Pampering ourselves is a great escape for a multiple of reasons. We feel good when our nails are freshly done, when we have just come back from the hair salon or when our faces are glowing. So where can you go to get a manicure for as little as $5.50, a facial  for $7 or a shampoo, hair cut and blow dry for $12 in Andover?

The deal is at the Greater Lawrence Technology School, 47 River Road. They operate a salon as part of their cosmetology program where supervised junior and seniors students provide services to clients as training for their State certification.

Cecilia Smith, lead teacher, explained that students begin classroom training in their freshman year, followed by hands-on-training in their sophomore year. The juniors and seniors have the skills needed to work on clients, but are closely supervised by their teachers.

The quality of their work is evident by repeat customers, according to Smith. But she explained that customers must sign a waiver acknowledging these are students and not professionals. It also takes a little longer for the services, and she said people must be patient.

The salon which can accommodate 20 customers is run on a first-come, first-serve basis, and is open from 9-11 a.m., Tuesday-Friday. Other services include facial waxing for $4, facials with steam and mask $10,1-process coloring $25 and highlights with a blow dry for $30, as well as other nail, facial and hair services.

Smith explained that their salon uses the same professional products found in other salons.  She also said that plans to expand will include a barber shop next to the salon.

So go ahead, schedule a mom's pampering morning with your friends. Drop the kids off at school, have a manicure and a facial, then add in lunch at the school's Four Winds Restaurant, run by Culinary Arts students. Lunches on Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually run between $7-$8 which includes salad. They offer a buffet only on Fridays for $9.25. The weekly menus are listed on the website.

The restaurant is open Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11:15am-12:45pm and Friday 11am-12:45pm. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at x2016.

The salon and restaurant are both closed when school is not in session, there is a special event or for MCAS testing.  Smith urges moms to call ahead.  The phone number for the school is 978-686-0194. For more information, you can visit their website.