Palomar Institute of Cosmetology

HORRIBLE service! The women at the front desk had no sense of urgency, they were rude, and extremely unprofessional. The student doing my hair told me it would take 5 ½ hours to do a full set of highlights, and then tried to charge me an extra $ 25 for no particular reason. I have never experienced such horrible service at a salon!!! I will never be returning to this beauty school, and I do not recommend it for anyone else!

4 or 5 Star for Yasmine who gave my son a wonderful relaxing facial today! My daughter had a young girl wax her. I have two mild complaints, not the girl’s fault, teacher’s. The girl waxed her whole face. Whole face means cheeks, chins, and mustache. It usually doesn’t even include eyebrows. The girl did her temples and FOREHEAD! It is a school so everything takes longer but we had to wait for awhile even though we were early for our appt. The waxing took over an hour. Just make sure you are in no rush, no other appointments for the day and speak up of what areas you want done and your appointment should be fine.

If you don’t want to read it all, the last paragraph is a summary…
I came in because my wife was getting her hair cut and said I should get one also. My wife often cuts my hair herself and does a great job. But she told me «It’s only $ 5 and they’ll make it nice.» She has gone there many times for her own hair and was satisfied, so I agreed to it.
When I sat down on the barber’s chair they told me that the haircut is now $ 10. Apparently they doubled it a few months ago. I should have run out of there right away. So,$ 10 (I left a $ 3 tip, so I actually paid $ 13) for a haircut from a potential beginner?
My hair got jacked up. 1^st off my beginner (supposedly just a beginner on my type of hair) student kept dropping stuff because she wasn’t focusing… she ended up not reusing anything which is a definite plus. But still it’s an issue when an electric shaver is dropped. How well can you actually clean that?
During the cut the student told me they charged $ 30k for the school… With all the students in there holy crap!!! The school is making $ big time!!! The student cut my hair very short (level 2 when I asked for a 4.5) and way too high and the top almost looked like a toupee. The sides up to the top were not really faded together and it looked more like a bowl cut on the sides ugh. The only reason I didn’t complain right away is because I couldn’t see the back & my wife didn’t notice my ‘toupee’ until we were home
The student was so nice and jolly with everyone, and especially kissed butt to the instructors. Ok it happens but… A young African-​American student was sitting down and my beginner (also African-​American) treated her like crap. Note: I would only mention this if relevant– She told her in a cocky manner, «Take this shampoo and put it over there» while there no need to move anything right then, it was just to show the poor girl up. The girl did it, sat down and I could see the girl shake her head– She didn’t know anybody was looking– I felt bad for her, judging by the reaction it seemed like it happened all the time.
Ok, back on track… So I asked for it– I went to a school to get my hair cut, fair enough– but $ 10 for this? My wife fixed it up as best she could after paying to get it cut, how ironic. One of the worst parts is we’re going on a vacation and wanted our hair to look nice.
A good part of the experience is my wife got her really long hair cut (easy to cut though since it’s very straight), and it looked great for $ 15. That worked out well. I suppose you could call me just unlucky but…
The only other time I went to this school I got a pedicure. The price was $ 18 for a «spa pedicure.» Once again my student was a beginner and it was nowhere near professional, which is understandable… But $ 18? I looked around and professional stores in the area were $ 20. So wait $ 2 more for a professional pedicure wtf?
So to summarize– I got my hair jacked up for $ 13, my wife’s looks fine, and this for-​profit school seems to be taking advantage of people with close to professional prices while also having a ton of students at $ 30k each… Not to mention all the products they sell in the front.

Pretty good experience overall.
I went for a microdermabrasion which went well. My only complaint was the noise from the classroom next to the microderm station. While I was being prepped, I got to hear what must have been orientation– what to wear, how cell phones at their workspaces aren’t acceptable, etc. I had to remind myself that this, of course, is a school so should be expected. Once the machine started, I couldn’t hear the class anymore and my treatment was very relaxing.
Can’t beat the price! $ 35 + tip. I’ll be back.

