Paul Mitchell The School San Diego

I’m so upset! I told the girl exactly what I wanted & my purple highlights were gorgeous. After 3 long hours the girl didnt get any of the color right. She dyed over my highlights a dark color so now i have a solid color instead of what I asked for. I went back the same evening & I got some lame excuse of why they couldn’t fix my hair although there was plenty of time & want me to come back again. I’m mortified at the way my hair looks & feels. It feels like straw. WTF!!!

Walked in appointment on a Saturday afternoon and was seated in 15 minutes. Wanted a simple trim for the sides and back but took 1.5 hours. Stylists are students and the haircut was average but they are very friendly. Only go if you don’t need to be somewhere.

My first time at Paul Mitchell The School was an incredible experience. When I walked in, I was immediately amazed by the professionalism and ambiance of this place. My appointment was at 945 and I was seen right away, no waiting. I went to see #IrismyStylist who did an amazing job with my hair! I went in for a hair cut and the awapuhi treatment (highly recommend it). After the treatment was applied to my hair, I had to sit under the dryer. Iris offered me glass of water and even kept me company while waiting! When it was time to wash my hair, she told me step by step what she was doing. She made sure the water temperature was just right. I loved that she took her time and I felt very relaxed because of the head massage she gave me while washing and rinsing my hair. I was ready for my cut and she listened attentively as I told her what I wanted. Her instructor, Clinton, helped and guided her along the way.
It took a little over 2 hrs for everything (which is understandable) so make sure you schedule accordingly! I loved the end result! My hair smelt incredible, felt soft and silky, and is healthier than ever! Please go see Iris! I promise you, she is great and she will take good care of you!

Not the color I picked and didn’t rinse it out completely.
I don’t have a regular hairdresser yet in the city, so went in for color to cover greys and student didn’t seem to care to talk to me about right color for me. I wanted my natural color (brown) with warm tones. Since I naturally have auburn in my hair, I asked for something with red. I was shown the swatch book and asked to pick one. We picked a medium brown, with hint of reddish-​chestnut, but she never held it up to my hair to check the match or anything to personalize my «consultation» (which they did at another salon school I went to in NYC). I don’t feel like she was engaged; just there to complete a task. The instructor wasn’t really supervising very closely or teaching. She came at the beginning and confirmed what color we’d chosen, though she kept saying 6, even though girl said and wrote 5 (way to be attentive to the only critical detail). Girl kept correcting her so I didn’t worry about instructor’s mistake, but my hair came out much darker brown than «swatch» and definitely more magenta toned. I don’t mind, it’s actually cool-​looking, but it is not the color she showed me. Now I wonder if she mixed it wrong, left it on too long or it just looks that different on my hair.
The price listed is $ 30 for color, BUT that’s for one bowl of product; they charge $ 8 for each additional bowl. Most people need at least 2. I have just-​shoulder-​length hair and needed 2. So they should just list it at $ 38 already. I was informed of this before they began, but still that’s lame.
And where they lost one more star and my confidence– she didn’t rinse my hair out completely and totally stained my forehead. After shampoo and rinses, we returned to my chair and she put styling product in. Then I ran my hand through my wet hair only to have it come out all gunky and brown. So we returned to sink and rinsed again. The girl swore it was completely rinsed now, but I still wondered. I went to the bathroom and noticed that my forehead was all reddish– brown like I had a rash. It was awful. The girl had wiped it, but apparently not very well. So on my way back to my seat I found instructor and asked her what she could do about it. She had the girl scrub my forehead with shampoo and rinse it off. It did look much better, but I still didn’t trust she had completely rinsed the color out of my hair and I had to get going. Sure enough this morning I washed my hair and used an old towel to dry it– completely stained. Gross. Unprofessional!
It took 2 hours, so I didn’t have time for cut too, but I had originally thought to return for a cut another day, since you can’t beat $ 12. Based on observed level of supervision, and dissatisfaction with my color job, I will not be letting any student there cut my hair. I wasn’t expecting top salon service, but I didn’t expect to worry about ruining my towels. In other salon schools I have been happy– instructors checked in, made suggestions and recommendations, even demonstrated technique. I didn’t observe that yesterday and certainly didn’t experience that with my color. Too bad because it could be a good deal and it would be valuable to the students.

