Aesthetics Institute

I’ve been coming to Aesthetics Institute for over 10 years and it’s been a pleasure each time. Mrs. Mendoza is the owner and she knows everything there is as far as facials, electrology and nails. I used to use the big recliner she had in the back room and would be as comfortable as a bug in a rug while I’d have a facial and pedicure simultaneously.
Now that the salon is remodeled (front door on the side of the building instead of directly on Powell, the recliner is gone. They’ve recently had a flood and I’ve been waiting for them to re-​open.
But the main delight I find here is the professionalism of the students. They are unfailingly polite and most of them are very well trained before they meet the public. There is a constant flow of students graduating and others coming in so it’s doubtful you’ll have the same student twice, but I’ve enjoyed every one of them. They treat me like the professionals they’ll become. If I contrast the service that I get here to, say, Beau Monde downtown, it’s like college graduates vs. kindergartners.
And for the woman who was offended by the teacher’s (probably Mrs. Mendoza) discussion of their facial skin, I’m sure she would be very sorry that she hurt your feelings.
Keep this hidden gem healthy, and treat yourself to a great treatment without having to feel guilty about spending a fortune.

This is the place to go if you’re looking for relaxation and to improve problem skin c (pigmentation, uneven texture), the facials they have are amazing. The school is clean and the students are genuinely interested in learning about skincare and treatments. I loved the facial I had and the price couldn’t be beat.
I’m giving this place a 2-​star rating because the manicure I had was pretty awful. The manicurist was unable to paint the nails (leaving the nail-​bed unpainted), and I still had to shell out $ 15 for a manicure that I could have had done at a professional salon for the same price. What a rip-​off.
In sum: come here for the facials, don’t bother with the other accoutrements.

I had been wanting to try Aesthetics Inst. for a while and bought a Groupon for 4 facials when I saw it offered. I was very excited to finally try them!
My first visit and student was ok. She did a good job but never felt that she really wanted to be there, it was just something she had to do for the program. I also never saw an instructor. After the facial when I came out of the room, I never saw anyone and had a hard time finding my own way out.
The second time I went, the student was great. I felt connected and was excited… until the instructor came in. She made me feel like shit about myself! She talked down to me telling me my face look burned, it only felt burnt after my face was cleansed with their product, then scolded me because I use coconut oil on my skin, perfectly fine according to my naturopathic physician. Never put anything on your face you wouldn’t put in your mouth, right? I do suffer from body image issues and low self esteem and the way the instructor spoke to me exhasterbated all of these! I left in tears! The student tried to console me, she will go far ONLY if she doesn’t listen to her instructor.
I have told as many people as I can NEVER to come here! I will not use my last two facials. I will keep going to Aveda Inst. I feel cared for there and the student never leaves me until I walk out of the door. They know customer service and instill it into their students.

I’ve only had one appointment there recently, but so far so good. I didn’t know what to expect since it is a small school on SE Powell, but the environment was very aesthetically pleasing and relaxing. The woman who did my facial was very knowledgeable of my skin type and some of my challenges. For $ 30, for I walked out with a facial I’ve easily paid 3x the cost at other places. I already have an appointment to go back next month.

I have been going her for almost 2 years getting electrolosis on my chin and face. I LOVE it.
Monique is great and the students are well edicuated, I have gotten facials and nail services as well and I would much rather go here than a salon, the treatment is great and very professional.
I have never left here thinking it was a bad service I ALWAYS leave happy and refreshed!

I have been getting electrolysis treatment on my upper lip for years. It wasn’t until I found the Aesthetics institute that this treatment has become so much more than a painful and dreadful experience. Monique and her mother run the business and know everything and anything there is to know about hair, you’ll really feel comforted to know you are in the hands of real professionals. The place is also a school so you can get great deals once in a while when the students need to practice! I love this place so much and am moving away from Portland soon; I fear I won’t be able to settle for anything less than the Aesthetics Institute elsewhere.

Great value for your money!
I received a Hot Oil Manicure for $ 15 and it was great. My only concern is that the description of the service was a little inaccurate (it listed a salt scrub that never happened and the «warm oil hand soak with essential oils» was really warm think lotion) but it was still very enjoyable and I felt I was more than getting my money’s worth.
Friendly service, just make sure to plan some extra time for the service, just in case, as my 1 hr manicure took about 1 ½ hours from the time I walked in and out the door.

I had a big, red, inflamed and painful zit on my cheek. I asked my own esthetician if she could do a little extraction as I was going to be on TV the following week and wanted to get rid of the bugger asap. She recommended that I go to the Aesthetics Institute and get some galvonic treatment. I stopped in but it was after 4pm on Saturday and though they had already closed the owner offered to treat me anyway. She took me into the esthetics room, treated my zit with extractions and galvonic and sent me home with some medication to use over the next few days. She also educated me on blemish treatment including some natural remedies and the use of ice. It worked! By the time I had to appear on TV the redness and swelling had decreased enough that make-​up concealed it perfectly.
I commend the owner for her kindness, professionalism and knowledge.
I highly recommend the Aesthetics Institute.

Super industry savvy owner and her students are sure to educate and pamper you with all the latest in skin care. Trust me, this lady knows her stuff, and it’s good to know she is the one teaching Portlands up and coming. I know schools can be scary to have services done, but I urge you to do yourself a favor and make an appointment today!