You don’t have to pay big bucks to get a haircut, facial, mani-pedi or massage. Cosmetology and massage school students need real-world experience to accumulate enough hours for licensing. That’s where school salons come in. A haircut (including shampoo) and blow dry can start as low as $10.
Or how about a spa pedicure with mask and scrub for $19, hair color for $38 or a 60-minute massage for $50? At most school salons the menu of services is comprehensive and cost a fraction of the usual retail price.
No worries about someone accidentally lopping off your long locks or dyeing your hair bright blue (unless that’s what you requested). All services are performed by students under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor.
The only trade-off may be some patience on your part, as some students, especially those early on in their training, may need a bit more time to refine their technique.
Here’s a list of beauty and massage schools across the Front Range offering their services to the public. Check each website for current pricing.
Get a hair cut or style for a fraction of the cost at a cosmetology school salon. Source: 123RF
Aurora
Avalon Institute
Location: 2231 S. Peoria St., Aurora, 80014
Phone: 303-752-1560
Services Offered: Hair, nails, skin
Booking: Call for an appointment or book online.
Empire Beauty School
Location: 16800 E. Mississippi Ave., Aurora, 80017
Phone: 720-823-3806
Services Offered: Hair, nails, skin
Booking: Call for an appointment.
Pickens Technical College
Location: 500 Airport Blvd., Aurora, 80011
Phone: 303-326-3012
Services Offered: Hair, skin, nails
Booking: Open Monday to Friday. Call for an appointment.
Denver
Aveda Institute Denver Salon and Spa
Location: 801 Kalamath St., Denver, 80204
Phone: 303-567-7500
Services offered: Hair, skin, massage
Booking: Open Monday to Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Call ahead to schedule an appointment.
Know before you go: Only the guests receiving services allowed on the clinic floor. Spa packages available.
Emily’s Salon & Barbershop
Run by cosmetology and barbering students under the supervision of licensed instructors at Emily Griffith Technical College.
Location: 1820 Lincoln St., Denver, 80203
Phone: 720-423-4798
Services Offered: Hair, skin, nails
Booking: Typical operating hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with intermittent breaks. Call ahead to schedule an appointment.
Know before you go: Not all services are available at all times, so be sure to ask when making your appointment. All prices subject to increase depending on hair length, thickness, and existing or previous chemical processes. Children should not be left unattended during your appointment. Cash, Visa and MasterCard accepted. No bills over $20.
Manicures and pedicures are a popular option at beauty school salons. Source: 123RF
Lakewood
Paul Mitchell The School
Location: 405 S. Teller St., Lakewood, 80226
Phone: 303-233-1733
Services Offered: Hair, skin, makeup
Booking: Open Monday to Friday. Call for an appointment or book online.
Know before you go: Choose between Phase One Clinic Classroom or Phase Two Clinic Classroom. Phase Two are part of an accelerated program with higher-level technical skills.
Littleton
Beautiful You Skincare Academy
Location: 8321 Sangre De Cristo Rd., Suite 300, Littleton, 80127
Phone: 303-268-9161
Services Offered: Facials, waxing
Booking: Book online.
Empire Beauty School
Location: 8996 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, 80123
Phone: 720-823-3807
Services Offered: Hair, nails, skin
Booking: Call for an appointment.
Stacy James Institute
Location: 8555 W. Belleview Ave., F16, Littleton, 80123
Phone: 720-762-4676
Services Offered: Hair, nails, skin, tanning
Booking: Open Monday to Friday. Call for an appointment or book online.
Longmont
Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy
Location: 703 3rd Ave., Longmont, 80501
Services Offered: Massage
Booking: Open on select weeks, Monday through Thursday evenings, starting at 4 p.m. Sessions are booked online by appointment only. No walk-ins.
Know before you go: Offers 60-minute massages throughout the student terms in the Spring and Fall. Also 90-minute massages at the end of the student’s program. All of the student massages are $55 per hour. Tips are not accepted or expected.
IBMC College
Location: 2515 N. Main St., Longmont, 80501
Phone: 303-651-6819
Services Offered: Hair, skin, nails.
Booking: Call for an appointment.
Massage school students need to log practice hours to obtain a license. So you can save big bucks booking at a school clinic.
Loveland
Cheeks Beauty Academy
Location: 5010 Granite St., Loveland, 80538
Phone: 970-667-4122
Services Offered: Hair, skin, nails.
Booking: Appointments recommended. Walk-ins welcome.
Parker
Stacy James Institute
Location: 16534 Keystone Blvd., Parker, 80134
Phone: 303-810-1033
Services Offered: Hair, nails, skin, tanning
Booking: Open Monday to Friday. Call for an appointment or book online.
Thornton
Empire Beauty School
Location: 3811 E. 120th Ave., Thornton, 80233
Phone: 720-798-5322
Services Offered: Hair, nails, skin
Booking: Call for an appointment.
Windsor
Designing Beauty Academy
Location: 621 Innovation Circle, Unit A, Windsor, 80550
Phone: 970-460-0628
Services Offered: Hair, skin, nails
Booking: Call for an appointment.