Paul Mitchell
reviews and complaints

Drawing on my extensive background in education, including over two decades as a president of a post-secondary institution with a focus on cosmetology, my insights are rooted in deep industry knowledge. My decision to enroll my daughter in Paul Mitchell was influenced by the school's reputable name and the expectation of a high-quality education, despite its premium cost.

However, our experience fell significantly short of our expectations, prompting a reconsideration of our choice. The school, managed by Stefano Veglio, faced notable administrative challenges, as highlighted by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). Issues ranged from high teacher turnover, with three instructors in the initial class and six departures within three months, including the school director, to inadequate supervision and guidance on the salon floor. This resulted in students and teachers bypassing the proper skills verification process.

After a thorough evaluation and direct discussions with Stefano regarding these concerns, I decided to transfer my daughter to Summit Salon Academy in Tampa, which promised a more robust educational framework. Despite attempts to address the financial implications of this switch, my efforts to communicate further were met with silence.

My actions, informed by a master's degree in Compliance and Ethics and a profound understanding of accreditation standards, include filing formal complaints with relevant regulatory bodies and seeking a full refund due to the school's disregard for accountability.

For parents and students seeking a reputable and effective education in cosmetology, I recommend considering alternatives such as Summit Salon Academy, where my daughter is now thriving. Their commitment to professional excellence and quality education, coupled with more reasonable tuition fees, stands in stark contrast to our experience at Paul Mitchell.

Went to have my hair done showed stylist picture of what I wanted. I am brunette and wanted subtle lighter brown highlites I am now blonde and have half a hair cut they told me it was 430 had to close and I needed to come back in the morning where was a director or teacher to fix this how do they let you walk out looking like this and tell you come back for another 4 hours and they’d try to fit you in. I’m so disappointed I spoke to the director yesterday wanting my money back and got quoted the no refund policy. I was not about to go back and take the chance what they would do to me next. It cost $200 to correct the color and fix the cut even the place I went asked what did they do to your hair. The stylist I had at your school graduates in Nov. she has no business doing color or cuts i understand it’s a school but come on someone that is graduating soon should be at a much higher level of professionalism and knowing what she is doing picture below is my color the other is what I ended up

This is Not My first time coming to the Paul Mitchell school in the Broward mall Plantation Florida BUT I NEVER left looking like a Cancer Patient!

She was New to Me so I came prepared with pictures of My Hair explained my 3 cowlicks in back of my head just needed to tighten up the look! Just

Tighten it up in the back please B4 I go see my Grandbabies for the 1st Time! While taking Pic I put my hand on the back of My Head & explained to her do Not cut above My Hand because I have 3 cowlicks in the back of My Head can't cut above that line I'm showing You with My Hand & the picture you just took... Just clean up a bob that falls at an angle in front of my Face like you can see right NOW & in the pictures of Myself Better than a photo of some in a magazine I can't have because I know My Head I know what I can & can't new girl seemed to understood However After having teachers come over like almost every 15 minutes Never showing Me the back of MY Head at All ! They Just continued cutting and cutting and cutting and cutting talking to each other as if they New What they where DOING... Until I said What Are You doing back there? Do I have any hair left? How many times did I have to tell You What I wanted & I said you could have Used a razer to tighten up the look in the back! BUT the teachers kept telling her what I wanted was a gradual uplift keeping it all falling in the front but that's not what I said to anyone I don't even know what a gradual whatever she kept telling the student I didn't want any length coming off the front of my head either that went buy bye to..I got so upset I swore & quickly apologized I don't do that trying not to cry about what was done to my Head.. Especially since I walked in with beautiful Natural Ash blond hair that just needed the style to be tightened up... instead My Head was destroyed I look like I cancer patient I was getting my things together teacher asked if I gave her photos B4 she started Yep!I All I wanted was tighten up the hair cut

I asked them to use the razer (in picture she took on my phone under my hand in her chair B4 signing paper work) to tighten up my look like the Bob effect in back of head.. But the teacher

kept telling her No what I wanted was a gradual something I said I don't know your lingo but I know what I want and I've already been here a few times it's not anything major all I want you to do is take the bottom off and just keep everything falling in front at an angle to my face nobody listen to a thing I said not the girl not the teachers when I finally get any of them to stop cutting the back of my head there was no hair left I don't understand how they just destroyed my head literally nothing you an do to fix it now Explain How a cut that's been around Forever turns into no hair? I'm going to start crying again

