Great experience here a few months ago! Jaailyah was my stylist and she was great! Sheyenne was helpful as well. I just wanted my hair straight but didn't need all the bells and whistles of my regular stylist. For the price, it looks great. If I had more time, I may have done a trim as well so it wasn't so frizzy. read more

See all

I wanted to support cosmetology students, but depending on who you get to help you it's a mixed bag. I had waist length hair and asked for 3 inches off with layers and freshening up my curtain bangs. It was my stylist's first day on real people and she chopped of 6 inches with hardly any layers. She wanted to fix it but by the end I just didn't want her touching my hair anymore. I went from long hair to short hair without being asked and that is not a fun experience. read more

This school is disgusting. Fraud. They have been accussed of financial aide fraud you can google in what state. But after attending and being dropped with A B.Average, I believe the same exact thing.It's all about financial aid for that school and getting money. And? They constantly are changing your time and taking time away from you even when you clock in and then saying you don't meet the hours after they get your financial aide read more

See all

From December 2024 to August 2025, I have been put through nothing short of hell dealing with Empire Beauty School. My personal belongings were stolen right out of my locker, and since then I've been dragged through months of trauma, disrespect, and blatant disregard for me as a human being. For eight long months I've been emailing, calling, begging for answers. The "higher-ups" claimed they weren't receiving correspondence from the director, only to suddenly "find everything" when it came time to adjust the reimbursement they promised me. The communication failures, dishonesty, and lack of accountability have been absolutely disgusting. I am devastated. I am furious. I am nuclear-level angry. This isn't about the totatl amount stolen anymore. This is about the fact that I was a paying student, a respectful student, with perfect attendance, and this school has treated me with zero dignity, zero honesty, and zero care. This is the final straw. I will never have anything to do with Empire Beauty School again. I am grateful to have earned my cosmetology license, but beyond that -- Empire Beauty School is a complete non-factor in my life. I am a human being. I deserved respect. And what I got instead was a nightmare that I will never forget. Thanks, Empire Beauty School. #EmpireBeautySchool #Disgusted #NeverAgain read more

I am always very pleased with the students. Many already know how to do hair and an instructor oversees all work. You can't beat the price. Give it a try! read more

Had an appointment in April 2025 with Risarda Smith. She was patient with instructions from her instructor as to what my hair needed to regain healthy growth. Risharda was very accommodating and made sure my needs were met. Made a follow up appointment. Jeroline H read more

I go to the beauty schools.All the time. Today I went to the empire beauty school on west broad street.In richmond virginia, gemma was assigned to my hair. While being shampooed, we were having what I thought to be pleasant conversation, but i asked her.Did she do silk press before she said yes, she'll show me some pictures.And I said, okay, and I'll show you my pictures and what i'm looking for as well. She tells me to go to her chair while she cleans out the bowl for the next customer.But that was the setup. While sitting waiting for her to come over the teacher came, believe her name was Sarah, ( short, little heavy), well, she proceeds to tell me that my stylist Gemma no, longer felt comfortable and safe to proceed with.Doing my hair. I'm looking at the teacher or crazy like.What is you talking about?So, then I asked, so, what did I do or say. Gemma proceeds to tell meShe didn't feel comfortable anymore, cuz.I asked a simple question.Which was have she ever did soap press before, this is something I would have asked any stylist I had gotten. I'm going to add this bit of information I don't know if it played a part in why a simple question who have someone act feel that way. Im black she was white, as for me if they look up my times coming to the Empire Schools I have allowed white stylist to do my hair and other services before. So anyway she has turned on the tears, so the teacher talking to me and trying to say well did you say huh or something after the question, just want to put words in my mouth. Again I said no, I just asked the simple question. So then they switched me over to another young lady charity or how ever you spell it, whom finished up my hair. Now while she was doing my hair, I had a brief, not even 3 minutes conversation with a friend, which went like this, hey, I'm getting my hair done, I had a little bs with the 1st stylist she didn't feel comfortable n safe with doing my hair since I asked her did she do a silk press before but I'll call you back later. So that was it! Me n 2nd stylist was sharing conversation about crystals and herbs etc. Any way as I go to pay. I see the teacher that try to but extra words in my mouth up there and another lady which might also be a teacher, now 1st teacher waited to I put my card in and called for gemma to come up there, so I am in my mind like what now, I know I just dont ever plan for gemma to do my hair, the the 2nd stylist also came up. So now that they see I paid, she proceeds to tell me Im barred from this school salon because Ive made their students uncomfortable and unsafe. So I said to the 2nd stylist chernity, what did I say or do to you, she said because I was on my phone talking to someone about the incident. So I clarified with her, I DID NOT SAY OR DO ANYTHING TO HER! She said no but she feel like they are a team. I said ok, then I spoke to the 2nd teacher because the 1st one kept trying to tell me how to or how I should have asked the question, which truly doesn't matter now because crying gemma, and 10 toes down chernity and talking sarah can take a long walk on a short pier. Any way as I was talking to the 2nd teacher I said, my initial review from gemma action left a bad taste in my mouth for that location but chernity had turned it around a bit but after this F that Empire school location on w.broad in Richmond Virginia. They need to teacher their staff and students PROFESSIONALISM and more because if you crying because you were asked a question whether you feel it was questioning your ability in skill level get real! As i told all the teachers and students standing there, that would have been asked no matter who I got and that sometimes when things start off bad sometimes another person can change your feeling about the bad situation but YOU GUYS LEFT A SOUR TASTE IN MY MOUTH FOR THAT LOCATION. And it's just crazy. Barred from a beauty school. They can kick rocks!!!​ read more

