They Want Your Body

Resolved for the New Year: a new look. Dynamite. New make-up, new hair cut, new body beautiful… the works.

Does that sound all too familiar, that redo project you plan each January that never quite gets underway? Skip the
heavy sighs and excuses and read on. January is half over, but help is at hand.

We’ve covered every possibility head to toe and every price range from the total luxury package to a tight money
plan. We’ve named the names and given telephone numbers. So start dialing. Your last excuse just ran out.

The Chicken-Fried Special



$7.50 and up, plus tip

The well dressed young man rolled his eyes to the back of his well kept head as the smiling customer entered the
shop. “Another chicken-fried special,” he moaned. “If she doesn’t ask for something else, I think I’ll quit.”

It’s not what you think. This isn’t Fran’s #2 on Hall Street, but a big-time beauty salon. And this chicken-fried
special is done with rollers, setting lotion and hair spray. Lots of hair spray. In the trade, it is more fully
known as the Southern Lady Chicken Fried Special or the Flip for short -a style that was at its zenith of popularity
when Luci Baines Johnson was living in the White House. And that’s been a while.

Today, any beauty salon that volunteers this hair-do (unless the customer demands it), is probably not very
up-tempo in its thinking. Recent trends indicate the sprayed, lacquered, teased, tortured look is finished. Hair
should look soft and natural… ultra-feminine with waves and curls. In fact, the popularity of the cut-blow dry
technique (which also was a reaction to teased, whomped-up hair) is on the wane, according to several of the top
stylists in the area. Except for the very young, women are asking for rollers and are willing to sit under the
dryers once again.

The best-rated salons in Dallas have several things in common. First, a consistent sense of style and trends.
And more important, how to adapt these styles and trends to the customer as a one-of-a-kind individual. The second
tier salons do just the opposite – with production line efficiency. Short, tall, fat, thin, young or old.

Second, the best salons offer full service, the works: regular sets, some cut and blow dry work, manicures,
pedicures, color work and permanents. They all charge top prices. In the hair care world there just aren’t any
bargains because the best talent (and thus, the clientele) gravitates to the salons that pay high percentages to
their personnel.

Thus, the likelihood of finding a neighborhood superstar is slim. Or, if you do find one, he or she won’t be there
long. At least not at low-profit neighborhood prices. Moving around and moving up is one of the facts of the
business.

Minimums in these salons for a regular wash and set is either $7.50 or $8.50, and those are minimums. Within
each salon some stylists charge more but the clients happily pay the tabs because the work is first rate.

What is going on out there in Dallas’ coiffure land? Of the 850 or so salons listed in the Yellow Pages, which are
the three minute car washes and which really live up to their chic reputations? Here’s a sampling of our try outs
and opinions.

The Big-Tme



Marie Leavell Beauty Salon

147 Inwood Village

357-6441

This salon does good work across the board with the emphasis on trendy, chic styling. Several women say it is the
best big salon in the city in terms of talent. As evidence, getting a standing appointment with certain hairdressers
may mean six or more months of filling in before you get to be a regular. But patrons swear by this salon and the
only complaints are the housekeeping and sometimes long waits.

Extras: Eye-tabbing, make-up, facials and waxing.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30-4.

Mr. Jack’s Beauty Salon

2800 Routh Street Quadrangle

742-1151

An excellent salon with top talent. One of the few in the city to make a real effort to meet its appointment
schedule. Management is extremely cooperative about last minute appointments. Patrons say the personnel don’t push
unnecessary conditioners and rinses. Dryer-side lunch service available from the Quadrangle.

Extras: Eye-tabbing, waxing.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30-5.



Stewart’s Beauty Salon

244 Inwood Village

357-9127

Another salon that consistently turns out good looking, up-to-date hair styles. Some clients complain about the
decor, but never about the service.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9-3.

