Great Deals on Haircuts

As a student in Austin, it can get very costly to maintain your 'do if you don't know the right places to go. If you need some tips on places to find a great stylist for a great price, look no farther.

1. The Beauty Merchant - 1510 West 35th Street. Phone: 512-371-1818

This place is ostensibly an Aveda store, in a cute little green house right on 35th street. Most people just drive on by, not knowing that it doubles as a training salon for Bradz, one of the best and most expensive salons in Austin. Don't be fooled by the expensive products sold here, each and every haircut only costs $25! Now, that doesn't include any other services like color or highlights, but here is what it DOES include:

- a nice, relaxing scalp massage with Aveda peppermint oil
- consultation with an experienced hair stylist trying to break into Bradz salon's more upscale locations (they make all their stylists work here first as a proving ground)
- hair wash, cut, and blow dry/style
Not bad, eh? The scalp massage is sooooo nice. And they don't pressure you to buy all the yummy Aveda products they have there, although they do give you the option by telling you all the stuff they used on your hair (all Aveda, of course).

2. Monica at Kent of Europe. 1801 West Koenig Ln. 512-454-4556

I believe each stylist at this place is independent, they just rent a room in the building. I have only used Monica so I cannot comment on the prices/quality of other stylists at the location. BUT Monica is GREAT! She is very friendly and consistently delivers wonderful hair cuts, color, and highlights at very affordable prices. Call and ask her for her highlights specials, if that's your thing - I get them at $45! And they're awesome. The price for quality can't be beat anywhere in Austin.