Hidden in the back of the strip mall with Kroger is a diamond in the rough! I've been to beauty schools before and came out with a mediocre haircut. Jesse the instructor here and his students work "magic!" My daughter received a blow out and I a cut and blow out. I walked out of there looking like a million bucks!!! My hair hasn't been this flawless since forever. I would recommend this place to everyone. They do everything from manicure to facials to hair coloring to keratin treatments! Onna Jones is definitely a magician with her styling tools! I will definitely be back! read more

Empire Beauty School - Front desk - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Speedway, Indiana

It would be a complete shock if the Unique actually graduates and is successful without some divine intervention. Had the absolute worst experience ever and it wasn't because of the service provided by the lovely Azara, it was because of Unique's deplorable attitude. Never gave her the task of managing the check-in desk if she's not going to be forthcoming, honest, and humble enough to say when she's wrong. Then to have the gall to be talk back and be sassy as if she didn't give me the wrong instructions. I arrive at 1:13 she tells me it's a wait, I said okay will you call me? She says yes. I don't receive a call as I'm waiting in my car so I go back on at 1:56.... She's asking where I was, I said you said you would call. She said yes, call you up. So why have my phone number and why not be explicit regarding the full waiting room? Absolutely horrible customer service and her skills didn't look to be developing properly from what I saw. Zero stars for her. read more

The Speedway location is problematic...especially the day shift. Over the years there have been minor issues at this location, but today took the cake. After waiting for two weeks for my appointment, today I was refused service at this location because the day shift instructor claimed they "couldn't find" my latest formula in their computer system -- so I commented that this was "b.s". Initially, I was told the last time I was there was in 2024!! Then it changed to 2025. When I asked to speak to management about how night shift could find my most recent records both the front desk person and instructor threw up their hands and said that "they were day shift and I needed to speak to the night shift". Both shifts use the same computer system...so no rational explanation was given nor was any attempt made to determine if the last formula on file was the correct one. A note was put into my file that I am permanently banned from this location for using profanity (saying b.s). Avoid this place like the plague. Would give -5 stars if that was an option. read more

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I just called Empire in speedway trying to schedule an appointment. I was told I wasn't able to schedule same day appointments which was fine. I asked to make an appointment for another day with the lady Courtney. She told me to hold to pull schedule but disconnected. I kept calling the 463-4266652 which rings multiple times then disconnect . This is super Unprofessional whoever she is needs to get of the phone ,also when I told her she disconnected she blame it on me. I want recommend this school if that's how they treat potential customers just rude. read more

I had an amazing experience with Christina that I wanted to make sure to share. I'm convinced their are real life angels on Earth. I made a last minute decision to get my hair done, and I'm so glad I did, and I'm so glad I was assigned to her. the patience and care they she took for my hair meant so much. Having the time to talk with her as well was another blessing. She is very knowledgeable, and she knows her products. I am grateful for her, and I had a great experience. Book with her! Thank you to Empire Beauty- Speedway for being a special environment for students and clients. I will be back in the future. read more

I was so impressed with the speed and friendliness of the team in the front and when I made it into the back for the service. I can wait to go back for my next apartment read more

All good very satisfying She done a very good job I was very very satisfied and will come back again read more

Queen did my hair. It looks so much better. The styling time was quick. The service was commendable. It was an overall quality. That it really showed concern for my hair. read more

Grace was fantastic, she gave me full facial treatment and provided such a relaxing and comfortable experience. My skin is glowing and I feel so good post appointment! read more

My appointment was at 1. I arrived at 12:40 something. I signed in and sat down in the waiting area at 1pm. I waited an additional 30 minutes just to be told that I couldn't be serviced due to their water being shut off. I wasn't accommodated I was just told to leave. Turns out I could've stayed because the service could've been completed without the water but I didn't find that out until I arrived back home which is a half hour away from the shop. I've never had that service done to me before so that would've been my first experience. Honestly, I wouldn't go back there due to the unprofessionalism and lack of communication with me and the front desk agents . Also, the receptionist didn't notify my esthetician that they told me to leave causing a bad look on her name when it's their lack professionalism that's making her lose potential clientele. My time is just important as the next persons. read more

I went to Empire today and was taken care by Da'Kaira. Da'Kaira was very nice she explained to me what she was putting in my hair and everything. She will be a great hairstylist she's very patient and friendly x definitely recommend. read more

