I visited a SLO County salon with a $25 budget. Here’s how it went
A one-of-a-kind salon in San Luis Obispo County offers facials, scalp treatments, haircuts, manicures and more — all for $20 or less.
That jaw-dropping low price does come with a catch.
At The Salon at Lucia Mar, the friendly nail technicians, hairdressers and stylists are Arroyo Grande High School students learning how to snip luscious locks and apply a variety of beauty treatments.
I visited the cosmetology school at 602 Orchard St, Suite G, in Arroyo Grande, for On a Budget, a monthly series where Tribune reporters try reader-suggested eats and activities around the area on a $25 budget. One of my coworkers tipped me off that the salon offered deeply discounted services.
I had been putting off getting a haircut for months, so I figured it was high time to deal with my split ends and submit my long hair to scissors handled by high schoolers.
Here’s how it went:
What is The Salon at Lucia Mar?
Location: 602 Orchard St., Suite G, Arroyo Grande
After I arrived for my 9:45 a.m. haircut appointment on a recent weekday, I was led to a swivel chair in a classroom that had been converted into a salon. More than a dozen stations were kitted out with mirrors, mannequin heads, seats, blow dryers and hair care products.
My hairdresser wrapped me in a black cape and asked what kind of cut I wanted. I decided on taking a full 3 inches off, with no extra layering up front.
My student stylist then took me to a side room where I received an amazing hair wash.
She was very professional and focused on making sure the water was the right temperature — not too hot and not too cold — before soaking it in fancy shampoo and conditioner. I don’t know exactly what products she used, but for the rest of the day my hair smelled fantastic.
After a nice head massage and rinse, my brunette hair was clean and ready to be cut.
The stylist parted my hair in several sections and clipped them to the top of my head. Then she began trimming, working from the back of my head to the side and finally the front.
While she worked, we chatted about our favorite food spots in the county, family pets and the cosmetology program.
I learned she was a senior in high school who was in her second year of the program. She said it typically takes students three years to obtain the 1,000-hour requirement needed prior to taking the licensing test.
If you get your hair cut at The Salon at Lucia Mar, be prepared that it will take a little longer than usual. The teacher came over occasionally to check the hairdresser’s work and trim spots she had missed.
I didn’t mind being a bit of a guinea pig. I thought it was fun to be a part of student instruction while getting a super affordable cut out of it.
After nearly an hour, my haircut was complete ... and I was happy with the results. It was a simple trim that was well-executed.
I’m not courageous enough to trust students to complete an extensive layered cut or an extreme hair makeover, but a straightforward cut went really well.
How I spent $25 budget at SLO County hair and nail salon
Right after my haircut, I walked over to the nail care section of The Salon at Lucia Mar to get my manicure.
I chose a deep periwinkle color for my fingernails. Then my hands were soaked in warm, soapy water and prepped for the polish.
My stylist, now pulling double duty as my nail tech, filed my fingernails and cut my cuticles before applying an undercoat, the blueish purple polish and the top coat.
She was very extremely thoughtful and urged me to speak up if at any point the process became painful. Luckily, it never did.
Like the haircut, my manicure took extra time to fix some mistakes and go over missed spots. In the end, I left with very pretty nails for a fraction of what they would have cost elsewhere.
My haircut cost $10, and my manicure was $10, with my $20 total bringing me exactly $5 under budget.
The salon does not accept tips, and all of the money goes directly back into the program, according to Kristin Anderson, the director of curriculum, instruction and administration for adult education at the Lucia Mar Unified School District.
Is the local salon affordable?
Absolutely. With a $25 budget, I had ample options to choose from.
I chose to get two services with my money, but if you’re looking for one slightly more upscale service, you can get a basic facial for $17. A gel pedicure or a full face wax costs $20, and an acrylic nail fill for $22.
A haircut that includes a wash, blow dry and styling costs $18.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can get a brow, lip or chin wax for $5, makeup application for $10, a scalp treatment for $12 or a gel manicure for $15.
Anderson, who oversees the cosmetology program for high schoolers and adults, said the salon has been up and running for three years and is fully licensed by the state cosmetology board. High school students take classes and train during the day, while adults learn in the evenings.
The program is completely free for Arroyo Grande High School students, potentially saving them up to $20,000 in cosmetology school costs, Anderson said.
“I think it’s a huge success for our community and for our students,” she told The Tribune. “We’ve already had graduates that have graduated not only from high school, but with their cosmetology license. So they’re being able to go into industry, into careers at age 18.”
What are open hours at The Salon at Lucia Mar?
The Salon at Lucia Mar is open 4:15 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday and 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 1:40 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
On Thursday, the salon is open from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., 1:40 to 3:30 p.m. and 4:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Anderson said Arroyo Grand High students perform service during daytime hours while Adult School students handle evening services.
You can make an appointment by calling 805-956-4212.
Where should I go next?
Have any ideas on where I should visit next in SLO County on a budget?
Send me recommendations at hpoukish@thetribunenews.com or by filling out the form below.
This story was originally published February 28, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
