Aveda Corp

Factoring client services, this place gets two stars. I would never suggest going for a mani/pedi, but the hair services turn out nice, and the skin services are awesome. Plus the students need practice... As far as a place of education, I would never recommend anyone to attend this school. I heard many positive things about this school before attending for cosmetology, and I can say none of them are true. The staff is immature and cares more about befriending students and playing favorites than actually educating. They hire instructors right out of school, and we are being taught by teachers with only a few more months education than we have. They gossip about students in earshot of others and show no professionalism whatsoever. Stateboard laws are consistently broken. After freshman level, the students receive little hands on education, and are left to work on mannequins 6 hours a day for the remaining 8 months of the program, unless they are lucky enough to receive a client. Some students will receive 3-4 clients/ day while others only get one/week. The system is entirely unfair and only a few favorites benefit from this. The school supervisor is aware of these problems, yet chooses not to do anything to better the school. Two favorites were drinking on the clinic floor, were stumbling, slurring, and the school supervisor did nothing about it. In fact, they were both allowed to have clients after finding out about this. Had this been anyone else, they would have been immediately sent home for the day, if not punished more severely. The owner, Mr. Lehman must be completely unaware of where his school is headed, because Jean Madeline's reputation is sinking fast. more

As a student, I believe everyone should be treated equally by the teachers. Well, at Jean Madeline this isn't what happens. This weekend, there were two fellow students who were clearly intoxicated. They were slurring their words, stumbling, and openly speaking about drinking alcohol on the salon floor. A few students brought this to the teachers attention, and they did absolutely nothing. They actually gave the one student a client as soon as they found out! The director of education put it off as a joke. I was appalled and would not recommend anyone to waste over 20,000 on a school that plays favorites, and really doesn't care about anything except gossiping all day. more

As student here, I had felt like this was a great school to attend, everyone (for the most part) was friendly and teachers were always willing to help. Little by little I noted favortism, I wasn't a favorite, but I wasn't an unfavorite either. I never witnessed it that bad until today. A fellow classmate (so you might wanna watch who you're going to or you could get a drunk haircut), was DRINKING ALCOHOL, on the clinic floor, WHILE SHE WAS DOING A CLIENT. I have seen them send people home for wearing the wrong uniform, for being accused of being 'hung over' or 'high on drugs' by the simple accusations (no proof) but just the judgement of the teachers. Today this classmate should not have gotten away with this under any circumstance. I'm literally appauled that she did. The student handbook clearly states that you will be permenantly dimissed for this kind of behavior. The student was clearly intoxicated, and when asked up to the supervisors office the supervisor looked at her and deemed her 'clearly fine' OF COURSE, she was scared sh*tless! She wasn't going to act intoxicated, on the floor there was only one teacher (for over 25 students) so there was no way she would have noticed the clear signs (INCLUDING THE CLASSMATE CLEARLY MENTIONING THAT SHE HAD PUT ALCOHOL IN HER DRINK) this behavior just send me over the edge. Also, when she had found out that someone had told, I overheard her as she threatened to 'stab' another student. Do not come to this aveda institute Bainbridge...it's unfair, and literally their reputation is going down the tubes. I'm really just completely shocked, and I really really hate to have to write this because I love it so much, but this is just going too far. the school is completely ludacris, please, go to empire, paul mithchell, venus, but not here, not if you want to be treated fairly, and want your feelings and opinions to matter. All that matters about you here is the check you give them every month. more

This owners of this school are incapable of delivering anything but greed and disorganization. They are in the process of handing the business down to the kids. BIG MISTAKE. The kids have their heads in the sand and are busy blaming everyone but themselves for disorganization and neglect. In my time working there I didnt find one person had anything nice to say about them. The atmosphere for students is punitive and degrading. Students are threatened with having to pay more for everything. Dont waste your money - go somewhere else. more

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 more

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. more

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 more

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 more

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. more

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. more

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 !! more

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. more

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 more

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, more

ipitydafool wrote such negative things about the Jean Madeline Aveda Institute Esthetics program I am forced to respond with my own experience. I attended Jean Madeline and found their skin care program to be just what I needed to get a fantastic job in a top spa in Philadelphia. Jean Madeline really cared about what I learned, about skin care, makeup, and more important they cared about me! They cared about what I learned, how I was progressing in the program, and if I was happy. Plus, to top it all off they helped me get a great job. I AM MAKING CLOSE TO $80,000.00 THIS YEAR WITH MY TIPS, and I have only been working for 16 months! So, those of you who doubt what Jean Madeline Aveda Institute is all about, just go down and check it out! Pros: Great atmosphere, equipment and instructors! Cons: Hated to see my training end more

Jean Madeline was supposed to have a great reputation which is why I chose them for my training in Esthetics. The recruiter told some tall tales, i.e. "you'll be making $85,000 your second year out of school." I discovered that Jean Madeline is nothing more than a charm school for misguided teens. Classes are taught by a student who has just graduated from Jean Madeline's Esthetics school. My teacher couldn't pronounce the terms in the text book and was incapable of answering questions about skin. So I moved on to the Magnolia School in Ambler. Staffed with an Esthetics teacher who is a veteran in the business, I completed my esthetics training with Magnolia. People who are serious about learning Esthetics should take a closer look at Magnolia. It was difficult getting a refund on the tuition I had pre-paid to Jean Madeline. Fast-forward. I am now a spa owner who has auditioned Esthetics grads from Jean Madeline for possible employment. In all honesty, a few of these grads are, in fact, well trained. But from my hiring experience, most of these grads are in no way primed for work in a spa. Pros: cheap services in the clinic Cons: the administration and teaching staff more

I went to Jean Madeline for the second time about a week ago. Nina cut my hair and she did an awesome job. This is the only spot in Philly where you can get a hand massage, a head massage, and a haircut for $10! (plus tip...and be forewarned, they won't take tips on credit or debit cards - cash only. Seems a little unfair to the students!) When I went to work that evening, no one could believe I got my haircut from an 18 year old student - they were well impressed. I'm a big fan of this place, but you will be taking a risk - there was a girl behind me bawling because her red hair dye hadn't come out right. Nina's gone by March 08, so snap up an appointment while you can. Jean Madeline is an adventure! Pros: Cheap, easy to get a last minute appointment, free stuff Cons: They are students after all...so just have fun with it! more

Got a facial there over the weekend. It was OK. Not worth $33. I would go to a normal salon and spend the extra couple bucks to feel refreshed. It was about half an hour long, but pretty much useless. Could have done the same thing myself with a mask at home. more

Living downtown is expensive enough and I'm all about cutting corners when I can. After a friend's recommendation, I booked an appt for a facial. No stranger to dropping over $100 for a facial, I was thrilled at the chance to spend a mere $33, but a little skeptical, it is my face afterall! No worries, the girl did a great job, she didn't do extractions but I was ok with that. Keep in mind, it is only a school so anyone getting a facial will be in one big room with curtain separations. They do their best to make it a tranquil experience but as long as you don't need all of the hoopla of a higher-end spa, then this is the best facial you'll get for your money! Will definitely be back!! Pros: inexpensive, service Cons: hours more

Just an FYI, I went over there today (Saturday) to get a mani and pedi, but they don't offer the service on Saturdays... ONLY Tuesday's and Wednesdays. Will go back another day, I guess. Pros: Close to my apartment. Friendly. Cons: No manicures/pedicures offered on Saturday! more