Looking good doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Some of the best hair salons in Atlanta offer cheap and affordable cutting and chemical services.
One of the most economical ways to get a makeover is to volunteer as a hair model for salons that are conducting training sessions; or take a seat in the salon chair at a hair academy and let a student prove his or her chops.
Hair treatments performed by students are typically supervised by a licensed instructor and take longer than a session with professional stylist.
Of course, many national chains have prices that won't break your budget, too.
Below, take a look at this roundup of some of the best, cost effective spots for haircutting, coloring and more in Atlanta.
Empire Beauty School
2190 Henderson Mill Road; Briarcliff Village
Phone: 678-713-7966
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Saturday (first-come basis, call ahead).
The details: Empire's student-run salon features low-cost services like $9 haircuts, $25 color treatments and $35 chemical relaxers. Call ahead for an appointment, but staff members recommend going Monday-Wednesday for the best experience. Click here for more.
Paul Mitchell Schools
887 West Marietta Street NW
Phone: 404-888-0070
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday; call to schedule an appointment.
The details: Paul Mitchell's student academy offers appointments in various sessions that include options with new or advanced student stylists. Some of the services include haircut and blow-dry for $15, single process color treatment for $30, perms and chemical relaxers for $30; add around $5 to $10 more to get the same services from an advanced student. As a bonus, the school has a "satisfaction guaranteed" policy for customers who return within seven days to have a hairstyle corrected. Click here for more.
71 Barbers Institute
171 Auburn Ave. NE Suite L
Phone: 404-584-2944
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
The details: Georgia State University students flock to this barbering training school—located three blocks away from the GSU Marta train station. Women and men are welcome to get a bargain cut from the student stylists. A simple haircut costs $5, a clipper shave is $2 and edging costs $3. Low cost chemical services include texturizers for $8, relaxers for $25 and permanent color for $15 (not including product price). Walk-ins are welcome, but arrive early to avoid a wait. The shop goes on hiatus when GSU is not in session, so call ahead of time. Click here for more.
Siggers
2166 Northlake Parkway
Phone: 770-491-0800
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The details: Siggers Hairdressers is considered one of the best hair salons in Atlanta for coloring. The salon offers volunteers free treatments, including a cut and styling, to anyone who is eligible to participate as a hair model during training sessions with apprentice stylists. Though the service is gratis, the only cost is $10-$15 for products. Call to sign up for the salon's next training date. Click here for more.
Aveda Institute
1745 Peachtree Street NW
Phone: 404-649-7119
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
The details: The hairstylists' training academy offers inexpensive coloring and cutting services from students. Haircuts with simple styling costs $12, braiding and specialty sets cost $30. Chemical services like relaxers start at $68 and first-time coloring starts at $52. The institute also offers low-cost makeup and nail services. Click here for more.
Great Clips Midtown Place
650 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE
Phone: 404-685-9597
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6p.m.
The details: This national chain offers no-frills services at low costs. A simple haircut costs $15, shampooing costs $5, and special styling, setting and bang trims cost $5. No chemical treatments are available at the salon. Save time by using the salon's "check-in" service one hour before arriving for a no-wait experience. Click here for more.
About the Author