CHECK OUT MY PHOTOS FIRST THAT I HAVE PROVIDED. Jacoya student ID # 3412 available Tuesday — Saturday 12:45−5pm select days from 9:30am– 5pm My IG account is @NaneSoRare

I went in for an appointment with Rebecca, things went a little slow at first but it was not at all her fault. They have one instructor looking over multiple student, and apparently the student can’t move on with out the instructor’s approval, so there were a few times where we had to wait for the instructor. Other than that it went great. Rebecca had a fellow student helping her out, Marcy, who was great as well. It did take a few hours do get my hair done but my hair is pretty long and my hair had to be bleached and toned then dyed, so its expected.
Overall I’m very satisfied with the outcome, everyone was very friendly and have absolutely nothing negative to say about these two girls.
Definitely going back.

I got a nice haircut from a pleasant student. She checked in with her teacher a few times during the cut, which was fine with me. She did a good job and I’ll be back.

This past week I went in to get into the process of going from jet black dyed hair (with Ion) to a very light brown with a silvery balayage. Since my hair still had dye left in it from when I last dyed it in August, the instructor advised the student who did my hair (Nikki) to only lighten my hair for this visit (since they didn’t know how well my hair would lighten, and to get rid of the leftover dye).
It took about 4 hours total as she was very thorough in making sure every strand of hair was taken care of. When I got my hair washed out, they took me into a rinse room that was very nice and relaxing with a spa kind of feel to it! The shampoo and conditioner she used (Forever Blonde and Lavender Mint) smelled amaazing as well.
Overall I really enjoyed this experience, and my hair lightened so much! I went from black dyed hair to a gorgeous caramel in one visit, and it only costed $ 61! I will be coming back in about a month to get my base color and I’m also planning on trying their hair restoration treatment for colored hair!

Absolutely loved my hair cut today! I’ve been to this location before but today was the best experience I have had yet (although they were all great!). Go with phase 2! It was a wonderful experience from the start with the hair wash which was in a very relaxing room and included a massage!
My stylist (Viktoriya De Leon) was AMAZING! She took her time and really knew what she was doing… i have never been this happy with my hair. Layers took a while but it was so worth it! Can you say #hairgoals ?! Thank you Viktoriya! You are awesome!

I had a great experience. Normally I worry about people cutting my hair because it’s short and curly but rosemary was great. She double checked that my part was okay with me and asked if I was sure about the length I wanted to take off. The instructor was also very good at instructing rosemary on how to layer my curly hair without it looking choppy or like a puff ball.
My suggestion is to go in and know exactly what you want but also what you don’t want. When I told my stylist and the instructor about my specific concerns they were able to make sure it didn’t happen. Also you should feel comfortable speaking up. everyone is open to listening to your imput/​opinion.
Took a bit over 2 hours but I didn’t mind because it came out great. They also blowdried my hair which normally I don’t do but I figured why not this time.
I would recommend going here just know what you want and don’t be shy about saying it. I’m glad I checked it out.

First and foremost, the students do a good job coloring hair and deserve 4 stars. They’re students, so I don’t understand why people give them a hard time about their work when you know what you’re signing up for.
The one star is for the inconsistency in how much you pay for services. I’ve gotten my hair touched up and colored there at least 4 times. The first time cost $ 30 for all of it (which was the most work, mind you). Second time, just a touch up, wanted to charge me 60. Ended up paying 35, but agreed to pay 60 next time. Next time paid 60. This last time, I spoke with the teacher, I signed a contract for $ 67 for the touch up. When I went to pay, they added in an extra $ 12, when the original teacher said I didn’t have to pay it. Instead of asking her or the girl who did my hair, a different teacher told me I had to pay for the extra color despite the first one telling me I didn’t since it was such a small amount.
On top of that, the last 2 teachers who decided to up-​charge me gave me tons of attitude about it. Like, no I’m not trying to be cheap, I was told one thing and now am being told to pay more and more each time. This last agreement I signed was all in black ink, the cost of 67 clearly on there. When I went to pay an extra 12 was added in blue ink, after I signed it. Wtf that’s not how it works.
I’ve had enough of the inconsistency and the crappy attitude. If they told me nicely why they want to charge more, I’d be more open to paying it. Not a crappy explanation, no asking the person who originally gave me the price, and all topped with rolling your eyes at me.
I’d rather pay more at a flat rate to someone who will treat me with more respect. I have been nice to everyone every time I have gone, it’s completely uncalled for. I’m never going back.