I've been to the beauty school several times to receive services and have had varied, but mostly good experiences each time. You must come in with the mindset that these are students and, therefore, you are an experiment. For me, hair is just hair and regardless of how you manipulate it, it will grow back, colors will fade, etc. I said all that because of some of the other reviews that I just read. Don't come here expecting to leave looking like a model and then you'll be pleasantly surprised if you do! I arrived this past Saturday about 15 minutes prior to the doors opening and there was already a line (this is to be expected). I signed myself and my daughter in and we had to wait about 2 hours before being seen. Sometimes arriving early works in your favor, but sometimes you might as well roll in a couple hours after they open and have a shorter wait time. You never really can tell. Because I've been there before and have had my patch test done for color, I got my hair color done, a cut and an iron out. The color turned out really good. The saturation was the best I've experienced since I started dying my hair. The iron out was mediocre, but that's nothing I can't fix at home. The cut was more like a trim because I think the student was afraid to take too much off. The staff and instructors are all very nice and professional and the prices are more than fair. I take my children there too. We've gotten braids, up-do's, roller sets, you name it. Give them a try. If you go into this understanding that they are learning, I'm sure you'll have a good experience. Just remember to clear your schedule for the day because it may take a while! read more

This business is absolutely no good, they do not believe in professionalism at all. It's just a big high school. I came in at 6pm and asked for me and my daughter's hair to just be washed, blow dried and press. They let me know they would be unable to do my hair and I let them know that was fine I would just come back tomorrow. However my daughter really wanted her hair done, I asked if they would still be able to service my daughters hair and they said yes. However there were snarky remarks being made as I was meet with rudeness. As I was walking out because I was upset the hairstylist makes a snarky remark and says exactly and I was wasting her time. I called when I left out to ask to speak to a manager but then I get hang ups constantly. Will never go back to this establishment. read more

It has been awhile since I've been to empire but let me just say that my experience Today was stellar!!! Ms. Nyla and Alex have been an awesome team to work with. I went from natural (mostly flat ironed) hair back to a relaxed pixie cut. Whenever I get my hair cut I'm a nervous wreck because you can't let just anyone in your hair with sheers, sizers etc. The students here really help one another out because they all have some expertise to lend and thats the joy of coming to a beauty school. Nyla and Alex tag teamed to accomplish what I wanted in a hair cut and style. You can tell by the way that Alex talks that he is Very familiar with his craft and proud of it. Such confidence only puts your client at ease...which is what I was looking for. I'm looking forward to working with them both in the future and wish them both much success in their cosmetology career. read more

I understand this is a school, but I don't think the students are doing their best. I would have to give the student who helped me an F. I went in for a full set of nails. Nothing fancy. The lady cut me twice with the file. I had to go home and take all the paint off and refile my nails and paint them again. The very next day, making it TWO days after getting my nails done, all of my nails popped off. The customer service was great, but when the student told me she doesn't like doing nails, I thought it might end in a disaster!! I do NOT recommend going here and wasting your money! I'm broke and I don't like wasting my money. I should have spent the extra $20 to $30 to get a nice set from a professional. One star for the nails!! One more star because the customer service was good! read more

I am a current student at Empire. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. I would recommend another school. They never have any products and the hot water is always going out. They also allow students to run the floor, meaning they allow the student to bully other students and get away with various of things. When you tell the educators and supervisors about the accidents they brush it under the rug. They allow certain students to leave the building and still be able to get all their hours. They also allow the students to leave senior theory early to go to the floor when they're not suppose to. They also know certain students cheat on test and still pass them. read more

