Round mirrors staring out of each station and white frosted-glass disks in the ceiling give Blade Runners a clean, modern feel, and a promise of younger, hipper haircuts and colors while still maintaining a professional appearance. Many of the stylists are dressed in the typical Bohemian fashions you might expect of the Haight, while a dog sits in the windows and sunbathes.

Clients are greeted at a circular front desk before waiting for a stylist to bring them to their stations. Rachel, a talkative and friendly student stylist sporting goth-like clothes and pitch-black hair, changes into her gown and begins the coloring process with a consultation. She explains the differences between cool and warm skin tones, and how color selection changes with each, double-checking with her teacher to ensure her choice will work.

Her teacher is just a few feet away, far enough to give Rachel the chance to practice being alone, but close enough to help her if she needs it. She is not afraid to ask for advice; she watches and listens closely as her teacher demonstrates how to fix an uneven part, and makes styling suggestions.

In less than two and a half hours, and for only $25, Rachel transforms curly, faded hair into a deep, dark, compliment-worthy red, and her blowout helps the color shine in sunlight. Blade Runners is an amazing salon, offering student hairstylists the opportunity to fine-tune their skills in an environment that is open to questions and learning. The student programs for hair coloring are offered only on Tuesdays, but it is completely worth the time off from school.

San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology
www.sanfranciscoinstitute.com
1067 Folsom Street
Suite 200
1-866-734-3244

The San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology in SoMA offers a wide range of student services for unbelievably low prices. They offer make-up application, facials, massages, and waxing, as well as styling and coloring services, offered by students with two different levels of expertise. At only $15 to $20 a pop, the haircuts are addicting. The salon is located on the second floor, and bustles with students and teachers with unique hair colors and edgy haircuts. Once checked in, it is a short wait before sitting down for a consultation with a student stylist.

After her teacher confirms her decisions, and guides her shampoo and conditioner choices, she proceeds with an amazing head massage and the perfect conditioner for curly hair. The stylist is a bit of a perfectionist--combing each section three times before finally making the cut. After about three hours, it is done.

SFIEC is open Tuesday though Saturday, and has late hours on Thursdays--great for working-people and students with crazy schedules. Their services are remarkable and as a leading beauty school, there is no better place to get your hair cut.