A new cosmetology school opened up in Berkley adjacent to the old Hiller's grocery store site (now an Irish pub and Irish specialty store), but it's a real blink and miss it place. Instead, look for two front windows filled by more vinyl letters than 14-year-old's Twitter feed. Astute Artistry advertises its various services from waxing to nails and makeup in stickers dense enough I'm surprised they get any natural light. I wasn't sure what to expect walking in the first time but recent renovations work in its favour. The floorplan is divided between a makeup studio in the front, a curtained-off section for waxing services, and the school in the back half. Several offices presumably cater to classroom time for students. I came as a prospective client rather than a would-be cosmetologist, so my experience reflects this. The chalk menuboard above the entrance clearly displays all prices for services available. Makeup touch-up and makeovers are a key component of their offerings. Skin care, like facials and peels, fill another column and I was quite pleased to see a variety from glycolic peels to a lengthy lymphatic facial lasting 90 minutes. The waxing services are extensive from humble eyebrow grooming and lip waxing to full Brazilians. I came in for an eyebrow wax. Waxing is performed on full beds separated by curtains from one another. If you value your privacy and want a door and walls between you and other clients, or prefer never to hear of their existence at all, Astute Artistry is not for you. I recommend checking out a bonafide waxing studio such as Georgi's in Birmingham. I never had the opportunity to confirm whether they use standard wax pots, warm or cold wax, or the variation thereof. On a Saturday afternoon, three clients sat in the small waiting area. Friendly staff offered us refreshments on several occasions, including coffee and water. Reading material is sparse on the ground, fair warning. I expected a modest wait because the waxing student was with another client. Brow waxing generally takes 10 minutes, 15 to 20 for very finicky or thorough shops. Waiting was hardly a pleasant as the environment is clean and bright, especially on a sunny winter afternoon. Cue thirty minutes of sitting about before the next guest ahead of me disappeared behind the curtains. Down to two. I managed to complete four chapters in my book before someone emerged to tell me I was next up, though my 30 minutes was swiftly becoming a 45 minute wait. Granted, this is a beauty school and I make allowances for different services and paces, but that's far too long a wait. I ended up leaving upon seeing no signs I was going to get my grooming needs performed any time soon. Another discomfort for me: Astute Artistry's prices are on par with full-service salons, but I'm not 100% sure whether the student or a fully licensed esthetician or cosmetologist is the one working on me. $20 for a brow waxing is on par with Georgi's, my gold standard in Michigan. Literally next door and across the street, two competitors charge $10-12. The bikini wax and Brazilian waxes are similarly spendy. $70 for a Brazilian is fair considering the intimate and precise nature required -- this is where you darn well better get what you pay for. However, if this is a beauty school, $70 is what the experts up Woodward charge and I feel it's much too high. Bear this in mind. read more

If I could give less then 1 star I would but that's not on option. I went here for my Makeup Artist "Certificate" that they were providing. After spending over $3000 dollars for classes and photo shoot I did not end up with a Certificate. I missed it by 30 mins. I had to create 6 looks in 3 hours with no time to prep, 12 other people upstairs in the attic. Only one session with airbrushing and was never even taught anything during that hour. Never received the photos from the photographer that I PAID for. He placed them on his website with HIS name on them and not mine. The studio is gross and disgusting. The IN studio makeup kit that you pay to use is REVLON, ELF, Loreal, things you can by at the dollar store. They teach you nothing about hygiene. Put a deposit down for a body painting class and when I didn't pass the first class. I asked for my deposit back and wanted to cancel. I was told no and was threatened. I can't even begin to start on the unprofessionalism of the Owner and her studio teachers. This is a SCAM and they need to be Shut Down read more

Thank God For this place! It has been a long time coming that Michigan has needed a personal Make and Special Effects Trade School and I am so happy to have found this one. I have had a lot of terrible experience with hiring less than professional Make up artists.. Just because you learned how to do a "winged eye" on You Tube does not a MUA make.. After desperately searching for a MUA who was professional, talented and punctual ( a unicorn in our business ) I was referred to Lisa at Astute Artistry. I have used her MUA's a few times now and employ one in-house as well and could not be happier with them. The professionals that have been referred to me are exactly that. Bravo, a MAC approved school? 2 Minutes away? Thank YOU!! read more

If I could rate a zero I found this place on Groupon went and guess what I ended up with both my eyes infected. Yes, I should had realized something was wrong when I was requested to sign a waiver. I lost 2 days of work the only thing I received was a statement that went like this I am sorry that happened to you but you did sign a waiver.. I was floored. and the girl did not sound empathetic or sympathetic.. I contacted BBB they are not even listed under the BBB umbrella now I know why and I contacted the State Attorney General office, this company should have an inspector general go out and inspect. I advise anyone to think before you try this extension lash I believe they have no idea what they are doing and what if I died.. they would tell my children oh well she signed a waiver I don't deal with people like that. read more

I just finished the visual beauty and fx program at astute also known as Detroit School for Digital Technology. It was a great experience! Lisa and Kevin were great instructors, besides the knowledge I left with they helped me gain the confidence I needed to be a great makeup artist along with the loads of fun in the classroom. Highly recommend checking this school out if you're considering going into the film or makeup industry! read more