I am so impressed with this beauty college and am very pleased with every part my beautician Abby was a pleasure and did a great job. Thank you

My FIRST face microdermabrasion. So amazing. My face feels clean and the mask after rejuvenated my skin. I have a glow. Cassandra was awesome and very informative. Light but yet firm gentle touch. LOVED IT! Learned you can get a microdermabrasion every 7 days. And you can see a difference in a few treatments. You can take a selfie and compare. Extremely reasonable $ 35. I will try to do once a month or every other month with a facial too. Thank you so much. I made appointments next week for my sister n I for facials. Humm or maybe micro lol.

I have been coming to Palomar Institute of Cosmetology for Haircuts, Color, and Styling (blow dry) since I first learned about PIC over ten years ago. I was and am so happy to find a salon I can afford. Although students do all the work, they are under the watchful eyes and helpful hands of excellent teachers who demonstrate and oversee as needed. I also enjoyed a manicure and pedicure recently with great results. Since this is a school, all the processes take a little more time as students need to have their work checked by an instructor. Bring a magazine and enjoy a relaxing time. Instructor expertise, delightful students and low prices make each visit very worthwhile.

Great prices and wonderful teachers. I don’t know about the other customers with negative reviews, but I’ve never had an issue here. The students are well knowledgeable and are comfortable asking the teachers for guidance. I always get a quality cut and color at an amazing price!

I can’t believe my facial (which included a neck/​shoulder massage) was only $ 30 and it was awesome! I got the four layer facial and my skin is smooth and glowing. I’m coming back every month for sure!

Beware of this school. If u are treated poorly and you write a a bad review, They will have someone make a profile and pretend to be a student and ask u questions. I’ll post a picture to prove it. This «person» hasn’t responded back bc it’s an obvious fake profile. They have 0 reviews, 0 friends, 0 everything. And just made the profile like 2 days ago.

First time here has a retouch. The person was very careful and did a great job consider I have highlights. She did ask the teachers and one teacher kept checking the students work which made me feel comfortable. I will be back for other services. The price is higher than other cosmetology colleges.

I am a former Esthetician student here and want to write a review for people thinking about being a part of the beauty Industry and enrolling at Palomar Institute of Cosmetology. First off, I come from a family of Massage Therapist, Cosmetologist and Esthetician’s. And 3 of my family member’s attended school here for Esthetics! Knowing how competitive the Skin Industry is, I was SUPER hesitant about going to school in the first place! But I promise you, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! I went to night school here for 6 months. What’s nice is they do have the option of coming for day time, if that is more convenient for you! I had the pleasure of having Ms. Gama and Ms. A as instructors and they are SO AWESOME! Ms. Gama taught theory and that’s basically lecture from the book and she made studying and tests such a piece of cake for me! Truly she’s so intelligent! And Ms. A has taught me a lot as well — she taught me most of the practical stuff! She will tell you how it is-​if you fear you are doing something wrong, she will push you! And she is the Brazilian Queen!!! They are both such great motivators and mentors! (And day time instructors Ms. Jerry and Ms. Tiffany were just as great!) It’s nice to learn and pick up different techniques from all of them! One really big bonus here about this school, is Microdermabrasion and Brazilian’s! Most Esthetician’s I meet in the real world have told me that their school didn’t offer them that! Well Palomar Institute has it all! If you are hesitant about coming here financial wise, check it out, ask question’s! It’s so worth it! I recommend it to anyone who wants to come here for school, either to be a Hair Stylist or an Esthetician! And I love all the faculty here, it’s a great atmosphere to come and learn! They are the reason for success behind my business! I originally wanted to come to school here just as a stepping stone but I definitely see myself doing this as a career, so much room to expand! I’m 19 and this career is life, it’s one of my biggest accomplishments and success. I am 8 months out of school and already have a business in Pacific Beach, and I LOVE what I do! (Biggest bonus for my business is Microdermabrasion’s, Brazilian’s and Back Facial’s and most school’s don’t offer that!!!) It’s nice to switch thing’s up than doing facial’s all the time, I mean hey if you have the license and can do a lot under your scope of practice, come to school that will offer it to you all! Thank you Palomar Institute!