Your shampoo and hair conditioner Paul Mitchell was recommended to me by my hair stylist. As soon as I had switched to your hair products : the shampoo and the hair conditioner I started to lose trends and trends of hair. I could not tell what was going on. I went to see a dermatologist and he was able to find who the culprit was : your Paul Mitchell hair products. I want to have my money reimburse on the medical bill $586. All of this information had been submitted through your we care e.mail A woman’s hair is the most precious jewel . It was a nightmare for me to be going bold. Your hair products are full of strong chemicals that is damaging people’s hair and is not okay. This incident happen last December of 2023. My dermatologist was horrified to see how your hair product had damaged my scalp.

Sincerely,

Carmen Peramas

I had the worst experience here, I asked for some highlights and they bleached half my head, it looks like 90s tacky huge messy streaks with breakages instead of melted in highlights here and there, the rude owner Remi kept on shouting at his staff, infront of customers, this made them super nervous and ended up completely botching up my hair, with super yellow big blonde streaks from my root, with smudging all over, blotchy and unflattering, I was there from 11am till 17 30 , they burnt my scalp, and my hair is breaking off, when I went back for correction they clarified my hair which completely ruined my hair again and it's worse than it was before its gummy and completelydestroyed, I regret going there I don't recommend this unprofessional salon to anyone! They will ruin your healthy hair! 1st pic is what I asked for and 2nd is what I got

A student did a consultation for hair color with her supervisor. I was informed that I could get the color in a few weeks - mentioned I used henna six months back which did not seem to make a difference to the consultation. Come back for the appointment and the same student says she won’t be able to do the job as I have henna. Informed the same to the supervisors who seemed unfazed that they changed their story. Use the owner to complain about being yelled at by customers - other customers neat by start laughing! Show the latest info on chemicals and henna online - does not make any difference to said supervisors with license! Took the day off to get some R&R- what a fun way to get my morning started! P

Hello the location by Dade Land Mall is absolutely terrible. The students are force to work in hot heat due to the Ac not working properly. The dryers are not working well and we are using damp towels. Im not sure what you call it but the rubber ring around the dryer is filled with gunk! Please send someone to come investigate the conditions in this location its just not right.

The people running the school change the rules every single day. The make it harder and harder for students to make up time, they gave us a box for a lunch room and send the whole school on lunch at the same time, teachers barely help and complain when they have to, the office doesn’t ever want to speak to you and makes it an issue when you try to, they made the dress code IMPOSSIBLE for the summer and thought it was funny that we would be upset because teachers still get to wear whatever they want. It’s just unfair . I got talked into changing my schedule when I’ve always been above 80% attendance percentage and I’m notn2 months behind my original graduating date. I don’t recommend and would never recommend this school to ANYONE.

My daughter attended Paul Mitchell School straight out of high school. She graduated in June of 2020 and by the end of the month she was enrolled in their school in Plantation, Florida. The cost of the program was about 20K. To date, approximately 18K has been paid off, but they will not release my daughter's transcripts so she can take her board exam.

The reason I refuse to give them anymore money is because they failed to provide adequate training in their makeup program. If I could attach pictures from what they did in class, you'd be as horrified as me. They basically hired anyone to teach "makeup." She hasn't learned a thing in that program. I spoke to virtually everyone at the school, and not one person is willing to help. Their solution... pay or don't get what you need to take your exams. This is my last resort before filing a civil suite. Paul Mitchell, it will cost you a lot more than 2K if I go that direction. She has not been able to work in her field, and it has cost irrevocable financial burdens.

