The Salon Professional Academy — Attraction in Nashville-Davidson

I had a very off putting experience at the Salon Professional Academy. I had a color appointment set for 9:30AM, I arrived on time and texted the number on the window to check in. I was not taken into the building until almost 9:45, my student stylist Kaitlin was very sweet! I asked for a balayage, she informed me she couldn’t do balayage. So I asked for an all over color with money pieces framing my face instead. After my stylist spoke with her instructor I was informed I could not have any foil work done (the money pieces) because that service would’ve had to start at 9:30. But I arrived at 9:30? Moving forward we settled with an all over brown. The two student stylists working on my hair where coloring frantically getting color on my face and the floor. I asked the students if they where graded on application time (they kept starting and stopping a timer while working) they told me they are partially graded on how quickly they can perform the service. At one point the instructor informed me they may not have time to finish my hair because they have to go to lunch at 12. So basically I was being told we may not be able to finish your service (after staring my coloring?). Luckily the students where able to finish the coloring in time, but with the frantic washing etc. dye was left all around my hairline causing staining on my face and a rash on the back of my neck. The instructor informed me they did not have time to style or completely dry my hair, so I left with damp hair. Even though I did not get a “style” I was still charged full price for a color and style. I have been to multiple cosmetology schools in the past (TN school of beauty and Paul Mitchell) and never experienced students being so rushed etc. I enjoyed the students but not the instructor or the way they are made to rush services. Totally not worth $86. Please add disclaimers about the time constraint and ability of students...

POOR SERVICE, TOXIC ENVIRONMENT

I have had several cuts here (by different students), and they all have been great! My review has nothing bad to reflect about the quality of the students’ work. But my recent experience put me off from ever going back.

I requested a perm and a cut when I scheduled over the phone, but was told by the educator after I sat in the chair that they typically don’t do both and that there was only enough time to do one or the other. While I understand this policy, they did nothing to provide a solution for the miscommunication. Fortunately the educator did help the student quickly trim some of my hair before they began the perm, but I realized when I got home the sides were very uneven. Just as other reviews mentioned being misled about pricing, I too was charged $32 more than advertised for the perm, and $13 for a half cut (I usually pay $11/12 for a full cut). Again, I understand the rates are “starting at”, but the price increase was not discussed with me before the services began. Although the perm turned out great and the price wasn’t terrible, the overall experience was very unprofessional.

As far as culture, it seems as about as bigoted as you can legally be these days. I feel sorry any aspiring hair stylists who attend this school who aren’t “southern”, white and Christian. I understand that private businesses are allowed to set their culture and I respect that, but this place is designed to be, and marketed as, an education institution. Students and clients should be learning how to express themselves. But all the micro aggressions and antiquated policies, such as calling superiors “miss” and having to wear a full face of makeup or else, make this place toxic for anyone who identifies as anything other than a...

This was my second time at Salon professional Academy the first time I received a haircut and hair glaze. Everything was fine. I was excited and thought the price was adequate. And then there was the next time I made an appointment for a manicure. It went like this little to know product was used. They did not soak my nails, the shape of my nails was a total fail, and then there was the nail polish, which was the biggest issue the brand was good however it was very very old and clumpy as was the topcoat. Please don’t think it was only the one I chose. I looked through everyone they were all the same old and goopy. When my manicure was over the student had the educator come over she didn’t look at my nails she didn’t care. She simply signed it off on the students form. You might notice I didn’t name the student. I don’t feel it’s the students fault the Academy is obviously out of touch with what a manicure is and how it is performed. This school should be a shamed that they are taking money for educational program and not providing adequate tools and supplies for the students to perform services in this case a manicure. I did not choose to state my feelings while at the salon about my manicure, since there was no way it could be done to a professional standard, based upon my previous statements of the quantity of product and quality of product. It’s the school’s fault. no one could perform a quality professional manicure at any level with these issues! I simply didn’t want to hurt the students feelings, and certainly didn’t feel like I would get a professional response from the educator, so I paid for my services and went down the street and had them redone. I definitely would not recommend this school to anyone that wanted a quality...