Milan Institute - Palm Desert — Local services in Palm Desert

I am writing this not from the perspective of a client or student as it seems both groups are very satisfied based on the reviews I've read here. I'm writing as a perspective student. I called the 800 number to get information about program pricing but the representative I spoke with was clearly ONLY trained in data collection, which I initially didn't want to divulge if she could not answer my questions. After a bit of back & forth the agent assured me once she got my information she'd be happy to answer my questions, so reluctantly I relented and as expected she couldn't answer my questions and had to schedule me for a "tour" of the school, where my questions would be answered. Despite my not wanting a tour of the school, I scheduled one for the next day if I could get the answers I sought. I arrive to the appointment and everyone was very pleasant and the school is what one would expect, if you are familiar with how they are set up(which I am, given that I have completed both cosmetology and medical assisting at separate schools, both programs are offered at Milan)but I digress. I was paired with Nancy, who was perfectly lovely but I wanted to get to brass tax with her, so I let her know exactly why I was there. I simply wanted to know how much and how long the barbering course would be, given that I already have cosmetology license the state. The advisor was guessing at the the amount of hours and didn't even hazard a guess at pricing. She had to call two separate people into the meeting and not only did they too guesstimate the amount of hours required but couldn't tell me if my state license was enough proof of my previous cosmetology instruction! I told them I 've had my license since '96 and certainly did not hold onto paperwork from that long ago but as the state of California recognizes my training surely they should, since their sole function is to make sure their students can pass the state board exam. The advisor couldn't even tell me the price of the barbering kits in the display case that the students need to purchase separately. So I drove 3 towns over to get no information that actually should have been answered in a phone call if data collection was less of a priority. I did however follow up with a competitor, that had price sheets and cost breakdowns of every program they offered and the necessary amount of hours to complete...

If you are thinking about enrolling in the barber program, please do yourself a favor and DON’T do it. I’ve been a student here since August 2024, the phase 1 which is theory is fine, but the attitude of some students is super unprofessional and has made my learning process super uncomfortable, I asked for help to instructors to keep the other students behaving professionally but my plead was unsuccessful, once you are on phase 2 you are practically on your own. They dont have an organized system on how to teach how to cut hair, which is incredible to believe when you enroll to a barber school thinking that you will learn how to be a barber and u dont get education on how to be a barber. It’s $16,000 and i dont think the price was worth the education. I’m about to finish, but this last 8 months have been one of the worst months i have spent at any place. The things i know it’s because i been watching videos on my iPad and learning on my own. The other students have been so disrespectful, just yesterday the instructor asked nicely to a student to please work on something and dont waste time and he didn’t listen and the student just kept listening to music doing nothing and eating Doritos, And being loud, I told the student to be quiet, and he got mad at me. I went to tell the person in charge and instead of her doing something, tells me to calm down. And i was trying to practice a haircut on my mannequin but the mess they were having just didn’t let me concentrate. And this was just one of the situations on that particular day, but many more things happened in 8 months I was there. So again, I dont know the other programs but if you are thinking of enrolling in the barber program do yourself a big favor...

I had the pleasure of learning from Mrs. Arlene during my part one of esthetician school and I can confidently say she is one of the most knowledgeable and passionate educators I’ve encountered. Their deep understanding of skin care, combined with a patient and encouraging teaching style, made each lesson both informative and engaging. She took the time to ensure we understood the techniques and theory, offering hands-on support and personalized feedback which I greatly appreciated. Loved her.

Mrs. Tina is truly an amazing esthetician teacher! She has a tons of knowledge and experience, and she teaches in a way that is both easy to understand and very hands-on. She is patient, encouraging, and always willing to take extra time to explain techniques or answer questions. What I love most is how passionate she is about the beauty industry—her energy motivates everyone in class to do their best. She not only teaches the technical side of aesthetics, but also instills confidence and professionalism in her students. I feel so grateful to be learning from her and know the skills she’s teaching will stay with me throughout my career

Mrs. Kat is such a wonderful teacher! She creates a comfortable learning environment where everyone feels supported and encouraged. She explains each step clearly and makes sure her students not only know the techniques but also understand the “why” behind them. She’s very hands-on, approachable, and always willing to give helpful feedback. Her passion for skincare really shows, and it inspires her students to take pride in their work. I appreciate how patient and kind she is, and I feel like I’ve learned so much because of...