I usually go the The salon at Midstate for my perms. As a retired beautician I know they use the top of the line perm and I get it there for less than a third of the cost at a in-town salon. The students are checked by the instructor at every step so I am assured of proper rolling of rods, prep and application of chemicals. One must be patient. They are students and few are up to the speed they will have once they graduate. My first perm there took 4 hours. The next time I was fed and emotionally prepared but the student had more floor time and it only took 3 hours total from the time I sat down in the chair. Although the students work on manikin heads if they don't have a client it is important for them to interact with a live person to hone their multitasking skills of conversation while providing a service. It's a win/win arrangement unless you have money to burn and even then, who doesn't like a well preformed service at a discount price. read more