"In the spring time, people want to cut their hair off and forget the winter," she says.

If one is willing to pay for a cut from a professional, the experts say there are two general options: the cut and the style.

A simple haircut is available from any barber shop near the Square, including Central Barber Shop, Great Cuts, Jerry's Underground and La Flamme. All offer inexpensive hair cuts, but each uses distinctly different approaches to the Zen of hair.

Central Barber Shop, which provides a low-cost cut for the bargain price of $8, is marked as a standard barber shop by the spinning red, white and blue striped candy cane outside its door.

Inside is a barber shop that has changed little from when it was established 50 years ago. Iannocone says his barbers still give the no frills cut that attracts customers by its simplicity.

"We're a barber shop," Iannocone says. "With a styling salon, it is more or less style. A barber can really taper the hair."

Another establishment that can be classified as a barber shop is Great Cuts on Mt. Auburn Street. Great Cuts, a member of a chain of unisex hair salons, gives out-of-town students the opportunity to get an inexpensive cut from the same sort of salon at home.

Jerry's Underground, located under Holyoke, a third barber shop is owned and operated by Jerry E. Lauretano. Lauretano, who has been in the Square for 13 years, offers a shampoo, cut and advice for just $9.

The shop, buried under Holyoke Street, boasts a two-chair barber shop filled with Jerry's "stream of consciousness style" of cutting hair. In fact, this style of hair cutting has provided Lauretano with the opportunity to appear on cable television.

Adam H. Wolman '88, who hosts a weekly cable access program in Cambridge, says he has invited Lauretano to appear on his show because of this style.

"I came down here for a hair cut and I experience his stream of consciousness style," Wolman said. "He seems to talk about whatever is on his mind. It is experience as much as it is a hair cut."

Inside La Flamme, a traditional barber shop located on Dunster Street, George Papalinberis has been cutting hair for the past 16 years. Papalinberis offers any sort of cut for nine dollars.

John Emerson '91, says that he has been to other places which offer similar cuts for higher prices.

"Before I came to La Flamme, I went to a more expensive other place," Emerson said. "The haircuts here are very comparable."

A Little Style