Paul Mitchell The School Salon

I discovered this beauty school about a year and a half ago when I relocated to the area for law school. As a student myself, I was looking for a hair stylist that I could afford for regular color care, and boy did I luck out in this place. I love the PM product line and the luxurious and contemporary design of the store. I get phase two stylists because of the training and all of the ladies are great, in my experience. They all try their best to get the style you are seeking, and are very client oriented. Cierra is spectacular, in particular — try to book her if you can, but she is in high demand. All of the stylist are very good, though, so you can’t go wrong — Haley, Jessica, Brittany are all outstanding. Please remember this is a school and they are students so they are still learning. But for the price of well styled and colored hair care, you can’t go wrong. Best wishes!

I went in and got a hair cut and color from Meagan Student #176. She did an amazing job. I walked out with the smile on my face because she executed exactly what I wanted. She is so sweet and talented!

I went in to have my hair colored by Meagan G. SHE IS AMAZING! She did a fantastic dark brown to purple ombré. I was not disappointed at. I LOVE it! She is so sweet and made sure to ask me questions so that my hair turned out perfect. I would highly recommend her to everyone. Her skills highly exceed that of someone who is still a student. So if you’re looking to have your hair done, go to Meagan. I can’t say enough good things about my experience with her. Ask for student #176!

I love the way my hair turned out! The girl who cut it was quite personable. We talked books and movies for the entire 7 hours I was there. I will definitely request her next time I go.
Yes, I was there for 7 hours. I have very thick hair and I had a weave done. Very tedious job for a technician and for the client. Take a snack or ask the techs to pick up lunch for you. They all took a lunch break, but I walked out feeling a little grumpy because I hadn’t eaten all afternoon. They should have maybe a $ 5 corkage fee, because by late afternoon I was ready for a glass of wine.
But rest assured, I’ll go back!

I’ve been lucky enough to find a great stylist, Wendy! She’ll be graduating in two month which I’m really sad about it but excited for her. She has cut my hair, dyed it, done treatments, and blow dried it. I always leave the shop making my next appointment to see her. See you in a few weeks!

My girl friend experienced with Paul Mitchell The School last night was great and I couldn’t be happier with the results! Angie Alvarado was very professional and impressive. My girl friend and I were both satisfied with the work.
Thank you
ANGIE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

After my experience with trying to get into this school, I realized that it wasn’t worth the trouble and financial debt.
If you are considering cosmetology schools, Paul Mitchell is still a wonderful brand. BUT there are many schools out there (including Community Colleges) that will give you the education you need to get your license. If it is EXPERIENCE/​TECHNIQUE you are looking for, big brand schools (Paul Mitchell, Vidal Sassoon, Toni and Guy, etc) are defiantly great options… but they are not your only options.
Do your research and ask questions!

I would give 2.5 stars if I could, I guess. I realize this is a school salon and I have taken that into account while writing this review. I got an ombré at a salon which costs upwards of $ 150. I realized a week or two later I actually wasn’t a fan of the messy, grown out look that comes with the ombré hairstyle. Upon seeing all the rave reviews on this site with regards to highlighting, I decided to go in for a cheaper fix and then I could decide what to do with my hair color (probably after winter so I could give it a break from the bleach). I wish I remembered my stylists name. The first thing I told her is that I absolutely did not like the ombré/​roots growing out-​look and showed her a couple of picture of an icy blonde with few lowlights. My picture’s hair was mostly one, beautiful, bright color. The FIRST thing the stylist tells me is, «Oh yes, I love your natural grown out look.» Literally, it was the very thing I said I disliked. Thankfully, her teacher came over where I explained again I did not want an ombré look. We settled on icy highlights with a few lowlights thrown in. They threw in a couple of comments about slicing and splicing and other hair terminology I have no idea about.
Things that went wrong —
1. I realize the whole point of a salon school is to promote your products. My stylist pushed the product box for blonde hair care on me every three minutes even though I repeatedly said I did not wish to purchase them. She even went as far as to have me hold the product for over half my visit. If there was ever a lull in conversation, she would make sure to mention, «Yeah, whoever sells the most boxes gets to go on a trip. We all want to go SO bad.» When another stylist celebrated her sale, my stylist sulked and said she wished she could sell one. I get it. You have to sell them. Don’t be pushy.
2. I’m not sure what really happened but my stylist didn’t do my hair color properly at first. After sitting for an extended amount of time in the foils (she checked the color at least six times and kept saying we needed to leave it on longer), we went to wash my hair out. After we washed my hair, she said she needed to add something to it. She wouldn’t tell me exactly what and added what looked and smelled like the same kind of product you would find in box dye. She told me I needed to wait 10 – 15 minutes. I sat for 15 minutes (yes, I timed) in the chair at the sink by myself. She left to go do other things. My feet couldn’t reach the floor. My neck was kinked at an uncomfortable angle. It was awful. My neck was sore the next day.
3. About a week after getting the job done, I was separating my hair into sections to straighten it and was disappointed to find you can see jagged, diagonal lines where the dye was applied. I’m a huge fan of the half up, half down look so it was disappointing to see it was completely noticeable.
All in all, you get what you pay for. Mostly, I was upset about being left in the sink room with no one around in an uncomfortable room and she wouldn’t tell me why she needed to add more product to my hair. I wasn’t expecting the best dye job ever but I was expecting a classy, salon-​like experience. I hope my stylist finds a better chair-​side manner and promotion techniques before graduation.

