I'm sharing this review so future students know exactly what to expect and so this school has the…read moreopportunity to improve.
I attended The Beauty Institute in Allentown, starting in January, and I have now completed the program after investing over $7,000 in tuition. Based on that cost, I expected a structured, professional, and hands-on learning environment. That was not my experience.
A major issue throughout the program was a lack of basic supplies. Even after paying for kits, we were frequently required to bring in our own materials because the school would run out especially as class sizes increased. There were also ongoing cleanliness concerns. At one point, we went weeks without soap available at the esthetician stations to properly wash our hands, and I had to personally take soap out the public restroom so we were able to properly wash our hands. Which is unacceptable in an environment focused on skincare and sanitation.
In terms of instruction, the experience was inconsistent. Ms. Jillian, my Level 2 instructor, was informative and hands-on, and I did gain value from her teaching. However, my experience with Ms. Sally in Level 3 was the opposite. She did not demonstrate services, SHE REMAINED ON HER PHONE DURING THR ENTIRE DAY. and there were multiple days with little to no teaching at all. Much of the program at that stage felt like self-teaching, often relying on YouTube rather than in-class instruction.
The one time a demonstration was done for makeup, it raised concerns due to sanitation practices and lack of clear communication. When students were not satisfied, instead of addressing the feedback, Ms. Sally reportedly described the group negatively to another instructor, which did not reflect what actually happened.
There were also issues with fairness and communication. I was told I had a client and then, without any notice or discussion, that client was reassigned to another student. This was never communicated to me beforehand. Situations like this contributed to an overall pattern that felt inconsistent and unfair.
As more students began to speak up about concerns, there was a noticeable shift in how certain students were treated. I personally felt singled out at times, while other students who did not raise concerns appeared to receive more attention and opportunities.
Job placement is presented as a benefit when enrolling, but in my experience, there was no support in that area. I was never assisted with building a resume, preparing for employment, or connected with job opportunities.
Additionally, when I brought concerns to the director, Victoria, after a disagreement with Ms. Sally, the response I received felt dismissive and did not lead to any resolution.
Even on my final day, the environment felt cold, unorganized, and unwelcoming. There was no sense of support or acknowledgment after completing the program, and I chose to leave rather than participate in a celebration that did not feel genuine.
Another major concern is the lack of post-graduation guidance. I graduated on the 21st and have not been told how to schedule my state board exam. I have not received my affidavit, nor has anyone reached out with next steps. For a program that is supposed to prepare students for licensure and employment, this level of disorganization after graduation is extremely concerning.
Overall, while I remained committed and completed the program, the lack of consistent instruction, supply shortages, sanitation issues, limited support, poor communication, and concerns about fairness made this a disappointing experience. I hope this feedback is taken seriously so that future students receive the level of education, professionalism, and support that is expected from a program at this cost.
