We’re new to San Diego so we’re having to start from scratch when it comes to finding new . . . . well, everything. I put off having my hair done until even I was embarrassed by how bad my roots were. I normally don’t notice stuff like that but my hair decided to turn darker since having my kids and the darker roots made my hair look greasy all the time so I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer. The problem was, we moved to San Diego so my husband could hunt for a new job so I didn’t want to spend a lot on my hair when I’m our only source of income at the moment. I made several calls to hair salons in the area but quickly realized that this was one area that California was definitely more expensive than Utah.
After debating back and forth, I finally decided to try the Paul Mitchell hair school in San Diego. I’ve heard mixed reviews of hair schools in general so I was a bit nervous. I’m not picky about my hair but I didn’t want to walk out with orange streaks. The Paul Mitchell school offers you the choice between phase 1 or phase 2 service. I first thought phase 1 meant you were put with a more entry level student but I was told that while phase 2 is more expensive, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are getting a more advanced student. The difference is phase 2 services give you more of the spa experience. I have 3 kids so I didn’t need to pay extra for a spa experience – sitting in silence for more than 5 minutes felt spa-like enough for me.
After reading the reviews online, I was expecting a long appointment so when it took 4 hours to do my hair I wasn’t frustrated, although I can see how I would be if I wasn’t expecting to block out that much time. I actually enjoyed the wait. The hair school is a busy place and provided great people watching opportunities. Since my stylist was a student, I don’t think she’d had much practice keeping a conversation going but I didn’t mind the silence – it gave me a chance to read a book without kids climbing on me.
A Paul Mitchell teacher had to approve anything that the student did to my hair first so while a student was actually doing my hair, I actually think it turned out better than some of the salon results I’ve had in the past because the teachers clearly know what they are doing. After all was said and done, I was out the door with a $45.00 cut and color so I was happy.
Next month I’m going to test out another way to get a frugal hair style – I’m sitting as a hair model for a class at Twig Hair and getting a free haircut. I’m really intrigued by their more natural approach to hair care, including yogurt based hair dye.
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