Paul Mitchell The School

My hair came out just as I’d wanted it– a trim all around and face shaping angles on the sides. The whole process, wash, cut, blow dry, iron, took almost 2 hours though. At other salons, I’ve been out in under and hour which is why I rated 4 instead of 5 stars. Each step is checked by a professional and my hair still smells great the next day!

To be fair the students are good and the teachers as well but as the others says the front disk has a problem in management and also the way they treat their client but overall, you get a nice (not perfect) haircut for a low price which is good for the wallet

Amazing salon. The stylists here are as good as the professional salons. Recommend to anyone! Very clean and spacious place with many stylists!

I was a client at Paul Mitchell school for over 10 years I was always very happy with the service I received from students, The last time I went in the salon the student I had an appointment with was in the salon and said she was there to help, because she had already graduated and was helping because they were still busy they did not call to tell me that she could not take me and they assigned me to someone else who was very slow by all accounts of the teacher, my appointment was at 1 o’clock I was still waiting to have my hair dried at 3:30 all I came in for was a touchup color no haircut I complain to the front desk and the lady at the front desk who is in charge there told me they do not need to call and she was very abrupt I had to ask for somebody to wash out my hair I had to ask for somebody to dry it and when I went up to the register to pay after being there for 3 ½ hours they told me because I was not happy I was not allowed to come back when I asked for a corporate number they told me they could not give me that I asked for there names they reluctantly gave them to me they told me to leave or they would call security I told him to call security because I wanted to file a complaint on how I was being treated when security Came they agreed with me that it was very odd way I was being treated and rude after 10 or more years of going there and every student giving me their name and location they were going to after and wanted me to come back to them I never had any problems with the students I talked to former students about this issue and they told me Paul Mitchell had a hot of complaints about the front manager, The students are wonderful I do not recommend anyone use the school because the front desk staff and the way it is Run is very unprofessional

I am a student at the school so I wish to give a little bit of a different perspective than a typical guest.
1. If you find a student you like that does great with your hair, stick with them.
The services are wonderful for the price so once you find a student there, stick with them — it helps you both out. All of us students have our strengths and weaknesses with hair. For example, I feel really confident with longer haired guests and will finish a haircut and styled blow dry in about 45 min-​1 hour. However, once a short haired girl with a graduated bob sits in my hair, the service will inevitably take longer because I’ll have to stop, wait for the teacher to become available, go through the tutorial with the teacher, then proceed.
2. Students do not get to pick which guest services we receive. We take what we are given unless you specifically request us (in advance) — which is why I say to stick with someone you like in #1 by returning to them regularly.
So, if you have a bob and you sit in my chair, there’s nothing either of us can do about it besides you getting up to leave. But you will not know I’m not super great with bobs because it’s not professional to admit that. I’m still going to try my best and get the teacher as needed. It’s all luck, in a way. So I encourage those of you who tried before coming to the school to try again because of all the students that go there, there has to be at least ONE of them that works well with your hair that you get along with. I know my good friend that sits next to me is great with men’s cuts and short hair and hates working with longer hair. So, when a guest sits down and has a boyfriend/​husband, I always refer them to her. Or, if I do end up with the graduated bob or a men’s cut, I’ll always say that the next appointment should be made with her because she’s great at it. She plans to do barbering and I plan on doing photoshoots so it’s not as though we feel we’re missing out on any education. We help each other out.
3. When possible, book in Phase II.
Phase II is the honor’s program of the school. Students in phase 2 must have at least 750 hours and have grades and attendance in good standing. The student to teacher ratio is also much better. There’s no more than 10 students to one teacher whereas the rest of the salon is 1 – 3 teachers per 30+ students. This means that we have a bit more experience, generally take our studies more seriously, and are able to get teacher help faster if needed. The Phase II prices are a bit more than Phase I but it’s a trade-​off. Is the extra $ 3 – 5 worth possibly leaving the salon an hour+ earlier? That’s only a question you can decide. Plus, are you getting a complicated ombré or a basic color? It makes a difference. I myself am in Phase 2 and it is a good experience. We all start in Phase I so, if you have a student in Phase I, you may end up with someone who has never done the service you’re getting done before (such as color)… but we all have to start somewhere.
4. When possible, book at non-​popular times.
Fri-​Sat are the busiest times. I myself am in night school so it’s a lot more relaxed. To date, Phase 2 takes appointments Tues nights (which is the best time to come in because it’s the least busy) and Thurs nights (which is night school’s busy time but it’s still no where near as crazy as a Saturday). If you’re looking for faster service, book an evening time on Tues/​Thurs or whenever day school is available but not Fri-​Sat.
5. Understand the differences between Day-​Night School.
We both receive the same education but the age group as a whole tends to be a lot different. Day school students are mostly young adults, many fresh out of high school. Night school students are mostly middle 20’s adults that work during the day then come to school at night. Having experienced attending both day and night school, I can honestly say there is a difference in mentality overall. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.
6. Our products are awesome.
It’s not because I go to school here but I can tell you that they’re great. If I use them on so many people and even on myself. In particular, the PM Shine product is a very gentle, hydrating color that I use on most of my guests. So, at the very least, know that your hair is receiving quality products.
7. Understand the Students & Management
Sometimes, we have bad days and/​or the management books us too many services (or someone calls out so we have to take their guests) but we all do our best for our guests to not let that show. At least in night school, after working our full time jobs all day, we come to PMTS to do what we love to do and continue to learn. We pay $ 20,000 for this education. If we’re unsure about something, we’re getting the teacher to make sure you look beautiful — not because we’re trying to waste your time. I think I speak for mostly everyone at the school when I say this but we all want you to leave completely happy with us and your hair.

