Success Schools Salon

I honestly had no idea what I walked into when I went there. I was one of the only girls in the entire shop at all. I know that you should never knock a salon school until you try it, though, so I took a chance. It took them like 3 hours to cut off rough;y 7 inches of hair, which is why I’m not giving a 5 star review, but other than that, they were great!

I want to start off by saying that my first time here was back in December. I wanted to get a clean haircut before my vacation. The price was $ 8, noticeably less than what I’ve been paying at other shops in the city so I popped in and asked for a gentleman’s cut, (think Don Draper or George Clooney). An instructor (I think Ramiro was his name) did a WONDERFUL job that time. He went as far as to clean the back of my neck with a hot towel shave. I walked out with a burst of confidence that day and my hair grew out beautifully as a couple of months went by. When February came around, my hair was getting a little long, but I’ve been putting it off until today (the 22^nd). I guess I should have considered the risk of having a student cut my hair, but I walked right in so naively.
I was seated by a student this time. I saw his name tag but couldn’t make out his entire name, but It was one of those funky black names, and it started with an L. I asked for a gentleman’s cut like last time, and I guess he must have confused that with tapering the back and sides down and agreed at that. When he finished doing this, it looked completely disproportionate to the top half and shorter than I liked. So I asked him to cut the rest of my hair down to match. As he was doing all of this, other students were completely distracting him, talking to him about typical urban ghetto life, like worrying about getting a girl pregnant, drugs and partying. Plus he openly stated that he had no desire to be there at the barber school anymore. An instructor came over and worked on where this student didn’t, like brushing off clippings from my neck and behind my ears, and spots that he missed or messed up on, and left him to «finish» the rest of my hair. This all spoke volumes on how my hair came out after taking about 35 – 45 minutes. He asked to touch-​up on it a little more but I told myself that I wasn’t going to waste even more of my time with this guy, because I had a class in 15 minutes, and left it at that. The taper near the neckline is noticeably uneven, like a half circle of shorter hair surrounded by slightly longer hair. One side is slightly longer than the other and the whole thing is much shorter than what I wanted. I have to wait till it grows out more so I can even it out with Ramiro or at another shop entirely.

I like taking a good, measured risk. Some people think I’m crazy for taking hang gliding lessons that led to my running off a 1,400 foot mountain to fly through the air with an even greater ease than flying like the man on the trapeze. (I know this, because I’ve done that too.)
But I’ve noticed that even more people, especially the ladies, will sit up straight with tense muscles and a look of shock when I tell them that I’ve been to a barber school for a haircut.
I guess I can’t blame them. I, too, felt that this was more foolhardy. When I do hang gliding, I set up the glider and look at every square inch of fabric; linear foot of wire and point of fastener to make sure the machine is airworthy. I’ve practiced every skill tens of times, from launching, gliding, turning, approaching and landing. Still a novice, I won’t fly unless the wind is light and incoming from where I plan to launch. It’s quite safe, and I’m in complete control. The risks are measured.
On the contrary, when I get my hair cut, I’m not in complete control. Some risks are measured: My hairstyle is less of a look as it is a sound: a buzz cut. It’s not cut and styled so much as it is mowed. Mothers and wives, not to mention fathers, have managed to learn these skills through the years. Then again, home hair cutting, perhaps by definition, often risks tearful scenes before, during, and after the cut. A pharmaceutical manufacturer would call a bad outcome an «adverse effect.» (Death would be considered a «severe» one.) Yes, during a haircut, there is one, big, living, unmeasured risk standing behind you with a cutting tool.
My unmeasured risk at Success Schools (not the most-​comforting name, despite its good intentions) was a man named Greg. Despite only having studied at the school for a short time, he had an air of confidence (and a handlebar mustache) that said that clipping hair was what he was meant to do, despite going to school later in life than most. And so I sat in the chair and he got to work.
My apologies, dear readers. It appears that, unbeknownst to me, I wasted your time with all of the drama above. I know more now: Greg took his time; he was as precise as any barber or stylist I’ve seen (or heard). Fifteen or twenty minutes mowing with the #1.5 buzzer and edging with the razor and I walked out with a great cut and what seemed to be a great caper, considering what a steal the price was.
Greg said that after he finishes at the school, he’ll likely work a chair on the north side. That gives me five or six haircuts more with him closer to my home. He’s as good as the other barbers I see, though I do wish the syllabus required a hot lather finish like my guy in Bridgeport.

