Has anyone ever had their hair done by the local hairdressing college?

Ziggazee

My (mobile) hairdresser recently announced she is moving to a salon shortly. She assured me she was keeping her prices the same.....I currently pay £40 for full head highlights and cut/blow dry. Looking at her price list for the new salon, this has gone up to £46 and I can't help thinking this is a slippery slope and prices will continue to rise. I actually left my previous hairdresser because of this, her prices kept rising and rising until I just couldn't afford it anymore.

We have a hairdressing college near to us and I have been looking online at their prices. They charge £20 for full head highlights with £14 for a cut and blow dry with a level 3 trainee, and a level 2 trainee charges £18 for the highlights and £10 for the cut and blow dry.

Has anyone ever dared go down this route? I'm not overly happy with my current hairdresser anyway, my hair always seems rather dry when she's highlighted it and I find I've only stuck with her due to the cost. I'm a little bit scared of trusting the trainees, but surely it can't go that wrong can it?? :eek:

Sambucus_Nigra

Yes, they are fine.

But slow slow slow. I was in there nearly 4 hours for a cut once. So depends on what you value!

They check every single cut and ask the tutor to check every 5 mins; so you end up sat there so long you have consumed 5 cups of coffee and yet can't move or sleep.

Ziggazee

Haha! Mind you, I once went to a proper salon for highlights and he was as slow as a snail......never went back.

Do you think a level 3 would be better than a level 2??

sls1365

Yes - I had some really great highlights done at my local college. And YES - they're slow. However, we all have to start learning something new at the beginning... If you have the time it's worth it.

Ziggazee

I've just found out that there are actually 3 training places nearby (all part of the same college).....one of them is a proper salon with two full staff as well as trainees. They charge £30 for the highlights with a proper staff member and the cut is £5.......still cheaper than my current hairdresser. Surely they would be quicker. I think I'll give them a ring tomorrow :-)

**Juice**

This is something I'm thinking about - I've just started going to a new hairdressers that I really like but at £90 for a full head and cut, it's just getting far too expensive.

As people have said, I believe it's very slow and at the college local to me prices vary depending on how experienced the trainee is. Level 3 will be better than Level 2 I think.

chickien_2

I tried this at my local college last month, and tbh probably wouldn't do it again.
I went in at 5pm for highlights and a cut, and because it took so long (four and a half hours), they didn't have time to cut and blow dry it, but I still had to pay the full amount. They highlights were pretty good for a beginner, but I ended up with a little bit of root (about 3/4 of an inch) straight away because they weren't as close as my normal hairdresser can get them. What with having to travel over there twice (once for a patch test), not having a cut and having regrowth already, I don't think it was a big enough saving for me to consider doing it again.

balletshoes

Ziggazee wrote: »

Haha! Mind you, I once went to a proper salon for highlights and he was as slow as a snail......never went back.

Do you think a level 3 would be better than a level 2??

I always go to the local college for my haircuts now, and get a level 3 trainee. They are in their final year, and usually need minimal supervision (last time I went, the stylist went through the consultation with me, we agreed what she was going to do, she checked with her tutor, and that was it, the tutor came back about twice more in the hour I was there). You get a great cut, they spend a lot of time getting it just right because it counts towards their assessments. £8 for a cut, restyle and blowdry last time, I was well impressed .

sparrer

I always go to my local college, being retired I have time to spare but have never spend 4 hours there, even with whole head hilites and reshape. Only the girls in their final year are allowed to do the more intricate work, and on a couple of occasions one of the tutors has cut my hair as it's an unusual style, so a professional cut at a college price The girls are keen to pass their exams and work hard toward them.

One or two of the students can be a little quiet but a few freindly comments/questions from the client and they soon come out of their shells. I really enjoy going and following their progress, their highs and lows, their excitement when they get a Saturday job or an interview with one of the 'big name' salons.

I can't afford to pay salon prices or going to a place where the staff make you feel less important than themselves, and imho going to a college certainly doesn't mean you get second best for your money

Carolyn12

I have been a few times to the local college to get my hair done (usually a cut and highlights) after my favourite hairdresser closed. The first few times were excellent and cheap! There was one guy who made an excellent job of my hair, and put my hair in his portfolio lol. I too agree that it may take a bit longer than the regular hairdresser!

However, the last time I went soured my experience, I had a student that really wasn't interested and the colour she put in my hair was horrible, nothing like I picked, and I felt all she wanted to do was go for her lunch!
I think it depends on the student you get unfortunately.
I'll have to go back at some point, but my favourite hairdresser has opened again, and although more expensive, I really like them.

Gingernutty

At my local college it's fairly hit and miss. They're very slow (two and a half hours for a wash, cut and blow-dry!!) but the results are variable. I've come out looking like a million dollars a couple of times and sometimes like my haircut has been self inflicted. Ask for a Level 3, if it's possible.