Text size:

Go to a beauty school and forget salon prices

BY PAT BURSON | pat.burson@newsday.com

November 19, 2008

Even when the economy's bad and money's tight, we still want to look good. There's no need to do without or break the bank on your next haircut, manicure or dye job - if you know where to go.

Long Island is home to several well-established beauty schools, where aspiring student cosmetologists, nail technicians, skin care aestheticians and makeup artists can work on real men, women and kids as they perfect their craft under the watchful eye of state-licensed, professional instructors. In exchange, clients pay far less than the going rates at salons or spas.

If you're willing to give them a try, here's a sampling of schools and services:

Long Island Beauty School

libeautyschool.com
173A Fulton Ave., Hempstead
516-483-6259
544 Wheeler Rd., Hauppauge
631-724-0440

Students learn hairdressing, body waxing, makeup application, skin care and nail care at these family-owned, licensed and accredited schools. Those nearing graduation can perform a range of services for walk-in customers on the salon floor.

In Hempstead, that includes a haircut ($6 and up), wash-and-set ($7) and braiding ($25-$40, depending on hair length), as well as manicures ($5) and lip and eyebrow waxing ($3-$7).

"A lot of people come in for the relaxer [$25 and up] because it's so cheap. We also get a lot of people coming in for color [$12 and up]," says co-owner Frank Pappacoda Jr.

In Hauppauge, services include haircuts ($6 and up), facials ($7.50-$9.50), highlights/lowlights ($25-$40) and permanent waves ($25). "In Hauppauge, we specialize in hair coloring and styling and a lot of up 'dos," says co-owner Anthony Civitano.

Both locations offer senior discounts on certain days.

New York Institute of Beauty
631-582-4737
nyib.com
11 Oval Dr., Ste. 180, Islandia (in the Islandia Industrial Park)
6800 Jericho Tpke., Syosset (in the North Shore Atrium)

The state-licensed school specializes in instruction in skin care, makeup and nails. In addition to standard facials ($20-$25), students perform advanced services including microdermabrasion ($35). Each facial also includes a complimentary makeup application. Aspiring manicurists can apply full sets of acrylic nails ($10) and gel tips ($10) and do pedicures ($10).