Prob the worst costumer service ive ever experienced. I went in for a hair cut. I left my phone on the table. The hair stylist next to mine tried to move the magazines that were on top of my phone. She dropped my phone without knowing, once she picked it up my phone screen was all shattered. Not only did she not say anything or apologize she just put it right back on the table.
I grabbed my phone and saw that it was cracked. I told my stylist and she went to talk to a supervisor.
Supervisor came over and apologized but she said that theres nothing that she can do due to our own liabilities on our stuff and that we shouldnt put phones on the table… Are you serious? Then i had to ask my stylist to ask if i can get any compensation or ask the girl to pay to fix my phone.
My stylist was very nice and got it for me and she did a good job at my hair cut. But this whole time the girl who dropped my phone thought my phone was already cracked… way to make excuses for yourself
But what made me so angry is that the stylist who dropped my phone did not apologize once nor did she acknowledge how upset i was… Im younger than her and i have even better manner than her. Pissed me off so much.
I was still very angry because it costs $ 50 to replace my phone screen. I called to talk to the director of paul mitchel, the director straight up gave me an attitude saying they already offered a free service what else do i want (she said it in exact words). I cant ask that girl to pay for it? $ 15 hair cut for free but i would have to pay $ 50 to fix my phone.
I dont understand how someone with such attitude can be a director at this school. She doesnt even know how to take care of a situation and still gave me an attitude. You can pay me to go here again and i still wouldnt.

If you’re looking for a cheap haircut or color definitely make an appointment here. Also expect to wait awhile because they are students and they are still learning. I always recommend phase 2 students because they are the the ones that are going to graduate already.

I have tried Paul Mitchell salon in SF and here. Both places are great with their services. Highly recommend getting appointments. Got hair cut from one of their Phase II and finished by their mentor. Also got my hair styled here and it was amazing. Love the vibe around here and definitely looking forward to my future hair styling here.

I love coming here but if you choose to go at night it’s a gamble I feel bad for the students out of the 4 times I’ve come at night there always seems to be one teacher helping all the students while other teacher are no where to be found. I can sense the frustration in the students but I keep coming back because I want to keep encouraging them and it’s not no fault of their own that there is only one person that’s willing to help. I wish I could remember her name but she keeps her students calm and she’s very patient with them.
Over all I do love coming here I just wish the people running the place can see what client are seeing. Next time I go I have to get the teacher name I feel she is doing an excellent job and I feel safe that her students will take care of my needs or she will lead them in the right directions.

So far, my experience at the salon school has been positive. The students are very professional and they are under supervision of an instructor. I usually opt for a Phase 2 student since they have more experience. I’ve never tried dying my hair, so I can’t comment. I have had a cut and a blow-​dry and have been satisfied with their work.
I’m trying to grow my hair a little longer for my upcoming wedding, so I just received a quick trim to refresh my hair. If you have a picture of what you want, they can better accomodate and be more precise.
It is best to make an appointment ahead of time. If you don’t, the wait can be a bit long. The student starts you off with washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. They also give you a quick scalp and neck massage along with that. Afterwards, cut and style! The student that I had also make some recommendations on some products that she used on me, which was great!
Great price, clean and positive environment!

I experienced my appointment with Paul Mitchell The School this morning and I couldn’t be happier with the results! All of the students were very professional and impressive. My coworker and I were both expressly satisfied with the work.
I personally had Bryant as my barber. He did an amazing job and answered all of my questions. The cut he performed was perfect, and I couldn’t be happier.
I will certainly be referring anyone in Los Angeles /​Orange County area to Paul Mitchell The School in Costa Mesa! Thank you Michelle, Bryant, and all!

