go again.
It does take a bit more time than at a regular salon, but the results have always been worth it. I don’t have a super complicated cut, but they always take their time and do an excellent job.
They do great facials and the last two summers have had 1/2 off their facials. That would make them a whopping $12.50. You can’t beat that!
Carrie,
Do you have any updates on a decent price for a manicure /pedicure? I don’t care for the beauty schools because they take so long to perform services.
Does anyone else out there know of a special day that a salon will do Mani/Pedi?
Cathy
I don’t know of any ongoing ones, but the daily deals sites like Groupon, Living Social, the Gazette, and LocalCouponBuzz.com have manicure specials all the time. They’re so frequent that I don’t highlight them terribly often!
I went here recently and had a great experience. I got a hair cut, highlights and conditioning treatment. My mom got a mani/pedi. We loved the results and you cannot beat the prices. I don’t mind that they take extra time — well worth it. I would like to have current student recommendations if anyone has names that they would like to share :)
my experience was awful. the student had no idea what she was doing even though she was there for four months. she hacked off my bangs even after i showed her three different views of the bangs i wanted. three different teachers ended up doing my hair, the student only curled it and put way too much hair spray even after her teachers corrected her. this was the one time i was upset about a haircut. i asked to get a teacher to fix the bangs but they would not fix it. the experience was awful. i highly suggest against going to this salon.