I’ve been getting my hair cut and beard trimmed here for the last couple months. Although I don’t have a specific barber that I return to, everyone I have gotten has been professional and has given me excellent service. Usually the students will ask how much time I have and if I have some extra time to burn they’ll go above and beyond to make you look good (eyebrow trim, etc).
I have nothing but great things to say about the service but then you see the prices and its even better! Because this is a school, haircuts start at $ 10 which is a steal in my book!
Give it a shot, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

The best shave in my life done by a great student called Ashley, she had a magic hands and she is very professional. It’s highly recommend

The director of the school, Nancy was very unhelpful. I am a licensed cosmetologist interested in obtaining my barbering license as well. There are laws and rules and curriculum that differs for each license. She was rude, telling me I just want to shave as a cosmetologist, who is she to say what I want? Why would she devalue my cosmetology license? What I want is both licenses and to learn something new, not have to go through the half the same curriculum as I did in cosmetology school. I was looking for clarity and answers, and some points of difference. Nancy could not offer these, She told me to go to the Illinois barbers rules and regulations page which is like jibberish to anyone whom isnt a lawyer. She was not accommodating as she could have been to a prospective student. If I get the answers I’m looking for, I definitely wont be going to her school.
here is what our email communication looked like:
FROM ME: Hello,
I am interested in more info. I currently have a valid cosmetology license and I am interested in obtaining my barber license as well.
I see you have a transfer program. I am wondering if I then only hold a barbers license after completing the 1000 hours. Do I then lose my license as a cosmetologist or will I be able to obtain both? I am interested in more information regarding curriculum for this transfer, and the options available for the minimum hours per week. Currently I need to work full time. I am also wondering if I can do an internship as part of my training. I am also wondering if there is any future plans for a shave only certificate or license for cosmetologists. Please let me know if you can help answer any of my questions. Thank you for your time
Jamie
FROM NANCY: There are no plans for a shave only certificate as it is two separate licenses and professions, barbering isn’t just shaving plus cosmetology. Our school offers daytime classes from 9 to 5 and no evenings. The curriculum can be located on our web site below or on the Illinois State Barber Rules and Regulations. Both Indiana and Illinois have specific licenses for each profession.
I hope this answers your questions and thank you for contacting us.
FROM ME: Thanks for your response. I am still a bit confused so bare with me. So transfer does not mean transfer. I can go through the transfer and obtain both licenses? Also I am wondering if I can do an internship as part of my training, and what part time hours would be. I looked at the curriculum and to me it seems very similar to the curriculum from cosmetology School. Is there someone I can discuss more about this, maybe alumni, or teachers? I’d like to better understand the difference between the license and professions. Can I come for a tour and a question and answer perhaps?
Thanks for your help
Jamie
FROM NANCYI’m sorry we’ve been through this before. There are no outside hours available. The curriculums are different. I know that you want to shave with a cosmetology license but you must hold a barber license to do barbering.
Please go to IDPFR and read the rules and regulations for more information. Thank you
FROM ME: Well I’ll Tell you this, I am going to get my barbers license and it sure won’t be from your school. We’ve been through this before you say? You told me something a year ago when I was first interested? You couldn’t respond to my emails or answer half my questions? You won’t give me a school tour or answer my questions again? I’m sorry, I thought you were running a school. Thanks for nothing. I do want to shave as a cosmetologist, I bet others do too. I’ll take this up with the state.
So, after i posted this I found the info I needed. I went in to really dig around in the curriculum, the difference is as follows: Identical curriculum for both licenses, the only difference is learning to shave and sharpen your blades for barbers. Cosmetologists learn much more that barbers do not such as.
Braiding and Braid Extensions
Hair Removal
Facial Makeup
Manicuring and Pedicuring
Advanced Nail Technique
IMAGINE THAT!

One of the best things about Success School is that they are open on Mondays. Other barber schools offer client services, but they tend to follow the usual model of being closed on Monday, like most barber shops are. I went in to get a simple haircut. When the student barber was not sure how to proceed at one point, one of the teachers came over to get him back on track. That was very reassuring to me! Also, you can’t beat the prices, which are less than what people would pay elsewhere.