Mr. John’s Salon de Coiffure

4103 Oak Lawn

521-4444

One of the highly recommended salons leaning to the conservative in taste and clientele. They do not cut and blow
dry, but all their work is first rate.

Extras: Eye-tabbing.

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 to 4; Saturday, 9 to 2.



Mr. Carl’s Salon de Coiffure

4228 Oak Lawn

526-4520

Another highly respected, well established salon that does excellent work. Less trendy and more conservative than
some of the others.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to 3.

3525 Salon de Coiffure

3525 Turtle Creek Blvd.

526-3525

An extremely pleasant salon with some of the all time best and most skilled personnel in the city. Excellent
personal service and an especially helpful receptionist at the desk if you have an emergency or need an extra
appointment.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to 3:30.



Mr. Larry’s Coiffure Creations

5045 Willis

821-5302

A small but charming salon with a special kind of easy, unpretentious atmosphere. Owner Larry Sowers is one of the
most talented and creative men in the field. Just ask some of his chic, elegant ladies who wait happily when he
takes semi-annual trips to Paris collection openings to see the new clothes and hair ideas. As you might expect, he
and his associates have busy schedules, but an appointment is not impossible since they don’t schedule on a standing
basis. The salon offers full service and is planning to enlarge the staff soon to include skin care and make-up.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8 to 4.

Salon Song

What happens when we shop the Dallas beauty salons taking a random appointment with any available hairdresser? It
was a wash and set only, no cutting, but otherwise operators were given a completely free hand. Here are the results
…



Coco’s Refinery

13601 Preston Rd.

233-1600

Shampoo and set: $7.50 Long hair: $12.50

Cut and blow dry: $12.50 With curling iron: Included

Cut only: $7.50

Other services: Manicurist (maybe).

The Refinery, far north Dallas’ answer to Marie Leavell’s salon, fails to live up to its intentions. Where Marie
Leavell offers stability of personnel, the Refinery staff seems to be in perpetual motion. And the prices change
almost as often. For a basic cut and blow dry, we have been charged from $4 to $17.50 with stops along the way. Our
consensus is you can usually expect quality workmanship with an ambient din of gossip, gossip, gossip.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10-6.

Coiffure Continental

210 NorthPark Shopping Center

363-9331

Shampoo and set: $7.50 Long hair: $9-$13.50

Cut and blow dry: $6.50-$12 With curling iron: Add $1.

Cut only: $6-$12

Other services: Manicure, $3.75; pedicure, $10; eye-tabbing, $15; sculptured nails, $28.75.

This small chain of three salons (others in Promenade and in Preston Center) has loads of international flavor
hand-delivered by the many European stylists. All is done in a highly professional manner; complaints heard and
rectified. One of the few to give you a good head massage during the shampoo. Surroundings peopled by smartly-styled
stylists who pamper well-dressed, well-to-do clientele.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:30-5; Thursdays ’til 6; Saturdays ’til 3:30.

Venus Coiffures

133 Spring Valley Shopping Center

239-8302

Shampoo and set: $5 Long hair: Add$l.

Cut and blow dry: $9.50 With curling iron: Included

Cut only: $4.50

Other services: Manicure, $3.50 (offered on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays).

Atmosphere is very “family,” but the service is solid. Six bucks can get you a helpful operator and a fine scrub.
Most styles, however, tend to include a bit of teasing.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30-4:30. (We found the operators most accommodating and willing to come in early
and stay late to help the customer.)

Vidal Sassoon 1310 Elm 741-2821

Shampoo and set: Not offered

Cut and blow dry: $22 to $28 With curling iron: Included

Cut only: $22 to $28

Other services: Manicure, $3.50; pedicure, $10.

You do pay for the name here. The variance in the cut and blow dry charge is the result of the heirarchy in
the system: The artistic director charges $28; the director, $25; and the stylists, $22. Of special note here is a
candid and open account of the shape your hair is in. Expect to drop $40 or so.

Hours: Monday through Friday 9-5; Saturday, 9-4.

