Empire Beauty Supply & Salon

I went to this location for the first time this last week. It seems much smaller than other locations I’ve been to but service is much better than most of the other empire salons. Hector was working when I went in and he was very helpful and personable. Nice spot, I’ll be returning!

Alright so I purchased an item and the next day I came back to return it. It was not used. Not only was the male cashier not friendly, but when I bought the item and expressed that I was unsure about it – he failed to mention that it’s a final sale item. This is a bad sales practice and they really need to get into the habit of telling their customers what they can’t return BEFORE THEY BUY IT. Horrible experience and I wont be coming back.

This is my «go-​to» place for OPI nail polish (they often do buy one get on ½ off), high end hair products, and definitely for all beauty product advice! There is a lovely young lady here named Donny and she has volumes of helpful advice on all my beauty needs. I love this place! And there is a salon in the back-​Donny again! recommended the stylist Jeannette who I have been going to for several months and have good hair days all the time now. Thanks Donny!

Best prices around, and I love the punch card system ($ 10 off once filled). You simply cannot beat the prices, even online.

I love there is a beauty supply store in the area. This may seem Parochial. However, I don’t feel helped in this place. I walk in and usually Tiffany or the younger girl are like way to busy borderline ignoring me. I switch to Aveda which really is a good product. I did even though my dermatologist said dermalogical was good. On Monday, I walked in and they seemed irritated. That is the younger girl. I am a nurse in Hilcreat at the local hospital and I live there. I just don’t need this sort of treatment. They are not helpful to me. There is a nice spa with an Aveda store in the plaza or just go to the Aveda store at fashion valley. The products also so overpriced at Empire. I really need good customer service.

I had a bad shopping experience here last night. I walked in yesterday evening, because I live in the neighborhood and wanted to pick up a gift for my boyfriend.
When I entered there were two people in a small shop that just looked at me and did not say hi. I thought to myself, they must not work here because that was rude… And then looked around the small shop and realized one of them must work here. With out any greeting the girl said, we are closing in three minutes in a rude voice.
Oh, I’m sorry, I said and thought as I looked at my watch and realized it was 7:57. I apologized and let her know all I needed was a small comb and hair gel for a man, anything will do. She pointed to a bucket and said combs are in there. Hmm… Rude. Then I nicely asked where the gel was, and she replied all over the store. Well then. That leads me to this review. You see, if I had received good service I still would have written a review. I am not a scornful review writer, I give credit where it is due.
She knew she was being rude, and I was not rude back, I just wanted to pay for a comb and gel and be on my way.
I will not be back. Aracely made an awful impression for this business. I have worked in customer service for years, and no matter if it’s opening or one minute to close, a customer is a customer.

When Tiffany was the manager there was never a problem for me. It’s no longer the same. I realize there are some other good reviews, but does that nullify someone’s review that is not in line with the others? If my experience is unpleasant, is it wrong or inappropriate to speak out if it’s an atypical comment? I had been purchasing products for my wife for some time at this location but discovered one of the Murad items was expired. LeeAnn, the new manager, was rude and did not handle the matter properly. When I called Vanessa to explain the situation she displayed little tact and was hardly helpful. CHECK your Murad product to see if there is an expiration date. If there is none, call the 1 – 800 number and you will INVARIABLY learn is it out of date. Obviously, the other impeccable, sterling reviews do not allude to the expiration dates of the Murad products. I’ve urged my students to avoid this store. Both LeeAnn and Vanessa clearly fumbled the ball.

My favorite spot for Purple Shampoo. Plus, their prices are decent. I’ve been here several times. And, the customer service they provide is priceless! I recently bought Purple shampoo, and their price was better than other stores that sell beauty products. (I actually drove to Sally Beauty Supply off El Cajon Blvd.)
Not only do they sell Shampoo and Conditioner. But, make-​up, hair accessories, nail polish, and other things I haven’t paid attention too. The store isn’t big, but it stocks plenty for you to browse around for at least 30 minutes. It’s happened to me!
Today, I bought hair color… see, I forgot to mention that. They sell hair color. It’s not a huge selection but decent. I’m planning on going back to my natural hair color. I want the curtains to match the rug! :p
When I was deciding on what color to choose. The young woman assisting me was useful, and professional, yet friendly. Thank you!
I hope you enjoy your shopping experience as much as I do.

