Gene Juarez Academy – South Seattle

Nice people! Facilities appeared clean, well kept. «October» did a great job on my haircut. Listened carefully, repeated it back to me to make sure she understood what I wanted & then relayed it back to her educator. She was polite & professional!
Will continue to go back for other services as well

As I was laying in bed last night and planning my weekend in my head, I realized that I wanted a change with my hair. So I called early Saturday morning and the lady who picked up put me on hold to see if they could get me in. And after a few minutes, I got an afternoon appointment.
It was my first time here and I was looking to get a few inches cut off and explored the idea of getting a partial balayage. My student artist was Azalea and I’m so pleased to say that I would definitely go back to her. The total time spent on my hair from start to finish was exactly four hours. My subtle layers are even and the colors blend great together. It was definitely worth the time and money. In addition, I never felt rushed or pressured into anything I didn’t want. Azalea took her time every step of my visit which is also probably why even her instructor said «practice and hard work pays off!»
Overall a great experience especially for someone like me who’s never had this service done before.

Not a good choice for African or African American clients.
A few years ago, the Academy stopped stocking Mizani hair products which were used for their African or African American clients with relaxed hair. The Academy still uses Mizani products for relaxers and deep conditioners, but if you are hoping to have a simple shampoo and blow dry with these products, you are out of luck.
They used to have a policy which allowed clients to bring in Mizani products they used to stock. However, I received notification from their new office manager that the lead instructor says that no client can bring in outside products, even if it is a product they previously used in the salon. I was even told that the lead instructor was going to have a conversation with the instructor who allowed me to bring in these product. Which is unfortunate because that instructor has been around for years and she has been awesome and knowledgeable whenever I interacted with her. This sucks because they only stock Redkin hair products which are harsh and drying to relaxed or natural hair.
They do not properly train students on how to blow dry African American hair. They have two students work on clients when they are doing a relaxer. This means a client can walk out of the salon with two differently processed sides of their hair.
The Academy needs African/​African American clients for relaxers, but it’s a darn shame that they don’t care about our business when it comes to other services.
Poor customer service. Poor customer experience.

I book my appointments with Wynter and she is absolutely amazing. Not only is she fast, she knows exactly what I want and how I want it. Sometimes all I have to do is show her a picture I found online and she makes it happen. I recommend her to everyone I know. I have gone to her for full foils, all over color, and the latest hair style, balayage. Go to Wynter. She is the best.

I had an appointment with Wynter! She’s amazing! I’m super picky and I have difficult to manage hair and she knew exactly what to do! I’ll never ask anyone else to do my hair.

I love Gene Juarez Academy — salon quality without emptying your wallet! I had a partial foil done yesterday by Bleu and she did a FANTASTIC job. I am very, very picky about my long, blonde hair and she listened to exactly what I wanted and made it happen. When I walked in the door my husband said ‘I love your hair!’ Today, at work, the compliments keep rolling in. Super grateful to Bleu — she rocks! I will definitely go back and request her :)

I called since I was last there in February and they set me up with Emily of Yelm again (per my request, she will be graduating soon). She did a TERRIFIC job with my hair in early April. We did a «lob» style and cut off many inches and she decided that a toner was needed on my hair at that time. I went with her suggestions and I have been happy ever since so I am happy to be able to return to her again before her graduation for a trim on my lob and highlights if she thinks it is best.

I have no choice but to give it a star otherwise I wouldn’t give any star. The color on my daughter’s hair is blotchy looking and the instructor refuse to let the student redo my daughter’s hair over… I will not come back to this place.

Total of 3 stars because of nice student stylist but bad front desk customer service. This month they had 30% off single service online. I forgot to mention at the desk so they charged me as usual. I brought it up right after they printed me a receipt but they refuse to reverse the charge and take off the 30% off for me, then claimed my student should have educated me on it. Overall, the desk person should have known how to do that and should have been better about handling that situation.
Tip: always mention the special offer before paying because they will not cancel and fix their mistakes

Made an appointment to cut my long hair into a long bob and although hesitant, I decided to try the Gene Juarez Academy. I had Alaska, who was fantastic and made sure that I was happy each step of the way. She explained everything she was doing and told me all the products that was going into my hair. I loved that she consulted with her educator before doing anything further with my hair, and it was nice that the educator came through and checked that everything looked good. In the end it turned out just the way I wanted! I will definitely come again!

Had an appointment today with Auburn. What a great experience.
She was very professional and friendly. I appreciated the time she took to make sure that my hair was perfect before I left.
I had a full foil and trim. This was the best foil I have ever had!
You cannot go wrong if you go and see Auburn!

I am extremely happy with the service I receive at this Gene Juarez Academy. I absolutely LOVE my new hair do:)

Deffinitley schedule your appt in advance ! This place is popular !! I had an appt with Neptune for the 2^nd time and will continue to request her ! I came in bored with my old hair color and ready to transition SMOOTHLY back to my original blonde hair color, I wasn’t sure how to accomplish this so she gave me several suggestions and the pros and cons to each. She told me what she thought would best suit my hair and maintain its health and what would look best transitioning and came up with a plan to make it as smooth as possible. On top of that she made offered me water and refills .very considerate! Let me tell you that I am IN LOVE with my hair ! I will be seeing her again soon, and when I was finished I FINALLY got my bf to consider a hair cut, he’s extremely picky about his hair, but he loved his hair cut ! Again we will be returning, its very obvious that Neptune deffinitley knew what she was doing ! I hope to follow her when she graduates to whichever salon she chooses !

