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The hunt for hairdressers
Helping KU students discover good local places to trim their tresses
By Katy Humpert, Jayplay writer
809 Vermont St.
Headmasters
Located in a remodeled Victorian home, Headmasters has a classic and elegant feel right when you walk in. You first notice the beautiful chandelier and wood staircase in the front room and are quickly offered an herbal tea or organic coffee. Kristen Sigmund, Ballwin Mo, senior, says she goes to Headmasters for the relaxing atmosphere and the hospitality. She says she enjoys the complimentary neck, shoulder and hand massage and is always happy with her haircut. She says she would recommend an appointment with Kevin to anyone heading to Headmasters for a first-time visit.
Prices: Haircuts range from $25 to $50 and include a complimentary neck, shoulder and hand massage. Foil highlights start at $75.
Ladies or Gents: While the majority of clients are female, Headmasters also caters to males. Katy Pitt, Headmasters employee and St. Paul, Minn., junior, says about 40 percent of the salon's clients are male.
Other services or specials: Headmasters offers waxing, starting at $15 for a brow wax. Also, beginning Oct. 24, Headmasters will be looking for volunteer models for its advanced training program, which gives newly-hired stylists a chance to gain experience before becoming full-time employees. Models will receive free haircuts on Tuesdays from noon to 6 p.m.
Why go here? Pitt says what sets Headmasters apart is the focus on the education of its stylists. She says the salon constantly works to retrain its stylists' eyes, keeping them up to date on the latest styles.
finding someone you trust to cut your hair is a trying process, especially for girls. Jessica Arthur, Tulsa, Okla., senior, has been struggling to find a new hairdresser after hers moved to Kansas City several months ago. She's terrified to get her hair cut at a random salon, worried the consequences could be disastrous. She says she just needs some input on quality places in town where she can get her hair cut at a reasonable price. There are, after all, more than 30 barbershops and beauty salons in Lawrence. After talking to several students to find out where they go for new hairdos, Jayplay's got a rundown of some of the more popular locations.
Downtown Barber Shop
824 Massachusetts St.
Just like its name suggests, Downtown Barber Shop has a familiar, hometown ambiance. Walk-ins are welcome any time and, while the wait is usually short, customers can pass the time taking in the sports memorabilia coating every flat surface in the shop or listening to the barbers talk sports or tell jokes with the customers. Rick Evanhoe, Derby senior, says the main reason he frequents the Downtown Barber Shop is because of its authentic barbershop atmosphere and friendly barbers who do a decent job of cutting his hair.
Ladies or Gents: Traditionally, a barbershop caters to males, and the Downtown Barber Shop is no exception. Jon Amyx, owner and Lawrence resident, says almost all of his customers are male, but that because the shop now has a female barber, it may start attracting some female customers.
Prices: A regular haircut costs $8 and a basic military haircut costs $7.
Other services or specials: Downtown Barber Shop simply cuts hair. But Amyx points out that it also has the best prices in hair care products in town and possibly in the entire Midwest. Coupons for a discounted haircut are usually available in the college coupon book, Amyx says.
Why go here? Amyx says that while his super-cheap hair care products attract many customers, even more customers come back for the friendly service. He says customers who now live in Florida and Chicago still stop by the Downtown Barber Shop for their regular haircuts whenever they are in town.The loyalty of his customers shows that a simple haircut and pleasant, wisecracking barbers really make a difference to the customers.
Z's Cosmetology Academy
2429 Iowa St.
The atmosphere of Z's Cosmetology Academy is not typical of a beauty salon, probably because it isn't a beauty salon. It's a school. The interior design isn't extravagant — it really is just a big open room — but it's pleasant enough to make you feel comfortable.The academy is usually crowded, filled with cosmetology instructors, students and plenty of Lawrence residents waiting for a haircut. Allison Fine, Omaha, Neb. graduate student, says she goes to Z's for its cheap haircuts.
Ladies or Gents: Men and women are welcome at Z's Cosmetology Academy. After all, the students need experience doing both men's and women's haircuts. Kimberly Ashley, the school's coordinator,says about a fourth of the academy's customers are male.
"I don't really need to spend $30 just to trim my hair," Fine says.
Prices: Only $5 for a haircut, male or female. Highlights start at $25.
Other services or specials: The cosmetology students also offer facials for $20, manicures (not acrylics) for $15 and facial waxes for $5. Ashley says the academy regularly runs coupons for $5 off highlights in the Lawrence Journal-World.
Why go here? Ashley says the biggest reason for the school's large client base is the price. And you need not worry that you'll have a beauty school "flunky" cutting your hair, because the students must have more than 500 hours of experience in a classroom setting before working in the salon, and instructors work with the students at the beginning and end of the haircut session to make sure the customer is happy with the cut. Ashley says it really is the cheapest place in town for a haircut.
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