Best Director - she resolved a serious issue I had at Empire Beauty School! Now she's professional & courteous & knowledgeable & values me as a customer/client there! Excellent work done by the hairstylists who have done my hair cut & color! Thank you read more

Many years ago, I'd gotten my hair done at EBS several times. I totally forgot about them and decided to stop in to see what was new. While I didn't actually get any services done, the lady at the front desk was VERY patient with me and answered all of my questions in great detail so that I felt more informed for when I'm ready to return. Probably the first thing I'll have them do is my makeup. $8. Can't beat that even if they mess it up ;-) read more

I love it everyone's very nice I just joined school here so I'm very excited to learn here

I scheduled an in-person tour of the facility over the phone. The receptionist had a really good energy about them and was very considerate of my needs. I had arrived at my appointment during rush hour so it was pretty busy. I wasn't bothered at all I was amazed at how happy everyone looked it was pure joy. Not one station looked the same each professional had their style and expertise. I had the pleasure of meeting professionals who shared with me why they chose Empire. Their stories empowered me and gave me the clarity that I was looking for. It was my lucky day because I got to meet Miss Stephanie. She taught me the history of the Empire which has been around for 80+ years. The visual aids made learning easier for me and she did me great service by introducing opportunities under the Cosmetology Umbrella . I have toured a few other Beauty Schools but their curriculum doesn't compare to Empire's. The goal of every Empire Beauty School employee is to support students through every phase of their education, graduation, and career placement. I believe that Empire is living in its truth just as it did back in 1934. I want to send a huge shout-out to Empire Beauty for providing the opportunity for me. It's safe to say Empire is the school for me. read more

Empire Beauty School - Empire Beauty School - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Orientation ready! Can't wait until start date it's my first day towards my new career .

The beauty school has been my go to on and off for about 10 years now! A great place to get special services from students who are in-training. This shout-out is for Ms. Lay, (Te'Lashia Craig) - my stylist, who stepped up to do my hair after my appointed stylist was unable to make it in. She did a fantastic job with my 2-strand twists - her patience, her professionalism and her cool personality were awesome! All the best to her as she prepares to graduate and continue to be of service in the community. Observation: Why would you allow a particular client to come in unmasked and not enforce the rule like you did on everybody else? This client was allowed to get her hair done UNMASKED. I walked up one day with no mask and was told I COULDN'T COME IN WITHOUT ONE!!! read more

I have been very pleased with the service I have received at Empire Beauty School for over ten years. Right now I'm getting a wash and roller set, but have in the past gotten wash, wave set, and also blow-dry and thermal . My student now is Aliyah Jones who is very professional, nice, and prompt. Delores McCray read more

