A day at the spa can get costly, but if you’re on a budget and looking for a little pampering there are salons in the heart of downtown Vancouver that offer clients an array of services without leaving their wallets empty.

The Q & A Salon looks like a high end salon, but when you glance at its price list the services are a fraction of the regular cost. Hair treatments cost $17, highlights start at $40 and on Wednesdays a haircut will cost you $10.

What makes the salon unique is it is run by students from the Blanche MacDonald professional hair styling program. The stylists are perfecting their technique, and their customers are looking for a good deal.

"Even though they may not have the money to splurge on a fancy, schmancy salon, they can still take care of themselves, and they can still make themselves feel good," said Teresa Santoro, Q & A Salon manager.

At the Vancouver Community College salon and spa in downtown Vancouver a manicure is $14, a pedicure is $20 and a full body spray tan is just $30. You can also get a spa facial for $32.

“Every treatment is at least 50 per cent less than what you would experience in a top salon and spa in Vancouver," said Lucy Griffith, VCC esthetics instructor.

The estheticians at the VCC spa are also students and their spa classroom has just received a two million dollar makeover.

"You get the feeling that you're almost at a high end spa and it's amazing. People don't really expect it from a teaching school but yeah it's really nice," said Lara Protti, VCC esthetics student.

Susie Saunders is a repeat customer at the VCC spa.

"It's incredible. I think it's about half the price regularly and it's nice because the therapists also provide education at the same time," she said.

Students develop the skills they need, while clients get a high end pampering experience on a dime.

“They can completely spend the whole day here on a budget, spend maybe you know $60 to $70 and be here from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.," said Griffith. 

The spa at VCC is not only affordable; it claims to be the greenest spa and salon in Canada. Absolutely everything is recycled, including hair.The spa is open six days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Q & A hair salon on Homer Street is booking up for Christmas party up do’s. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.