I hate being the first to write a review and it not being a great one, but it's coming. I have gone to the Aveda Institute in Castleton for a couple years now and have had great luck with the rate of mistakes being about the same as any other salon, one ever at Aveda. On this occasion I went to Empire because its much closer to my house, cheaper, and apparently Aveda's phones just weren't working. I regret my decision and should have just waited. First, I called ahead to see if I had to make an appointment and told I could do walk-in until 2pm. I showed up around 1:15 and was told I "might" get in and apparently it was a big issue but never given a yes or no, just that the students were at lunch and she had no idea who would be free. I waited about 8-10 minutes and was finally called back. Now I know it's unfair to compare one place so much to another in a review, but I just had high expectations by comparison. Normally at Aveda an instructor would come by to talk to me about what I want after the student does to make sure they are on target. This never happened and the student just got to cutting after she understood what I wanted. This didn't seem too alarming until I found out that she's only being cutting for a couple of weeks and didn't know how to do some basic ideas. Not too horrible, since where it really went wrong was with the instructor. The instructor, Karma, never asked what I wanted and just started to "correct" everything, which is normal, until I realized that the whole inch/trim that I wanted became more like 2-2.5 inches before I knew it. Karma told the student to not be afraid to cut, even when she didn't know how much to cut. After I said I just wanted a trim, just shorten what I already had. Karma never asked for more details and by the time she asked the student, she already chopped it off. The one thing I was avoiding was chin-length hair, and that's what I now have. But the issues don't end there, Karma then made the sides uneven, the student did the length I wanted on one side, but Karma chopped that off too. I later found that they were left uneven even after I clearly stated that I did not want uneven sides and I am not interested in that trend. While, yes, the back is nicely blended (by the student) but it's waaaaay shorter than I wanted. I have lots of stray hairs that were missed, had to correct one side myself, never had the point cut that I wanted, and my birthday is in 5 weeks, a big birthday. I'm pissed. I didn't know that just shortening everything by one inch was so complicated! Yes, you can ask "what did I expect? It's students." And I agree, but history showed much better professionalism from instructors in general, why should I expect anything less at Empire? Now I will stick to where I am comfortable, where I'm listened to and in the same 1.5 hours my simple trim took at Empire, would have included a scalp and chair massage and mini facial at Aveda. I now have choppy hair that is way too short that I never wanted. To make matters worse were the behavior of the students. One male students had droopy pants, another was busy picking at her belly button staring into space, another acted like the clippers she used on a male customer were a toy, and I kept smelling BO from somewhere. Topping it off was two students complaining about being written up for behavior. I wonder why? I thought they were taught professionalism! This is a long-winded review, I know. But, if you want to save some money and try a school, go to Aveda where they have more class time before floor time and much more checks by the instructor. You spend a bit more ($17 compared to $8), but it's way worth it and the drive. Empire is really good for guys with simple cuts or women with long hair okay with getting an incorrect length cut off, or if you really don't know the length of an inch. My husband might still try out Empire, but clippers are harder to mess up, right? I sure hope so. Schools aren't the worst idea for a decent cut, I'm just shocked how so many horrible things happened in this one trip. I really could keep going into more detail, but I just don't have the time. I'm just glad hair grows back, I just wish it were faster. Approach with caution and don't be afraid to speak up and listen. It's your hair after all. read more

I am very happy with the the service. I got a perm and a haircut. The result is great. The price is great. read more

The administration staff comes correct. Do yourself a favor and ask for Brooke or Ashlee. They are amazing at what they do, have what others have lost in customer service, and truly do love their jobs. The campus is gorgeous and the education has only brought about great professionals in their area of expertise. This is the only place to consider when contemplating a career in this industry. read more

Amazing EDUCATION! Get licensed in cosmetology or educating cosmetologists at this school! We come with an active and engaging environment, full of the latest technologies for new trends for today in our beauty industry! For all information to get started ask for Brooke o Edwin! read more

Enrolling at Empire was the best decison I've made yet. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to be in the beauty industy.

I decided to give this place a try even after reading all the reviews so I called and booked an appointment about a week ahead. When booking the appointment I asked for prices and the receptionist stated that it varies, which I understood and I booked. At no point did she ask me any questions regarding whether or not was it my first visit so I assumed everything was good to go. I arrived at the school ready to go and as I was checking in the receptionist asked if I had ever gotten a patch test done with them...of course my response was no. She then said, well we can't perform any services since you have not received a patch test. I asked, "how come this wasn't mentioned when I booked the appointment?" She said it must've been a student, sorry. ???? I drove all that way, wasted gas and time for a sorry?! I just feel if you're providing a service, know what you're doing! Is it not common sense to ask if this is your first time or not? It could save a lot of people some time if they trained their people right. I'm very disappointed that I even thought to give this place a try. read more

Well just wanted say to those how are interested in becoming a cosmetologist going to going to any schoil has its days but u have to be willing to make the decided what you really would like to get out of your experience.. for me it was a long road and i know i had to grow with the group its it not a field for self center people because the clients are first... you have to be will to overcome your needs and give to other ... at the same time we student of empire desire to be treated as men and women on the road to our dream.. i real enjoyed my experience at empire i what everyday to have people around them to let them see though there eye the dream of one day having, doing and knowing i love the empire team the didnt give up on me even when i gave up i. Need that know im happy to say i make it though thank to the team at empire not just the teacher but the clients who come so we can learn how to profect the skills we learned we need the clients peopl have to support the dream .... read more