Ate until the explosion point on Thanksgiving? Check.

Shopped until retailers refused the plastic on Black Friday? Check.

Spent four-plus hours in travel time returning to Happy Valley? Check.

With 21 days and counting until final exam week, the procrastination clouds emerge from the sky. Winter blahs settle in. It's cold enough to add a scarf to that Northface, but not cold enough to play on Tussey Mountain. Looking in the mirror might just mean seeing that bikini body going into hibernation for the winter, but holiday parties and formals dominate the December calendar. The suggestions of how to spruce up your look remain endless, but one simple, small, inexpensive and non-permanent change leads the pack -- getting a haircut.

Le Salon & Spa

112 S. Fraser St.

Open: Monday to Saturday

Cuts: Males and females

Shampoo, cut and style: Females $30, Males $23

Special bonus: Occasionally the salon runs specials on the hair-care products sold in the salon.

Its secret to success: "We don't like to be the cookie-cutter salon," said employee Eileen Cramer. "I like to think we're all family, and we like to treat you like family."

Cramer also said the full-service salon does a lot of highlights, coloring and hair removal. Le Salon & Spa takes walk-ins and appointments, but Cramer said those who need something done should come in the beginning of the week unless they make a prior appointment.

Supercuts

106 W. Beaver Ave.

Open: Monday to Sunday

Cuts: Males and females

Shampoo, cut and style: Ranges from $21.95 to $25.95 for both sexes.

Special bonus: The store runs coupons online and has customer appreciation days.

Its secret to success: At Supercuts, a simple haircut only costs $13.95. In addition, employee Leah Bastin said Supercuts stylists have a lot of product knowledge.

Bastin said the salon is busy Monday through Friday, but it takes walk-ins, and appointments are not necessary. Besides haircuts, waxing is also popular. Bastin said another plus is the young
staff, because by having young people cutting your hair they know what's in and trendy.
"We have a lot of clientele so [the stylists] get a lot of work with college students," Bastin said.

Euphoria Hair Salon

213 Calder Way

Open: Monday to Saturday

Cuts: Males and females. "More females come in than males because [Euphoria] does a lot color," said employee Amy Miller.

Shampoo, cut and style: Females $25 and up; Males $17 and up

Special bonus: A haircut includes a shampoo, cut and style. Bang trims and maintenance trims are complimentary between haircuts.

Its secret to success: Euphoria does mostly color and haircuts, but a lot of highlights as well, Miller said. It is more of a professional salon, she said, and depending on what stylist a student wants to go to, he or she should schedule an appointment between three days to a week in advance. Miller said a lot of stylists have their own regular clients. Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays are the salon's busiest days.

For Men Only Hair Salon

123 E, Beaver Ave

Open: Monday to Sunday

Cuts: Men only.

Shampoo, cut and style: $17

Special bonus: If you are over 21, the salon serves complimentary Yuengling beer. They also show sports on the television in the salon and have male-oriented magazines.

Its secret to success: "Most guys come to us and are nervous. You don't have to worry," said employee Lindsey Meyers. She said For Men Only is the next closest thing to a barber, and the guys can request any stylist.

Most guys come in to get a haircut, Meyers said, but the salon has been getting some highlight and color requests. "We have very faithful clients," Meyers said. "The guys do a great job of spreading the word for us."

Looks Hair Design

228 E. Calder Way

Open: Monday to Saturday

Cuts: Males and females

Shampoo, cut and style: Females $35 and up, Males $25

Special bonus: Gift certificates are available.

Clients can also have a consultation before they have anything done.

Its secret to success: The atmosphere.

"When you walk in, it's funky and colorful, it's not like you walk in and you're out of your element. [The stylists] make you feel very comfortable," said employee Cassandra Young.

The salon takes walk-ins and appointments, but an appointment guarantees the client will get the time he or she wants.

In addition, owner Joe Selego said he wants warm and friendly stylists and takes those factors into consideration before he hires anyone.

"What I try to do is create
an environment that is as welcoming as can possibly be," he said.