I was trying to attend the Paul Mitchell school of cosmetology in Roanoke VA, went through the walk through and excitedly waited to be sent my application to make everything official but I never received the application until a couple days before school was supposed to start. I was having phone difficulties and missed a call with one of the schools staff members, but I tried to return his call numerous times. After several failed attempts to contact the school I was able to get in touch with someone and they told me I was pretty much wasting my time to try for next semester. So I got all my paperwork turned in and yet again called back to check on the status of everything and make sure there was no way I would have a problem this time around. Well, I was wrong, the lady I spoke with told me that I was denied being able to attend school. A school with a 100% acceptance rate denied me being able to attend. I had all my student loans in place to pay for my attendance and turned in everything I needed and just needed to talk to one of the advisors. The websites state repeatedly that they have a 100% acceptance rate, but I was discriminated against because the woman treated me like I wasn't good enough to attend. I'm from a rural area and between being a little country, I also have green hair. The woman that gave me the walk through was very obvious that she didn't like how I look and treated me like I didn't belong. I was so excited and was looking forward to starting school and building a career. I was told I couldn't attend and was never given a logical reason or ever told when I could reapply. I am very disappointed and upset and hope that there is some way this can be resolved.

Attn: Luke Jacobellis, President

Dear Sir:

The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention an extremely upsetting situation that occurred at your Paul Mitchell School located at 235 E Main St. Ste 200, Hendersonville, TN 37075 on October 4, 2022, at approximately 1:00 pm. My wife was there with my granddaughter. The student who cut my granddaughter’s hair did a pristine job. My wife’s coloring application was a series of mistakes from the darkest pit of hades. The mistake in the color of the hair solution could have been avoided. It changed my wife’s hair from dark burgundy to a disgusting yellow and green). This was unexpected from a Paul Mitchell school as the instructors usually hold themselves and their students to a higher standard. After her coloring, my wife prepared to leave and noticed the terrible color. She mentioned the color to “Dee”, a student who said, “Yeah it is pretty yellow and green!”

My wife’s hairdresser went to the floor manager who tried to blame the student for not “sectioning off the hair properly.” The manager said, “We will just put a little something on the roots and fix it.” The manager just kept making excuses and talk, talk, talk, the entire time. I would have thought, being a woman herself, the last thing a woman wants after an incident like this is to be talked down to. My wife finally said, “I think it is better if nothing else be said. Let’s fix the problem.” That was when my wife shut down and tried to say nothing else.

The manager remixed another color and my wife’s dresser applied it. My wife noted the color was still yellow. The manager had another trainer view the mess. She mixed another color and had the student apply it. Jan’s hair was washed again. Jan noted the color still was not right. It was still yellow.

By then the black female manager angrily returned. One of the students, said sheepishly, “Oh my it’s her. She’s coming back again!” At that moment, the black manager really didn’t say anything, just looked at Jan’s hair and said, “it’s getting better, and it needs to be dried.” My wife finally exclaimed, “It’s still yellow. Don’t blame it on these girls. It is your fault, and you are not taking responsibility for it.”

The manager then said to my wife, “Do you want to leave and come back tomorrow, and we’ll try this again? And then almost immediately, “Huupf, you’ve just been too disagreeable. If you want to leave just leave!” My wife replied, “Of course I am being disagreeable. My hair is the wrong color!”

What resulted next was an unbelievable display of cultural animosity and threatening gestures directed to my wife, who was obviously upset. The black female manager was now pulling the “mad black woman” actions of shaking her head and body at my wife and getting too close to her, in her personal space.

The manager replied, “Well you have just been disagreeable the entire time, so if you want to leave you just need to go ahead and go!”

Basically kicked to the curb, my wife left the facility in tears.

Please allow me to recap.

1. My wife’s hair was ruined, just two days before a special government function we were to attend related to an important economic region.

2. My wife worked with your unprofessional floor manager to try to fix the problem which kept getting worse.

3. My wife was verbally abused by your employee, who was angry at herself for making a mistake and lacked the leadership to admit it and seek advice sooner. She is not qualified to train. She is certainly not qualified to lead. She is not qualified to teach. Even the students fear her.

4. Your employee resented the fact my wife was upset over the astonishing ridiculous and ugly color that ruined her hair. (I must wonder how your floor manager would have felt if the roles were reversed).

5. Your employee displayed unprovoked racially disturbing behavior in a public Paul Mitchell facility with many customers present. Sadly, racism still occurs, although we do not tolerate it and my children do not see color.

