This month, I felt the time was right for a major change in my look. I started a new position just a few days ago and, with spring in the air, I was feeling adventurous.

Although it's almost standard procedure for many women at the salon, I had never had my hair highlighted.

There has been quite a bit of press lately about businesses in the Lakeside area, Zed Café in particular. I decided to visit Body Zen Soul, an Aveda concept salon that's adjacent to the café. Aveda Concept Salons are touted as "spas and salons devoted to bringing you back to balance with products and services based on Aveda's pure flower and plant essences."

My appointment was scheduled for 3:45 on a recent Saturday. I arrived about 15 minutes ahead of time, with hopes we could get started just as soon as possible. My stylist, however, was still with client, so I took a quick walk up the street. At 3:45, I returned and was asked to sit in the waiting area. I was free to browse the many Aveda perfumes and hair and body products, and the receptionist invited me to enjoy a cup of coffee or water. The adjacent "Guest Lounge" was, it turns out, the restroom. The complimentary Aveda styling products would come in handy after a spa service. A strange feature of the Guest Lounge was a basket of toilet paper rolls, with none of the usual bathroom hardware for toilet paper in sight. Maybe it's me, but digging for tissue in a basket felt just a tiny bit icky.

From the waiting area, I had a good view of the salon and could see several interesting hairstyles taking shape, including one Amy Winehouse-esque updo. Several stylists gathered around to marvel at its height, while the client moved into the makeup chair and got a nice smoky eye. By this time, it was past 4 and my own Zen was quickly eroding. I tried to rest patiently on the minimalist wooden benches, cushioned with only thin meditation mats. The built-in magazine rack was, sadly, empty, and my stylist had yet to finish his previous client's blowout.

Finally, around 4:20, I was retrieved from the waiting area, and introduced to my stylist. He apologized for the wait and we had a quick discussion about color and hairstyle, agreeing that the mini-highlight would be good for a first-timer. He returned shortly with the hair color and began weaving in the highlights and wrapping the strands in foil. This process took at least 30 minutes, and I was suddenly very sympathetic for the woman in the chair across from me, who had every strand of hair on her head wrapped in foil.

The color was given 35 minutes to process and I finally spied a copy of Bazaar in another stylist's station. Another employee removed the foils and washed out the hair color and my stylist returned to apply a toner for five minutes, which was also shampooed away. After my hair was conditioned and towel dried, a quick trim all over provided the starting point for my style. My hair was finished with a round brush and blow dried, and finally a few more layers were cut in for shape.  The salon closes at 6, so the receptionists and other stylists had trickled out, and my long-suffering significant other was pacing the parking lot. I was all done at 6:30, just in time to make it to VCU's production of "Cabaret."

As I left the salon, I asked for my partner's first impression, although I could see by the look on his face that he approved. He mentioned that he didn't realize it would be so light, and I had to admit that I didn't either, but we both agreed that it was a good change.  I got many positive reactions over the next few days. My hair is naturally a medium brown, but I have quite a few reddish undertones.

I was informed the highlights would need to be maintained every two to three months. Scheduling on a day other than Saturday, and outside of prom season, I really hope to avoid the uncomfortable wait.

Viewing the services list, mini-highlights start at $60, but my service was billed at $75. Similarly, ladies cuts start at $35, but mine was $55. There is a note that indicates prices are higher based on the stylist's education and experience level, with master stylists prices an unspecified higher amount.  While booking the service, I would have expected to be presented with the choice of stylists and experience levels. 

Because I'm a relative neophyte to salons, I can only hope that the unexpected wait and ambiguous pricing are an aberration, and not common practice. More magazines (really, I'll read anything from US Weekly to The Economist) and wall-mounted toilet tissue could go a long way toward improving my experience. Fortunately, even though the experience wasn't perfect, I was most pleased with the end result - the color and style of my hair. I'll probably visit again in hopes that next time is better.

Ladies and gents, what do you think?  Am I asking for too much?  I'd love to hear what your typical salon visit involves, how often you visit and what it costs. With all the discouraging economic news lately, are you cutting back on non-essentials? On the other hand, is having a great 'do essential in your book?

Body Zen Soul
5111 Lakeside Ave.
Richmond, VA 23227
804-262-5995

LAST TIME OUT: Getting a massage at Blades Day Spa.