Craig's List Haircut Update

So, this past weekend was my Craig's List haircut and hair color.

I showed up to Verrilli Hair Studio on Sunday afternoon, not sure what to expect. I was told to look out for 1151 Hammond Drive (near Perimeter Mall) then for Salon Studios on the second floor. 

A spunky, little, redheaded lady greeted me as I entered the building. She introduced herself as Mary. Walking me back to her little 1oo by 100 square feet studio, she explained the concept behind Salon Studios. An entrepreneur took a large retail space and turned it into 32 individual "mini" salons. Each unit comes standard with neutrally painted walls, a shampoo bowl, a cutting station and a chair. Tenants pay $260 a week to use the space. This is the second Salon Studios (with the other in Roswell). The setup sounds like a great way to encourage stylists* to have their own businesses without having to build their own studios.

I would be lying to you if I said that Mary's age (probably just shy of 60, judging off the year she went to cosmetology school—1969) didn't make me a little nervous at first. Sure, she was hip looking and very friendly, but did she know how to cut hair every way from the traditional to the more modern? I was, after all, looking for someone with great training and versatility. 

Mary impressed me! She mixed up containers of a lowlight (using a product called Color Sync) and a highlight (using Redken products) and foiled my head like a pro. She used natural-looking colors and appropriate ratios of highlight to lowlight. After rinsing out my hair, Mary treated me to some Redken hair glaze (a shiny gloss that should stay on my hair for about six weeks). In between bouts of shampooing, she told me how much she enjoys staying up with trends and taking hair classes. "If someone comes in and asks me to give them a faux hawk," Mary said, "I need to make sure I know how to give them a faux hawk."

Admitting herself that she's borderline obsessive, Mary trimmed my hair with great precision. She told me that my previous haircut had very unblended layers and looked chopping. She stopped multiple times throughout the process to check the evenness of the pieces on the left and right sides of my part. All along the way, Mary told me how much she loves cutting hair and feels like she enjoys it as much as her clients do. Not ever wanting to send someone home "unfinished," she blew my hair dry and completed my "do" with a ceramic flat iron. 

And just as I was told via e-mail, my total was a fantastic $96 (I tipped $25 on top of that). This price included a 20% discount, as explained in the Craig's List ad, so the services (partial lowlight, highlight, cut and style) will be $120 total moving forward. I think I'll be back!

Verrilli Hair Studio

770-361-3557

*A few of the stations are occupied by non-hair stylists. I saw an organic makeup, bath products and candles vendor as well as a little shop that does manicures and pedicures.

Fingers Crossed (Great and Affordable Stylist?)

I've been struggling a little to find the ideal hair stylist. "Ideal" for me would be defined by flexible hours, reasonable commute, affordable prices, beyond satisfactory work and reliability.

I was a regular at Van Michael's New Talents group for more than a year but was becoming less impressed with my hair color gal as she became more "experienced" and her rates went up. (My standard "order" (color-wise) is partial highlights and lowlights.) I'm still a technical blonde—but I was starting to feel like I had "roots" just a few weeks after coming in. The color job alone there was running me $100 (plus tip), which isn't bad, but I felt I could do better in the quality department. I've used a friend of mine's sister before, who did an excellent job, but she isn't always available and hasn't decided until recently if she's going to stay in metro Atlanta. 

Haircuts, I've been oddly less picky about. I haven't had a serious haircut in years, as I've stuck to trims. But someone talented enough to do both haircuts and color would be a great bonus.

The other night, I was browsing Craig's List and decided to look for hair services. It would be great to find someone looking for clients that fit my idea of a great stylist. I found the following listing:

20% off cut and color / highlights! (Dunwoody / Sandy Springs)

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Reply to: serv-905408598@craigslist.org ^[?]
Date: 2008-11-04, 11:34AM EST

That's only $80 for a cut and color, and $88-112 for highlights! I have over 30 years experience. I am a master stylist and color specialist. If you're looking for an excellent hair stylist, look no further! You will love your hair! 

No hidden surprises, that price includes shampoo, conditioner, blow dry, flat iron and curls. 

Call Mary at (770) 361-3557 to schedule a consultation at my private studio conveniently located near the perimeter mall!

I e-mailed Mary about her pricing after this discounted initial run. After all, I thought it would be unfair to her if I used her for the inexpensive services once but never returned due to a high price hike—especially if she's trying to build her clientele. Her son responded, saying it would be about $96 for my first time having a cut and partial highlights/lowlights, then $120 moving forward. I think this is a really competitive price. 

I gave Mary a call on my way home from work. She sounds eager to please and thrilled to be given a chance. My appointment is next Sunday at noon. Maybe this will be a flop—or maybe I will have found someone I can recommend to my friends.