08/03/09

Stay away

by nowiknow02

The way this school is managed is very disorganized and in my opinion it's corrupt. The administration has totally pulled the wool over the school's owner Mr. Lehman. He has surrounded himself with a bunch of uppity old women who send smoke up his a$$. It's about time the parents of the students who attend this school or who are planning on attending this school - sit up and take note. It will be a waste of your money because your son or daughter will be ignored in class if the school doesn't feel they are the right fit for one of Lehman's salons. There are so many other cosmetology schools within the area. Don't waste your money here.

• Pros: close to center city
• Cons: waste of money

01/18/09

Horrible Highlights. Dumb Blonde, should have gone to a real salon.

by gipsyfiddler

I've had 2 good haircuts here so I figured I give them a shot with highlights. Big mistake.

My stylist was totally unprofessional (fighting with other students about borrowed, capes, and other materials) and acted like she was annoyed that she had to do my highlights.

She used 2 different volume developers, 20 volume for the right side of my head, and 30 volume for the top and the left side.

She told another student that she did this so the top and left side would be done faster "because she doesn't like to wait".

I asked her to match the color that was growing out from a previous appointment at a different salon, but her highlights came out WAY lighter, and uneven because of the 2 different developers. She said " So.....what color did you want it to be???" as if it was my fault.....

Her solution was to use a darker toner- close to my natural light brown hair color, but very dull and brassy over the uneven highlights.

I left the salon with DARKER hair, instead of highlights.

I will be calling when they open tomorrow morning to ask for my money back, or figure out if they have any students who know what they are doing who will do a color correction.

Terrible.

The best part is- I tour with a band and have to leave for Europe in less than a week. I'm going to have to spend a whole 3 weeks touring and performing with shit-brown hair. Not the worst thing that could have happened to me, but pretty annoying.

01/15/09

Do not enroll at this school!

by margaux30

After reading the rebuttals posted by obvious Jean Madeline employees, I need to set the record straight. I learned facials/waxing here a few years back. I enrolled at JM because I would hear these young ladies raving about how great the education was. The truth is they had nothing else to compare it to. They were brainwashed into thinking no other school could possibly deliver. I certainly didn't fit the JM mold. I was a college graduate, a seasoned massage therapist, and I was looking to add to my repertoire of spa services. What I encountered at JM was pitiful.

The administration played favorites to a chosen few - prepping them for work in JM-owned salons. The rest of us were INVISIBLE. The same students over and over performed services on clients. The immature teacher stood there with a sheepish grin enjoying her power trip. After the waxing clinic was finished, she would ask the rest of us to clean THEIR waxing mess off the floor. We thought this was unfair. She told us we had attitude problems when all we were trying to do was make sure we were being treated fairly. At one point, I was the model for bikini wax instruction. The teacher let a man walk into the class room while my bikini area was partially exposed. This was completely inappropriate. She stood there flirting with him and snickering. Keep in my mind, I was in my late twenties at the time and totally disgusted. Trying to tell this to two old ladies named Boyce and Berkery didn't do any good. They had high opinions of themselves. Laughable, I suppose. I finished at JM. But I was ill prepared for any kind of work in salons and spas. I eventually enrolled at the Int'l Dermal Institute for continuing education in skin care. This is where my skills were improved and I was prepared to audition in a salon setting. I now manage a salon and spa. I can tell you this: JM graduates are rough around the edges, they give elementary style facials. Once they're let go, they file for unemployment.

• Pros: It's a good school for a young (fresh out of high school) kid who isn't college material
• Cons: way too expensive for what they actually offer

01/10/09

Best value, great results

by student09

I get my hair cut here frequently and for $16 plus tip, you can't go wrong! I've always had great results and the hairstylists really customize how they treat your hair, and listen to what you want. In addition to the haircut they do a scalp and hand massage. They tend to take a long time, but it is worth it for them to do a great job. I've had a better experience here than when I've paid close to $100 at other salons. I recommend this place to everyone!

