I'm writing this review with real disappointment. My first visit to Empire Beauty School in Somersworth, NH had been positive, but my most recent experience was so unprofessional that I feel obligated to warn others. I booked an appointment weeks in advance for a hairstyle and even rearranged my work schedule--taking a half-day--to travel nearly an hour for the service. Two days before the appointment, Empire called to confirm, so I assumed everything was in order. When I arrived, however, I was abruptly told that my assigned student stylist had simply not shown up and had not called. Even worse, the staff informed me there was no backup and admitted they "didn't have time" to notify me. That lack of courtesy would have saved me significant travel time and inconvenience. This was, without question, one of the most unprofessional experiences I've ever had in a business setting. A no-call, no-show in any real workplace is grounds for immediate dismissal. If students are not held to basic professional standards--like notifying the school when they are absent--they leave ill-prepared for employment. This reflects poorly not only on the individual student but on the administration responsible for training and supervising them. Sadly, this was not an isolated incident. During my earlier visit, another customer shared that the exact same thing had happened to her: she arrived for a scheduled appointment only to discover her student stylist hadn't shown up. If you're a prospective student considering investing your money here, I urge you to think carefully. A school's reputation matters, and if employers see patterns of unprofessional behavior from graduates, it affects everyone--especially the students who are dedicated and responsible. To the Empire administration: I truly hope you address these issues. Your students--and your customers--deserve a higher standard of professionalism than what I experienced. read more

I am writing this for my child. As a parent all I want is to see my child living their dreams, and when we first saw an Instagram ad, enrolling for a class in the fall. Without a thought I signed them up. I won't go into detail on financial aid(that's a whole separate problem) I am just here to talk about the love bombing empire has mastered. My child was still 17 when we signed them up, so I went with them for the schools tour and enrollment. We had a first great initial reaction, the schools " financial helper" gave us a tour, we popped our head in some classes and waved to some students and got to observe some of their work. So fast forward two months later. First day and about the first two weeks were really good, my child made friends, was learning, and enjoying their time. My kid then starts telling me that the teacher is starting to get mean, snapping at students for asking normal questions, leaving the room for sometimes up to 2 hours...(this apparently was VERY common when they would work on people, for all instructors) she told me a story that almost made me want to unenroll her. How a student got hurt in class with a chemical, and the teacher was screaming in her face for "not knowing what to do" I'm not sure what delusional ass world that teacher was living in but if ALL of these people, already knew, why would they pay 24k to go to school?! Out of respect for this other student I feel it's not necessary to say more, but from my understanding, they didn't have the proper papers for the product that burnt this girl, as in (SDS) safety data sheets, so the staff took more time yelling at this girl in front of all of her classmates, and looking for a paper that they never had. My own child, they are quite as can be, we like to call them "the fly on the wall" not in a mean way, but the less you say, more opportunity, you have to listen. I can't say in words how proud I am of them for making it through....As they got more into their hours. Sometimes the students would be told "a tour is happening today" and to the that meant, teachers were going to be more snappy at them, and they had to almost put on a show, to try and convince others to join.(a bit cult like in my opinion) and I only say that bc not only is everyone (but boys) has to dress the same(or they get sent home and charged for it) my child would tell me things like " it's almost like a sorority, we all have to chant these saying, look the same, act the same" but ran by 60 year old women who think it's okay to destroy passions?!? The story's I heard about instructors, obviously favoring certain students and neglecting others, drama from girl to girl, stealing, my child graduated two years ago now and worked for about a year and dropped it for 4 months, "I just can't find the passion for it anymore" is what they would tell me. they did end up moving and finding a really cool salon, that meant their dreams, I couldn't be more happy as a mother for my child. But to any other teenager or young adult, or even grown adults, there is a reason why these instructors don't have a clientele and now work here, and this is the only way that they can make money, unless you want to be living their life take everything with a grain of salt, study, show up, and keep your head down, and don't let ANYONE take away your passion!! Kindness will always win!!! read more

DO NOT COME HERE! This is not the place to bring your business to. While the students are great people with LOTS of potential, the way they get treated by staff is far from professional. While my experience was great and I loved the student who did my hair, I did not appreciate how "Maria" the instructor spoke to her. These students are HUMAN! And should be treated as such! I truly think Maria should be ashamed at the way she talks to not only the girl who did my hair, but the other students as well. I'm not sure how long this instructor has been in this industry but with her nasty, obnoxious responses and tone, there is no way she has much clientele outside of the school. I truly hope this helps some of the students who continuously have to deal with her on a day to day basis. You all deserve better! As long as she is there I will make sure to let everyone know not to take their business there! read more