6. Your employee’s behavior finally forced my wife to leave, with her hair ruined.

I was not present at the time your employee displayed such irrational threatening behavior, or I would have removed Jan from her proximity. People that demonstrate this type of anger are unpredictable.

I know some cultures hold Tennesseans in low regard. However, this Tennessean served his country in places I hope you or your children never have to see through the power of an M700 rifle, so you can continue to enjoy the privileges you have. I have owned three companies of my own and invoked my exit strategies to success. I have published twelve novels, one of which was a New York Best Seller and another which won the coveted London Literary Award. I am a well-educated individual with two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Computer Science. My wife holds a master’s degree in Psychology and Human Services and has used her life to further the development and well-being of those who suffer from intellectual and developmental disabilities. I say this only for you to know we are not kindergarten material.

The physical and emotional damages in this situation are quite severe. I would like to know how you plan to make this right. I don’t think you will choose to ignore the situation. However, as I also write for several magazines, others might be interested in this story of how one of America’s most prestigious hair salons and schools failed another customer.

Sincerely,

I have been going to Paul Mitchell in Twinsburg Oh for over a year...each time when checking out I reschedule my next visit. Fortunately, I have had students who were very good with the hair and ALWAYS had my hair done in no more than 1 hour and 15 or 20 minutes. Today, 8/26/2022, when I arrived, I learned that the person that I had scheduled with was not in and i was passed to a very inexperience young man who has 2 other new students shadowing him. Right away I saw a problem, the two people were to watch and learn from him...he started to wash my hair and never washed the back along the hair line...so I told him he didn't get the back of my hair and he quickly washed the back...on the second wash, the young lady that was shadowing him took over to wash...OMG, I could not even feel her hands in my hair thus the vigorous washing that I was accustom to just didn't happen. Then we go to his station to get my hair done. I wanted a silk press and loose curls. he was so slow that I asked him if he was going to be able to get me out by 11:30 a.m...oh sure he replied...as he continued moving like a Snell, I asked him again...oh sure he replied. When he was not done with the blow drying at 11:10 I said, you are not going to be able to get me out by 11:30...it was at that point he realized I was having silk press and curl...he then went to get help. Now I am on pins and needles because I had an appointment. The person that took over doing my hair by the name of Mel, I believe is part of the management team or an instructor and quickly got my hair done in time. While Mel was doing my hair a manager person came over and began to explain "that this is a school and it could take up to 4 hours to get my hair done"...WHAT A CROCK OF CRAP...I have been going here for over a year and NEVER have I or anyone that i have seen while I was there get their hair done in 4 hours...and I told her that...actually I must say she was just lying...When I was paying and ready to schedule my next appointment, I dealt with the very rude and unprofessional Ashley at check out...she said they tried to call me this A.M. to tell me my student was not in...well that was a lie...as you know cell phone list all your calls and i did not have a call from Paul Mitchell. This was my second encounter with Ashley...previously I mentioned that the students were taking up the handicap parking spaces, and she could just give a crap...today, I watched a woman on a walker come clear across the lot because the handicap spaces are taken by the students...all of this is an indication of poor management and I want to go on record about the poor management. Today marks my LAST time going to Paul Michell...a group is as good as its leader and the leaders are bad.

I purchased a 33.8 Oz. of tea tree shampoo and conditioner pack on 10.1.2021 from sports clips, when i got home and opened it the products was nothing as i am use to. It seemed to be no trace of tea tree oil in either bottle. It had a strange burnt rubber smell to it. This is one of my favorite Paul Mitchell products and one that i use on a regular basis. I would love if i could receive a new combo pack on shampoo and conditioner as i will likely buy it again if so.