I pop in here all the time when I’m in the Uptown Shopping Center. The staff has always been super helpful and I don’t feel they are pushy with their products. I recently went in with another brand (Aveda) and someone walked me through three choices of a similar product. Prices are reasonable and they have a great 45 day return policy in case a product doesn’t work out for you.

I always come here for Halloween stuff. They have a solid selection of temporary hair dye in tons of fun colors (and permanent if you have a job that’s way cooler than mine and you’re allowed to do that) and fake eyelashes.

Vanessa, their stylist is the absolute best! She knows the 4 C’s of Hair – Cut, Color, Condition and of course, Caring and Cute (that’s 5) – like no one else! She has been in charge of my red, curly, unruly hair for over 5 years, and I wouldn’t think of seeing anyone else… ever. I have referred my friends and they, too, adore Vanessa. Her phone is 619.905.5221. She’ll work with you on times and really LISTENS to you! Oh, and yes, she is meticulous so you won’t be out of there in 15 minutes flat!
So if you’re looking for a top notch stylist, look no further than Vanessa at Empire Beauty in Hillcrest.
Oh, and the staff at Empire Beauty are top notch as well – they really know their hair stuff!

I think Empire Beauty has a good selection and good prices. I wish there associates where a little bit more knowledgable on products and more enthusiastic when it came to assisting there potential buyers.

Very clean, great helpful staff, and huge selection of products. Reward card system in place to top off my visit so naturally I will return. I love the location because parking is not an issue!

This is going to be a 2 part review:
1. The store it self: I love being able to go somewhere where I am able to have a selection. That rule applies to my hair and beauty products. This is a girly girl’s haven. The prices aren’t overly marked up, the staff knows what they are talking about, and with the ambiance that Modern Details left behind, it’s quite a stress free shopping experience.
2. Vanessa, the store’s on-​site hairstylist– If you look at my other reviews I have been seeing her since 1999! When I moved to SF it took me almost 6 months of flying back to SD to get my hair done before I felt okay with letting someone else touch it. And even then, since then I’ve flitted between stylists in SF, dating around pretty much since no one compares to Vanessa. Now that I have a great job again, and am able to afford going back to SD more often, you can be assured I will be making my trips back to see her.
She does my hair like no one can (and trust me I’ve been everywhere!)…she is great with her technique, and her style and she also has a way in which she listens to you and what you want yet she also is able to suggest new things that you may not have thought of but that work for your personality and style! If you could make a list of the ideal hairstylist, this is it!
On my last visit to her, my hair was broken and dry and after one time with her, it was soft again like the old days and hair model pretty again. Only she can do it!

I love this new location. Tiffany, the manager, is so nice and helpful and eager to get what you need. I will be making this location my regular spot!

The staff was so welcoming ! I came into to Empire to get something to strip my hair (a friend did a horrible home dye job) after another salon in the complex had been incredibly rude to me. I was literally in tears. The staff not only found me some products but did one better and called their stylist (who I didn’t know was there!) out of the cozy hair salon in the back of the shop to consult.
Vanessa actually hugged me and assured me she could help if I wanted to come sit in her chair. I spent the next 3 hours laughing and enjoying talking to the girls in the shop. They even tolerated my toddler who was in tow running around! Vanessa is the real star of my story. My color is gorgeous ! The mistake of this morning is fixed. The cut and color was very reasonable for a huge amount of work Vanessa did to correct and polish up the color. I found a friend and a new stylist who I will go back to again and again!

This place has enormous selection of product. You’ll shop for the essentials and come back because of their awesome selection. A hidden gem is their stylist, Vanessa, who does awesome color and cuts — with all types of hair. She accepts appointmens and walk ins. See also other reviews about Vanessa under «Vanessa hair stylist extraordinaire» and «Modern Details in Mission Hills».