Great experience having a facial. Students were very professional and instructor monitored the assessment and proposed treatment. Very affordable prices. read more

Never Again!!! Well, I have always colored my medium brown hair with a "box of blonde" from the drugstore..... and it always came out too "orange" or brassy.... so I thought I would treat myself and have a more "professional" service done. When I booked the appt. the girl said "Oh, it looks like we can do a "corrective" overall color and then highlights... I said OK, great.... When I got there the girl assigned to me seemed very unsure of herself and asked the "supervisor" (Ms. Charmaine, I think) for guidance. I told her that I wanted a medium blonde with NO RED. She gave the girl instruction on how to proceed. As my hair was processing I could see a whole bunch of red developing. When the girl rinsed it, I was a veritable carrot top. Horrendous. This is EXACTLY what I did NOT WANT!!! At this point supervisor #2 came on the scene and told the student to put a toner in my hair. Another 40 min. This treatment did not work and the supervisor said to do it again. As the student was rinsing my hair the student said "See what I have to deal with.... all the instructors tell me different things".... as I am the victim in the wash basin here, I did not want to hear this. After toner #2, my hair was definitely a "Strawberry Blonde". Supervisor #3 ("Ms. Kristin") came on the scene and I explained to her that "I came in here looking for a medium blonde, no red" and she said "Oh, don't worry..... come back for your highlights and you will be a fabulous blonde, just you wait and see".... It was too late to do the highlights on this day as I'd been there 4.5 hrs for this ordeal and the school was closing. On the way out I made an appt for a few days later for the beautiful blonde, without the red, that had thus far eluded me.... I came back the following week for the highlights. Yet another instructor was there and told the student to do a "test strip" on my kind of now "brownish strawberry blonde" hair to see if the end result I was looking before could even be achieved. Again, heretofore, esp. with the positive prognosis from "Ms. Kristin" a few days prior, it seemed like this was never in question. The "test strip" yielded no positive change and at the now 6th hr (between the 2 days) point of the process I was told it could not be done and the muddy brownish strawberry blonde is the sum total of what could be done for me at the empire beauty school. I wish that when I booked the appt or one of the 4 instructors that I saw during this whole debacle was able to foresee this outcome before I spent a significant portion of time here with the ensuing neck ache and accompanying stress (oh, and yes, I was charged.... but not the full amt.)... I have had beautiful blonde highlights in my hair before; at professional salons. It is without question definitely achievable. Just not at The Empire Beauty School.... There seemed to be some decent haircuts happening around me at this establishment; just NEVER, NEVER EVER go there for any kind of chemical treatment...... I honestly feel lucky that my hair was not totally destroyed.... read more

The girl I had was nice enough, but am concerned that she will be graduating in a couple of months, she started in November. I wanted to give the school a try because I was getting a simple short haircut. She did not seem confident. I had to ask three times to cut it shorter. I have never had anyone cut the sides across. I wanted the sides to flow back (which I did explain prior to the cut). I wish they had comment cards. I just feel she needs more training. read more

Went in for a haircut at the barbershop. It was decent. The supervisor made sure the student completed the task-originally he didn't actually trim my beard. Price is a deal so worth it no matter what. They should work with the students on manners and interactions. A couple other students were cutting hair at the same time- they all struggled to read their clients and interact well. The instructor keeps all the students on task and they seem to respect her. That was nice. read more

I thought... So what. Hair grows back. I can get a cut, but the student was unsupervised and took way too much hair off the back of my head before the instructor finally realized. Took it weeks to grow out. Never again for a cut and certainly not for a chemical treatment read more

For a school that's based off internet learning and no books besides the book you write your notes in, they have no idea how to help you with the technical aspect of it. Instead they will let you sit there and fall behind. Even asked for printouts of the notes so I could do my work but when the teacher with no personality doesn't like you because you don't suck up to her.. she isn't going to help you. She teaches right out of a book, pulls up YouTube videos to show you how to cleanse and do a massage.. anyone uneducated could teach this class. There are so many other programs out there. Don't waste your time here. Also they don't care if you have emergencies or deaths. I understand it's hourly ect and you need to keep attendance but they were also made well aware that I'd have to take a week off. Then once I take the week they come back and say " you're going to loose financial aid and be put on probation". And no they don't seem to want to help get you back on the right path which is the sad part. This is my future they are messing around with. AND WHEN SOMEONE ASKS FOR WORK THEY NEED TO GET DONE WHILE AWAY TO NOT FALL BEHIND, THEY DONT GIVE IT TO YOU. They also said since I had purchased an iPad for a previous class in another place that I wouldn't need to spend money on another one for their class. Well once that day came they basically said F You we never said that so I had to buy another from them and then their iPad can't even use their program / doesn't work..NOR DO THEY KNOW HOW TO USE IT... the worst cluster fuck ever. They are not there to help you but make you feel pretty damn awful about yourself. They did a good job at that. read more

