Ok, it's a school, so I expected shaky, unsure hands (and I got it), but what in the world is MBA…read moreteaching these students?!?! I paid for a manicure with gel nails and a pedicure. I washed my hands and dried them and she pushed my dry cuticles up with a metal tool (no cuticle cream, cuticle nippers or heating pads like I am accustomed to) then used a Dremel-type rotating tool to sand away what cuticle came up. No lotion massage either (although my friend who was also getting a manicure with gel nails did get a hand massage). The teacher or supervisor only casually glanced over twice and checked nothing. In fact, she left for the day when my pedicure started. I did get a brief massage on my feet, but no cutting back of the cuticle or relief for the ingrown toenail. MBA - your students deserve better from you than this - and the price for a poor job (still limping because two toenails cut to the quick) was about the same as the full-service spa chair mani-pedi I get in Atlanta.

All of the students and staff are very hard working. A great bunch of people who are friendly and…read moremake you feel comfortable. The environment is fun and upbeat. You can tell they are passionate about their craft and eager to learn and practice their skills. They offer many different services at very reasonable prices. Check this place out!

The worst service, irresponsible management, and poor customer service here at Lu Ross! We came to…read morethis academy to find out about the courses and the cost, and the consultant, Ady, showed us the school and invited us to come back the next day to pay the fee, get a full financial support consultation, and sign the documents. However, on the very last day, an hour before the appointment, she canceled the meeting! This is a pig-like attitude! People are working, changing their plans, and taking time off from work for this appointment, and she just cancels it! This lady is completely incompetent and untrained! What is she doing there if she doesn't understand the documents or the academy??!! In the end, she canceled the meetings 2 times!!!! She promised to call back when she had clarified all the details with the administration, but she never called back! She wasn't answering the phone! For two weeks, she simply ignored potential students! Honestly, after this, the academy only evokes disgust with its attitude towards people who actually generate revenue for them! We'll be looking for other academies, but I don't recommend this place if you value your nerves and money!

If you have only been to the old academy in Goleta, you will suspect you have died and gone to…read morebeauty salon heaven the minute you open the large glass door to the gorgeous, large building on Anacapa. I couldn't believe my eyes. This is state-of-the-art facility with high ceilings and industrial exposed tubing on the ceiling. It's modern and shiny with 20 or so stations for hair in the center of the room and a long row of nail stations along the right side. Stairs take you up to the classrooms and treatment room for facials. The old facility was built around the time of the PHF (the SB County loony bin). It was institutional, evoking Suzanne Vega's "Institution Green." The work was always excellent, though. Good product and well-trained students nearly ready to graduate. The prices are unbelievable. I had a "premium" facial with Lauren. It took 65 or so minutes and the sheets on the reclining bed were incredibly soft. The steam felt fantastic. There are no curtains separating the beds and everyone speaks in a whisper, so it's quite peaceful. I have clear skin but it's been about 18 months since my last facial. I have no pimples or skin problems but facials are important for evening out skin tone. For people who need extensive extractions, facials will result in clearer skin. Those who don't hydrate properly with product will also benefit. But I am pretty hydrated (Tatcha cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer, Erasa Skincare anti-aging serum, and Faces by Liliana toner and eye cream) .So for me, it was ultra hydration plus a radical improvement in skin tone. I am going to go this week, if possible, for a blowout or updo. The hair services are staggeringly inexpensive. A French braid for $11 (long hair) and updo for $26. I wish Gov Hair Product (or French Laundry) had opened this sooner. I will be back regularly until I move back to New York. What a joy! 10 stars! (And Lauren is fantastic!)

Great value and environment. All students and checked by…read moreeducator..am happy to find an affordable option like this. Limit is time and no weekend s. .x x x x x All the same ..

This was seriously the best experience. Rachel and Su my instructors were amazing !!…read more Rachel and Su were so knowledgeable, helpful , supportive , so positive , reassuring and very hands on with my training which meant a lot . The class is all day which sounds a bit intimidating at first but it flys by ! I felt so comfortable with these ladies that it made this class so fun and made all my nerves just float away . They provide lunch for you which is so great cause if your like me you are constantly hungry so that's a nice add on ! I got to work on 3 models and by my last one I was feeling super confident and ready to start my new microblading career thanks to these wonderful ladies and this class ! You get sent home with a work book with alll the info you learned so you can always go back and review it . Also everything you need to work on future clients . Pigments , tools ... Thank you again Rachel and Su you guys made that class such a great experience !

