The hunt for hairdressers

By Katy Humpert, Jayplay writer

Thursday, November 3, 2005

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.

Headmasters

809 Vermont St.

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.

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.

Prices: Haircuts range from $25 to $50 and include a complimentary neck, shoulder and hand massage. Foil highlights start at $75.

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.

Downtown Barbershop

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

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.

“I don’t really need to spend $30 just to trim my hair,” Fine says.

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.

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.

The Haircut, 3727 W. 6th St. Suite E

Sakaroff’s, 3727 W. 6th St. Suite C

These neighboring salons, owned by the same person, provide salon-quality haircuts for everyone. The Haircut accommodates men, while Sakaroff’s is geared toward women.

The Haircut’s atmosphere is undeniably masculine, complete with Playboy and Rolling Stone magazines, pictures of KU sporting legends decorating the walls, a pool table for clients to use while waiting and hair care products stored in Ace Hardware tool boxes. But, despite the rumors, there are no strippers to be found here. Scottie Lezniak, Arlington Heights, Ill., senior, says he goes to The Haircut because it is much more professional than the nationwide chains. And, he admits, he really likes the reading material available.

Sakaroff’s has recently expanded its services and updated its look. The salon has a streamlined, modern interior with loud eclectic music to add to its hip environment. A new standout feature in the salon is its 32-foot color bar. Customers can pick out the exact hair color they want and watch their stylists mix the color right in front of them. Elizabeth Ault, Topeka senior, says she goes to Sakaroff’s for the quality.

“It’s a little expensive, but I will pay for a good haircut,” she says.

Ault says her favorite stylist is Ryan because he really understands how to cut hair, especially her curly hair.

Ladies or Gents: The Haircut is for men exclusively. Females wanting their hair cut will have to go next door to Sakaroff’s Salon. But Abby Angelotti, a Sakaroff’s stylist, says about 20 percent of Sakaroff’s clients are male, most of them coming for the highlighting services.

Prices: A haircut, including a shampoo and style, is $20 at the Haircut. Haircuts at Sakaroff’s start at $36 and highlights start at $61.

Other services or specials: The Haircut cuts and cleans male hair. Sakaroff’s is a complete beauty salon, offering waxing starting at $15, body massages for $65 and facials for $60. Both salons run coupons in the Yellow Book for $5 off any service.

Why go here? Nicole Hahn, The Haircut employee, says last year, most of the men’s basketball team stopped by for regular trims. She says the customers really like the manly atmosphere, especially the Playboy magazines and the pool table, and it keeps them coming back. Angelotti says Sakaroff’s differs from other salons because of its fun and hip environment. She says the hair-styling techniques used at the salon are always different and the latest in-styles. Angelotti adds that the salon’s success is proven by the large number of return clients.

Phone directory

Downtown Barbershop

(785) 843-8000

The Haircut

(785) 856--9000

Headmasters

(785) 843-8808

Sakaroffs

(785) 841-4247

Z’s Cosmotology

(785) 749-1488

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