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During my freshman year, a student randomly stopped me on campus to ask where I got my hair cut. She explained, "I just moved to St. Louis, and I have no idea where to go!"
At the time, I didn't know where to go either. It hadn't even occurred to me yet that I would eventually need a haircut and wouldn't have the first idea where to go or who to ask. Wash. U. students come from all over the country and the world; how are we supposed to know where to go for a good haircut in St. Louis? There's always the option of waiting a few extra months to return to tried-and-true salons back home, but for those whose split ends just can't wait or those who are just ready to try something new, here is a list of salons close to Wash. U. that have been recommended to me over the years.
V. VEGAZ STYLE
V. Vegaz takes the hair salon experience to a new level. As you'll notice as soon as you walk in the door, it's all about atmosphere-hipster tunes, comfy couches and screenings of old movies make the space feel less like a hair salon and more like a lounge. V. Vegaz specializes in curly hair, but offers full service for all hair types. An extra benefit: Every customer receives a scalp massage. A 15 percent discount is available for students who present a student ID and discounts are also available for employees of other Loop businesses. Additional services: facial waxing. Starting Cut Price: $35 Starting Color Price: $65 Starting Highlight Price: $80
SALON K
Stylists Kim Meecey and Casey Ray own and operate this recent addition to the Loop. The stylists have developed their own hair product line, called Tools, which is available at the store. First-time clients receive 50 percent off any service. Additional services: brow and lip waxing. Starting Cut Price: $42 Starting Color Price for Women: $70 Starting Color Price for Men: $20
D-ZINE HAIR AND ART STUDIO
D-Zine is both a hair salon and a gallery that showcases local art. Artists submit their work to the salon owners and new pieces go up each six to eight weeks so that customers can browse from their chairs. Students receive $3 off the starting cut price. Additional services: facial waxing, lash and brow tinting, beard trimming and make-up application. Starting Cut Price: $27 Starting Color Price: $40
SIDE STREET HAIR DESIGNS
This Loop salon has been in business for 27 years. Its owner and stylist, Randy Andrews, specializes in natural-looking color treatments. He has traveled to over 30 countries to give seminars on hair coloring. Andrews explained that much of his clientele is made up of Wash. U. faculty. "If Wash. U. wasn't here, the Loop wouldn't be here," said Andrews. True to this sentiment of appreciation, students receive a 25 percent discount. Starting Cut Price: $40 Starting Color Price: $100
GREAT CLIPS
6618 Clayton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63117 (314) 781-9310
The site of my first St. Louis haircut, this salon is just one of many Great Clips locations around the country. The pros: it's one of the cheapest options, it's on the Wash. U. Red Line shuttle (you can find it right next to Schnucks) and no appointment is required for a haircut. The cons: no student discounts and no coloring services. My personal experience: I came out looking as if someone had laid my hair out flat on a table and lopped it off with an axe. Starting Cut Price: $15
REGIS
www.regishairstylists.com St. Louis Galleria West County Mall Galleria: (314) 863-2229 West County Mall: (314) 966-2290
This salon chain has studios everywhere from St. Louis to Puerto Rico. Its St. Louis Galleria location is accessible by the Wash. U. Red Line shuttle. Regis sells over 20 hair product brands and stylists will make recommendations based on individual hair types. A 20 percent student discount is available Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. My personal experience: I asked the stylist to imitate the cut I'd gotten months before by maintaining the layers and I soon looked like I had time-traveled to my last haircut-exactly what I wanted. Additional services: facial waxing and keratin-bonding extensions (using small, beadlike attachments that can be pulled out by hand if desired or left in for up to six months). Starting Cut Price: $29 Starting Color Price: $55
A CUT ABOVE THE REST
This full-service hair salon just off campus also functions as a tanning salon. Single visits are $6, and a week of daily tanning is $12. Students receive a discounted price of $15 for haircuts and get additional discounts using the coupons published in Ternion, the University directory book. Additional services: tanning, waxing. Starting Cut Price: $17-20 Starting Color Price: $40
