I've had the pleasure of knowing and learning from Nika for the past several years Most recently, I…read moretook her bridal detailing class and bridal business class offered through Chicago Beauty Exchange. I was so excited looking forward to the class because I knew it would be a great learning experience for me. Nika is one of those rare teachers that does not hold back when she is explaining or teaching you something. She will literally tell you all that she knows. And she doesn't get annoyed by people who ask a million questions (that's me). I'm in a season of my career that I'm trying to take things to the next level, and her class was the perfect class for me to take at the right time. I am a nerdy makeup artist who happens to have an advanced college degree. Nika appeases that side of me because she brings in a lot of her background in the arts when she teaches. She knows a lot about bone structure and color theory and is very knowledgeable about that world and how it translates to makeup. She just doesn't explain the what, she explains the how which, for a person like me, is how I really learn things. Nika is also very honest. Earlier in my career she gave me a very intense critique that gave me a lot to work on and helped to push me farther along on my journey. Nika has inspired me to work on my business plan, website, logo, know my way around legal issues, make quality connections, how to brand myself and to really dream long term about where I want my career to go. She doesn't discourage you but she empowers and encourages you to fulfill your potential. After taking her class, I have enough on my to do list to keep me busy for the next year, at least. And my confidence has increased that the goals and dreams that I have in my heart are actually reachable. She also spills her guts when it comes to her makeup application techniques which is so helpful. A lot of artists may leave out one or two most important steps in their technique that really perfects it. Or they will act like something they are doing is simple and common knowledge and gloss over it, when it is something they had to work to perfect. Not Nika. She is very open and sincerely interested in helping others become better at what they do. She explains her step by step and doesn't hold back on her products that she uses. I am very glad to have crossed her path and I plan to take more classes from her in the future.

I took the Bridal makeup workshop/photoshoot in June 2018 and it was great. We had a very relaxing…read moreatmosphere, awesome professional models, full wardrobe and a good photographer. Nika was a great instructor as always and my classmates were a dream to learn along side of. You will not be disappointed if you book a class with the Chicago Beauty Exchange.

10/10 - fantastic service on 11/24 Jessica did an amazing…read morejob - highlights looking perfect! She is graduating soon, but if you can get in before Christmas... Save $$$ money on hair services at Paul Mitchell - The School

I've been going to Paul Mitchell for many years, and recently Niya has been doing an excellent job…read moreon my hair. I can only go for a blowout and ironwork with my natural hair on a busy schedule. Thank you all for the excellent service!

Today was my 2nd visit. The prices here are very reasonable. Both the students Holly and Linh today…read morewere very detail oriented and efficient. Really enjoyed my waxing and facial service. I would recommend coming with extra time if doing waxing in case it ends up taking longer than expected

My husband and I scheduled a stress relief treatment which is a facial and back facial one day…read morebefore service over the phone. So the receptionist at that time knew it would be a male and female coming in (unfortunately, this is important). When we got there I did notice some scuffling around and it seemed like the receptionist wanted to see who would provide service for who, or something completely separate was happening, but I did notice. I talked to my student and went to the spa area. After a couple of minutes my husband also joined. I called his name, just saying hi since I knew he was excited because this was his first back facial. He tells me that the student said she is "uncomfortable touching a males back, so she can only do the facial". I told him we would just leave because he was looking forward to that aspect of the stress relief. The receptionist saw us leaving and confirmed that the student did say she was uncomfortable, and that she was the only one available to service my husband. Not sure how true that is because we saw several students walking around. Overall, I feel like this could have been handled so many other ways rather than making my husband feel like he is making someone uncomfortable for being a guy with a back at a spa ‍. I doubt I will be back with him or alone, we were caught off guard by the denial of service.

Great for color. Cuts and blow dry. Need to arrive early for cut and blowout. Also important to…read morecall one week in advance on a Tuesday.

Michael is a great colorist! If you're any shade of "bronde" he's the one to book with. Xoxoread more

friendly people with excellent service quality also very…read moreclean and organized I would recommend this place

I tried this beauty school for a facial once after discovering it while shopping at Joo Boong in…read more the same plaza. I was new to the area, and with the winter weather, my skin was getting very dry and breaking out more than usual, so I decided to schedule a facial. When I arrived, I was welcomed by someone who seemed to be either the teacher or the owner. A student performed the facial while the teacher observed and occasionally offered guidance. The place was clean and you can get haircuts and nails too. The treatment itself was extremely mild--honestly one of the mildest facials I've had in over 20 years of getting professional treatments. It was an ok experience for trying something new, but it didn't leave much of an impression.

Madison did such a good job on my highlights! It was her first time doing them on a client & it…read morecame out amazing! So in love with it! :)

The worst haircut I've ever had. I told the stylist to cut 1 1/2" to my shoulder. She cut over 7"!…read moreI got a bob! It's going to take at least a year to grow out my hair. Plus the owner is skeezy

I popped in and made an appointment for an eyebrow tinting. It fit in with my schedule and it was…read moresomething I had been trying to do for a while. I entered knowing it was a school and I like to support such things. While my service wasn't a huge deal, they treated me like I was there for a full service. Everyone was very nice. I was explained everything in detail and was asked if I was comfortable during the service. I appreciated the attention and if I am ever in that area again, I will certainly make a stop in for another appointment for more services!

I want to send a shout out to Edgar for being very professional on my first facial. He is very…read moreinformative and gives great suggestions on keeping up with facial issues and recommends products based on facial issues. I also had an eyebrow tint process and he too did the tint. I will def be back in the near future. Plz give this place a try u will not be disappointed. Ask for EDGAR.

The instructors here are GREAT, the front desk is GREAT!…read more they are all great! I'm an esthetician and I take a lot of extra classes here. They offer a ton of different classes in a great environment and its right smack dab in the middle of downtown so its always nice to take a walk down Michigan Ave after class. FYI-This is the Institute that created Dermalogica i work for a spa and i just wish they had more off site type instructors to come in, or something a little more modern when we place our orders.

I came to IDI to be educated on their Dermalogica skin care line for my new position as a skin…read moretherapist. I was pleasantly surprised at how knowledgable and caring the staff here are. I always feel welcomed and the classroom is professional and clean. I've been to about 15 classes here so far, for Dermalogica and for IDI. Always leave feeling well trained and ready to take that knowledge and training to the treatment room. If you are looking for additional aesthetic training, you cannot go wrong taking classes here.

This is a review of the Thorne auditorium, which was opened up for several lectures in the Chicago…read moreHumanities festival. Not too conveniently located for the general public is the only concern, but once you get there it is a nice intimate space that allows you close access to the presenters. The sounds system is well balanced and the sightlines are great, this would work well as a classroom and as a public space