I booked an appointment here with massive hesitation. I really just needed a trim, but have had negative experiences at Supercuts, and have paid upwards of 200 dollars for a professional salon cut (which is very ridiculous, by the way. I know). I actually live above a hair salon, but was tired of spending so much money on mediocre haircuts. That being said, I am so amazed by the super service I received here. Jenny was my stylist in training, and she lovingly took great care of my hair, including styling it so well that people stopped me on the street afterward to compliment my hair. :-) For an afternoon, I felt like a Disney princess. At least I had princess hair! I would definitely return here, at least while Jenny is still in training. I am considering booking her just for blowout sessions as she does such an amazing job.

I haven’t been able to find a good hairstylist in the past two years and got tired of paying $ 50+ for a haircut I wasn’t happy with, so I thought I’d give the Paul Mitchell school try. I mean, if I’m going to hate my hair cut, at least I don’t have to hate how much I paid for it.
You can choose between phase 1 ($ 12) or phase 2 ($ 17) students. I have been here 3 times, once with phase 2 and twice with phase 1, and I honestly don’t think there’s a huge difference. At the end of the day, these are students with limited haircutting experience, so they’re much slower. Plan to stay here for a minimum of 2 hours for a simple cut. There’s plenty of 1 – 2 hour limit metered parking around, but if you don’t want to constantly go outside to put more money in the meter, you can pay $ 5 for valet, or schedule an evening appointment so you don’t have to worry about the meters after 6 PM.

If you’re not sure EXACTLY what you want, don’t come here. Most stylists don’t know what’s best for your hair because they’re still learning. And definitely do NOT come in for a re-​do if they mess up, because most likely it will be worse.
I came in for a basic trim, then came back to cut a little more and take out some thickness. I left with 85% of my hair thinned out because the stylist didn’t know what she was doing, and probably upset that I came back. She seemed confident so I didn’t say anything, but I thought it was common sense that I didn’t want a tail sticking off the ends of my hair… It looks like someone haphazardly hacked through my hair with scissors.
I had to go somewhere else to fix it and ended up cutting off 4+ inches… I don’t ever plan on coming back.
At the end of the day, you can take off your makeup and clothes but not your hair! I suggest investing in a hair stylist that knows what looks good.

Very satisfied with my hair outcome. Got highlights & some feathered in lowlights & couldn’t be happier! $ 80 compared to the usual $ 230 @ Carlton Hair Salon, Del Mar Highlands. Thanks, Girls! Olivia did my hair, btw.

I made ANOTHER appointment and got great results again I see other people leaving negative comments and I don’t think you should listen to them because I get great results I think everyone should try it out it’s amazing it makes me so angry when people say «my hair didn’t turn out like the picture I wanted» hello people not everyone’s hair is the same like not everyone’s color is going to process the same as it would in other peoples hair and yes they are students it’s not a high end salon so don’t bash them because you want perfect hair that you’re paying $ 60 and up for like really people

Go here if you need a great cut and you’re on a tight budget. Don’t go here if you have a place to be at later in the day. I’m a student, so this place is awesome because I can get a cut, color, wash, and style for under $ 100, where it could be close to $ 200 at the salon I use to go to. I’ve only used phase 2 and have had nothing but great results. Only down side is that because the stylists are students, you might be in here a while (3+ hours). But they take their time! I’ll definitely return here :)