Gestault Promenade Shopping Center Richardson 690-0775

Shampoo and set: $6.50 Long hair: Add $1

Cut and blow dry: $14.50 (add $3 for long hair) With curling iron: Add $3.

Other services: Manicure, $3.75; pedicure, $7.50; facial, $15; sculptured nails, $28.50; eye-tabbing, $15; massage,
$10; whirlpool, $5.

They try harder, but judging from my four-hour hair-do, their efforts were in vain. Teased and touseled, blown dry
and iron curled, I left looking like Carmen Miranda. The manicurist was friendly enough, but my cuticles bled a lot
and the polish was thick and blurred.

Hours: Mondays and Saturdays, 8:30-4:30; Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30-5; Thursdays 8:30-7:30; Fridays, 8:30-6.



Avon Beauty Salons, Inc.

Dai-Rich Shopping Center,

Richardson

238-7251

Shampoo and cut: $6.50 Long hair: Add $1

Cut and blow dry: $10.50 With curling iron: Add $3.

Other services: Manicure, $3.50; pedicure, $7.50 and up; eye-tabbing, $15 (75￠ per lash); sculptured nails, $25.

There are five branches of this national beauty chain in Dallas. From the identifiable Avon “ding-dong” as you enter
to their almost too identifiable “custom-cut,” the Avon shops are fairly standard. There is a heavy turnover in
staff. An unusual feature is the TV system with sound channeled into the hair dryers so you can keep up with your
favorite soap opera. Special note: The six-minute “Uniperm” ($25 and up) is excellent for those who like a body
permanent but hate to give up the hours per-manents usually take. But overall, the rating is only fair.

Hours: Monday through Wednesday, Saturday, 9-5; Thursday ’till 6:30; Friday ’til 6.

Edie Adams Cut & Curl

4416 Lemmon

521-4260

Shampoo and set: $3.45 (Add 50￠ to $1 for setting lotion)

Long hair: Extra, but depends on length

Cut and blow dry: $8.95 With curling iron: add $2

Cut only: $3.25

Other services: None

There are six locations of this salon chain and a bit of advice is in order. Though the prices are low, be careful
of hidden charges. Don’t nod your head too often when they tell you they have a special shampoo for color treated
hair, or ask if you like your conditioner massaged in, or if you would like setting lotion. Three and a half will
buy you a sloppy hair wash, an uncomfortable wait under a slow dryer. You get what you pay for, which isn’t much.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30-5:30; Thursdays til 8:30.



National Beauty Schools

Preston Center East

363-0261

Shampoo and set: $3 ($3.50 if you want an appointment) $2 on bargain days, Tuesday and Wednesday Long hair: $1
extra

Cut and blow dry: Same as shampoo, set. With curling iron: Included

Cut only: $2.25

Other services: Manicures, $2; pedicure, $3.50; facials, $3.50; eye-tabbing, $8.

Prices at National Beauty Schools vary according to location since the schools try to charge about half of the going
rate of other shops in the immediate area. Since the Preston Center area’s beauty shops are in the “high” rent
district, this particular location’s prices are a bit more than some located in lower income areas. Not a sure bet,
but for the price how can you go wrong?

Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9-9; Wednesdays, 9-1; Saturdays, 8:30-4:30.

Think Thin

Thighs

Get going on an active exercise program. There’s more to toning up than just sit-ups and leg kicks. You can try
swimming, fencing or exercise combined with dance. (Name one fat dancer.) The schools offering ballet
exercise classes promise they are exercise-oriented and not a reunion of ex-ballerinas. There’s even belly dancing
which many women swear by for keeping in shape. Read on.



SMU Dance Department

692-3146

Toni Beck and her assistant, Ally Pierce, offer an exercise class based on dance techniques. Eight-week sessions on
Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9-10. Cost: $50 one session per week, $80 twice a week. A spot on the mat in these
classes is hard to come by because Toni and Ally have a devoted following of hard-core exercise types.

