Hello! I'd like to share my experience at Saddleback Beauty for about two regular root touch-ups. Over the years, I've had many student stylists work on my hair, and it has always turned out great. However, yesterday Roberto was truly exceptional. He has real talent as an artist. He thoughtfully considered how to blend my hair color into one cohesive tone and took his time to do it right. He spent nearly twice as long as usual and was incredibly generous with his effort and care. I highly recommend requesting Roberto and Saddleback Beauty Academy you won't be disappointed! read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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Banned for "rude behavior" after they agreed to fix my hair color. I came in with clear reference photos and was polite the entire time. The stylist did a beautiful job -- but it wasn't the color I asked for. I calmly said exactly that. They let me return for a correction, but when I called to book for a root touch up three months later, I was told I was banned. I am well aware that this is a beauty school and students are learning, but that does not permit horrible hospitality amongst teachers and students. Scary to think some of these students will be in professional salons with horrible customer service. Can't believe it's my fault for speaking up. Simply advocating for the service I paid for got me banned. Talented stylists, zero accountability. Avoid if you have a specific look in mind. read more

Gave me lice Which transferred to my child And then they kicked her out Should change your dirty towels instead of using them over and over again. The place was filthy and now they even don't care or feel responsible. read more

Amazing service. I really enjoyed the facial provided by Nikki. She has great touch and sweet personality. I will definitely come back.

Got a facial here with Lori and the service was excellent. Very welcoming, and kind. Will definitely be back.

Did a 90 min facial with Crystal .. alongside Peggy they were professional and well trained.

Wow!! I was pleasantly surprised to find out they had an opening on the same day I called to get a signature facial. The products are quality products & cruelty free and my aesthetician did a great job & she had a great vibe about her. I highly recommend this beauty school it's so much better than others I've been too. I'm a happy camper! read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - My shining face after the facial. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Did a 60 min facial with Lori with Peggy to supervise. Really professional and well trained.

Went in for foil highlights for very blond hair and the guy started doing a root touch up. Turned my roots orange. Then the supervisor had to foil my hair! Came out brown to cover the orange. Then she tried tell tell me I'd have blond highlights in two days from the sun!!! Always communicate exactly what you want if you go in!!! read more

Clarissa did my haircut, I got a trim with face framing layers. She explained everything to me, and was very gentle with my hair. My hair dresser was friendly and pleasant to talk to. read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - My hair after the haircut. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Roya was really great and took meticulous care with every step of her craft, from my foils to the haircut. It took awhile, but was worth it! Maybe she was learning how to do more Barber-style cuts, but she got help from a Barber instructor when she wasn't quite sure and made it come out right like I wanted it. Took a chance on a new style, a new color, and a new place, and I'm happy to say everything turned out great. Thanks, y'all! Good energy up in there! Very friendly people. read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - Foiled up for the first time ever. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

I was a week away from my vacation w/ almost inch long gray roots and in desperate need of a haircut. My usual stylist at my usual salon was booked solid until a month out... so naturally, I started to get desperate. I came across a Groupon (while looking for a Wild Rivers Groupon haha) for Saddleback Beauty Academy for a root touch-up, haircut, and blow dry (exactly what I needed!!) for something crazy cheap like $45. I bought it immediately. I then called the following day hoping and praying they could fit me in ASAP lol... guess what? They could!!! I called on a Friday morning and secured a 10:00 am appt for the following day! Upon arrival, I checked in w/ the receptionist and then met my stylist. After discussing what I wanted, we were off and running... when she was done, I was very happy. It looked no different than my regular salon where I would've paid $160-$200 for the same thing. But it's not a regular salon, it's a beauty school, and you have to always keep that in mind. Espresso or bubbly will not be offered lol. There will also be several times throughout the process where the stylist will stop and need their instructor to come look at their "work" or discuss the next steps, etc. You may even have an audience around you studying your hair/the stylist's progress... Obviously this will eat into your time, so don't come if you're in a rush! I came in at 10:00 and left by 1:00, just to give you an idea. I am definitely coming back and will bring my son here for his kid haircuts, too! There is plenty of parking and they are next door to Classic Chinese. read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

If you decide to come to this academy, be prepared for a long appointment! The people doing your service are students, and some can ask for their teachers multiple times since they are using your service as a way to learn and perfect technique. Everyone was nice and the atmosphere is generally relaxed/chill, not as formal. As a perspective, for my visit I had a haircut and balayage and it took about 3 hours :) read more

