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Erin gets a stylish shearing for a Super Cuts cost at the Aveda Institute.

Wednesday Apr 04, 2007.     By Erin Brereton

Lifestyle Feed

About a week ago, I realized I was in desperate, immediate need of a haircut. It was time. Like, somewhere in between Cousin It and an ewok time.

However, as my hairdresser has been in India for the greater part of the year, a cut and blow dry seemed unlikely. Not to mention, the cost of a cut nowadays (easily 75 bones) is enough to deter me from getting a shearing as often I should. But with hair like mine—which is big, unruly and refuses to grow out of my scalp in the color I want—you don't want to skimp on a cut, especially when you go to a new stylist. If they stink, your hair will remain big and unruly...and you'll also be poor.

After arguing with myself for a few minutes to just go somewhere super cheap (because after all, hair is a waste product, and I certainly don't budget for grooming my sweat, now do I?), I just couldn't do it. But just as I was about to say sayonara to last month's paycheck, I remembered the deal my friend once got at the Aveda Institute. This friend also happens to have the absolutely largest, most complex hair of anyone I know (her bangs alone could make a Locks of Love wig), so I figured mine should be a cakewalk for these stylists.

When I called, I was informed that Aveda had a month-long waiting list (no!) but that it had two cancellations for the next day. Fast-forward 24 hours and there I was. I admit I was a bit shaky when I learned that I had to sign a release form stating I wouldn't sue if my hair didn't turn out to my liking. Given that the only way to make my hair worse than its current state would have been to cut it with chicken wire, I figured I was safe. Plus, the salon doesn't look like a school; it looks like a nice salon.

Now, there's no guarantee you'll get someone about to graduate. You may get a student doing his or her first haircut. But you do get an aromatherapy scalp massage and at least two check-ins from an instructor. And as such, I actually felt that I had more attention and less risk than one usually does with a regular hairdresser, who may forget the layers in the back you asked for.

Allow time for your trim because these stylists work slowly. My cut took almost two hours. But it's worth it. Although the style wasn't my best-ever blow dry, the cut and style cost $14. FOURTEEN DOLLARS. (Note: It's $16 on the weekends.) I tip more than that at my usual salon! Hell, I've paid more for martinis (not often, and I felt they were overpriced, but still).

And I liked it. She cleaned up my layers and gave it some lift. Trimmed my bangs. Made my hair smell like lavender. My hairdresser can stay in India as long as he likes. I'm going to Aveda. (Well, until he gets back, because then that's hair cheating, and my scalp doesn't roll like that.)

Want to get snipped? The Aveda Institute also offers hair coloring, skin treatments and more. The Aveda Institute is at 2828 N. Clark Street and appointments can be made at (800) 216-1950 or online at http://www.avedainstitutechicago.com/index.html.

Erin Brereton is our resident urban cowgirl on a bi-weekly search for life on the cheap. If you know of a Cheap Thrill, do clue her in.