DO NOT SIGN UP TO THIS LOCATION!!I am a graduate of this school and I still will not recommend this place to anyone. Hostile work environment, director talks down to her students(Michelle Salvador) and speaks in a very condescending manner. She threatens to send you home when you question her. She has a Im the boss so do what I say type of attitude. Youve been warned! I do not recommend Empire to anyone! Coming from a graduate who left with a 98% GPA and attendance, dont come here!!

I got my haircut at Empire Beauty School and it was well worth it. The students are very friendly and professional. You can tell they are eager to learn. The teachers there are hands on to make sure your hair is perfect and frequently check in throughout the whole process. I got layers and pretty much every strand of my hair was checked. Great environment, Great teachers, Great students, Great price, and most importantly Great haircut. Thank you so much!

I recently just graduated from EBS in Vernon Hills. After having 3 different directors and countless teachers, the school progressively got worse my time there. Lack of Communication and direction on what proper protocol and procedures were, made a huge impact on the students. Michelle Salvador is the current director for Empire and she is the upmost disrespectful, shade throwing, condescending, power tripping woman I’ve ever met. Her inability to communicate professionally and act as an upright leader, has me questioning… how has this woman been able to threaten to send students home and tamper with their hours using the excuse of “stealing hours from empire” as justification for this long. My older sister just signed up for the program here at Empire Vernon Hills and ALREADY Michelle Salvador is giving her problems, being completely unprofessional in her communication skills and is treating her in a very condescending way. I had to wait till I graduated to be able to speak about how I truly feel about this school because the hostile work environment Michelle has caused had me to believe that if I said anything that she didn’t agree with would get me kicked out of school or prolong my graduation date. I would not recommend anyone to go to Empire beauty school, half of the teachers I started with quit and that’s because the leaders placed in play to run the school have done nothing but destroy the integrity of the program.

Love coming here to get a shampoo, blow dry and braids. Always professional and the students and instructors are very talented and knowledgeable. I always leave happy.

I was impressed and very friendly environment and staff. Patricia did a beautiful job in my hair and I will come back.

Very good school I love coming here. The environment is very good & happy. The students & teachers are amazing. You can definitely learn a lot from not just teachers but students as well.

Empire has given me the tools and knowledge to be creative. My teachers and peers are supportive and it’s a positive environment.

I’m a student at empire beauty and I love the good vibes and family environment I’m learning so much and I love that they encourage you to set goals after you receive your cosmetology licensing it’s the best thank you to my instructor and director!

I am now Proudly Alumni of Empire Beauty School Vernon Hills location,Yes Proudly. When I first started there were a lot of changes but through it all (and there was a lot). I feel our Class mate grew stronger and closer. We buckled down, supported and Motivated one another. The Instructors worked very hard to keep us from being distracted by the negative and focusedused on the positive,focused and motivated toward the end result which was graduation. They truly care about the students. They take the Time to give additional education that my not be part of the curriculum. Incorporate games and compations to keep us intrested and again motivated. When Covid hit they found us way for us to continue education. What I took from Empire and the Instructors there was more than what I needed to succeed. Now in a top Salon Gordons ( Which Ms. Lushanda took the time give me a great referral to.) I am prepared. I know things my some of the other new girls straight out of schools are not aware of and arejust learning. Such as technique, timing and upselling. I am very Thankful for the Staff at Empire Vernon Hills. Thank you. Mr.Malik, Ms. Rachel Ms. Lushaunda and also Ms. Lauren for being you and all that you do.Shay Samuel.😚💕💪

I have seen the quality of my work expand since attending school! everyone here has been a huge support and positive

I currently go here, and all i can say great teachers great students, i love it here and i am loving how much i am learning. (:

Salon is back open.

As a student I’ve grown so much, my teacher, executive director Lushanda, and the other students are amazing

My second week and i’m so excited for my future at this school.

I would highly recommend Empire Beauty School, in Vernon Hills. The services I received here from Corrina J were very professional and the look is amazing. She was informative and listened to make sure that she fulfilled the look that I was aiming to achieve on my visit. She was knowledgeable of the products that she was using on my hair and the affects that it would have on my hair texture and the maintenance that it would require to maintain the look. The management staff did in excellent job to make sure that the students fulfilled the customers needs as well, and a special thanks to Gina for making my visit memorable.

Absolutely love it here!

Currently a student here and all I can say is that I love it here! I was outta school for 2+ years and I couldn’t be happier with the education I’m receiving!

Very good teacher take there time to work with you

I had wonderful service at this school. A great cut, and the instructors assisting the students are very professional. Dee is talented already and is going to be an amazing Hair Stylist! I discovered they use Goldwell color which is the best coloring products Ive ever had used, and am going back soon for hair color, cut, and keratin straightening. They use new protocols for this process that better protect the hair. Something that was NOT done when I had my hair straightened in a very popular salon. I give them 5 stars for everything including the very nice staff. Get fantastic service and save a LOT of money here. But please tip your student stylist...being a full time student is financially tough!