I just called earlier to make an appointment for hair color, I have been coming to this salon, for years, every year , I get my hair done, color, highlight , and trimmed. But this time, I am very disappointed, because, I was told , by the person, that answered the phone, that, you have to have a Patch Test ? In order, to have a Hair color done , at this Salon ? since when ? was told , that it's a new Law , of some sort .. I was little surprised, because , I had my color , there yearly, and never they asked for a patch Testing... Maybe , now their policy changes.. I don't know... Then I asked again about the Patch testing ? She explained details, have to try the color on your skin, wait for 10 minutes , then if it came out ok, You have to comeback next time, make an appointment ?? I explained, that it's so much hassles for me, to wait another time, since it will take longer for my hair to get it color .. I really don't want to come back for next time.. It would be different , if you get the Patch Test, and wait, if it's ok, then you can have the color , after wards.. But , have to come back again ? No Thank you. Not sure , if that's correct information. I know the prices that this salon offer , than a Regular Salon, like I said, been coming to this Salon, yearly, and very much satisfied , with the service, All in all.. I'm just disappointed , of the new policy. Not so happy with that.. read more

My overall rating is a combination of the school and the student. I had very minimal wait time when I arrived 5 minutes prior to my appointment time. After a brief consultation, she wasn't sure about the best way to cut my hair: wet vs dry, layered vs straight across, so she asked the instructor for input. The instructor responded to my inquiry very nicely and shared how best to do the cut (we went with wet). Next, we headed to the shampoo bowl where I waited in queue for my turn (2 heads ahead of me). My turn. The wash was ok - I would've liked more of a massage, more pressure, but I didn't know what the students were instructed so I let it be. Back to the chair for a cut. My student stylist (S. Claiborne) did a great job on my long layered cut! She took her time and ensured it was what I wanted, what her eyes liked, what looked good through the mirror and asked the instructor to check it a few times. The instructor checked the student's work throughout the cut, ensuring her that she was doing a great job and commending her on being precise and communicating with me - which I could tell boosted the student's confidence! The blowdry was quick and easy and I left with really bouncy, flowy hair. And hellooo - it was $9!! read more

Empire Beauty School - Blowout: Empire Beauty School edition - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I'm having a tough time assigning a star rating to my experience here today. I'm wavering between 2 and 3 stars. Let me explain: My mother in law is the one who told me about the $10 blowouts at Empire Beauty School. Her hair always looks great when she gets it done here. Nice and full with body. She even went to Empire to get her hair done for our wedding a few months ago! She has long, natural hair like me, but hers is probably a bit thicker with a coarser curl pattern. I don't think she sees anyone in particular, she just goes in as a walk in. So, because I've been battling a nasty sinus infection for going on four weeks now, I've had absolutely no energy to care about my hair. I thought that this would be a great opportunity to try the famous $10 blowout. So, in I went. Checkin was easy and I waited for maybe 15 minutes before being seen by Alexis. She was upbeat, really informative, and most of all: professional. We talked a lot about how the beauty school works, her courses, etc. It was all very interesting. As she was washing my hair I noticed that I didn't recognize any of the products that they were using. They also only have two shampoo bowls in the main area, so there was a wait to be shampooed. I found that kind of odd. After a few minutes of waiting, we ended up using an extra shampoo bowl in the classroom. Meanwhile, the teachers were walking around monitoring the students and chit chatting with customers. Everyone there was super nice and upbeat. So, why the low rating? Well, my hair is flat, heavy, and has no body. I did ask for some curl at the ends, but what I received is a bone straight look. Nothing was done for my dry scalp, and a couple of times I heard my hair struggling against the flat iron. No bueno. But, overall, I guess I just felt uncomfortable. I think I was expecting something a bit more comparable to a "regular" hair salon, but this does very much feel like a school where the students are still in the thick of the learning process. On one hand, you absolutely cannot beat a $10 blowout. For context, I normally pay $40 at my regular hair salon and any other blow out place is going to run you about the same. So, essentially I could get my hair done 4 times at Empire for the amount it would cost for me to get one blowout at my normal salon. On the other hand, you get what you pay for. I could see this being a huge win for some people (like my mother in law) who get great results no matter what stylist does your hair. For others, it might be best to pass. Even though the savings would be a lot for me, I still don't see myself coming back, sadly. I've decided to bump this up to 3 stars. Just because there was absolutely nothing wrong with Alexis (she did the best she knew how to do) and the service I received was awesome from start to finish. At the end of the day, I just wasn't comfortable and that's not their fault. read more