So Worth It! Super friendly customer service and very reasonable prices. Honestly, if they moved 50 miles away, I'd still go! Monet did my hair--she was patient, sweet, and made the whole experience fun and easy. Loved everything about it! Highly, highly recommend it! read more

I had such a amazing experience with Sky and Mica. These girls did a amazing job with my super brassy damaged over bleached Asian hair. I went in for a tone but as things progressed I realized I really needed/wanted a partial lightning session. The girls and instructors were very flexible and collaborative with me to get me to the sample photo I shared. We spent at least 5 mins just talking to her formula options, warm or cool tones, ect. While there the owner asked if I would like to try a new keraeefect treatment from Japan and OMG it was such a easy treatment and made a HUGE difference in my damaged hair. I can't wait for them to bring this treatment to the masses. So silky smooth and shiny!!! I'm getting complaints everyday. It's been 3 days and I'm still in love with my color and health of my hair. I'll be honest I haven't even brushed my hair but haven't needed too; it's that's smooth. Facility is clean and everyone was kind and professional. read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - Photo taken after my hair appointment after spending 30 mins inside a motorcycle helmet. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Emma was amazing! I have had numerous facials in the past and this one was one of the best! I believe Emma is still a student and I only paid 43 for the hour but she seemed like a professional. Loved it! read more

Since it's a school, I was a bit apprehensive because I have curly hair, which requires a different cutting technique. However, Avalon listened attentively to Miss May and I, they both offered valuable advice, and she successfully implemented the agreed-upon haircut. I left feeling much more confident and excited about my new hairstyle! Highly recommend giving them a chance! read more

Very poor service I made appointment with them today and the Missed understanding on the phone they said something when you are there they said something us lady named Rachel completely wrong person to answer the phone call I have bad experience and on my side I don't recommended to anyone else read more

I can only speak to the front desk and hair salon experience. I read the other reviews and I think I will come back for one of those as the reviews are amazing for those services, I wish I could say the same for the hair department. I'm so bummed but I had an awful experience getting my hair blown out. I was a walk in and the front desk was kind enough to fit me in , so 1 star for that. The 2 young girls in the front desk area were polite and friendly. I waited for under 5 minutes for my stylist to great me and walk me back to her chair. I told her what I would like " blowout with a round brush and hair products needed as my hair is course and textured". She assured me she could do that. She washed my hair (that was ok) and then she began blow drying it but she was so "gentle" that my hair was flying everywhere and not blowing in the right direction so I would have smooth hair like I wanted. She couldn't blow my hair smooth and I didn't say anything as I didn't want to hurt her feeling or tell her how to properly hold the brush and blow dryer, but by the end of my service I asked for my hair tie and immediately put my hair in a high bun. My hair was so fluffy and had fly always like crazy. Right before I put my hair up, she tired to curl it was a small barrel curling iron which made me have " Goldie locks curls" . The funny thing is that she didn't curl all my hair so I have random straight pieces flying around too! The girl kept saying how nice it looked but I wished she would have said " this is the best I can do" It was awful. I'm not mad as I know this is where people come to learn and my head is something to practice on. I just wish the front desk people would have given me someone that had a little more experience with how to use a blow dryer better. I tipped her 5 bucks, paid 30 for the blowout, wished her well in her hair career and walked out . Will I go back again for hair service, NO, no I won't. Will I come back to try another service? Sure. I forgot her name but it started with an A. And she tried so 1 star for that! 2 stars total! read more

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I always pass by this place, and I decided to give it a try since my hairstylist is not available today. I walked in and was greeted warmly by the receptionist. I told her it was my first time here and asked for any availability for a wash and dry service. She said yes and shortly a very nice young lady greeted me. The backwash unit station looks brand new and clean. So far everything looks pretty promising. When she started washing my hair, the water temperature was having some difficulty. It would fluctuate between very hot and then turned cold. Finally, after several attempts, the water temperature was acceptable, and she began to wash my hair. She rinsed my hair, mainly just the front. She very lightly applied the shampoo and began the wash, again just the front part of my head. I told her she could apply more pressure because my hair was oily, but she didn't do it and continued to be gentle. I am guessing she was new and still quite inexperienced with washing. There was no massage shampoo on my scalp. The whole time, she didn't once lift my head to wash the back of my hair. I didn't feel once there was any shampoo applied to the back of my hair. It was just simply gently rubbing shampoo and rinsing the forelock. After washing and drying my hair with the towel, we went back to her station for a blow-dry. She parted my hair in various sections using hair clips and began blow drying. At the end, I touched my hair and it was still damp and greasy. I don't know if it's from the residue of the shampoo or simply because the wash was done so poorly that the oil from my scalp wasn't clean. She was a very nice person but unfortunately, this was such a disappointing and frustrating experience. read more

