Get pampered for less!

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Where can Chicagoans get pampered at a reasonable price? Paul Mitchell the School Chicago, the Douglas Aveda J. Institute and Tricoci University of Beauty Culture are all training salons with affordable spa services.

The catch? Clients need to allow for a little extra time.

"I was a college student and was trying to save money," Mary Owen said of her experience at a Paul Mitchell school. "It took a bit longer because she was slower and I could sense that she was nervous. And that made me nervous."

Ticoci employee Betfy Myer said there's no reason to be nervous because students are well-trained.

"The students are required to put in more hours, they have to maintain their grades, and the teachers are more experienced in the field," Myer said.

Here's how it works: At each of the schools, clients meet with the student stylists to go over what they want in a cut or color or another service. The student stylists then consult their instructors and the service begins. That can take more time than the same service at a regular salon, but for many clients it's time well spent.

"I had a great experience with Aveda's training salon. Although the service took longer because an instructor had to check the stylist's work, the quality was great. Most of the students are nearing the end of the training by the time they work there, so they're pretty advanced," Rosie Powers said.

"It was half the cost of a regular haircut. It was totally worth it!" Owen, who got a haircut, said.

Haircuts, color touch-ups and highlights are some of the most popular services, Myer said.

"The prices are much more reasonable," Myer said.

At Tricoci, a haircut with a blow dry is $9 to $15 for women, depending on length of hair, and $10 for men. At Paul Mitchell, a cut and style in $15 to $21, and at Aveda, a haircut is $16 while a haircut with a blow out and finish is $28.

At Tricoci, color starts at $35 and highlights range from $20 to $60. At Paul Mitchell, color starts at $30 and highlights are $35 to 40. At Aveda, "custom" color and highlights start at $42.

Training salons aren't just for haircuts and color. Services also include skin and body treatments like facials and detoxifying wraps. Arlene Erves-Williams treated herself to a Vichey shower and a facial at the Aveda Institute.

"If you want to try something new for a low price, it's great," Erves-Williams said. "It's a beautiful salon, the staff is really nice and it's convenient."

All of the training salons accept walk-ins but prefer clients to call or go online to make an application.

Paul Mitchell the School Chicago

1225 South Halsted Street

Chicago, ILLINOIS 60607

Enrollment: (312) 614-1360

Guest Services: (312) 548-7588

http://chicago.paulmitchell.edu/

Douglas Aveda J. Institute

2828 N. Clark Street

Chicago, Illinois 60657

773.883.1560

http://douglasj.edu/our-schools.html

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture

5321 N Harlem Avenue

Chicago, IL 60656

773.467.1900

http://www.tricociuniversity.com/