Appt at 3. 3:25 and still waiting. When i went up at 3:10 found out the reception never checked me in. 3:20 find out that I got moved to a different person. Smh. Hopefully hair turns out good.

Went in here today hoping to save a few bucks on a routine bleach/​tone touch-​up. I was pleasantly surprised. I made the appointment two days ago — they had plenty of availability and were very flexible with a time. I was a little late but only had to wait about five minutes.
I was pretty nervous at first. The student who did my hair was 18-​years-​old and was very, very new to the school. I think she said it was her first touch-​up ever. Knowing how disastrous bleach can be, I was half expecting the worst. But the instructor kept a close eye on her and was pretty nitpicky about having it done correctly. When the bleach wasn’t lifting enough she had the student reapply. When the toner wasn’t toning enough, she had the student mix up another bottle.
That being said, as other reviewers have noted, it took quite awhile. I sat down in the chair around 10:30 a.m. and left about 3 p.m. I didn’t realize a root touch-​up would take near five hours and toward the end, as she blow-​dried my hair at a snails pace I was getting a bit antsy and hungry, so definitely be prepared to spend most of the day there. However, when it was all said and done, my roots looked great! It perfectly matched the lightness of the rest of my hair. I’ve had MULTIPLE touch-​ups in the past (at professional salons might I add) where the lightness has been a bit a little off, and I end up having to make little fixes at home. So for the quality I received here, and the price ($ 50 vs. $ 100-​$ 150 at most salons) I’m giving this place five stars.
I’ve been to other beauty schools for hair appointments (Evergreen is one I used to go to years ago) and recall less professionalism and more gossipy chatter in-​between clients. Also the instructors here keep the appointments going smoothly.
Definitely recommend if you’d like to save a few dollars and are able to spend the additional time.

This is my 2^nd attempt to write a review. Hopefully it posts!
I am a student at gene Juarez academy in federal way. I wanted to give the school a shoutout, and perspective students something to consider.
I began school at the end of 2014, and will be graduating (in just over the 13 months) shortly. The quality of education the students receive is invaluable. New students get to enter into a technologically relevant school, where they learn not 1, but 2, styles of hair cutting. You are given immense practice with color and formulating, and with the amount of guests you take each day the hands on experience you gain gives you a huge advantage as you continue out of school and into salon auditions. The state boards class allows you to enter into state boards with confidence, as long as you are putting the work in.
The administrative staff is very willing to work with you, provided you are able to appropriately communicate your needs and work with them. They really do want you to graduate, I think that is key. They want you to go out and succeed. I’d particularly like to thank Jen, who has made sure I will see the end of this program, hiccups and all!

So under the circumstances of my life situation I have landed myself out in Federal Way. I needed someone to do something with this mop on top of my head and noticed that I stay very close to the Gene Juarez Academy. So why not give it a shot I thought. I called and made an appointment and in a few hours, I was on my way.
When I arrived it was like a cute little Doll Factory. Sooooo many different females walking back and forth, giving patrons what they needed… whether it be a haircut, blow dry, dyed or laid to the side. everyone seemed to be in their own little world.
As I sat there and patiently waited I finally heard my name «Nikita.!» The next thing I know I find myself shaking my hand with my stylist named, Jinx. Right away Jinx’s name caught my attention and I said «let’s go get funky with this hair!» she told me she liked me already and we were definitely soul sisters. (That was something pleasant to hear which made me comfy already).
The rest of my visit was awesome we laughed, we joked, we talked, we kept each other company, we brought a little sunshine in each other’s world but more importantly by the time I got out of the chair I felt spunky, sassy, confident, cool, and collective. All I can say from there is Jinx’s customer service was one of satisfactory and her work… well it speaks for itself because my hair is looking RIIIIIIIIGHT .!!
Confirmation for me, was when other students came over to our chair to give me a compliment! Also one of the receptionist at front did the same.
I left out of there with a bigger smile then when I came in! Thanks for making me look oh so chocolatey, TOP SHELF sexy.
PS.
also would like to say … happy early birthday to you! May it be filled with lots of love, laughter, and smiles just like I thought you were today.
Thank you so much for having Jinx she was grand!

Had a great first experience. Just a haircut this time but will definitely go back. The student that worked on my hair was personable, excited to learn and to help me figure out what I wanted to do with my cut. The instructors were super friendly and happy to jump in whenever asked. And can’t beat the price, loved it!!!

I have been having my hair cut here for about a year now. It is not a fancy place since it’s a school. Expect it to take longer since the students have to bring an instructor by to check their work. I always book an appointment with my current cutter, Salem, who consistently does a great job. Expect that your student stylist will graduate a few months down the road (I think they are on the floor for maybe about 5 – 8 months.) It is a great value for a $ 15 haircut. If you sign up for their email, you will get a monthly coupon that offers a discount on services as well.

I went to have my hair colored and highlights put in for the first time. My hair is to my waist but is thin. My stylist was Phoenix. She was personable and knowledgeable and did not hesitate to ask an instructor if she was unsure of something.
It took 6 hours to do my hair but it came out great. I will never have highlights put in again because it is so much work for the stylist but if you want foils at a reasonable price this is where you should have it done.