San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology

I worked with Hima for facials . I got a hydration facial that lasted a hour. She is a very good technician : knowledgeable and with gentle and skilled hands . I also got very good advice from Michael. I’d give Hima 5 stars. However I got a below average student for a hair trim. She didn’t have any confidence to even wash my hair . Something simple like washing hair is an action that any person can do. But she kept delaying everything so I stood there with wet hair while she chatted to someone else. Plus she just would not get the hair wash started to begin with. The department should be aware of providing students basic professional training though we are going in with knowledge that these are students just gaining practice on us. And then she couldn’t plug in a hair dryer without calling a colleague to help with that and then she waited around and begged the colleague to cut my hair. The colleague set up one side as a template for my hair and told her to replicate the trim on the other side. And she couldn’t even hold the scissors and do this! Her name was Sharon. Perhaps she should look for another profession given her lack of basic professionalism and confidence. And then she said that she hoped that I was not frustrated. May I say LOL to this . I paid $25 for this experience. Of course I was frustrated!! Would have been better off at a Great Clips or Super Cuts to receive this basic trim for my hair.

Worst salon experience I have ever had. Avoid if you care about your hair. I came in with a simple request: fix up a haircut I had already done myself. The shape was exactly how I wanted it, I just needed my ends trimmed and my curtain bangs evened out (they were off by maybe 1 cm). I specifically said I did not want layers because they do not suit my fine hair. The student I was paired with was lovely. She gave me a very thorough consultation, washed my hair well, and trimmed exactly what we discussed. Unfortunately, everything went downhill when the instructors stepped in. First, a male instructor with short purple hair came over to "help" with the bangs. He did not ask me any questions, did not read the consultation notes, and immediately started cutting. He ended up taking over the entire cut, chopping off a significant amount of hair in the front and adding harsh, uneven layers I explicitly said I did not want. The back looked like a rat tail with a toupee over it. One side was even about an inch and a half longer than the other. Then, during the blowout (I have curly hair), another instructor took over and insisted on more tension, claiming that is the only way to smooth curly hair. Despite that, my hair was left damp and extremely frizzy. I went in thinking a beauty school would be a safe, budget-friendly choice for a simple cleanup, but I ended up having to spend $100 at a professional salon to cut off six inches and salvage the mess they left me with. If you care about your hair at all, do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.

My first time here and it was a very plesant experience, I had facial with Tallulah, it was about 75min long. The receptionist whom welcomed me was lovely , she smiled and chatted with me. The place is busy and the noise levels varies depending what kind of service you are getting. When you walk in behind the receptions is the hair area which is little loud as people always chat with their hair stylist. I was given a half robe to change into and was taken to the "quiet area" that was not much more quiet, I understand that it is a teaching school so there will be higher lever of noise and it went in waves during my treatment. My treatment was in a room with maybe 6 other beds, becasue it is a teaching school the students will ask questions to their teacher throughout the treatment. Tallulah was sweet and very gentle during my treatment, all products that she used smelled amazing and at the end I received a "my skin fitness plan" with few samples. Wonderful and relaxing facial. I most definitely will be back.

I love going to the Paul Mitchell schools and SFIEC is no different! I came out to SF for a different appointment and added a stop here to my day. I love being able to build the confidence of stylists as they get their shears warmed up, and I always feel comfortable in the hands of the instructors there. Shannon did a great job and has such a perfect personality and gentle touch. There was lots of guidance from the instructors (love ya J & C!!) and I felt like a regular, even though it was my first time here. I will be back for color when i can get a day off work!!

If I could, I’d give this place a 0 rating. The receptionist "Hope" never returned my call yesterday on 10/1/25 like she said she would regarding a question. Hope also "cancelled" my appointment before I told her to!! Please know they don’t let you bring your own nail polish for a manicure or pedicure. Hope said she did not know what brand of nail polish they use. She definitely knew but chose not to tell me. I have a doctor’s letter to use my own vegan nail polish but was told they are only liable for the nail polish they use. Go to Mani-Pedi at 1035 Guerrero St you can get a manicure/pedicure for $40 Monday-Thursday and they let you bring your OWN nail polish!!

i understand this is a get what you get and dont get upset kind of place, because $20 haircuts are hard to find in the bay, but i am feeling really bummed about my cut. I knew the style i wanted would likely involve semi-technical scissor cutting and/or a razorcomb, but unfortunately my hairstylist had only practiced with a razor comb once before and ended up shredding my ends and leaving it very uneven and way way way too short. the front face framing layers are nearly a bob, and one side is literally 3 inches longer than the other. Even after it grows out, the ends are more damaged than pre-cut, so Ill just be living in braids and bobby pins until i can afford a proper trim. i appreciate that there were trained professional guides/teachers around and available to assist the students, and i REALLY appreciate that one was able to step in and cut most of the back of my hair, but sadly the front cut was all done by the stylist who seemed very unsure of her skills. tldr: only come here for simple trims, and speak up about your chopping limits or if it feels like your hair is getting sawed off.

It's really hit or miss here. I have had a good experience here, however I some of my friends not so much. They won't take care of you if they mess up, just a heads up.