Wooooooooot!!! This place rock’s big time…
I went in they help me with the cut and made it happen…
Very nice clean fast everyone very very understanding
And helpful.
Mei soooooooo sweet and knows her stuff.
Great day it was .I will definitely go back to see her.
Mei 110 is the bomb…:)
U are very lucky to have her…
Dave…

I have long hair and am very particular on who I let color my hair. I was referred by a co-​worker so I thought I’d give it a try.
I was very pleased with the professionalism of the students. They’re still learning and have instructors on the floor to assist when needed.
I was given a basic color with root touch up & PM shines by Jozlyn. She went out of her way to make me feel comfortable & was extremely pleasant! I enjoyed my experience and love my hair! I will definitely go back to Jozlyn again.

You get what you’re paying for.
I made a last minute appointment for May 5^th at 6pm. I forgot the name of the lady who did my hair but I am not impressed. My color came out fine, but how can you mess up a simple black dye?
1) The student do my hair got a brush stuck in my hair while she was blowdrying my hair. She didn’t take it out immediately, instead she continued to blow-​dry and let the brush hang from my hair. She proceeded to call for back up and had another student remove the brush from my head.
2) As she was blow drying, her was pulling on my hair with all her force. She was not careful at all and I was getting pretty upset.
3) I left with dye ALL over my face, forehead, neck, and ears. She did not even TRY to get it off of my skin.
The instructor (who was not watching over this student at all) was a good help in the building, but he did not monitor the student. She might have a lot of experience, but now my skin is stained for god knows how long.
I tipped her VERY generously, even though her service was poop.
So thanks I guess. I won’t be coming back.

Just to reply to the comment from «Riannon B» even though it’s not her picture, you’re right! I did get my transcripts! The reason I got my transcripts was because no one would answer the phone or my emails so I went down to your school and demanded them from Gracie in the financial aid department!!! I paid off my tuition MONTHS ago and I had EVERY right to my transcripts! Your be nice or else program is a crock of Sh! t and yall have absolutely no compassion for anyone. So glad I’m done with PM.

$ 12 Phase One haircut. $ 25 neck and upper back wax. I’ve also gotten root touch-​ups and deep conditioning treatments. Everything has been a superior experience for a beauty school.
I don’t get my hair cut anywhere else because of the price. Yes, this is a beauty school, but the hair stylists check with their teachers every step of the way. Of the 10+ times I’ve gotten my hair cut at a Paul Mitchell The School, I’ve never needed to use the option to come back within a week to fix an error for free.
If you want a 30 – 60 minute wash, cut and style, then this is not the place for you. These are students and they’re taught to be perfectionists. So, they take their time. Fine by me!
Women and men of all ages come in to satisfy their hair and skin needs. I highly recommend this salon for your hair needs on a tight budget!

Not loving my haircut. There is no style to it or shape.
If he didn’t know how to cut layers, he should have called an instructor over and asked for guidance. Thats what you do at school. I do not have layers, I have a trim with tapered ends.
When I got home I evened out the front and gave myself the bangs I asked for but wasn’t given.
I didn’t expect an amazing $ 100 haircut but I did expect a student who was paying attention.
Mine was heavily distracted, not focused and not paying attention to much of what I told him concerning how I wanted my hair cut.
He knew I wasn’t happy but ushered me out because he had an appointment following me to cut a friends hair.
I had told him repeatedly that I DON’T blow dry my hair because it frizzes.
Sooooo he blow dried my hair into a fuzzball and was going to let it be. I asked for something to tame the mess and he slapped something onto it. It looked like shit.
I put my hair in a ponytail before I got out of his chair.
No happy client walks out in a ponytail and they should teach you that 1^st day.
So heres a lesson:
Don’t bitch about your job (school) to your cliet. We don’t care. I’m there for me, not you. You are there for me.
Don’t tell the person sitting in your chair about how you don’t want to be there but you’re only there for your next client.
Don’t tell your obviously unhappy client that you «finished just in time» so you can get to your next appointment.
Social media can help you or hurt you. How many follwers you have doesn’t matter, what matters is the person in your chair and the last thing you want is that unhappy person in your chair posting and tagging you in a picture of their uglyass frizzball you let them walk out with.
The potential is there, the execution needs refinement and professionalism.