5 Hair Salons Where You Can Get A-List Style On A C-List Budget

By Audrey Fine

We may live in the land of the rich and famous but since most of us are regular people bringing home regular people paychecks, shelling out A-list dollars for a cut, color job, extensions or wedding hair is not gonna happen.

Does that mean we're relegated to some barbershop hackjob? Hell no. We live in Los Angeles, boys and girls—a place where dreams are born, In-N-Out burgers are flipped and, contrary to popular belief, a city where you can get your hair done by a supremely talented stylist for markedly less than your monthly car payment. (We've included ballparks for the prices current as of this publishing, but always be sure to consult with salons beforehand since you may pay more or less depending on what you're looking for.)

That's right, for every hoity-toity, money's-no-object salon, Los Angeles also has some top-notch, reasonably-priced options where walking out looking like a million bucks won’t take you to the poor house.

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Framed (Courtesy of the salon)
Framed Salon

While offering up the low-key, shabby chic feel you’d expect from a beach location, Framed Salon also brings top notch expertise and skill to the decidedly kickback vibe. Clients here receive the same echelon of services—if not better—they'd be getting at a big name salon for about a third of the price. You won't feel intimated at Framed—there's no snotty receptionist giving you the once over, no fancy pants concierge judging your handbag. This place is decidedly cool but also overwhelmingly warm.

What to expect to pay*: Women's haircuts start at $75, men's at $40 and base color from $90 while a base and pull through is $110.

Perks: You can schedule appointments via text message and there’s plenty of free parking right behind the salon.

Framed Salon, 2821 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-998-0021

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Blown (Photo courtesy of the salon)
Blown

Don’t let the location scare you. Blown may be nestled smack dab in the heart of the cost-prohibitive 90210 but it’s amazingly reasonable—especially if you’re on the hunt for easy to wear, divinely touchable Cashmere Hair extensions. Sure, it made its name as a hotshot blow out spot but, as guided by the brilliant Paul Lindsay and Gillian Morris, Blown’s 30-chair salon has also grown into a premier destination for makeup application, spray tans and "Cashmere Hair” extensions. With Cashmere Hair’s CEO and resident expert Melissa Barrone in house, clients can expect peerless color matching, cutting and styling of these incredibly easy to "install,” shockingly wearable and unbelievably realistic hair extensions.

What to expect to pay*: Haircuts $100, Base color $85, Highlights start at $130 and extensions are done on a (free) consultation basis.

Bottom line: Look no further for the full glitz and glamour (and free-flowing champagne) of a storybook BH experience without the whopping price tag.

Blown is located at 275 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-860-1880

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Randt (Photo courtesy of the salon)
Randt SalonIf you’ve ever fantasized of having your own personal stylist tend to your every hair need in your own personal dressing room, Randt, a best-kept-secret salon in tony Manhattan Beach is your dream come true. Owner Shannon Repen is a cut and color whiz who, having risen the ranks at large, big name hair salons, relishes the intimacy her two-chair salon affords her—and her clients. She says, "When a woman sits down I want to get to know her, to learn about her life and get a feel for her personality—that knowledge helps me create a look that matches her inside and out.”

Renowned throughout the South Bay for her peerless touch with creating uncannily real blondes, Repen is also widely sought after for her inimitable wedding hair—a service she provides both on and off-site.

What to expect to pay*: Women's cut $75, men's $45, Full color and cut including blowdry and styling $195.

Bonus: You can book appointments online through Randt’s handy booking site. Just be sure to do so well in advance, like any great commodity, she’s in hot demand.

Randt Salon is located at 820 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 310-910-3071

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Vous Salon (Photo courtesy of the salon)
Vous Hair Salon

Smack dab in the middle of trend-tasctic Melrose Avenue, Vous salon manages to be at once a top notch full-service salon (everything from edgy, dramatic or demure cuts to Japanese straightening to drastic color changes) and a supremely affordable self-care destination that’s open 7 (yes, even MONDAYS) days a week! The experienced color and cut pros take pride in listening to what you want and in working with you to make sure the end result is what you had in mind. For a salon to remain relevant in one of L.A.’s most fickle "here today, gone tomorrow” shopping districts is a testament to quality work done at realistic price points and owner, Yanee, has prided herself on attracting some of the best stylists in the city for more than 15 (!) years.

What you can expect to pay: Women's cut and dry, $75-85, Men's $40, Color $95 and up, blow dry $40

Bonus: Vous accepts walk-ins — perfect for when you’re walking down Melrose and get hit with a sudden pang to dye your hair pink.

Vous Hair Salon is located at 7721 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, 323-653-5032

*Actual prices may vary. Always check in with salons beforehand.