Stella did an amazing job. The cut is clean, sharp, and exactly what I wanted. Honestly, it's a 5…read more But I told her I'd only give her a 4.5, so I'm sticking to that. 4.5

I wanted to get my hair highlighted without spending a fortune, plus my normal salon was booked…read moremonths out, so I'm very thankful that I stumbled across Walk With Scissors on a google search. I used to get my hair cut at an Aveda campus in Florida and loved seeing students! I didn't select a preferred student ahead of time, which is good because I got switched around last minute. I'm so glad I ended up in Allison M's chair because she worked absolute MAGIC on my hair!!! I went bold and opted for a full highlight, haircut, blowout, and curls. I wasn't sure about what tones I liked or how exactly I wanted my hair cut, but Allison and her teacher were amazing at suggesting what would look good with my hair type and base color. I showed them pictures of highlights I liked and things I didn't like about my previous color/highlights. Full highlights are a long process, so bring snacks and a good attitude. I had a blast talking to Allison all day. The other students were so kind to chip in and help with things when needed and were fun to talk to as well. You cannot beat the price of the services here ($5 haircuts??? $65 full highlights???) but PLEASE remember to tip these students as you would anywhere else.

Hair services and eyebrow waxing services are affordable and well done. Nails are lacking due to…read moreminimal supplies. I recently went for a mani/pedi since I had gotten my hair cut there a few times and was satisfied with that. I paid $34 for the mani/pedi combo and they didn't even have a pedicure station...I had to put my feet on the girl's lap as she did them. Would definitely go for hair/waxing again, but not nails!

I am a recent graduate from Empire Beauty Schools and I wouldn't have chosen a different school, no…read morematter what state I live in. I'm from Georgia, and would have went to the same school there, but life circumstances led me here, and I am glad I went. Even with carpooling from Lewistown, once I got there, I found girls that I could ride home with, that lived in my area and we are still friends today. The staff is wonderful. Mrs. Natali is a great classroom instructor and if she doesn't know the answer, which isn't very likely, she will always make sure she finds it for you. Ms. Stacie is very knowledgable in the business aspect of the industry and can definately further your knowledge in the advanced methods that she teaches. She's very verbal with her explanations and in-depth as well. Mrs. Leah, coming through the school's education system, is now the salon floor instructor, which fits her bill. She stays up in all the latest and newest hair trends and will explore all those possibilities with her hands-on approach to learning. Mrs. Lorri, as the Executive Director, has all the knowledge of her staff, wrapped into one. She's been in the business for at least two decades and has worked in both Lewistown and State College, giving her the best idea in ways to continue not just your career but your education. Also, Mr. Schoeneman has a dedication to his students and staff by providing different workshops and Expo's, including the one that brings together all 103 offiliated schools together for competition and school spirit. Overall, I feel like I came for an education and left with a career and a life-long extended family. I LOVE what we do at Empire Beauty School!!

I graduated from Annie's Beauty Academy (esthetics program) on December 9, 2025. It is difficult to…read moreexpress just how much I loved my experience at this school and my appreciation for Mrs. Anntoinette Bellamy and her dedicated and professional team of instructors. From my very first interaction with Miss Bellamy during my tour of the school, I felt immediately comfortable and welcome. She was upfront and honest regarding the school's culture which is one that is focused on respect, learning, solid work ethic, and team work among its students and staff. The school itself was neat, clean, and stylish. She is an extremely caring director and instructor and wants to help everyone succeed, but she also holds the students accountable to industry standards of skills, technique, and health and safety practices. The program is designed to not just get students to a passing grade on the State Board licensing exam, but to ace the exam with a 90% or higher and walk away having truly learned and retained knowledge that is critical to a successful career in the beauty industry. From an education standpoint, I have learned so much. I came in with no prior beauty experience and feel I was provided with so much opportunity to learn and practice the skills I will need for my career. You only need 300 hours to take the Board exam, but the program is 400 hours to ensure students get extra learning and clinical time. The esthetics program is about 3 months long, and in that small amount of time Annie's packs in as much learning as possible. There is a lot to accomplish within that time frame, but if you work hard and manage your time the way the instructors guide you, you can get it all done on time. Throughout the entire program, Miss Bellamy really drills you on infection control and cleanliness and stresses the importance of these topics both within the school and in future work environments. Even though it's 100% on the students to clean and disinfect all treatment rooms, work stations, classrooms, and reception areas within the school (literally it's Board-mandated), nearly every day I saw Miss Bellamy staying after school hours to walk through and make sure all cleaning duties were completed to Board standards. If cleaning wasn't up to par, we would have a class discussion on what we needed to do better. Needless to say, cleanliness and sanitation is a high-priority matter at Annie's! Annie's would not be the success that it is without the instructional leadership of Miss Bellamy who is backed by instructors Hannah Medellin, Megan Brillhart, Carrie Pena, and Frankie Byrd. Even with their experience and knowledge, the instructors are not above switching tactics if their teaching style is not working for a student. In my experience, there was a time when a teaching method or communication style was not resonating with myself or other students, and after sharing my feedback with Miss Bellamy, changes were made to better accommodate our needs. The door was always kept wide open for students to share any concerns they may have had, and they were always immediately addressed by Miss Bellamy and brought to resolution. This is a rare thing to see in any professional setting, and it speaks volumes to the character and integrity of the instructors of this school and their desire to prioritize their students. From a personal experience standpoint, it was bittersweet to finally graduate. I am excited and confident to begin my career with everything I have learned at Annie's, but I am so sad to not see my classmates and the instructors every day. For probably the first time in my life, I was excited to wake up every morning to go to school, put the work in, and work alongside my classmates. I developed close friendships and connections that I will carry with me long after Annie's of which I am so incredibly grateful. From my first meeting with Miss Bellamy, she shared that the school is based on Christian faith and values and this was very much a part of the school's culture. The faith aspect played a large role in creating a positive environment, and I believe it (for the most part) attracts students with similar values and beliefs that help foster this positive environment. This does not mean students are forced to pray or believe in a certain God or anything like that. Morning prayer and mindset was just focused on positive thinking, praying for the wellbeing of loved ones who were going through difficult times, trusting God's plan and whatever process that may entail, and showing up as kind and hard working individuals for ourselves and others. Thank you Annie's Beauty Academy for everything you have given me. Truly a life changing experience that I will forever be thankful for.

