10/26/08

Love this place!

by luv2shopski

First off, you would not realize you were in a beauty school unless someone told you. The girls I have visited so far have been really professional and sweet. Definitely add at least double the time you would spend at a normal salon, but well worth it! So far, I have gone for 2 haircuts, 2 brow waxes and a facial and will definitely go back! I recommend this to all my friends who waste sometimes $300 on a cut and dye, on something that fades or grows out after a couple months at most anyway! I am saving my money by coming here, plus I tip well so feel like I am doing something good for the aspiring stylists!

• Pros: service
• Cons: timeliness

Editorial Review

by Contributor

They may not be professionals yet, but the students at this Paul Mitchell-endorsed cosmetology school offering discounted services will make sure your lovely locks look their best--their grade depends on it.

08/13/07

Great learning environment for you AND the student!

by tabz

you get what you pay for ... sometimes you get even more! like said in the last review ... if you're picky about your hair then quit being a CHEAPASS and go to a PROFESSIONAL salon with people that are already licensed and have been doing hair professionally. at this school they call they're students "FUTURE professionals" DUHHH! this is a GREAT place to get hair services when you have the right amount of patience, time and openness. YOU'RE GOING TO A SCHOOL not a SALON!! its a learning facility for them and a great deal for us! i've been getting my hair cut AND colored there for the past 4 years and so far so good! i think thats because i'm not asking for too much from a student expecting a makeover!! so if you're the type of person to get a simple cut or color done and you're not someone with jet black hair trying to be platinum blonde or are trying to get over all highlights with hair down to the bottom of your back then maybe you'll apprecitate this place even more. then again i've also seen many a creative cut and color walk out those doors that rival many high end salons! also take the opportunity to get your makeup touch up complimentary after your great cut and/or color ... oh and especially after a facial! the school carries a great mineral makeup line too.

• Pros: great atmosphere, very professional students and teachers
• Cons: services may go over time, parking is extremely hard - parking lot is a block away on 7th between folsom and howard

02/06/07

let's just get something straight...

by tpiazza07

SFIEC IS A SCHOOL!!!!!!!! so of course the stylists may run late, or mess up once...that is how they learn!! that is why you sign a waiver!!!! and 9 out of 10 times the clients are extremely happy...9 out of 10 ain't bad. i graduated from there in july and i recieved the best training that money can buy. I have been working at a salon for 3 months and i am already fully booked and have a wait list so that has to say something about the training i received! so for those of you that want quality for less and aren't in any kind of rush, this is for you. If you are very picky and crazy about your hair, skin, whatever...stop being cheap and go to a salon that will charge you an arm and leg, and try to be more understanding. And one more thing, while i attended SFIEC, i had the cutest hair that i have ever had, and *gasp!* students did it!!! that says a lot!! so please don't let these angry reviews persuade you to go elsewhere!! afterall, most people will write a review only when they are angry!! not when they are happy!

• Pros: cutting edge style ... they know the latest hair fashion!
• Cons: parking can be a challenge

11/14/06

Horrible, horrible, horrible!

by scarlettbegonia

this has to be by far the worst cosmetology school and salon. The employees are terribly rude, the teachers don't supervise enough, and they are NEVER on time! If you need a day of beauty dont just walk, but run somewhere else!

• Pros: the students are polite
• Cons: the front desk staff, the location, the atmosphere, the music, the wait time

05/10/05

A great value

by jpiercesf

After seeing an ad in SFWeekly I decided to check out a facial service. I had the Treatment Facial which was amazing. The students are so attentive and really do a great job. The instructors who supervise everything are very professional and everything is so clean. There are few spas in the city as clean as this place, believe me, I have been to most of them. I have been back several times now and each time have had a very relaxing time. My pedicure was an incredible experience and my haircut turned out great. I'll be back for more.

• Pros: Clean Environment, Very Friendly, Very informative
• Cons: Services take longer, They graduate

10/06/04

Good for a lot of services

by zeitgeistwriter

I've had a lot of great experiences here. They are students, so they try very hard to do a good job and please the customer. Their supervisors are friends and ever-present (with one exception I will mention later).

I've had great facials, awesome pedicures and manicures, and good waxes (brows, underarm, bikini, leg). The atmosphere resembles a nice urban spa, the people are customer-service oriented, and the prices are low. One drawback...because they are students, they are slow. And I will never get my haircut there because the supervision was not enough to prevent a pretty lopsided haircut.

• Pros: Inexpensive, Attentive, Friendly, Great skin & nail svc
• Cons: , Not great haircuts