Gene Juarez Advanced Training

Many companies promise to fully stand behind their products, and in my own experience some actually do: within retail, Nordstrom, REI and Costco come to mind. In my own experience, Gene Juarez Hair Salons does NOT. I purchased a number of their Nioxin products - products which over extended use are supposed to enhance the health of the scalp and hair - with the salon's assurances that they stood behind these products. If I were ultimately dissatisfied, I could return them. Since they expected the effects to take longer than their normal 90 day return period, they waived this limitation. Then, when results seemed meager or non-existent, I did bring them back. And suddenly the staff had numerous objections to accepting them for return, including: it was longer than 90 days since my purchase (despite their having waived this), the product containers weren't nearly full (as if I should understand how well they improved my scalp and hair health in just a couple of trials, rather than the many months they had previously suggested). And on top of it, Colleen in their corporate office was patronizing about the entire issue. Had I known any of this at the start, I would never have taken the risk to buy any of these products from them. In the future, I intend to never buy anything from Gene Juarez Salons. And I recommend you don't either. Pros: Nice promises to stand behind products Cons: They don't more

This is my go-to salon for a consistent good look, on a budget. 80s music and grafitti covered walls attempt a hip, art school look. Haircuts for long hair, and hair color runs as low as $26. Hair colors woven into your do for as low as $45. Regular high end salon products with ""sales"" all the time, a 100% return policy, and ""frequent visitor card"" that can earn you a free cut or color after 10 visits. You will not sacrifice quality -- although you will not get a lot of creativity and you will sit in the chair twice as long (minimum) as a regular salon. If you don't have the money, but have the time, and you are not getting married or about to appear in a fashion show, this is the place to go for great hair care. Pros: consistently good hair Cons: sit in the chair double the time you would ordinarily need more

This is a great place to get a fantastic haircut and color. Advanced students do the work under the supervision of their instructors. I have been going here for over ten years and I have never left with a bad cut, color or foil weave. If there's something I don't like it is corrected before I leave. It can sometimes take a long time for the services because it is, after all, a school. I don't mind the wait because I pay a fraction of what it would cost in a regular salon AND I leave with what I want. I just read the negative reviews below and couldn't disagree more. If you don't know the difference between a partial or full foil after getting these services for ten years, then maybe it's not the stylists' fault. They are more than willing to explain the ""lingo"" and make suggestions to you. All salons ""push"" products you can just say ""No Thank you"". This is like getting mad at the waitress because she asks you if you want dessert. Can't say enough good things about this place. Pros: You get exactly what you want Cons: it may take a long time more

If it was possible for ZERO stars, that's what I'd put, but in order to publish the review I HAD to give a rating of 1-5 stars. I made an appointment for a haircut last week with the woman who cut my hair there before. She was late the first time, but it was a Saturday and I didn't mind waiting. Today I was on my lunch hour. When I scheduled the appointment, the man who answered the phone said it was 11:45am. Last night I got a message confirming my appt for noon. I called this morning & asked for clarification. The woman on the phone said the appt was for noon. I got there at 11:50. A male instructor said ""S_____ is running a little bit late."" At 12:15 the receptionist finally asked me if anyone had come to give me an update on the appt? I said no. She went away and came back with another woman and said ""S_____ is going to be a while still. ____ here is very fast."" I said ""No, thanks, I want S_____ to cut my hair"". I had to leave-I work and needed to get back to the job. They need to get a grip on their scheduling system. I'll never go back-I work and my time is precious. All they had to do was call me on my cell and say ""S______ is backed up as usual, come in at 12:30 instead."" Who doesn't have a cell phone? It is totally unecessary for this to happen in this day and age. Cons: Bad customer service, appoinments not on time more

I really like this salon. Sonia is a fantastic instructor, with many, many years experience with color. I always request her so I have no experience with any of the others; they may be good as well. My complaints would be that the trainees expect you to be able to tell them what you want and what color ""in their lingo"". I have no idea what cool colors are and what warm colors are, that is their expertise, not mine. Also, you're expected to tell the front desk exactly what you want so they can schedule you for the proper time, one hour, two hours, three hours, now how in the H - - - am I suppose to know that? A partial foil, a full foil, blah blah, how in the heck am I suppose to know. I know my roots are grown out and I want this, this and this, but I have no idea what hairdressers consider partial, or full, etc. I'm not asking the hairdressers to be ""a rocket scientist"" but they expect customers to be knowledgeable as they are in hairdressing. I also don't like it that they have to ""push"" products down your throat, so you'll buy the overpriced stuff. It may be good, but it's much cheaper on Ebay, so I just get the name and order online, rather than buy in the salon. more

My wife had a very bad experience here in April 2008 and she still has the scars to prove it! She went in for a simple cut and was worked on for 2 hours! by the trainer and an advanced student. The back of her neck was stinging when she finally left and she thought they may have nicked her.\r They waived the $30 charge and she thought it was because they took so long. They said nothing about her neck. When she arrived home and asked me to look at the back of her neck it looked as if the stylists had used a saw on her: Four 4"" scratches on her neck caused by an electric clipper.\r \r She immediately called Gene Juarez's corporate office to complain and request the balance of her $385 gift certificate be returned in cash. To say the management of Gene Juarez was less than helpful or apologetic is an understatement. We're still waiting for a call back from Colleen (Guest Relations Manager). more

OMG this is the best place. I only go to the regual salon because of a relationship I currently have with a stylist, however I wont go anywhere else than the Advanced School for my coloring. I have tried the regual salon for this and you would think they would be better than the students but they arent. Just more expensive.\r \r Cost is great at the school, and since they are already licsenced as a cosmotoligist, they already have an idea of what they are doing. That and each student is closely supervised by the teachers. Enough teachers around to make sure that there is enough incase astudent needs their help. Yes ou will spend a bit more time in the chair than a seasoned professional but it is so worth it.\r \r One word of advise. Book your appointments in advance. Its very hard to get in. Few times I have been lucky to get in on short notice but that was usually right when they open at 8:30...its fine I usually nap in the chair anyway.\r \r Pros: everything Cons: availalbity more

I have been going to the regular beauty school which is $10 hair cut but you get what you pay for (sometimes its good sometimes its bad) and you wait in the chair 2 hours. If you want top quality hair cut and it cost 3X as much but they do an amazing job and you don't have to worry about a bad hair day. The stylists are extremely nice as well. One of the best haircuts I've ever had and I didn't have to pay $60 bucks for it. more

Shhh! Don't tell! If word were to get out about this place, I'd never be able to get an appointment. The stylists are friendly and work really hard at giving you just what you want, and do so at a fraction of the price. The pedicures and manicures are awesome and inexpensive. All around, this place is the best salon for your buck in Seattle. Go there, just don't tell your friends. ;) Pros: friendly, professional, inespensive Cons: downtown parking more

The service was efficient and friendly. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get a great haircut here. more

I have gone here 4 times now for cut, highlights and color. I have never been disappointed. In fact, after having been to the regular GJ salon downtown, I frankly see no difference except the ambiance and the price. I just paid $26 for the best haircut I've had in awhile -- who can beat that? The one bad thing about going to a training school is that as soon as your ""student"" stylist graduates, you either have to follow him/her to the regular salon or get a new, unknown stylist on your next trip. Satisfaction is guaranteed; once, when I felt the technician didn't get the highlights exactly right, the salon re-did them (perfectly) for free -- no questions asked. If you are new to seattle and need a great stylist, what better way to check out stylists (cheaply) until you find the one you want to stick with? Pros: cheap!, try out new stylists, guaranteed satisfacti Cons: stylists leave more