This is my 5th time haircut experience at SBA, most horrible experience. I showed the student and the teacher the hairstyle I want, a bob style with expect chin line. The student cut the hair way too short, did not even apologize. I asked to speak to the teacher, the teacher said the hairstyle looks cute. Will never go back and do not recommend this place. Zero start read more

This is a school offering services so impossible to review every student which would be unfair anyway as they are students but they are well supervised and are overall very anxious to please. Somewhere along the way I ran into a bit of a misunderstanding with a service but beyond thrilled to say I was directed to speak with Miss Kelly who is one of the instructors I believe. She listened to my issue and she HEARD me and at that moment went straight to the issue and how to resolve it moving forward. That was all I wanted on my previous two visits explaining what I was unhappy about (first and only issue in 4 plus years) All I wanted was someone to recognize the issue and HEAR what I was saying to get moving in the direction to fix it. She did all of that and more. I am a person who hates problems and hates laboring over them. I like to identify and solve understanding that may not be a quick fix. Well I left with a feeling of confidence and resolution and am happy to continue getting my hair services through Saddleback Beauty Academy because of the time and care this one Miss Kelly took with me. If I were a student looking for a school or a consumer looking for services I can highly recommend this academy knowing there is staff who cares, especially this recent experience with Miss Kelly. Moving forward I am again comfortable and looking forward to my next appointment. Thank you Miss Kelly! Laura M. read more

I don't think many people realize that going to a school means that the services might not be what you'd find at professional places. The great thing is their range of services and prices. Since these are students in training, they'll also have limited availability. But don't get me wrong, the students are very knowledgeable and skilled in their discipline. The school requires the students to meet specific standards before they can work on customers. I got my hair dyed which would have costed a ton but I got it for a great price and it looked awesome. Even came back to re-tone to a different hue. read more

I had a root touch up and partial balayage. Student was very attentive and competent. She collaborated with the instructor and my result was beautiful! read more

I called yesterday to make a nail appointment at the academy. I told the woman on the phone I had acrylic nails and I needed them filled since I was missing two nails. The woman on the phone said that wasn't a problem and they could fill my nails. I showed up to my noon appointment today to be told they do not do acrylic nails filling and I should have come in the morning and they could have done gel x nails instead. I told the instructor I was told noon was the first available appointment to get my nails done if I had know I could come in at 10am I would have to get my nails done. The people answering the phones and taking the calls should be taught what can and cannot be done at the academy. It's a waste of someone's time to make an appointment and not being able to get the service done you asked for in advance. I am so disappointed about the service. read more

The prices are veryfair. The instructors who help the students are uber knowledgeable, which put me at ease . Miss.Carrie, the instructor who was helping my stylist to choose just the right shade for my roots and toner on my ends did a banging job! My stylist was super sweet also! She really took her time with me and is a very hard worker. It's a no-brainer, unbeatable prices.Great results.I think this is going to be my new salon! read more

I had a Facial ,given to me by Vanessa A. and it was amazing! She was very professional, attentive,and explained every step of my treatment. I Was completely satisfied and I will recommend her. The Saddleback Beauty Academy was very welcoming,clean,well organized. Everyone was very friendly,polite and helpful.. I enjoyed the atmosphere,conversation&laughter. Also One of the other students ,I'm sorry I don't remember her name. Blow dried my hair and added curls It looked really Pretty. Thank you for the Great experience! I will definitely recommend and come back for more. Sincerely, Florence A. read more

I am astonished at these 5 star reviews & feel like it must be fake. Look at the negative reviews. They are accurate. I came out of this school grateful to be so close to so many of my fellow students. It was so quick for us all to connect based around a common enemy; thank you for that Suzanne. I attended this school in 2020 during the pandemic. I was so disappointed and frustrated by my experience here, I only wrote a letter to Saddleback Community College. I was too exasperated to write here on Yelp or to state board. The owner is money hungry and I later found out she took advantage of immigrants and gave them a much higher tuition than others (for example, me) The teacher is atrocious. She makes racist, homophobic, sexist remarks all day long. If you're not white or whiter than wonder bread...don't go here. I didn't wear a mask, but for those who did, she would bully them for wearing face diapers. She relished in her power & playing favoritism, your experience here varies tremendously based on how much you kiss her a**. If you kiss it, she will let you ride with ease. If you don't, she'll punish you with work. The cherry on top is that you walk away knowing nothing from this school. Try asking her a complex question, she'll shi* bricks. Suzanne if you ever read this here's a quote from mark twain I dedicate to you; She is useless on top of the ground; she aught to be under it, inspiring the cabbages. - Mark Twain read more

I had a Dermalogica ultra calming facial today at Saddleback beauty Academy by Adrian he was fantastic one of the best facials I've ever had! The facility is very clean, and the manager Susanne is very organized and on top of her business, and keeps the salon/school running beautifully highly recommend if you're looking for an affordable facial with an almost graduate and cosmetology. read more

I had a facial, I loved it! I keep going back there. I have been going for 5 years, sometimes I bring my friends. They enjoy it too.

