Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture, Willoughby | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

My daughter and I visited over the weekend for a shampoo, blow dry, trim and thermal. We’ve had the exact same services in the past and have been there for less than 2 for both of us. We were there from 1:30pm-almost 6pm.

I understand students are training, but after almost 3 hours of incomplete styles, someone should have observed and stepped much sooner. My student stylist was nice, professional, did not rush the process but that essentially led to the process taking longer than expected. She had 2 other student stylists ask if she needed assistance. I believe they wondered what was taking so long. With 30 minutes left until closing, another student came to help because after 2 1/2 hours, I still had half of my hair that needed to be straightened, trimmed and styled.

My daughter, was brought to a chair by me. She looked sad and distraught. The student stylist was upset and had an attitude that another student had to finish my daughter’s hair. She mentioned additional heat damage, offering to finish her hair outside of shop hours…even though my daughter’s hair, after 2 1/2 hours, looked as though it had only been washed and blow-dried. My daughter stated she was shown pictures of braids and the stylist told her she doesn’t really straighten hair but she could come to her for braids. I wish I had known that conversation happened while we were there. Instead of her asking for help, she did more damage to my daughter’s hair while trying to pitch her outside services than anything. The student stylist’s approach was both off-putting and very unprofessional.

I was upset and stated that we couldn’t leave like this. An instructor stated that our hair would be completed even though the shop would be closing. She came off a bit passive aggressive in her initial response though, as if I shouldn’t be upset.

The 3 other student stylists that fixed and completed our hair did a great job and I will give props where they are due. They illustrated professionalism and teamwork, picking up where their fellow stylists fell short, completing our styles with urgency and care.

The instructor did our trims, which were more like cuts. My hair needed a good cut though. My daughter, unfortunately, cried this morning due to how short her hair is after the curls fell. She feels, as though, too much was taken off.

My take away is that this shop is not run how it was when it was Regency. Instructors came by frequently to check on the students progress. I’ve also never had more than 1 person doing my hair. I had 4 people, my daughter had 3. This was an unforgettable experience and not in a good way. I’d be surprised if management reached out to discuss further but we shall see.

long story short, the manager RJ kicks out new moms suffering with postpartum with their sleeping infant OUT of the salon saying it’s a state board law/violation to have the baby there in my lap! I talked to state board the liaison for the school as well of someone who takes care of complaints., he lied. I am also a former student who paid to attend tho school. I paid to get my hair done. And while HAIR WET IN THE SHAMPOO BOWL RJ sends over an instructor to ask me to leave for bringing me baby. I called and left voicemails for Dianne & Carly people/women who I thought would care and tell me it’s ok for me to get my hair done there, however neither of them called me back after I called for 4 days straight & left 4 voicemails each. So that tells me RAPHAEL’s condone in discriminating against, young, black, mothers. I hate to take it there but it has to be the truth since NO ONE has responded to me. I’ve referred 6 students to the school (all attended) as well as send clients to the students. That was AFTER he put me thru hell while a student there. This review is to bring awareness to the clients if you have a baby don’t take him/her with you unless you aren’t black. And I wouldn’t attend this school for many many reasons! Very unprofessional & extremely unorganized!

Horrible experience. White girl (teen) with no experience with black curly hair pretended she knew what she was doing. She told her peer she didn’t pay attention innclass and that she listened to r-kelly music instead. Wanted to fit in more than learn her trade. She didn’t know how the different between a comb and brush or how to use either. I was told I had yo pay $30 more to comb out my wavy hair. She lied and said she was getting “conditioner” when she needed an escape to ask a question. The girl barely washed my hair, didn’t know how to color and sprayed spritz before attempting to flat iron. No one helped her. Needless to say, I left.