Astute Artistry - Drag makeup was my favorite class! - Makeup Artists Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Came for lash extensions like many other people...had a photo shoot the next day and by that evening the lashes were falling out. Not only that but I was up-charged for what I was told was monk but after a friend whom is very familiar with lash extensions and been getting them for years informed me they were not mink at all but cheap! Also, the lashes looked terrible! The inner corners were just as long as the center lashes...those lashes are supposed to be shorter. I was so disappointed and felt ripped off. I also got an eyebrow shaping but they forgot to remove half the hair as I got home and had numerous strays I had to tweeze myself. I did call the next day and was told that it must of been too hot while they were applying my lashes and that's why they were falling off the same day. Bull crap. Do not go there! read more

Jamie added some mink lashes to my eyes! Filled in the eyelashes adding the fullness of lashes I have never had! They look beautiful! They last long! They only come out naturally or if you pick at them. Love these!!!! read more

So I had a groupon deal for full leg wax which was $24 but I got there and it doesn't cover the thigh which is very misleading. I even called ahead of time to confirm it was both upper/lower leg aka full leg and the lady on the phone said it was?? So I asked how much extra it would be and she said 40?! So ridiculous! The women who did the wax was super nice and did an ok job she missed a few hairs here and there but nothing too noticeable. Over all I would never come back to this business. Very misleading groupon deal :( Thank god I went to Huevine and Daniel waxed the rest of my upper thigh for only$ 25! She was so awesome! read more

I did my lash extensions here and totally pleased with the lady that applied my extensions and environment! Recommended for sure!!

Jamie is great. I took advantage of a special for laser hair removal and at first I was very nervous, but she quickly made me feel comfortable. It's working too! I'm addicted! read more

Excellent service and stunningly natural lashes! I highly recommend the silk or mink lashes for anyone looking for lashes that not only improve your look but make your life easier. My lashes look so great I feel like I don't need any other make-up for my every day look. read more

Great lash services! Very proffesional and knowledgeable a great experience. I highly recommend this business

Never AGAIN! Horrible customer service. I went there for lash extensions and they were very unprofessional. Waste of time and money!

I bought a Groupon for eye lash extensions. I have never had them before so i was excited to see what all the hype was about. I walked in for my appointment and was barely greeted, no one said anything, they just looked at me and I told them what I was there for. They asked me to sit and fill out some paperwork, so I did. The paperwork asked a bunch of questions, but the girl who applied my lashes never even looked at it. I expressed it was my first time getting lashes so I guess I expected a short synopsis of what was going to happen during the process, but I was just asked to lay down on the table and what size lashes I wanted. My lower lids were taped and she started working. As she finished (about 45 minutes later) she went to pull the tape off and some lashes were pulled with it, so it made my eyes water. She reapplied some lashes and then told me I could look at them. They looked great but felt a little weird (i expected that since my normal lashes aren't very long) and I was on my way home. I thought she did a great job until I went to wash my face the next day 24 hours later)...when I went to wash or dry my face, it hurt to touch my lashes. Several fall out each day, and they are pretty stiff feeling, not feathery like I was told they would be..in very careful when washing and drying my face, but it's impossible to completely avoid your eye area all together. I know at the end of the session she put something over both sets, felt like mascara, so I'm not sure if it was a sealant or what. I think the biggest red flag for me now looking back was that I asked if the lashes are adhered to the skin or to your normal lashes, and she replied "both." I believe this might be why I'm having some discomfort when I wash and dry my face. I've read many articles and asked friends about that and every person said they should only be adhered to your lashes, NEVER your skin. :/ ALL in all, I give my experience a 3-stars. The studio itself was ok, the staff was ok, but I won't be back to get my lashes there anymore. :/ read more

I went to Astute Artistry for eyelash extensions. When I called to make an appointment, I was quoted $53.00 as a special. When I got there, I was told $63.00 and I was not told that the customer pays the 4% fee for using a debit/credit card. As it ended up, the tech, Nara did a very good job with the extensions. They lasted about 2 weeks and looked good. They looked very natural. Being that this is a school, I was impressed. Well, needless to say, I made the appointment for a fill in. I arrived on time and had to wait 15 minutes for Nara. The very next day, I was driving with my window down and the lashes literally started blowing off. By the time I got home they were hanging down. I called, spoke to the receptionist and told her what happened. She told me that she would have Nara call be back before she left for the day. No call.....the next morning I call before they opened, left a very detailed voicemail. By 11:00 am still no return phone call. I called back spoke with the receptionist that told me that they were all late getting in Friday morning because of the Dream Cruise and she had not listened to the voicemail. I explained to her that I had an engagement at 5:00 pm and needed to get in. Nara finally called me at 1:30 pm. She stated that she did not get a chance to call me back the night before and could not get me in until 4:00. She did not know her schedule for Saturday and told me to call the front desk to make an appointment. I called and asked for the owner, Lisa. I was told that she went to pick up lunch and I was assured that she would be given my message and call me back....that did not happen. I called back on the way to my engagement asked for Lisa and got blown off my some assistant. I insisted that she put Lisa on the phone. Finally, she gets on the the phone, asked me a bunch of questions about the first service. I told her that if the first service was not satisfactory, surely I would not have made another appointment. As a business owner, I do not feel that she tried to rectify the situation and keep me as a repeat customer. I was very disappointed!!!!! I had to take the remaining lashes off. I demanded a refund and requested to cancel the appointment for the end of August. They also request your credit card info when you make the appointment. They keep if on file and will charge you $25.00 if you don't cancel 48 hours before your appointment. The doctors office doesn't require 48 hours. read more