Reviews & Ratings for Sassoon Academy

11/11/09

Not a good idea

by kirstendunststooth at Citysearch

-was rudely corrected on the phone upon making the appointment when I said I'd like bangs, and the receptionist replyed "oh, FRINGE?" sorry I'm not up-to-date on your salon jargon.

-I arrived early only to be told they lost my appointment and they'd try to squeeze me in, which is never ideal. But I figured it's a school, not an upscale place to no worries. After waiting 10 minutes in the uncomfortably hot salon, I was told that they couldn't squeeze me in because someone went home early. So they used that as a scapegoat and asked if I'd like to reschedule to which I declined. Walked across the street to a non-student salon where my hair was cut by a professional for $10, which is less than it would have been by a student at the VS school!

• Pros: 0
• Cons: numerous

10/20/09

Dianne the bonny Scot!!!!!

by Louie4real at Citysearch

Dianne................... need i say more. who could ask for a better instructor!!!!!!!

• Pros: Dianne
• Cons: None

07/18/09

Not What It's Cut Out to BE ... or colored.

by TDay at Citysearch

I will never again pay money to have to sit through a butt-numbing 6 + hours of torture (TWICE!) for a half a head of highlights. The first time the color was wrong and my hair at the roots was noticably darker than the rest. The instructor would leave the room for long periods of time in between small bouts of supervision. (Probably for smoke breaks since she would come back reaking every time.) She did help a few students place one or two foils but failed to come over to the student highlighting my hair, knowing that I had been there the day before and had sat through an entire day of bad service previously. Also, the color instructor was very rude to another patron who decided she did not want the blowdry after the color, since she had already been there for 4 hours and had to leave. The instructor scolded the customer that she had been warned about the time needed and that the students had to learn. The woman walked out anyway. The staff may warn you of 3-4 hours, but that is not usually the case.

I have also tried the school for a cut and was horribly disappointed with that, as well. The girl who was cutting had never cut hair on another person in her life and her scissors were so subpar that my hair was bending between the blades and not being cut!! I looked like Raggedy Anne by the end of it and had to pay a professional to have my hair fixed.

I understand these are students who know very little, but I think the monetary cost is far too high for the level of knowledge these students have. If the school wants to charge the prices they do, they should at least have only senior students working on the public. The academy is pretty hit&miss and I believe one would have better luck at Super Cuts.

• Pros: front desk staff was fairly nice
• Cons: most everything - instructors are pretty rude.

05/04/09

great experience all the time

by CSMobileUser3 at Citysearch

I recommed it my friends all the. I don't live near an hour away, but worth the drive.

01/20/09

Great cut, good people

by troywarkentin at Citysearch

Good place to go for the latest style, worth the extra cash too look good, you will not regret it....

• Pros: Worth the price every time

11/18/08

Won't get a haircut anywhere else

by bellamar3 at Citysearch

I have been going to Santa Monica for apx 5 years from Orange County for color, highlights and cuts and have never been disapointed. Yes, it takes longer but it's half the price. Instructors are fantastic and students are great.

I really can't think of any negatives other than they are limited to what services they will do.

11/13/08

best experience ever

by dlopez131 at Citysearch

I'd like to share my experience for those of you who are still re-thinking going to a school to cut your hair. I was hesitant to go at first thinking what if they mess up, but I decided to give it a shot - it's only hair, it can grow back. So I did, and boy was I ever glad I did. This was the BEST experience ever. I went to teh Vidal Sassoon on Miami Beach, Florida. The people were all super friendly. The instructor Josh is the best. He spoke to all students with respect, never telling any of them they didn't know what they were doing if something was done incorrectly. Everyone in the class getting their hair done was very happy. Yes, it takes time - but it's a great experience. You see how he teaches the students, it's very interesting. You really don't notice the time since you're paying attention to everything around. The stylists DO talk to you. They're not as chatty as regular saloons, remember they're learning and nervous. Most stylists that are there are already working and they want the certification from Sassoon to make the extra $$. I will definitely keep going back. If I need my hair cut and can't get into a class, I will pay full price. The experience was awesome and I recommend it to everyone.

• Pros: great sense of style/great staff/very welcomed feeling

11/06/08

I am a student at VS right now and sadly I read all these reviews

by LadyCC at Citysearch

We are learning & try our best, as nervous as we R. For some of us it's our 1st time & for others it's close 2 our last. Its a learning process that we do everyday 2 be precise 2 perfection. I dont no about all of us but most of us want to do what our clients want but R subjected to our instructors guidance (considering it is their best advice coming from a large history & many years of sassoon training... believe me they know what is right for you & what is going to suit you the best way possible). It takes us a long time because we have a strict cutting regime & we care about our final results. For those that feel we don't interact with the clients thats probably because we R focusing on what we R doing or are not familiar with small talk. I would also like to remind the person that is reading this... the students of sassoon come from around the world & don't be surprised if you have a hard time understanding them. We truly want our client to walk out feeling beautiful with a Big smile on their face. It makes us feel proud & gives us more confidence. We all want to have clients feel great because it makes us feel great... (& getting that 5$ 20$ tip is just the icing on the cake ;) ) We R here @ the Sassoons to get the best training &DON'T FORGET to get our license!! Some of you lose sight that & demand beverly hills service. An average professional haircut takes 45 minutes, a sassoon hair cut takes 2 hours. But a school takes "AT LEAST" 3 hrs & it says it on the white piece of paper you sign in with. As for our instructs... the arrogance some of you stated comes with the territory. They are all fabulous instructors. Despite the fact they take there 10 min cigaret breaks every 30 min to leave a class full of students searching for them. They have the students best interest. I hope everyone changes their mind & are more appreciative.

• Pros: great finishing, great students, and wonderful instructors
• Cons: long waits, you might not always get what you want

10/23/08

Never disappointed!

by comicalcupcake at Citysearch

I have been taking my long thick wavy hair here for years and have never been disappointed. The students, while some seem nervous, always know what they are doing. Even better, they are always careful so that even if they do make a mistake, they have not cut off too much and the instructor can handle it.

I usually tell them to do whatever they think looks good while maintaining x length, and I have ended up with a variety of cuts in keeping with my long layers look. They are great at individualizing a cut to look great with your face shape, body type, and hair type. They always check with you before doing something drastic like cutting bangs, and they have been happy to answer questions about the process.

The only drawback for me has been that it tends to take a long time (up to 3 hours for my difficult-to-manage hair). This is due to their precise attention to detail, and to the fact that several students are waiting for the instructor at the same time. It would be helpful for them to have more instructors to mitigate this problem. However, it doesn't stop me from going back again and again!

10/17/08

SUCH A DEAL!

by Spunki at Citysearch

What's not to like about a VIdal Sassoon haicut, getting fussed over until the haircut is perfect, and being on the 3rd Street Promenade to shop afterwards? I have had haircuts all over the world, in some of the finest salons. This haircut ranked with the best haircuts.(It was even better than the cuts I got at Vidal Sassoon in Beverly Hills and London). My idea of a "good cut" is one that needs little attention to look fabulous, and looks good growing out for at least a month or 2). The drawbacks? It took over 2 hours, and most of that was waiting for permission to proceed. There was a "cattle call" feeling about the whole experience when I arrived(SO many people!)--however, my hair stylist and the instructor made me feel like I was the only person there, once I sat down. I hesitate to give this the 5 star rating it deserves only because I don't want to have to fight for an appointment in the future! I would recommend this to any age, any hair-type, men, women--they had someone for everyone. Excellent!

• Pros: Great stylists at rock bottom prices
• Cons: Ambience is very L.A. class-room, but service makes up for that