I come about once a week for the back of my head & usually have Brandon who is graduating soon… i see the other cuts the rest of the students do & they all look good… got graphics a few times. can’t beat the $ 8 price… every one is cool here & all can cut!

Very good if you have the time to wait (at least if you go around lunchtime, which I did) and don’t need the salon extras or ambiance. It’s a school, so you won’t necessarily get somebody who is 100 percent polished.
I went in to get my hair cut about 15 inches to donate, but the barber heard me as saying, «I want about a quarter-​inch off» instead of «I want about a quarter inch left.» When I clarified, he looked rather taken aback but immediately went to get somebody to help consult.
As a result, the haircut did take longer than it might have taken somebody with more experience under his belt (more hair under his chair?), about 40 minutes compared to about 20, but again, it’s a school, that just goes with the territory. It’s also what makes the cost so cheap.
Everybody was very pleasant and chatty and clearly cared about doing a good job. In fact, they cared more about the fine-​tuning than I usually do with haircuts like this!
They do ask for payment (and tip) in advance. Payment in advance, fine, tip in advance seems a bit odd.

I like this place a lot. Not super busy and utilizing barbers that fit a specific skill (shaves, fades, and bangs) They are friendly and funny. Even though they’re students, they work with the instructor when they don’t know how to proceed. Constantly asked how I liked how it was coming out and if I didn’t like something.
The barbers talked with one another for advice and how to go about things. Considering my barber never had a women before he was kind and nervous, I would definitely go again! Give it a chance, it might be worth your while, it was mine :)

Very friendly staff and students. Unfortunately, they don’t know how to do a flat top. After 90 minutes in the chair, I told them it was fine and I left. Again, nice people. But I won’t try again.

Gar the Barber is a hidden treasure! Be sure to ask for him by name when you go here. Gar takes care of you from the minute you walk in. He has a calm and steady presence that assures you that he knows what he is doing. And he does. He listened carefully as I explained what I was looking for in terms of a haircut and beard trim. Together we came up with a plan and Gar executed it flawlessly. This is the haircut and beard trim that I have been looking for for years. Don’t let the fact that this is a Barber School scare you off. Ask for Gar and you will be well satisfied.

This isn’t a review about the school so much as one of its pupils. On the recommendation of a client I went to see Gar. The man is a scissor wielding god. I have been to barber shops all over Chicago, certainly sitting in chairs of men with many more years under their belt, no one compares. He is professional, courteous and meticulous and at the same time charming and able to put you completely at ease. This is by far THE BEST haircut/​beard trim I have ever received, so good I almost don’t want to post this review.

Ask for Gar! He did a great job with my hair and beard. Everyone was complementing it in the shop. Very classy. Extremely reasonable prices.

I came here an hour and a half before a job interview to transform my faded-​bright-​red hair into something presentable. They said that it would normally take 2 hours, but they managed to do it in just over an hour. It didn’t turn out exactly as I expected, but I’m really pleased with it. It cost $ 30 with tip included (they had to use an extra bottle even though my hair is really short. Not sure how that works.) For the price, I’m very pleased. Actually, for any price I’d be pleased. Great work, guys, and thanks for doing it extra fast! Recommended.

It’s was cheap, but took nearly 2 hours. For being a student Richard did good. His instructor came over two times and touched up my hair besides that he was not to bad. If his instructor would of cut me he would of been done in 10 to 15 minutes max… Keep in mind they are students in training.

I was very skeptical at first, and expected to get something along the lines of what Ryan M. wrote about in his review. I went in for a shave and a men’s haircut, each was $ 8, my total came to $ 16, which they have you prepay.
Alex, the student who provided my haircut and shave, was very polite, attentive, and thorough. My haircut came out just a little too short, but nothing to cause any concern whatsoever. I’ve had terrible experiences at the HairCuttery just north of Roosevelt and paid a lot more for a lot worse.
It was kind of fun getting the shave, because I attracted a small gathering of spectators. You have to remember, these are young adults in trade school. These are not seasoned professionals with college degrees, they’re kids, so they haven’t learned a lot of the nuances of the trade yet.
Alex, however, was a lot more mature than the rest, and very focused on providing an excellent experience, which he did. He has very steady hands, and exercised a lot of caution during the shave. At one point, he was about to shave at an angle that I could tell was going to cut me. He sensed it too and changed the angle. The shave was one of the best straight-​razor shaves I’ve ever had, and I left the chair without a scrape.
I think Ryan M. is right, though. When you go here, you should definitely monitor the student’s progress and provide guidance and constructive feedback. For the overall value, I will definitely return.