I'm writing this as someone who finished the esthetics program at this school -- You deserve the…read moretruth before you make a decision that affects your time, money, and sanity. This program has no structure. Schedules change constantly, rules shift, and students are scolded for not knowing the newest expectations. This came directly from Mrs. Bellamy, who acts as owner, director, and teacher. Your time will be wasted every single morning. We waited at least 30 minutes every day for Mrs. Bellamy so the day could start. Then we lost even more time to prayer and long conversations (that I was told in my tour were not mandatory but were) that often dragged an hour into our day. In a clock-hour program, that's unacceptable. And her mood set the tone for the entire class. I witnessed bullying -- from the person running the program. One student was singled out constantly, humiliated in front of others, denied hands-on opportunities, and held to expectations no one else had to meet. It wasn't "encouraging potential." It was mistreatment, plain and simple. There was also a clear difference in how students were treated based on racial background. It was obvious enough that I was not the only one who noticed. The learning environment was chaotic. Classes were crammed into one loud room with students of all levels. There was nowhere to study quietly, and nowhere to take tests without distraction. Sanitation was disturbing. Multiple times, students found blood on the bathroom toilet seats -- with no disinfectant in sight. Deep cleaning wasn't handled by staff. Students were blamed for messes even when the duties weren't legally ours. It was unsafe and unprofessional. Safety issues were ignored or blamed on students. Chemical burns, lifted skin, irritation -- several students experienced these while following instructions exactly as taught. Instead of reviewing the teaching or taking responsibility, the blame was pushed onto the students every time. Mistakes made by staff were also blamed on students. Wax pots set too hot, forgotten schedules, disorganized responsibilities -- somehow all turned into student errors. I watched classmates cry from being unfairly scolded. I had my own experience as well. Mrs. Bellamy applied soft wax to the same patch of my skin three times -- something she repeatedly taught us never to do. When I questioned it, she dismissed me with, "I'm a professional. I can do this but you can't." My skin hurt for days, and she treated me differently for weeks afterward. The biggest contradiction of all was her preaching versus her behavior. Daily prayer and talk of kindness and Christian values, followed by actions that were dismissive, unprofessional, and often hurtful. It was exhausting to witness. I'm writing this honest review because I wish I would've had an honest review like this to consider when I was touring this school. As students, we are pressured to write our reviews of the school in the first week of school, before any of this came to light. I can now write this review without the fear of retaliation, as I am now graduated. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone -- not someone I care about, not a stranger, not anyone. No one deserves to learn in an environment that's disorganized, unsafe, or emotionally damaging. If you're touring, take this seriously. You deserve a school that actually teaches, supports, and respects you. Respectfully, A former student telling you the truth I wish someone had told me. -Alaina N.

Definitely worth a try! Got the scalp treatment. Only $10 and they removed all the dead skin,…read moreapplied treatment and enjoyed time under the heat. My scalp feels like new

My first experience was well worth it. Thank you. Friendly, professional and respectful of my time.read more

I had my hair cut and colored and styled today at the Pottsville School/Salon. Jordi was my…read morestylist and he did such an amazing job! Thanks for making me feel beautiful! I love the cut, color, and style! 5*****!

I had my hair cut yesterday by Kaitlynn and she did an amazing job! She was extremely confident and…read moremade me feel very comfortable and welcome. I will be returning for future services.