I don't even know where to beginning I've been tryin to contact someone in regards to a situation I had and not even the email address online works all bounced back so I submitted a complaint to the Americans with disabilities association I enrolled 12/19 and managed until the Covid shut down upon return all the staff was gone or on their way out everything was different than I had a medical leave and when I returned the whole atmosphere was different staff was rude seem the school was failing apart run down I honestly do t know what $25000 goes to ud think the school would at least invest in the building provide parking but that besides the point the day o returned I was told I had to do midterms that wasn't good for my anxiety and from their my anxiety worsened the atmosphere was nothing like it use to be it showed thru out the whole school i attempted to reach out but wasn't given Much assistance I had a fellow student often to let me shadow her she noticed the change in my ability to function how I was prior to the shut down my academics and attendance where nothing like they were and the atmosphere wasn't comforting I didn't even like talking much cause everything and everyone seemed unwelcoming but I went back and the first day back I was lied to tricked I was told a client specifically asked for me and didn't want anyone else it was nerve wrecking but I thought it was my daughter teacher but than I realized I was lied to I tryed to do my best but instantly my anxiety was peaking I stayed to the instructors every chance I got that I wasn't able to assist the client no one listened finally before have a full blown panic attack my last plea for help and the response wasn't professional at all I was told I didn't have a choice and to finish I tryed to explain but the attitude given i stated again u don't understand I can't finish and said they could drop me it they want by the time I got in my car I was a mess hyperventilating I sent an email to the owner my thought process shows in the email it didn't make since this was one of many emails I have reaching out for assistance in finding a solution I rewrote it and sent it the next day I was sent my drop papers with absolutely no expression of concern no expression of even being able to have a conversation on what happened just my drop papers and reminders to sign them I left my whole kit that day and when I asked if the instructors at least put my stuff in my kit away I couldn't even get that I lost my whole kit on top of pretty much having to drop out i shouldn't be put ina situation where I have to drop because Covid shut down the school along with how the school was ran upon returning due to medical/ mental health conditions I have emails that show how rude staffs response where when I stated numerous times my anxiety was worsening a long with my grades and attendance before vs after Covid shut down the school attached are a few emails with staff and also proof of the emails bounced back when I was trying to address the situation

My daughter enrolled at Paul Mitchell The School in May of 2021. She stated school June14th 2021 ( we paid tuition in full on day 1) on June 22 2021 she had a seizure and passed out at home. We called her doctor he said don't let her drive have her rest and make an appt with a Neurologist. We did and were able to get an emergency appt on June 25th just 3 days later. They did an EEG and a Cat Scan and sent her for some blood work . Doctor told us until we get it figured out take her to the ER if this happens again. On Tuesday June 28th she called me from school that she was cold and shaking and felt like another episode was coming on. I went to the school to get her and 4 girls and her teacher helped her to the truck. We went straight to ER where she stayed until 7 pm that night. Again they did EEG and Cat Scan and suggested a brain study be done over a 3 day period. We scheduled the study the next day and she stayed in bed on June 29th. She emailed all of her paperwork from her doctors visits to her teacher and was told not to worry it wouldn't affect her school. Next day when she walked into class she was told she was kicked out of school and would be unenrolled due to absences. I called an talked to two people I sent all of her medical paperwork but they will not let her back in class . She was told she could re enroll in August but she would have to start all over at the beginning. They sighted the fact that she didn't qualify for ADA so there was nothing she could do. She has been through hell with this thing and then to be kicked out of school and treated like an untouchable … she's devastated she was thriving in that class and now we have to hire lawyers and find a new school ect. DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL …their attendance policy encourages students to ignore drs orders or be kicked out … if anything out of the ordinary happens in your life they will kick you out in a heart beat.

I have been going to this school for 4yrs+. I love Sara Munsey and will follow her. She is not the issue. Thursday I had a very hard request I wanted my hair fixed from last time which a leader then didn't listen and literally told me I did not know what I wanted and told Sara what to do. When leader walked away, I was almost in tears but told her to follow instructions so she didn't get in trouble and blue peek a boos and dead hair cut and razor the bottom. Rachel an Awesome leader said it could be done everything was great til she had an emergency at salon. Left Todd in charge. He blew Sara off for a hr and a half waiting on other pretty students and not paying customers. When he did come he ignored what Rachel told Sara to say about dead hair cut and he ignored me. Yes, the F bomb dropped and I apologize. But he had done almost the same behavior a month prior. If it wasn't for Sara, I would be gone. Another woman said she had almost same happen a month ago. She almost went elsewhere. I want the dead cut off and the razor ends done, and it shouldn't cost, and he needs to be reminded customers matter.