Ive been needing a haircut and had given some thought to going here. I was visiting my Daughter last Thursday and decided to go ask about an appointment. Got one for that evening with Isa. Beautiful young lady, very friendly and professional. I got a cut, blowout and curls for $20.00. Im a retired stylist and hard to please. But I watched Isa and she had guidance from her instructor and ALL went great. Thank you ISA and EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOL.

Why dont I recommend this establishment? Question of the century. I was approached by a student of theirs to make an appointment. After arriving I was greeted by a poorly attitude front desk service. As for the rest of the what I saw was a disorganized mess.Fortunately my wait was short and the girl I made my appointment with was friendly and swiftly sat me and got me started in what/how we would do my hair. She began and all was fine until she walked away to grab something. this was fine but wasnt was that another girl came over and tried to cut my hair without my permission, doubling that the teacher on hand was okay with this. I finished my cut and was pleased by the work by the student,to why the teachers cant have the same level of professionalism as their students is dumbfounding. From what it appears their staffing lacks any level of aptitude so they became incompetent teachers at a joke of an establishment. While be what is considered adults they have the maturity that is less than a childs. would not be surprised to be challenged on my comments here or have this post deleted. So yeah in short thats why I dont recommend this sham! ONE STAR IS WAY TOO HIGH, ZERO!

Horrible experience, showed up on time just for the director to tell me my stylist was not there! So I waited patiently 15 mins for them to find someone available. I got my grey color touched up, the stylist was fine until the shampoo. I had to rinse my own hair as the stylist did not attempt to get my nape area. I know this is a school so I wasn’t really upset, what upset me was when it was time to pay! I was told my total which is way more than what I have paid for in the past for the exact same service. I mentioned I normally get the friends and family discount so the director immediately says that’s over it’s $35 very rude and stern and then she proceeds just because you know a instructor doesn’t mean you get a discount, at this point I’m heated but still remaining cool. So I get my receipt and leave. As I’m in my car it didn’t sit right with how the director and her back up we’re talking to me, very rude and insinuating things, being very condescending so I called Empire to express how I feel. They must have caller ID because they did not want to answer the phone and when they did I got the same condescending Director that was initially rude in the first place. If they no longer offer discounts that’s fine but it’s not what you say it’s how you say it!! I have been going to this location over a year! Not anymore! Then I try to explain to the Director I’m familiar with Empire rules as I’m a graduate of empire myself, she asks what location, I tell her Arlington Heights and what does she do use that against me!!! Saying it’s majority of people that went to that school that’s looking for discounts! Like WTF Lady!!!! The staff is rude not one time did a floor leader come check on me or the stylist servicing me but everyone else around me got consultations and were checked up on! One can only speculate what that’s all about! I’m big on customer service and they provided horrible customer service and I guess they thought they were trying to embarrass me about a dam discount saying it over and over again out loud in front of others! Shame on Empire the night staff sucks!!!!!

Hi I’m Esther and my hair was very tangled but a group of amazing people helped like Grace and two other students were there, and a few teachers helped too. Overall we are very satisfied and will come there again.

Horrible experience, I brought my son there to get his hair twisted and someone wrote down that he was getting a haircut so they refused to see him stated the student had another appointment at 7p and she wouldn’t have time to finish his hair. I drove 25 minutes to the school and the instructor and Director Gina was very dismissive like it wasn’t a big deal. My son was crushed because he really wanted his hair twisted.

I am a reoccurring student at Empire Beauty School at the Vernon Hills campus.. This second experience I’ve had here has been Nothing short of amazing! Before I actually was able to re enroll, I met Ms. GINA.. I must say she and ms Lauren has made this time around sooo welcoming and easy!! Ms Gina fought Extremely hard for months for me to come back. I’m soo appreciative of her I don’t know what I would have done without her. And since I’ve been back ms Ashley and my classmates have been supportive and have become like my second family. We are all students here and we all try our hardest to satisfy each and every client to the best of our abilities 🙏🏽

I brought my daughter in for a trim and to get her hair flat ironed straight! My daughter is bi racial and has mainly black hair! I am always very nervous about getting her hair cut. Brandy did a amazing job I cant thank her enough for what she did she did the most amazing and most beautiful job on her hair!! She did a better job then anyone at a hair shop!

I take my daughter here often. Last night on 12/18 I witnessed some of the women here become pretty harsh with one of their customers. They were extremely rude to her. It made my daughter uncomfortable and me as well. The way they acted was extremely disrespectful and I will no longer be supporting this establishment. It felt and came off very racist. Not saying they are all like this, but the ones involved in this particular situation are questionable.