I got the best European Facial! I would go there anytime. The girl was very nice and…read moreprofessional. I left my necklace there and she called me right away, which is nice because the necklace is very special to me.

very poor education, if your thinking about attending this school. don't. i was here for 5 months…read moreand learned absolutely nothing in my curriculum. debbie, the main person, chases people down for their tuition but is never at the school that she supposedly runs. i was excited to start esthetician school to move on and get my license. but this school made it dreadful and made me second guess my career choice. every girl that you'll meet in the school will tell you it is terrible and a big waste of money. there has been much trouble with debbie forgetting about payments and telling girls they owe more than they do. she isn't suited to run this school, she doesn't keep up with anything that we are learning and when she is there she's talking about her childhood and where and how she grew up. in my opinion that is not school related and that is NOT what i spent my money on. it is a total waste of money and your time. i highly suggest looking into a different school if you are considering this one.

Very satisfied with the manicure service that Solani performed on me I would definitely come back…read more Solani is a very charismatic girl.

Mya is a great student my hair wash felt very relaxing . she made sure to ask a lot of questions to…read moremake my experience at Empire as a client was great!

Shekinah was awesome!! She gives an amazing head massage and is verry thorough with her blow outs!!read more

Everything went well. So much so, that I will be returning within the next two weeks. This is such…read morea welcoming and "safe" environment. Last night I trimmed, pointe cut etc my bangs. After going to the DMV, I rewarded myself with a bang trim by Dana. Everyone was so kind. It's nice to support students and there's plenty of instructor support

Had my hair cut and styled by Lauren and she did an amazing job. She really took her time and…read morelistened to any guidance offered from the teachers. I would recommend Lauren for as long as she is there!!!!

If I could rate this "school" with zero stars, I would. I attended here during the period of Feb…read more2024-Dec 2025. During my time, there were multiple issues, definitely ones that wouldn't be happening at a respectable school. Let's start with the cleanliness and structure of the school. IT IS BEYOND DISGUSTING. The bathroom has blood and a collection of other bodily fluids on the stall walls (which has been brought to the directors attention multiple times and still remains). The pedicure station is a hallow wooden bench that floods regularly. This has created mold and rot to the structure, that is very visible on the wall. At one point, there was a gas leak that the students and staff had reported multiple times. It took over a week for the school to fix or acknowledge it, which resulted in the school shutting down for a day to finally fix it. The water temperature is a tricky thing as well, and regular clients will crack jokes while you try to make the water in the sink not scolding hot or freezing cold. The place is a disaster. Product and supplies. Part of the expense of attending the school is the tool kit, which includes a ridiculous amount of things that you will either not use or breaks regularly. The teachers that I had struggled to ration supplies for lessons and the salon section was constantly out of very necessary things. Not a hair color here and there, we're talking all shampoos, massive amounts of color, perm solutions, the list goes on and on. I personally had a client who was getting a perm, the assistant director did the consultation with me, acknowledged that the client needed two boxes of perm solution, brought me one box and told me to have the teacher get the next one when I was ready, and left. Needless to say, there was no other box of perm solution... She left knowing this, my client having only half her hair coated, and my teacher trying to scramble for a solution. IT'S THE OBVIOUS CARELESSNESS AND THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT ARE MANDATORY DAY TO DAY. I truly believe that most errors on clients were created by lack of supplies or someone not ordering them correctly... Staff and environment is really the cherry on top. I can personally say that the teachers, I was lucky enough to have, were top shelf and went above and beyond. They resulted to bringing in their own supplies, when the school didn't have what they needed. I can't say that for the whole staff. The director is notorious for yelling in her fish bowl office, that sits in the lobby I might add, at staff or students. Doesn't matter who is sitting in the waiting area, will put on a full on show. Approaching her was mostly a hassle as well. When asked about constant dress code or policy changes, she was extremely condescending and always had a "because I said so" attitude. While I attending, we had multiple students threaten other students and teachers, and the "uppers" always let them back, with zero action taken. An example: threats to run over another student who was pregnant, the directors reply "the parking lot isn't school property". This resulted in the student dropping out due to safety concerns the next day and the other student with zero repercussions. There was always a level of favoritism and I truly believe she was willing to put other students at risk because of that. There's a constant turn over in educators as well, and all of the students knew entirely too much of the behind the scenes, the lines were constantly blurred. We're talking educator/student affairs, educators partying with students, the list goes on and on. Looking back, I see the school for what it is. It's a place to get your certificate. It's not the placed to expect grown adults running a respectable school. It's stepping into a time machine, entering the "Mean Girl" world to the highest degree and the staff is part of the clique. It's not a place where you are guaranteed the best education or access to the best products on the market. It's the lowest of the tiers, when looking at other beauty school programs and locations. Is it worth the money? Ehh, not out of pocket. If you're looking for a professional experience and education, invest and go elsewhere. **update to the response** The fact that McKenzie or Jessica replied only to the cleaning concerns is absurd. The school has been reported multiple times, for years, before I was even there. They make zero changes, the staff remains under qualified and unprofessional, the facility is still disgusting (I was literally there on Thursday for a graduation and couldn't even use the bathroom because of how disgusting it is), and they continue to not provide or keep in stock products. They should be embarrassed to be taking people's money.