I decided to give one of my neighborhood peluquerias a chance, at the recommendation of my neighbor and friend - and I am SO pleased! Fantastic highlights, the cut I wanted, and a nice blow out - all for 300 pesos. It's kind of funny how much I dislike going to the hairdresser: I have spoken Spanish half my life, I have worked in Spanish for years, I can present papers and whatnot - but I feel completely lost at the hairdresser when trying to explain what I want. But today it was different! He really listened and agreed to do the mechas with papel (not the cap - I hate that), agreed to the color I wanted, and did not cut my hair more than I wanted. (Why do hairdressers always want to do that??)
The place is called Studio Stilistas and it is in Villa Crespo, on Acevedo 225, between Camargo and Padilla, just a few blocks from Corrientes (Malabia subte). My stylist was Germán, super nice guy. 2067-4236. (I am not sponsored by the way, just super happy to find a good, cheap, local place. Nothing fancy at all.) I wanted to attach a photo of my hair but can't figure out how.