I’ve been here twice. My first experience was amazing! Had a great student stylist who asked about how I styled my hair and checked in with me throughout the cut to make sure I liked it. The entire experience took 3 hours, but I left satisfied and feeling beautiful.
However, my second experience was terrible. My boyfriend and I both went in for a haircut. My stylist didn’t check in with me enough, and kept waiting for the instructor to come check her work. The entire process took 2.5 hrs, of which the stylist really only spent 25 minutes cutting my hair. I left feeling angry and unhappy with my look. My boyfriend had a similar experience. His haircut took longer than mine and is not at all what he wanted.
This second experience could have been better if there was more than one instructor checking students work. There were many students waiting on the instructor tonight, wouldn’t be surprised if others had a similar experience.
However, I guess you get what you pay for and I paid for a stylist in training.

I will never trust another Paul Mitchell student EVER AGAIN. The young student who did my hair seemed well informed and hip– not the case!
She did my angles way wrong, mixed the wrong colors (I wanted darker, she went the same) she left the shampoo in my hair. It was the worst experience I have ever had. I am usually laid back with my hair– but the service and time was not worth it. The instructor was so busy I was waiting over an hour to even be checked… She even admitted the stylist did it wrong.
The worst was the service by the young man at the receptionist desk. He said I would have to still pay for color, but would have to come back and see the same girl! I didn’t even get the shampoo washed out of my hair! Are you kidding me?! Absolutely not!
Truly disappointed… Go to a professional a cheap hair cut is not worth it!

All of the students here were really polite, and very eager to please. They were all super sweet, and continuously complimented me and my sister-​in-​law on our alternative hair colors (color which I do myself).
I came in to support a friend of mine, who is studying. She has love of vintage hair, so it was a perfect match. I wanted a beautiful, full vintage-​style U Bang. A simple, retro bang that she has successfully cut for herself as well as other ladies in the past.
The students here are required to have the supervisor/​«TEACHER» approve everything prior to cutting. However, for some reason, her teacher was insistent that she would cut my bangs and show her «the proper way to cut them». Let the nightmare unfold.
The student (my friend) had already perfectly parted my bangs for the desired shape and fullness. The «teacher» then re-​parted them, thinning them out. She cut off the excess to show me the length in the center, and I approved. Then, she made three very fast snips, and showed me the exact opposite of what I wanted. Instead of rounded, u-​shaped bangs, I had an upside-​down U (crazy short in the center, long on the sides; significantly shorter than the length she first showed me). In an effort to salvage them, my bangs were not only trimmed even shorter, but she tried to angle them to fix them. She also extended my new «bangs» almost an inch past the original part, and cut in to the sides of my hair.
The orange half of my bangs was ¾ inch SHORTER (!!!) than the red. She asked if I wanted her to keep cutting, I said no. She then asked me if I wanted to put my glasses on to see them, I said «no, it’s fine». I didn’t want to see them.
I looked at my friend and asked her to try to style them. She did the best she could.
The teacher then came over to «approve» once again, and «trimmed a few more hairs». Now, I’ve got a strange sprout of hair past the end of my new «bangs». (aka a short cowlick cut in a random spot of my shoulder-​length hair.
After obsessively combing my bangs for almost five minutes, I walked outside and started crying. Even the students there knew that the teacher had destroyed my hair. I sat, quietly, while my SIL got her pixie cut trimmed (beautifully, may I add). I don’t understand how their student cut and layer a perfect pixie cut, but the «teacher» can’t cut bangs?
Upon signing out, I asked the front desk for a manager. I made it a point to repeat that the student who helped us was wonderful and did a beautiful job, but that I wanted to speak to someone about the instructor. They told me they prefer their feedback via a Unilocal page. I told them that they wouldn’t want my comments on Unilocal,and that I wanted to speak to a manager. They just looked at eachother and rolled their eyes at me. I pulled my hood down and told them that their TEACHER had butchered my bangs, and demanded to see a manager. They told me that there wasn’t a manager of any type there, but that I’d receive a call the following day. Still no call. I’ve called three times: I was left on hold for over five minutes, then hung up on TWICE.
I would have done a better job myself, as I have in the past.
I will not make the mistake of going here again.