GAGLIONE

The long and short of hair pampering

Kathryn L. Gaglione GAG01001@BYUI.EDU Goldielocks

When I have a random 50 bucks burning a hole in my pocket, it doesn’t take me long to awake from my dream, look in my kitchen cupboard and let the reality of my starving student status wash over me.

But for you, the loyal readers of Scroll, I saved my Christmas money and will be living on Ramen for a month so that I can bring you this insider’s report on the Hair Academy, the new Paul Mitchell partner school on Mariah Avenue in Rexburg.

The Hair Academy is a school, not a professional salon, so I did not expect the same treatment that I would get at one of the $200-for-a-trim places in New York. That is assuming that I know what a $200 trim is like.

I called ahead to make an appointment; and I must say that the service fell slightly short of my expectations when I received a call the morning of my appointment letting me know that they couldn’t fit me in then because they only take patrons after lunch. They were nice and apologetic, but you think this would be an important piece of information the guy would have remembered.

I shook off this setback, determined not to let a mistake ruin my day to be pampered.

When I showed up for my rescheduled appointment, I didn’t have to wait at all but was taken straight to the styling chair. The black smock, multi-colored hair and name tag reading “Karlee” told me right away that I was way out of my league here as I have not had my hair colored since high school, which was longer ago than I truly care to admit.

After an hour and a half of having enough foil put on my head, I got a cooling shock in the “Lather Lounge” where hot water was a pipe dream in Rexburg winter.

My hair smelled like a chemical lab for three days and the blond highlights in my naturally blond hair were a little more vibrant yellow than I expected. Karlee cut my hair with a keen eye and got full approval from her supervisor.

Now that the smell has subsided, the color has tamed and the compliments have been heard, I’m happy with my hair. So if you want a professional-like job for a lower rate, this is the place to go.