The Pros and Cons of a Beauty School Hair Appointment

Admin • Sep 12, 2017

The cost of a haircut can vary greatly, with the average haircut for women costing about $44 in the U.S. and that for men costing about $28. Tipping about 15 to 20 percent is usually recommended, further increasing the out of pocket costs for getting a cut. One way to decrease the cost of getting your hair done is to go to a beauty school for this service.

Pro: Much Cheaper

Cosmetology schools offer discounted services to give their students a chance to practice on real people and improve their skills. This discount can be as much as 50 percent, making it much more affordable to keep up with the latest hair trends. Some schools also prohibit tipping, which can further lower the cost of getting a new hairstyle.

Pro: Expert Supervision

Some people might be a bit wary of getting their hair done by a student, but there’s an instructor on hand to make sure the student does the job properly. The instructor will check out the finished haircut or color as well and make any touch ups necessary to make sure your hair looks great upon completion. In some cases, it may even be the instructor doing your hair as a way to demonstrate a new technique to the students.

Pro: Latest Styles

Students at beauty schools learn the latest styles and techniques, so they can help you get a trendy new look. They may be able to do techniques that a beautician in a small town hasn’t been exposed to or isn’t familiar with. It’s always a good idea to call ahead though to make sure there are a few students nearing the end of their studies, as those closer to the beginning of their studies may only do simple, classic cuts.

Pro: Safe and Clean Conditions

Because students are in the process of learning all the proper safety and hygiene practices, they are particularly attentive and make sure to follow these guidelines. The salon will be clean and all tools will be sanitized as recommended.

Con: Longer Appointments

Don’t expect to be in and out in 20 minutes if you go to a beauty school to get your hair done. The students are still learning, so it will take them longer, and the instructor may need to explain things to the students during the process. A cut can take an hour, and more complicated procedures take even longer, so be prepared to sit in the chair for a while. There could be a wait if people are seen on a first-come-first-served basis.

Con: No Long-Term Relationships

While it may be cheaper to get haircuts from beauty school students, you’re likely to be styled by a different student every visit. This means you can’t build a relationship with someone and know that you’ll get the exact style you want each time. This may not matter for those who just want a simple style.

Tips for Getting a Better Haircut 

Before getting a haircut, think about how much time you’re willing to spend styling your hair and what styles work with your hair type. Bring multiple pictures, give detailed instructions to the stylist and let him or her know if you have a cowlick or other hair issues. If you notice the stylist doing something that doesn’t look right, speak up as soon as possible, and also let the stylist know if you don’t like the cut so they can try to fix it.