David Kirby, a faculty member, teaches a percussive or rock jazz class in the evening. A beginners class will be
formed this semester. Once a week, $45 per semester.



Eastfield Community College

746-3113

Modern jazz dance classes starting Jan. 27, 8 to 9:30 for eight weeks, $12. No training necessary. Emphasis on basic
exercises and jazz combinations to develop and strengthen the body. An intermediate class is also available.

Ballet I starts Jan. 29 for 14 weeks, $20, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Exercises and ballet fundamentals to condition the body.
Session runs through May. Call for registration dates and sign up early.



Louise Williams Studio 6722 Snider Plaza 363-5851

Two morning classes a week and one evening class twice a week, including a small therapy group to help legs, posture
and bad backs as well as figure problems. Many women are referred to this class by physicians. Ms. Williams has been
teaching since 1947 and for 15 years before that was head of the recreation and health deparment of the Downtown
YWCA. Rates (which may go up soon) are $35 for two nights a week for six weeks, $60 for two mornings a week for 12
weeks and $75 for 12 weeks of the therapy class.

YWCA

4621 Ross Avenue

827-5600

Exercise classes, belly dancing, yoga and fitness swim classes are available at bargain prices at many of the seven
area branches of the YWCA. The central branch is in a new building, complete with a gym and heated indoor pool.
Morning and afternoon Slimnastics classes are available twice a week, plus a fitness swim class every morning. There
is also an open swim (for men and women) 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.



Mercedes Acardi

528-8049

Exercise classes, 45-minute sessions Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday evening
at 7:30 at prices ranging from $14, $20, $26 per month for 1, 2 and 3 sessions per week. Individual instruction, $3
per hour.



UT-Arlington

Continuing Education

273-2581

Belly dancing taught by Ger-maine Brown who danced in Dallas Theater Center production of Jack Ruby, Ail-American
Boy.



Meara School of Middle

Eastern Dance

5716 Abrams Road

691-2244

Beginning belly dance lessons are $4 per hour or 10 lessons for $35. Flexible scheduling morning or evening. Private
and semi-private lessons also available.



Cooper School of Dance

6911 Preston Road

521-7302

This studio has a complete program of dance classes -tap, jazz and ballet in addition to an excellent women’s
exercise class that meets Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 9 to 10. One class per week, $14 per month; twice, $20; three
times, $26. A discount is given if you sign up for the entire semester which runs from January to the first week in
June.



Dallas Civic Ballet Academy

3601 Rawlins

526-5531

Ballet exercise classes Tuesday-Thursday 9:30-10:30 a.m. $25 per month; Monday-Wednesday-Friday, same time, $37 per
month. Or Tuesday-Thursday evening 6:15-7:15.

Etgen Atkinson School of Ballet

6815 Hillcrest

361-0278

Ballet exercise Monday evening 8:30-9:30 or Wednesday evening 7-8. Eight lessons, $17.00.



Alice Willey School

of Ballet Arts

4356 Lover’s Lane

691-0826

Ballet exercise class Wednesday evenings, 6-7:30 p.m. Costs $14 per month, plus $9 registration fee.



Community Service Courses

Association

Mrs. Polly Gruening, director

328-6111 or 327-1492

Offers courses at reasonable rates in belly dancing and fencing. Will also schedule special classes for a club or
group. Call for details on time and location.



Arabesque Studio of Dance

1020 Preston Royal (368-3823)

176 Spring Creek Village

(233-2532)

133 Valwood Shopping Village

(243-1203)

The classes are called “Danc-ercise” – exercises using dance techniques. Day and evening sessions, one hour per
week, $30 per month with special rates if you attend more than one class per week. Tap dancing classes available.



Eastfield Community College

746-3113

Modern jazz dance classes starting Jan. 27, 8 to 9:30 p.m. for eight weeks, $12. No training necessary. Emphasis on
basic exercises and jazz combinations to develop and strengthen the body. An intermediate class also is available.



