"The Twin Cities has the most competitive cosmetology industry in the country," said Dan Lynch, president of Hastings Beauty School. Since he has owned the school in 2003, five schools have opened in the east metro area alone. But the competition is good news for consumers looking to find a haircut for less than $12, color for $30, manicures for less than $15 and pedicures for less than $25. Ask about other specialty services.
You'll definitely save money at the schools, but at what cost?
Students must have at least 240 hours of instruction before they can work on the public. Prior to that, students practice on mannequins and one another, Lynch said. The most problematic service is color, said Cori Omundson, front-desk manager at the Minnesota School of Cosmetology in Woodbury. Artificial nails can be tricky, too.
Getting services done at a school or training academy also subsidizes the students' tuition, which ranges from $12,000 to $20,000. Without the school salons, the price of tuition would easily double. Training academies such as Ficocello's and Rocco Altobelli charge more than others because the students are recent graduates of cosmetology schools but still less experienced than veterans at most salons.
Note: Most of the schools offer birthday parties for preteen girls for $8 to $20 per child with several services. Some also offer similar parties for adults.
Aveda Institute
400 Central Av. SE., Minneapolis, 612-331-1400, www.avedainstitutemn.com
Hours: 12:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Mon., 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tue.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
Services: Haircut, $15; color, $35; partial foils, $30; makeup, $15; facial, $40-$50.