After sending my 1st pic. I was receiving many messages about scheduling an appointment. Come to…read morefind, once I decided I was declined. I was very disappointed

Service was 10/10 would go back again. My expectations were met, I was unsure what color I wanted…read moreand Kristine did her big one!!!

Okay - I took a gamble going here and it did NOT disappoint. I think it might be my new go to spot…read moresince my usual stylist retired. When you walk in, everyone is so excited & just happy to be there. Ok, ok - yes it's a school but it's so legit! I had my hair cut by Shubashini (Lakshmi?). First of all - what a total sweetheart chasing her dreams. She provided the kind of experience that would gain her loyalists for her services. So excited for her! I would pay for just the hair wash cuz that head massage that came with it was phenomenal. Low-key still dreaming of it. She spend adequate time understanding the look I was going for (a LOB) and she gave suggestions based on hair type. I have fine hair so she gave me a long layer to add body. She took her time and cared about getting you a quality cut. After, the cut is checked by a teacher there and you're styled off with a blowout and out you go! Affordable. Ample parking. Excited stylists. Quality experience and somewhere I'd recommend to my friends. Definitely bringing my mom in. For salon services: only available on Thursday & Friday.

If you're a fan of the ASMR where the girl in class is playing with your hair or doing your nails -…read morecoming here for your beauty needs is the best! I had SO MUCH FUN. It was like being back in school and your best friend is trying some stuff out on you for funsies. Everyone was chatty and sweet and having a blast. I really needed that energy. And bonus it was affordable! Definitely come here if you want some community vibes and you're willing to be creative with your looks. I'll definitely be back.

I've never taken time to write a not-so-great review on a business before, but unfortunately this…read moreexperience calls for it. I had very reasonable expectations going into Monarch for a haircut/bleach and tone. I've gone to beauty schools for services before, and understand the nature of it as well as the risks. But I've never left one completely dissatisfied. Here's the thing, though- The student did maybe 10% of my cut. The instructor did the remaining 90% And not only did she ignore what I asked for, she botched what she gave me. The photo I showed her is far from the cut I received. It is SO much shorter, the layers are very rough, blunt, and uneven, and the shortest layer is literally unstylable. I explained that I needed enough length to curl daily. I was far more after a little volume and hair health than a full on transformative haircut. If the student had done this, though I'd obviously still be upset about the outcome, I feel it'd have been excusable, and would have understood. I wouldn't be writing this review. But there is no reason whatsoever that a licensed cosmetology instructor should have been so very careless in this situation. I felt there was zero caution exercised, and it was just immediate chopping off major length, no work up to it. So it was too late pretty much instantly. And even the student was visibly jarred upon watching. I voiced that she cut it way too short, and she told me that she left far more length than my photo showed, which frankly felt insulting because it just simply isn't true and anyone with eyes could see that. Not to mention that later on in the appt when her student asked her how much longer she should leave my bleach in after checking me, she didn't even look and said "her hair will tell you." I understand the sentiment, but that's not teaching. That's a disservice to her students whom are paying top dollar to be there. I'm not going to name the student, as she did a very good job on my bleach/tone, and I don't want her name to be associated with a 1-star review. The instructors name was Mrs. Ramirez, who I've come to understand is head cosmotology instructor. It's very unfortunate, because now I'm in a tough spot trying to find a stylist whom can install extensions ASAP as I cannot go to work like this. So I'm going to be out several hundreds of dollars, and several hours of my day (which I have to take off work for) I'm not sure how the other instructors operate, so I can't say to stay away from this place entirely, but I would definitely discourage having Mrs. Ramirez oversee/participate in your services. Her approach is far too lackadasical.

Top 10 I recommend her services so much. She always does a clean job. She makes sure to do exactly…read morewhat I ask for. I've been doing my lash extensions with her for over 2 years and they always last me for a long time.

I am so in love with my lashes!! I had my first set done on Tuesday morning by Taylor. She was very…read moregentle, took her time, and was precise. She did an amazing job! I'll be coming back for a refill soon! thank you Taylor :-)