I visited Empire Beauty because someone who has done my hair in the past is now a student there. After leaving the gym, I knew I did not feel like doing my hair. I am 100% natural with a course, oh so thick, texture of hair. I called Empire to make a same day appointment with Tia and fortunately she was available to take me at 1:00 pm. I arrived at 12:56 pm. When I arrived in the school, I noticed there was a line and a bit of congestion at the front desk, check-in desk. I stood in line about three minutes, double-checked with Catherine (nametag) that I had to stand in line to check in, was told yes. Less then five minutes later @1:07, while still standing in line, another customer came in, spoke with someone else and was told they could sign a sign-in sheet. I spoke up to say I have been in line for about ten minutes, so I will take that sign-in sheet first. After signing the sign-in sheet, I sat down, and then was called up to sign the chemical release. Tia was finishing up with another customer and then was ready for me @1:27 pm. From the time Tia took over my visit, my experience was great. She and the other students were all friendly. It was interesting to see a small snippet of a day in life of a senior cosmetology student. I did not get to take a good look at the products she used to wash my hair but boy did she almost put me to sleep. My hair wash was so soothing and I did not get up with water all over my clothes. That's a plus! I initially went in for a perm rod set but we decided to do their special $10 silk press + $2 trim. The thickness of my hair would take a perm rod set a few hours to thoroughly dry. Wednesday was not the kind of day I had time to sit under a dryer. With my texture of hair and it not being prone to heat often, Tia did a wonderful job straightening my hair. She took her time straightening and after the trim she curled the ends. My hair is so bouncy! I literally thought I was going to break my neck within 24 hours of my hair being styled. Any conversation I have had from Wednesday until today, Saturday, has had a lot of neck swinging...teehee! Of course the RVA humidity won't always let me be great but with some flexi roods I bounce back...literally! Thanks Tia! read more

Empire Beauty School - Silk press with curl on natural hair - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

My experience was great with Harlie Nicholas she was very good and it was best perm ever. Harlie going to be a great hair styler

I have heard great things about the services offered through the school so u decided to give it a try myself! I arrived at 12 noon, there were plenty of students in and out and there was 3 other women before me. Signing in was very simple, there is a for your name and the services requested, easy peasy. There is also a very large sign/s with the services they offer and how much they charged! I decided to go with a Wash, blow dry and thermal which only costed $10 in the end (cannot beat that). I sat for about 15 minutes before a student got me, she was get polite and professional the entire time. I was a bit concerned about her doing my hair as I am natural with very kinky hair but she did an amazing job and tended to every concern. My edges were not as straight as I would have like but these are students and the services are very inexpensive so I really couldn't complain. The teacher does walk around the school to make sure the students are executing the proper technique and to assist if needed. Check out was easy, I will definitely be returning in the future! All the students were professional, there was chatter here and there but nothing that was unprofessional. This will save you money for the weekly hair visits, I will definitely be back! read more

Both of my experiences at the beauty school were great. My hair stylist, Briona was professional and courteous on both occasions. She did an excellent job on my hair. I plan to return for another visit. read more

I was really, really pleased with the service that I got here. Aaliyah was my stylist, and she did a great job covering up my gray roots. What's best is that she totally accommodated my request of making sure that I got at a certain time so that I could catch another appointment. She wasn't put off in the slightest, and was just a treat. Very friendly, skilled, but also was comfortable with letting me get my work done during the session. Only catch is that I'd suggest arriving early for your appointment. I'd was there for my 9:30 on the nose, but wasn't seen until 9:50. Something to consider! Check-in process is as smooth as butter. All the students are obviously very dedicated to doing a good job, and the instructors are informative but gentle. read more

Don't request information unless you would like to be harassed! I went to the empire website to find out more about the school. The website was vague and didn't give a lot of specifics. I noticed that you can request to have information sent to you so I entered in the required information hoping I would receive a brochure. Within 5 mins of requesting information I got a call from a 1-800 number. The representative was trying to get me to set up an appointment to come and take a tour of the school. I advised her that I didn't want to set up an appointment. I would rather have her send to me a brochure. She said they don't send anything out since it is vague and raises more questions (so apparently it must be the same bullshit that's on their site). I advised her I am not interested if they can't send to me the information. I didn't want to set up a meeting and waste both my time and theirs if i couldn't afford the school. There intentions are to have you go to the school, make it sound absolutely wonderful, make you sign a bunch of papers and then tell you it's thousands of dollars to attend. Actual universities and colleges will tell you the tuition rates right on their website. That initial conversation with the representative was over 3 weeks ago. I am STILL getting calls. They call from different numbers everytime including 1-866 and 1-888 numbers. They call atleast 2 times a day all hours of the day. They obviously aren't doing that well if they have to harass people to get them to go to their school. So, bottom line unless you want to go take a tour and intend to go to the school do not request information. read more