SMC Cosmetology Department Presents: Free Haircuts!
The mood is bright and most everyone is smiling. This isn't your typical hair salon. Located in the Business Building, a unique air of artistry permeates out from room 149 of Santa Monica College's Cosmetology Department.
For students 'in the know', this sweet little secret of 'Free Haircuts' comes as one of the many perks to being part of the SMC student body.
Very few students actually know about ”Free Haircut Mondays," and here's the thing: this isn't some random guy cutting free-form tribal patterns in your hair or jacking up your bangs - these students are all semi-pro.
The only stylists or full-fledged cosmetologists who are allowed to cut peoples hair have been vetted through the program for well over a year. Most notably, all of them were clearly stoked to be there - fully present, engaged, clearly perfecting and honing their chosen craft.
Everyone I talked to seemed to have different reasons for being in the program, and most of these reasons were as different as their personalities and individual hairstyles.
Alex Schulze, 22, said she was there mainly to do make-up, in fact, all she ever wanted to do was make-up; but more than anything, she was really happy about all the new friends she had made in this class - saying it was as if they were all a little family.
Carley Chandler, 20, explained that she just “really liked hair” and knows that she "can make really good money doing it.”
Cruz Rodrigues, a 25-year-old in his second year of the Cosmetology program, said, "I'm really impressed with how patient, knowledgeable, and caring all of the instructors had been," throughout his studies. Cruz told me that both the flexibility of the program and the family ‘community’ feeling of the classes were definitely what he enjoyed most about the program and that he would recommend it to anyone considering a career in cosmetology.
The Cosmetology Department also offers services such as facials, manicures, pedicures, and other specialty treatments which are available at a discounted price for all students with a valid Santa Monica College ID.
Professor Rick Harrison, who helps to run the program, stated that many of his former SMC students have gone on to become employees and hired directly into managing positions at successful businesses such as Floyd's Barbershop and many high-end Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles salons.
For the next twelve weeks, every Monday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., any SMC student can simply walk into the salon and get a haircut for free, or get any of the special esthetician services at an incredible discount.
Whatever style or fresh new look you're going for, there's someone in the Cosmetology program who can style you up.The Cosmetology Department also offers services such as facials, manicures, pedicures, and other specialty treatments which are available at a discounted price for all students with a valid Santa Monica College ID.
Professor Rick Harrison, who helps to run the program, stated that many of his former SMC students have gone on to become employees and hired directly into managing positions at successful businesses such as Floyd's Barbershop and many high-end Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles salons.
For the next twelve weeks, every Monday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., any SMC student can simply walk into the salon and get a haircut for free, or get any of the special esthetician services at an incredible discount.
Whatever style or fresh new look you're going for, there's someone in the Cosmetology program who can style you up.