Karina dyed my hair and it looked worse. Has no patience. She got mad cause I didnt like it. Threw the change to me. Also the people that answer the phone are spacing out half of the time and when you come there you don have an appointment. Will go to Mario Triccoci.

I’m so thankful for my experience as a student at empire in Vernon hills! The school has gone through so many changes during my 2 years of being here. Ms. Peggy, Mr. Malik, and Ms. Ashley are absolutely amazing educators who advocate for their students and share their amazing knowledge of the beauty industry. The executive director Ms. Gina and Ms. Lauryn have made some great changes with product availability, new equipment, salon owners coming to share with both daytime and nighttime classes, demos, job opportunities, and so much more. All schools have problems. All salons have problems. But I’ve seen such growth in the staff and even the students during my time at empire and can’t wait to see even more positive changes in the future! Great education and opportunities to obtain licensure in the cosmetology field. yay empire Vernon hills!

I’m currently enrolled at this campus and it has been one of the worst experiences of my life thus far. The school is run horribly. We are constantly out of product, they pick and choose which policies they decide to enforce and when, and administration does not make the students feel like a priority or cared for in any capacity. When I first toured the school it seemed like a great place to get an education where everyone was supported and given the proper tools to succeed, to say I was deceived would be a huge understatement. If you’re thinking of coming here to get an education, please don’t! I don’t want anyone else having to go through the same things I’ve had to at this school.

I took my daughter to get her hair cut and colored. My daughter is a picky girl. But she walked out very happy with her hair. I would definitely recommend my friends and family to come here. Ask for Elizabeth Vandergriff she did an excellent job.

Enjoyed my experience! My extensions box braids were professionally done and VERY reasonably priced.

[Reposting]I left a review on here, and suddenly it’s gone. Just comes to show what’s important.. a review, or a student?I don’t recommend signing up to this school. It could have potential but it unfortunately doesn’t atm.I was sold on the tour that I got, but when I started my first day it was already a bad experience.We’ve been rotating between teachers and for two weeks we were left with none. So I didn’t get all the education I needed in that module.I’ve been coming to our previous director for certain issues and been told there were going to try and resolve them. Nothing changed, and the director was suddenly fired. I’ve asked for certain supplies I have NOT received and still haven’t got.Just seems like a lot of students concerns and questions are ignored and/or not cared about.There’s many things this school could improve on..

I got here too close to their closing time to get a haircut, but wow! Jeanette Alianello (the Customer Service Coordinator at the front desk) was SO friendly and helpful! Ill be back ASAP. I cant wait to give them my business!

After a few years I need to edit my review. I admit in the beginning of the year things were beyond tough. Forward to now: we have an amazing director, Ms Lushanda. The moment she stepped into this school she took CHARGE. It was something we all needed and we needed someone who truly cares for their students. Having her here along with my educator, Ms Racheal, Mr Malik, and Ms Octavia has been an amazing journey towards the end of my graduation. If you’re thinking about coming here then I highly recommend it. Youre going to share a lot of memories with each other! 🙂

Worst school I’ve ever attended. If you’re interested in cosmetology don’t go to this campus! It’s a complete joke!

First let me begin by saying that my daughter had the worst experience with this school from day 1. Think before you pick this location and or school. Just stpoed by to speak to the new director of the school Gina Quinn, who has the worst attitude in the world, is very unprofessional and does not know how to handle customers who are dissatisfied and frustrated, instead she finger pointed, and blamed the fact that she has only been with the company for 2 week . When I asked to speak to someone above her she refused to give me any phone numbers or names, until going back and forth with her, she finally gave me a name, no email no number, thankfully before leaving the school a student gave us an email adress for the name she gave us. Not only that, when asked if it was possible to look through my daughters school fiel she had the nerve to ask me why did I want to look through her file? As if it is any of her business. Because I want to thats why! This women was defensive from the moment we walked into her office. No wonder this school keeps going down, because they hire unprofessionalism like her.

One disaster after the next!!! Gina, the director, is beyond unprofessional!! It was like I was arguing with my child when I was kindly explaining my dissatisfaction. I went in for what SHOULD be a simple touch up on my blonde highlights. Ive been trying to give this place chance after chance, as a mom who doesnt like spending a lot of money on herself. Plus, I heard this place got all new staff and changed for the better! Yeah right!! I walked out with gold roots and yellow spots which they attempted to cover up with brown hair dye. Oy! The girl working on my hair is graduating soon too :(, she wasnt foiling them correctly, causing the foils to become loose and bleed through to the hair underneath.Their solution was to keep toning again and again, when the only real solution is to RE DO completely with a heavy back to back foil ( even I know this) If they make you pay if youre unhappy, pay with credit card and dispute the charge asap.

Awesome staff and students!!!