If you’re going here to have work done I think it’s very important to keep in mind that this is a SCHOOL and that most of the STUDENTS are just learning this trade.
I started going here because my mom decided to go back to beauty school and she used me as a guinea pig for assignments and new tricks she was learning. As my mom learned more I became lazier and now even refuse to wash my own hair and since it’s only $ 6 for a shampoo with the high quality products they have available I justify my laziness. I’ve had pretty much anything you can think of done to my hair, from simple cuts to relaxers. Honestly even when something didn’t come out exactly as I’d have liked, the price and the fact that each student I’ve worked with has been 100% eager to do their best makes it my go to spot. I’ve paid more money and have had must worse experiences from salons throughout San Diego.
The faculty have been amazingly encouraging and have contributed to this huge boost in self confidence that my Mom just didn’t have prior to attending this school. She’s vibrant and happy and looking forward to the next adventure. My entire family couldn’t be happier.
My mom graduates today and I’ve already picked out my new student/​victim to take over the boring job of my shampoo’s and blow dries (YAY for Pamela!).

The stars are for the esthetician side of the house. I received a facial a few weeks ago by Patricia and it was awesome; I made another appointment on the spot. I did have my hair colored a couple times prior to my facial and you get what you pay for. But facials there are awesome!

I’m 55 and have been periodically getting facials here for years and always enjoy the experience! Yes, it’s a school and a student is working on you. Occasionally I’ve had some who don’t have the best touch or dribble a bit of water, etc., but overall it’s a great service at half the cost of a salon! Many times, like today, with Mary, the student is much better than some professionals I’ve had. It’s a darkened, quiet room with 8 – 10 beds, usually not all full, soothing, low music and quiet whispers so you can relax and enjoy. The students are happy to explain the process if you ask questions. Some of these negative reviews sound like drama — I love the facials here, try it!

Took my two daughters here for haircuts. They both came out soooo happy with their new styles! They got their hair cut short for the summer. My adult daughter brought a picture of what she wanted and walked out looking just like the picture. Can’t be beat at $ 5.00 a cut and wash! It is 2.50 extra for a blow dry. I have never left here disappointed!

Ass

First time here and the experience was a good one. I visited for a facial.
it was really relaxing, and the girl who performed the facial was very kind and gentle, I don’t remember her name.
The only thing I wasn’t happy with was that my face is really dry. When she and another person were analyzing my skin they each confirmed that it more on the dry side. Once done I asked a bit about the product line she used, and she gave some detail as it offered a line for dry, oily, and acne skin. I asked which of the three she used, and she said all of them. When you have dry skin you stay away from oily or acne skin products because they remove the excess oil and have a treatment for the acne. I don’t have excess oils nor do I need acne treatments as they tend to dry the skin. I feel she should have known that. I wont give a bad rating just because of this as this is a reflection on the person not the establishment.
I will return because the experience as a whole was great, and I’ll make sure to tell the person doing the facial to stick to products for dry skin.

The owner just commented on my review for Unilocal.Um… a free deep conditioning and free blow dry doesn’t excuse how much I was charged for. The receptionist said that the pricing starts at 40 dollars… why was it 30 extra dollars??? Riddle me that? Yeah a teacher came over and told me how much it would be… I wanted to get my hair done that day, I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but then come to find out if my hair needed to be toned it would be 15 extra dollars. I was hoping my hair wouldn’t need to be toned, but then come to find out it needed to be. What was I going to do? Leave without my hair being toned Charlene? Sorry but paying 70 dollars for a half head of highlights, which turned out to be not very good is ridiculous. I remember going there a couple years ago and paying 40 dollars and I loved my hair, that’s why I came back again. Nope, sorry!

Let me start by saying that I am aware this is a school. I have been to beauty colleges in san diego, salt lake city, and Atlanta. I am also a licensed nail technician who currently works for the Santaluz club, and I recently completed my Doctorate in Chiropractic.
All of this being said, this experience was awful! I thought it would be a nice experience in order to relax but it was just the opposite. It was quite obvious that the students and teachers genuinely don’t give a shit. I received a facial in a crowded room where I enjoyed the sounds of smokers coughing and students snacking. The entire process was very unprofessional and uncomfortable. I didn’t have any feedback during the facial so I had no idea what the person was doing and she left me there laying on the table at least twenty times during the service. Clearly there was no prior setup for the service. I have been to a lot of schools including my own, and I can honestly say that I want my money back. I think it would have been more beneficial to drive through the car wash with my sunroof open for $ 30.then my car, face and hair would be squeaky clean. Don’t waste your time here. Trust me. Thank God I didn’t let them touch my hair!!!
This was really really bad, even by school standards…