I visited this Somerset, NH establishment on October 23, 2020. I was VERY Impressed with the Staff, their Leader, Deanna and how very Professional they all were. In addition, I want to remind any of us visiting that this is a school and these men and women are in the "process" of becoming Professionals in their decided areas of expertise. I totally enjoyed my entire visit, how I was treated, the cleanliness of the establishment and most of all the utter ENTHUSIASM of each and every one of these people looking to eventually secure a career. Let's remember this, when making our comments....I am a HUGE supporter of them and I know with leaders like Deanna and many more of their teachers, and those students who wish to EXCEL will do so. YES....I am biased as my granddaugher is one of these students and she so loves this total experience.....NANA Peg read more

Sounds like some people had problems while students at the school, but that doesn't take away from the fact that they give free haircuts to any Veteran and they do a good job at it. Give credit where credit is due. read more

I'm a 77 year old veteran who has been going to Empire since 2002 when I moved to Portsmouth NH...I have had many different stylists cut my hair, what's left of it, and have NEVER had any problem either with their haircutting skills or their friendliness with customers. They take their time cutting my hair and shampooing it. I always feel very relaxed when I'm there. The fact that it's free for veterans is a definite plus...My wife is a former beautician and she always checks the results of my visits and is very complimentary of their work... Jack C., Portsmouth NH read more

As a Vet I appreciate the service they provide here. Are they as fast as a regular barber shop no because they are students and they are learning the trade I have had great experiences every time I go and get my hair cut. They are friendly and do me right every time. I am thankful they are there and will continue to offer my head for them to practice on. read more

WORST experience ever. Not only did they have no idea what going on with my financial aid, but they gave me so much false information and are very unprofessional when you try to sort it out yourself. They told me I was going to receive financial aid up until a few weeks before I started. The financial aid and admissions office DIDNT KNOW and failed to inform me that you don't get aid if you have an existing bachelors degree. I did it anyway but only stayed for three days which was in the probationary period where you don't get charged yet. I ended up signing up for a federal loan right before I started but upon withdrawing, admissions told me they would cancel it. I decided to withdraw because the instructor could not pronounce any of the information she was teaching even though she was supposed to be educated on it. Poor quality of education and AWFUL professionalism. I do not recommend this school at all! UPDATE 4/2019 empire has STILL not made this right. I will continue posting bad reviews because this place is a complete joke UPDATE 5/2019 today I convinced a potential student to go to Spa tech instead. YOURE WELCOME read more

I went in and was so impressed with the establishment! It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The Instructors and students were very nice and I love the color that I received! I cant believe that I have waited this long to go in, the prices are outstanding. I am really excited to try the Esthetics school too! read more

This is literally the biggest waste of time/money ever. If I could give them 0 stars I would. I attended school here two years ago, then dropped out. I'm sorry but after the grants I got, I still didn't feel as if learning to braid hair was worth $13,000 in student loans. I didn't learn anything, they cycled through teachers like most people change their underwear. I was there less then a year and I had 3 different teachers. I'm sorry but that's overkill. Not to mention the fact that I went on two leave of absences because at the time I was pregnant with my daughter, and I receive a letter in the mail yesterday stating I owe the school over $5000 on top of my student loans. I have tried calling them and they will not return my call. If it's not apparently paid with in 30 days, set up a payment plan on it or re enroll into the school all of it will be sent to a collections agency. I will be contacting a lawyer because this is the biggest rip off ever. I expected a quality education not to get shafted in every which way. read more

This "school" is just a good con. The Admissions rep should be a used car sales man cause she will sell you on all these false facts and promises. I have attended this school and immediately after starting I regretted it. This is a run down dirty school. Never clean towels. Toilets always clogged. Sinks are always clogged. Stealing is a huge problem. Not enough lockers 18 Stations for 28 to 30 students at a time. Admissions rep, and the School Director have on many occasions spoken with students on a very inappropriate level. Over All I would Not Recommend This School To ANYONE! read more

Horrible experience from booking the appointment to walking in. When I called to book appointment they put me on hold for 5 minutes and didn't tell me why. So I called back and they said, sorry we can't do two things at once. The person who checked me in once I arrived was a snob. They didn't tell me their location moved. I walked out because of how rude the lady was to me. Sorry, not worth it. read more