Park Cities-North Dallas

Branch YMCA

6000 Preston Road

526-7293

Exercise class available at 9:15-10:15 a.m. two or three times a week in 15-week sessions. One hour of exercise and
an optional one hour of swimming afterwards. Call for dates and fees.



Schepps Community Center

7900 Northaven Road

363-5251

General and specific conditioning exercises to music directed by Edie Jones. Classes start with 30 minutes of
walking and/or jogging and work up to a mile followed by the exercises. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-10 a.m.
Wednesday 8:30 to 9:30. Evening class 5:30-6:45 p.m. Call for dates and prices.

New Faces

Cindy Stevens

279-9386 or 651-9599

Mrs. Stevens, a photographer’s model, works independently in skin care and make-up. A $12 private session includes
skin care techniques, analysis of the makeup and skin care products you currently use (she does not sell any
cosmetics) and make-up techniques for day and evening. She puts make-up on half your face explaining exactly what
she is doing and why and you do the other half. She’ll even show you how to use corn meal and baby powder in your
beauty routine.



Dermaculture Studio

3032 Mockingbird Ln.

(368-0711)

2665 Promenade (231-3476)

The skin care sessions here are very popular. An initial session, which includes make-up featuring the studios’
products, is $8. After that you may purchase 10 sessions for $70. Other services include Swedish massage, steam bath
and electrolysis.

Jeneal Cosmetique

222 Inwood Village

350-1446

A range of services here include excellent and natural looking eye-tabbing at $15 with refills 25 cents per lash
(averaging about $3-5.) Also available: hair removal (not electrolysis), facials, and skin layering. They have a
complete line of hypo-allergenic make-up and will apply it free of charge with a basic purchase. Otherwise, a
make-up session is $10.

House of the Turtle Salon

2512 Oak Lawn

522-1400

This salon has an excellent reputation for facials and make-up instruction, with its own line of cosmetics ($15 each
and up). Also available: steam, sauna, waxing and massage.

Marie Leavell Beauty Salon

357-6441

This salon offers an excellent Beauty Package for $50 that includes a facial, shampoo and set, manicure and a
make-up. All this takes about four hours and must be scheduled by appointment. Any of these services are also
available individually. Facials are $15 and $20, make-ups are $12.50 up to $20 for special contouring and
post-operative work. They also do excellent eye-tabbing and custom cut and fitted false eyelashes.

Hands and

Feet

There are excellent manicurists in the best-rated salons, but the three who work at 3525 Salon de Coiffure are
mentioned over and over again in our opinion survey. They will also do after hours facials and make-up in your
home.

Mona’s Sculptured Nails, 6128 Berkshire (363-4447), and The Nailery, 2510 Promenade Center, Richardson (690-1920),
are good for applied fingernails and specialize in this technique.

The Works

The Greenhouse in Arlington can take care of everything we’ve mentioned so far and then some. The surroundings are
lovely and the regime is strict, but one week in residence here will get you off to a beautiful new start in 1975.

A typical day starts with breakfast in bed. All the food is planned by food expert Helen Corbitt, and while it is
pleasing to the eye and palate, it’s strictly low calorie, unless you need to gain weight or have special diet
requirements. Then, on to figure problems. Toni Beck is in charge of the exercise program. Under careful
supervision, you are taught exercises for your particular needs.

As for beautifying, a complete range of services are provided, including facials and make-up instruction. There are
saunas, massages, swim sessions in the heated indoor pool (or the outdoor pool, depending on the weather) and even a
rest period now and then. It’s the ultimate in luxurious pampering and top quality beauty services and it’s not
surprising that many women stay two weeks at a time and reserve a spot year after year. Minimum stay: one week.
Costs: $1000 per week, plus 10% in lieu of gratuities. Call 261-8221 for reservations.