Empire Beauty School — Local services in New York

In summary, I don’t doubt that the teachers are teaching good techniques and that students acquire solid techniques. However, I saw that there is an enormous disconnect between what the students know how to do as a technique in a silo versus catering to what the client wants and making the client look good based on the client’s facial/hair qualities and preferences. I understand that it is all part of the learning process but my review is based on the outcome of the style for which I went to the client service of the school. The analytical application piece was completely missing.

Details: I went in for a special occasion hair and makeup. The student and staff asked me what kind of style I wanted and offered immediate and honest feedback that given my hair length, what I wanted wouldn’t work for my hair. This was appreciated so that I can think of alternatives.

I showed photos of the alternative hairstyle and makeup I wanted, and the final product was nothing resembling what I wanted. I do commend the students and teacher who were very willing to listen, open to feedback, and listened to my feedback/dislike and corrected course (reason why the review is not 1 star but 2 stars). But the final outcome was still not what I wanted after a lot of time and working on my hair and face and thankfully they were amenable to changing things based on what I kept asking them to fix. It was basically a lot of undoing to get to what I wanted, and it did not have the final look I had wanted. The student spent a lot of time trying to correct course (which is commendable, but clients only have so much time…The whole experience, including me cutting things short because I had a cut off time, was still 3 hours).

Both the hair and makeup process showed me that the students basically knew only what they are used to and lack the analytical skill and assessment of looking at the client as they are, decipher how to create the desired look in a specified client without resorting to their default method of doing things.

I understand that the cost of service is very low because it is primarily for training - however some basics were missing. I was not told during the appointment booking that I would need to bring my own make up. Thankfully I had some of my own make up items in my bag that I was able to use. But the student was put into a situation where she needed to make do with her own personal supplies (if I hadn’t brought my own, I wouldn’t have had colors that match me). Even for correcting mistakes on the makeup, the student was scrambling because there was no communal supply she could use for make-up remover, cotton swab, Q-tips, etc. This seemed like a basic provision for a beauty school that runs a segment for client services.

On numerous occasions, I observed the teachers coming into the salon area to ask if any student was available for client services as clients came in. Often, the request was as basic as a wash and a blow dry. Out of more than 20-30 students who were going in and out of the space, it was very rare to see a student take up on the staff request right away, even though many were going around / sitting idle. Not every student, but the general consensus seemed to be that there was very little will and very little ownership. A part of good education is not just imparting technical skills but pushing students where they need to be pushed, and push for ownership of learning, push for creativity, push for analytical thinking and application. I unfortunately did not see much of this with the services I received and the observation I made during...

Do not spend your money at this school!

I have been going to the Empire Beauty School for since 2003. My experience with the students have always been great. They were very professional and their work has always been exemplary.

April 2013, the school changed its policy,"meaning" they were going to extract more money for their services. I have been going to get extensions, and as previously stated the students have done excellent work. For me to recommend others to the school, says a lot. Everyone who I sent there had the same experience that I had. Great work. Today, however, they are favoring certain hair types over others, (read black hair vs. white hair). It is definitely not the students, but the 'powers that be" that have instituted this policy.

I have been told that they no longer do wash and sets on extensions because the company policy forbids this.The company does not want to be sued if the hair becomes matted during the was process and has to be replaced. I only use 100 percent human hair not synthetic hair, therefore, my hair never would get matted. I know I have washed it many times myself.

On my last visit as I was getting extensions put in , the floor supervisor, the old lady with multi color hair, came up to me to stop the process, stating that the school does not allow the students to do braids using the synthetic hair, which holds the braided hair in place. She proceeded to explain that they wanted the students to be fair in their work habits, and not everyone can braid with the synthetic hair, and that it was not on their curriculum. She said, "what if someone comes in with silky hair (translated white hair) and this process cannot be used". I told her that I was paying for this service, and I was not leaving with my hair half done. She relented and told me that the next time, the braiding, which now costs $20, will not be done with synthetic hair. She also told my stylist not to double the tracks, but to do single tracks only. This was done to extract more money because they charge per row.

A few minutes later, a White woman come in with synthetic Cinderella ( the cheap kind) hair that is glued to her scalp and gets a wash and set. As I mentioned earlier, I was previously told they do not do wash and sets on extensions, however, this woman comes in and gets the royal treatment. Also, I noticed the student nervously trying not get the matts out of her hair, slowly, without getting her client upset.

Do not spend your money at this school. The students do excellent work, but the company policies should a total lack of respect for woman of color when it comes to getting their hair styled, as well as their pricing policies which extract more money, from the client, while the client gets...

Yesterday, I got my hair washed, treated and cut by Jeziel. To be honest, this was my first time ever getting my hair cut at a salon. I got my hair styled once for prom and the hairdresser made me feel so bad about my hair, I felt embarrassed seeing another one for 12 years. Right away, Jeziel spoke To me about what I think about my hair and what inspired me to come in. We spoke about the products that I use, and she educated me on why they could be causing The excessive dryness I was experiencing. I basically told her that I had given up on my hair and I would just slick it back with gel, but I hated the way my face looks when I did that. She was so knowledgeable And I felt extremely comfortable. She was very direct with her instruction and took extra care asking me if the water temperature is fine, if i was comfortable, she let me know she would be putting a cape on me, etc. It was these little things that I considered extremely considerate And I couldn’t help but think how much people need that kind of care when they get a service done. Before she started cutting, she explains her vision and how long she thinks it should be. At this point, I trusted her so much. I was like “go for it.” With every cut, I could see it framing my face so beautifully. I really started to smile at myself in the mirror. I was watching the other students in the background styling their equally happy clients or working on a mannequin and doing such an amazing job. I asked Jeziel about her education here and she told me how much they get to learn and practice and I need everyone to know that there are some really talented women in this salon. Do not be intimidated by the fact that they are learning. Jeziel’s educator, Miss Leeandra would come by and double check her work And I could see the pride she felt because of Jeziel’s amazing work and she was so encouraging and knowledgeable as well. Another educator came at the end and taught me how to tame my fly aways. This is the shortest My hair has ever been, but I genuinely feel BEAUTIFUL and I can’t stop touching my hair or watching it finally MOVE!! Not once did they shame me about the broken choppy pieces — just the opposite, they had confidence and reassurance that they can blend it and they even said “its just hair, theres nothing to be ashamed about”. This has to be my favorite hairstyle I have EVER rocked. Thank you Jeziel, I feel beautiful again and I am still smiling about my hair. You will go so far with your talent...