Look Like a Million for Free : * Avoid high beauty salon prices by letting makeup artists and hair stylists experiment on you. Or you could get a bargain-basement cut at a school.
Looking good has its price.
These days, it’s difficult to walk out of a beauty salon without popping $100 or so. Even a simple trim can set you back $50--plus tips.
But you don’t have to go broke to look great. You can get a complete make-over for free. Of course, there’s a catch--you have to let someone practice on your head.
Hair product and cosmetic manufacturers, such as Redken in Canoga Park and Sebastian International in Woodland Hills, are always developing new cuts, colors and chemicals, and their cadre of professional stylists and makeup artists needs a never-ending supply of models to experiment on.
You may even get paid for being a good sport. Sebastian, for example, throws in a slew of free products and up to $50 in cash, depending on how much you let them do. When you add in your free ‘do, that’s not a bad deal.
But not everyone is suited to be a model. If you are not ready to give up your signature style or you just want your scraggly ends cleaned up, this gig is not for you.
“We look for people who don’t have a lot of limitations,” said Sebastian’s research and development manager, Paula Malloy. “You are not going to come here and get a trim. You will walk out with a different look--but you will always look as pretty or prettier than when you came in.”
If you just can’t see yourself succumbing to the latest layers and hippest highlights, how about a bargain-basement cut and curl? Beauty schools offer a full range of services, from cuts, perms and color to makeup, facials and manicures.
The prices are certainly right. Most schools charge $5 for a cut--including shampoo and blow-dry. Perms go for as low as $15. Touch up your roots for $11. Have a manicure for $2, a pedicure for $5. Get your makeup applied (bring your own) for $3. Throw in some eyebrow shaping for another $3.
Add it up. A complete head-to-toe make-over for under $50.
The caveat is that all services are performed by students. Before taking the exam for their professional license, students must spend at least 1,600 hours practicing on real people.
Some of these novice stylists are adept at only the most simple styles and classic cuts, according to West Valley Occupational Center student Nawal Ahmad, who with 1,500 hours under her belt already has a steady clientele. “We learn the basics,” she said. “We learn sanitation, how to use chemicals, how to perm, how to mix colors. But we do not learn cuts and styles that change from season to season, unless we attend workshops on our own.”
Retired teacher Helen Niparko of Woodland Hills is a 15-year patron of the West Valley Occupational Center beauty school.
“I have never had a bad cut here,” she said as her short silver hair was trimmed and styled. “I have had worse luck in regular salons that charge $25 to $30. They are so kind here and, when I walk in without an appointment, they always find time for me. The students care.”
In Search of Style
Manufacturers
* Redken, 6625 Variel Ave., Canoga Park. Professional stylists try out new chemical products (permanents and color). Free. Call (818) 992-3151.
* Sebastian International, 6109 De Soto Ave., Woodland Hills. Professional stylists practice the latest cuts, color, techniques and products. Free. Depending on what you have done, you may receive free products or cash. Call (818) 999-5112.
Beauty Schools
* Ambassador Beauty College, 2107 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, (818) 841-8841.
* Laurel Beauty Academy, 6219 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 766-8127.
* Marinello School of Beauty, 12135 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 980-1300. Also 18442 Sherman Way, Reseda, (818) 881-2521.
* Newberry Schools of Beauty, 9036 Woodman Ave., Arleta, (818) 891-6741. Also 16828 Devonshire St., Granada Hills, (818) 366-3211, and 22906 Vanowen St., West Hills, (818) 884-9660.
* West Valley Occupational Center Cosmetology Department, Bungalow 16, 6200 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, (818) 346-2540, Ext. 252.