Attending a school that is not up to par can be a frustrating and unpleasant experience. Unfortunately, this was the case for me and several other students at a school I previously attended. The owner of the school was very money hungry and did not treat her students or staff fairly. In fact, nine students transferred from the school due to similar issues and eight other students were looking to transfer in the following months, although the staff did not make it an easy process to do so. One teacher was even laid off due to her having another job at a different beauty school during her off hours. The owner did not like this and took matters into her own hands by firing the teacher. The school was left without a teacher for over a month and a half, which put the students' education in jeopardy. It was not just the staff that was treated unfairly. The students did not have their own stations or workplaces, which made it difficult to learn and practice their trade. They had to arrive early to fight for a plug to plug in their hairdryer or curling wand. Additionally, the school did not have any stations, which meant that students could not take clients until a spot had opened up on the floor, although legally students are allowed to start taking clients once completing 160 hours. However, the owner would not put students on the floor until they had completed at least 400 hours or until there was room on the floor, which would not leave them prepared and left students waiting for other students to graduate just to get a spot. There were students in the back room with over 600 hours that still had yet to take any clients. The owner also strongly believed in state board, including procedures like nine section perms and finger waves, which are not procedures Students need to get their license nor are they styles that are requested in salons today. it is important to find a school that teaches the correct up to date procedures and provides a positive learning environment. Unfortunately, this was not the case at the school I attended. The room was very crowded and the school was not put together well. Leaving the school was also difficult, as the owner made it challenging for students to transfer to other schools. However, I would strongly recommend that anyone looking to attend a beauty school in the area check out other options. There are definitely better schools in the area, including other Saddleback Schools nearby. It is important to find a school that provides a positive learning environment and treats its students and staff fairly. read more

Purchased a Groupon and Tess was the aesthetician and did a fabulous job. My skin feels wonderful and I have booked another appointment with her. Do yourself a favor and pamper yourself. read more

Another great experience at SBA ! Maya did a wonderful job with my highlights and made sure all my grays were covered! She was very professional and knowledgeable about all the products she used on my hair. The instructor came to check up on my hair and gave good advice with the color and the toning. I got so many compliments at work and from my husband! Thank you SBA read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - Wished I took a better picture but the color blended so well. I love how naturally it looked. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Great School highly recommend kayla danny alex are all very professional If you're looking to go to beauty school this is the place ! Great courses Cosmetology Barbering & more! read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - Lobby check in - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Sarah Rubio did a very great job, super friendly, great facial. Teacher. Peggy was also very nice and informative. Highly recommend read more

Saddleback Beauty Academy - Sarah. - Cosmetology Schools Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

what a hidden treasure! This beauty Academy is by far the most professional, organized, and friendly place that will make you feel pampered and well taken care of!. Major shout out to Vanessa who gave me the best facial ...equivalent to a Burke Williams spa experience . Her hands are magical and you can tell she has a passion for what she's doing and a genuine concern to make her clients feel special!! I will be coming back and I will be telling all my friends to visit! Sheila read more

I received a Signature Facial from Lacy as a walk in client. Had an excellent experience and she walked me through the entire process. I felt taken care of and very pampered. I plan to book with Lacy very soon. She's professional and thorough in her approach. Highly recommend her! read more

Went in for facial, as I've never had one before. It was very refreshing and relaxing! Shelby did an awesome job! I was asking questions (as I've never had one) and she explained the process and what she was doing. She made sure to ask if I was comfortable throughout the process. I would definitely go back again... and I would recommend asking for Shelby! read more

McKenna was excellent. I loved my faciall didn't want it to end. Thank you! I'll be back

Love love love this place. Any time I feel like having a facial, I would come here. I just had Lacy and she is great. I think I was so relaxed that I went into a deep sleep and a little snoring happens. But aside from be relaxed, this place are well educated and prepared. The facial analysis is nice to know where you're at in your skin condition. I would recommend this place to anyone. Thank you for a great service every time. read more