• Pros: Service, quality, value for $
• Cons: Slow

01/09/09

Great School, Great Services (in response to comment below)

by jben1

I have been attending Jean Madeline (@ Bainbridge) as a cosmo student since Aug. and I couldn't be happier with the education I am receiving. My instructors are inspiring and always push me to do my best work. They give me the confidence I need to work on clients and give merit where it is deserved. I leave school every day feeling I have accomplished something. It says that the instructors seem to play favorites- I think at times that this is true- BUT,its those students who come to school daily, work hard, and don't spend every ounce of their free time chatting with their neighbor. Take into consideration that many of these students are young, and have just graduated from highschool-they have a lot of growing up to do.

Jean Madeline takes its education very seriously. You must be incredibly willing and dedicated, attendance is crucial, if not- you are charged. They do make you buy an expensive kit and you are required to buy more products if you use them all (they aren't cheap either). The tuition is high and they charge a lot for the services offered, however I find the quality to be superior to any other cosmetology school out there.

In regards to client services... If you are a client looking to come get services performed at our school please keep some things in mind. We are students, services performed take longer than it would at your average salon because instructors must approve and check everything. Saturdays are def the busiest days if you're looking to get in and out , it's not your day to come. Many of the other reviews below state that they never know when a new class is coming or going, so you might not get someone "good". The floor doesn't work like that, students there have been enrolled there for 3 months prior-it's state law. Naturally some students are better than others, it's a school, you're taking that risk. If you intend on getting color done, and havent before ,come get a patch test or you will be denied until it's performed.

12/12/08

Very Unprofessional..

by roseinphila

Please do your research if you're thinking about attending any program here. JM is a well known name and looks good on paper, but is actually very disappointing. Most of the instructors are professional and very helpful. There are some who are not. Some rules and regulations seem to apply to some students and not others, which is confusing and unfair. For the tuiton you pay, you would expect to have all the supplies needed to learn, not run out of basic supplies (wax sticks, muslin) every week and have to make do. Also, you need to buy an expensive kit of Aveda products, that you use on all the clients you service. The school does not use their own supply. When you run out of anything you need to buy more. You learn the very basics one day a week and then are expected to churn out clients the addional four days you're there. The front desk/reception is not helpful or professional. Saturdays are a zoo, utter confusion and frustration for both student and client. The best part of the program is finishing and getting out of there.

11/10/08

Horrible Eyebrows Waxing!

by pink245

I went to the 40th & Chestnut to get my eyebrows waxed. I am really upset because she did a terrible job and don't even apologize. She waxed my eyebrows and ripped off my skin !!! She said I might have a ?thin skin? but I think the bigger problem is the skill of the Esthetician..and the wax was really hot and stung when it was applied. I know it?s supposed to be somewhat hot, but wax too hot can cause a problem. I also got folliculitis from this waxing. Supposedly you can prevent this by waxing in the ?correct? direction. I?m still by no means an expert about waxing, but I know how to get good results! Fyi guys, I dont remember her name but she is a black girl..pretty but STUPID ! I'll never go there again !!!!!

• Pros: Friendly receptionist, nice place, good product.
• Cons: Don't go there for eyebrows waxing !!

10/29/08

Worst eyebrow waxing

by PKphilly

I went to Jean Madeline at 40th and chestnut to get my eyebrows waxed and i should say that its the worst thing i ever did in my life. I'll never go there again.

05/22/08

Best for single process color

by dreamery215

If you just need a once-over, this is the place to go and best of all most affordable option in the city...as long as you don't mind waiting a little longer as the students have to do everything "exactly right". The teachers must approve the color before the application and the students use a brush to get the roots. Take advantage of the delicious Aveda tea while you wait! Also a frequent buyer card is available if you use Aveda products...

• Pros: Affordable, correct color application, delicious Aveda tea
• Cons: Hectic enviornment, longer process

12/18/07

Good stylist, just watch who you go to!!!!

by kellyrider1981

I have gone to Jean Madeline to get my hair done twice now. The first time I had a girl who did not know anything she was doing, or even how to begin to cut my hair, she was obviously not even one bit professional.. But then I thought I would give it another try and this time I had a man named Bryce ( which i was nervous about) and it was the best haircut I have ever had. The first thing he did was sit me down in his chair and talk about what I wanted out of my hair, how much time and effort I wanted to put into it every day and everything about what products I need to use and how to get the same look at home. An amazing experience for only $15 bucks!!! It will be sad when hes gone because I wont be able to afford him!!!!!

• Pros: good price, great cut
• Cons: some students dont even know what they are doing,