In NYC, Bumble and Bumble salons offer free hair cuts and color for willing ‘models’ for their training classes. Are there any salons that do this in DC? Thanks.

After a disastrous hair experience last year, Ask DCist is a little too scissor shy to venture into the unknown (we now stick very tightly to our prefferred stylist), but we know many souls with willing spirits (and willing hair) who really love these opportunities. Turns out there are two shops that immediately sprang to people’s lips offering inexpensive, yet quality cuts in the ‘practice’ arena. Not free like Bumble and Bumble, but cheaper costs for some of the hotter styles and newer techniques

  • Graham Webb Academy in Rosslyn (1621 N. Kent St., Suite 1617 LL Rosslyn Plaza) offers hair clinics where students, supervised by license instructors, practice cut and color styles. A cut and style will set you back $16 and multi-foil highlights (typically cresting $100 at the top salons) only $49.

  • Salon Cielo (Dupont Circle location) offers up something a little different. Licensed stylists try out new techniques on willing models — $15 for cuts and $35 for color. We gave the salon a ring to find out the details (shocking, we used that archaic telephone thing!) For these evenings the salon looks for participants who want a somewhat substantial change of style or color (not a quick trim to retouch on highlights) and try to match your style preferences with stylists who want to practice something in that area. Give the salon a call to find out when the next session is scheduled. They may ask you to drop in to show them what your hair can offer.

A quick Google search seconded these recommendations (check out the Washingtonian as a good source for these types of bargain suggestions).

In the same vein as the practice hair cuts, Ask DCist just booked a massage at the Heritage Institute, a massage school in Falls Church. The full-body massages are supervised by licensed professionals and allow you an hour of bliss for a mere fraction of the price (the website says $19.95!?). Potomac Massage Training Institute (5028 Wisconsin Ave. NW) offers the same opportunity for $35. We’ll be sure to let you know if our experience is less than our expectations. If you don’t hear from us, feel free to go forth and get massaged, its good for the body and the brain.

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