By Christian Balmaseda
We’re all watching our budgets during COVID. Rents in NYC and Brooklyn might be dropping but the price of beauty is still steep. A guy’s haircut still costs $50 at the nicer salons.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get pampered.
Many New Yorkers may not realize there are beauty schools and spas around the City that offer deep discounts on everything from massages, hair coloring, manicures and pedicures. In some cases, these services are FREE, and we all know you can’t beat that deal anywhere.
Here’s a list of some of the never advertised salons and spas that want to learn their skills on you.
Free Makeovers, Massages and Manicures at Beauty Schools
At Carsten Institute of Hair & Beauty, you can get a free haircut if you call ahead and make an appointment. And these aren’t students in training. These hair stylists have graduated from the Institute, located in the Village. Hair coloring and highlighting are a bit steeper, starting at $30. 41 Union Sq. West, 2nd fl, 212-675-7735 Times for appointments are Tue- Fri from 9am to 3:30 pm
Pressed for time and strapped for cash? Head to the New York International Beauty School, located in Midtown. Here you can get a makeover by a training student at drastically reduced prices. Services range from hair coloring to facials for only $18. 500 Eighth Ave., 8th Floor, between 35th and 36th St.; 212-868-7171; nyibs.com,
Empire Beauty School offers a wide range of cosmetic services, ranging from haircuts starting at $8, facials and Mani/Pedi from $15, and seaweed mini treatments from $10. This is the perfect treat for ladies looking for more than just a moderately priced haircut. Empire Beauty School 22 W 34th St. New York, NY 10001
Cheap Mani-Pedi Salons in NYC
For those looking for a quick, get the job done Mani-Pedi, head into J&J Fine Nail on the East Side.
You can get a Mani-Pedi for $20 Mon-Wed. Best time to pop in without having to wait is after the lunch rush. 146 E 55th St (between 3rd Ave & Lexington Ave) New York, NY 10022
Even during COVID, salons are open and providing massages. You don’t have to break the bank in order to find a good massage, if you know where to go in NYC.
Like the many Chinese massage parlors around the city, Wu Lin Services provides quick massages at low prices. You can pop into this downtown parlor for $21 and get a 30-minute massage. 145 Grand St between Crosby and Lafayette St 212-925-1276
Lilly and Raul’s midtown massage parlor promises stress reduction and relaxation with Tui Na massages for under $40. Tui Na is a cross between Shiatsu and acupressure, using rhythmic compression along energy channels of the body. Hour long sessions are moderately priced at $39/hour with a lunch hour special Mon-Thurs, 11am-2pm starting at $25/hour. 211 East 43rd Street Suite 1501 New York, NY 10017 http://www.lillyandraul.com/