Originally, I was going to give Success Schools one star. After a day of wearing the cut around, I thought better of it and was leaning towards three. Upon further inspection, my first impressions were right.
I understand this was a school of young people training to be professionals. I understand I was taking a risk by letting a student (not a professional) cut my hair. I understand it is hair, and it will grow. But this was just bad, on many levels.
It was a nice touch to meet the student assigned to me, get the personalized feel, pay only $ 8, etc. What we discussed, however, is not what the student cut. The length is much shorter than I asked for (and what he appeared to understand I wanted) and uneven (my side-​burns are the longest on the sides – what??). It also took nearly an hour and a half. It would not have taken that long if he had stopped cutting when he should have, as I had requested. An instructor and the student estimated my hair was about 2.5 inches long; I said about an inch off would be fine. I now have less than ½ inch of hair in most places. Not even close…
If you’re a fan of Calvin & Hobbes, you may remember the series of strips where Hobbes cuts Calvin’s hair. I can now relate. «You know what are in these days? Hats.» Basically, if you don’t care about your hair, if you have a very basic or buzz cut, and/​or if you have no hair at all, try Success Schools. If you do not meet one of those criteria, pass this one up, go to a pro, and pay the extra dollars.

This place is great, quick and friendly. I’ve been to several professional barbers in Chicago that cost twice as much and do terrible work.

Giving this 5 stars because it IS as good as it gets for the following:
Service/​Staff — you are treated like a ROCK STAR from the minute you enter the place. EVERYONE is extremely attentive to your needs
Integrity — there are no ego’s here… the students are looking to master their talents and are not inhibited by letting you know they may need some help from a teacher
Price — It’s $ 8 for a cut… seriously…it can’t get better than that!
I have extremely short hair and love the funky look and having a stylist put their own creative style. Sometimes that can be intimidating for even seasoned stylists. The person who was to cut my hair, let me know that she needed additional advice from the teachers. The master barber ended up cutting my hair with about 10 students all watching. I came out with one of the BEST cuts i’ve ever had. More importantly, the students were so appreciative of me coming in and helping them learn how to style than just a regular haircut.
so, if you are in the adventurous mood and want to try something diferent, you must try this place. Also — guys — you will get a nice man’s cut with great lining… gauranteed!

I really needed to get a haircut and I was hoping to find a place close to my work so I could go during lunch. I checked out some of the deal sites and saw that Groupon Now was having a deal here where it was only $ 5 (normally $ 8). Sweet, $ 5 for a haircut sounded awesome! I knew what I was getting myself into and that a student would be cutting my hair. But since I was only asking for a couple inches off and my hair is already long, I wasn’t too worried since I could just get another haircut to fix it if need be. If I had short hair where there was no room for error, I probably would not have taken the risk.
Everyone looked at me in surprise when I came in and hesitantly asked if they could help me with anything. Apparently, they rarely have many ladies come in to get haircuts so a lot of students were watching my student cut my hair.
Lucky for me, my student did a great job (they gave me someone who was about to graduate though so makes sense) and the instructor who was also the owner checked his work and made sure everything looked a-​okay.
I personally had a great experience (I don’t think I can ever beat a $ 5 haircut) so I left very pleased.

One of my husband’s friends is attending barber school here & this is the best kept secret in town, I guess (given that there aren’t a ton of reviews already posted).
$ 7 haircuts — cash only — extremely friendly, culturally diverse, women’s and men’s cuts. You can even get an old-​fashion straight razor shave if interested.
Right downtown makes it really accessible to travel to/​from and the atmosphere overall is super pleasent. One visit I sat and waited for him to get his haircut & the owner went out of his way to be kind to me and my two boys (both under 3).
If you plan your visit for anytime in the next year, ask for Kirk!