I write this review from the position of the future professional, now graduate. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at PMTS Tyson’s Corner. I personally have had experience in this industry for the past 8 years, and have schooled at another hair school before. However, there is definitely something that sets PMTS apart from the others. There is a culture of Be Nice Or Else that is transforming the young minds of future professionals and creating redefining moments for the seasoned vets.
I was not the best at everything I did at the beginning of my time at PMTS, however I quickly became a force not to be called by any other words than those synonymous with confident, skilled, proficient, and knowledgeable.
Had it not been for the awesome learning leaders that shaped and molded my thought processes and sharpened my skills i don’t know where i would have learned to tap into the gift that came so natural to me with guided wisdom.
The work that PMTS puts into the community is astonishing! From the charity Cut-​a-​Thons to the FUNraising season that always gets everyone in the heart of giving and reflection on the blessings from the Universe, and how big of a part we play in making this world a better place by dedicating time and energy to someone other than ourselves.
Had it not been for all of my guests who made sure my book was full Thursday through Saturday i would not have been able to bring my skill up to where it is now. And each moment that i had to impart the light shining in my into one of my guest and vice versa will stay with me forever.
I will never forget the front desk ladies who always looked out for my guest and greeted them with smiles and helped them whenever needed. I will never forget Rory who swept in and motivated and inspired hundreds of future professionals on a daily basis. Nor will i forget learning leaders Eston and Shelly who taught me how to manage my time and execute tasks proficiently with precision. I will never forget Dina, Demetri, and Natasha, who always gave me a reason to smile! *even after having a toughs days with unhappy guests; like the one who had three strands of straight hair on her head and two of them were split yet she rude to me because i couldn’t make her look like Kim K!* LOL (Yes folks keep these reviews in prospective we are hair dressers not miracle workers!)
Nuff said, so if you are looking for a cosmetology school to attend i highly recommend PMTS Tysons Corner! The admissions team is awesome and Kelly McCarthy is an amazing Leader who cares about each Future Professional at her school and knows them all by name.
Mike N, PMTS Graduate Sept 2012