Empire Beauty Supply & Salon

I would like to start by saying I will never get waxed anywhere else in San Diego ever again.
I am an Italian woman, which mean thick coarse hair. I have been waxing my eyebrows and lip for over 10 years. I have been to dozens of shops in San Diego and never really wanted to go back to any for many reasons; mostly the ladies don’t listen to what you really want and use cheap wax that burns or the place does not look up to my cleanliness standard.
A friend told me to go to to Empire Beauty and get my wax done by VY. I figured I had tried so many other places what’s one more place.
Vy is amazing! My she takes her time (yet quick and nearly painless) she always shapes my eyebrows how I want and always walk out feeling like a new woman. I recently also started getting brazillian wax.
I have sensitive skin and the wax she uses has been great for me.
Yes ladies it hurts, but Vy is quick and is actually no super awkward with your lady parts out there. This first time is the worst but I have been doing this for a few months now and my hair grows back thinner and even though there’s hair its super soft (goodbye ingrown hairs).
I wish I didn’t have to wax as often as I do, but I am so thankful to have found Vy. She responds to appointment requests promptly and is truly a pleasure to see.
A total plus is that you get a punch card so if you get waxed a certain number of times you get a discount or free wax (depending on service).
** She also does facials, I personally have not gotten one (unfortunately), but the girlfriend who referred me has and her skin has improved so much!

This review is for Vy (facial).
My girlfriend Kellie took me here for facials, and I’ve never gotten a facial before so I didn’t know what to expect… But I can’t even thank her enough for bringing me here. I didn’t even want to leave!
Vy was so kind and made me feel really comfortable. She explained to me my skin type, which is a bit dry, and sensitive. She also told me some good tips for skin care as well. I believe the whole facial experience lasted an hour. I lost track of time honestly. The facial was BOMBBBBBBB. I kid you not… I was seriously in heaven for that whole hour. My face feels ridiculously soft like a baby bottoms butt… Or even better! Wow. I am just amazed at how incredible this experience was, and I guarantee you will have the same experience as well.

I like that they carry my makeup and it’s close to home. However, the customer service is horrible!!! Every time I come in the person working is on an obvious personal call and doesn’t get off until I get what I need and need to pay.

I’ve been coming to Maria Ramos since last year and I have naturally black hair. Maria lightened my hair to a carmel brown color and I have blonde highlights throughout. I love the way she makes me look and I always get compliments on my hair. She is truly one of the best colorists I have been to. She is so sweet and an amazing person who I only trust to do my hair now. You will leave feeling beautiful after Maria does your hair!

I’m standing outside the store right now. It’s 5:30 and you close at 6 but it’s already closed. So upset that I drive all the way down here to find you not open during the hours posted on your Unilocal page and website. I want to give less stars for this but have always had good service otherwise. So please make sure to be open to the hours stated to the public.

My wife & I were in Carmel Mountain’s starbucks and she went next door to get a new face powder, the manager was kind and matched her skin. We bought the Bare Minerals powder and my wife made sure she could return it if it wasn’t the right color. Flash forward, we live in Mira Mesa. the color didn’t match. We had the original bag and receipt. 3 days later, we went to the Mira Mesa Empire Beauty Supply and the manager here was incredibly rude, saying she wouldn’t take this product back because she personally would have to take it back to Carmel Mt. «I don’t even carry this product in the store» She could have kindly said, «unfortunately, I don’t carry this product in store, but you can definitely take it back to Carmel Mt for a refund.»
She took it back with an attitude. She can keep the attitude because we surely will not be back. I was purchasing my crew here but I can get that other places.

Ok so I am the person who always says «I am going to Unilocal how fabulous you were» and never find the time. However this time I rushed home and logged on. I had the pleasure of meeting one of your employees, Lauren today when she was filling in at the Carmel Mountain Ranch location. She truly knows the art of fantastic customer service and has officially made me a loyal customer. She was so knowledgeable about ALL the products, not just the nail polish I went in for. Great customer service is so rare these days, and this girl is just a gem. Who ever her boss is, consider yourself lucky to have such a bubbly, kind employee in Lauren.

I always go to the location in Carmel Mountain near Trader Joe’s and much prefer that one.
I was killing time before a movie and popped in here to browse shampoos. The Tea Tree lemon sage line caught my eye so I started to ask the girl at the front for her opinion on that specific shampoo. Instead of answering my questions she proceeded to tell me the shampoo I use now is crap, that coconut oil isn’t satisfactory moisture and that I need to start using conditioner. Then she sold me a sales pitch about some overpriced crap they have at the front.
I repeated that I cannot use shampoo with «moisturizing» in its description since it weighs down my abundant-​yet-​VERY-​fine hair. Nope, apparently this ONE magical, moisturizing shampoo will be different than the dozen or so others I’ve tried in the past. Yes. Thank you.
I’ve spent 2 years really getting to know my hair. I was on the long hair community forums for a while (LHC for short; yes, it’s a thing), I cut my own hair, use coconut oil once a week (the only natural oil that’s scientifically proven to strengthen and protect hair with regular application) and I know what works for it and what doesn’t. And no, if «cheap shampoo» (Herbal Essences, Suave, Garnier) work for your hair then use them! Plenty of people on LHC with knee– and ankle-​length hair use «cheap shampoo» from Walmart. Oh, and coconut oil.
It was a little insulting to be told that the shampoo I use now is crap, that coconut oil doesn’t work and that I NEED a conditioner (no, I do not. Conditioner messes up my hair).
This is a big, attractive store, but I will continue to visit the smaller one where employees are helpful and friendly.

James you rocked my hair world!!!
I have been searching for a hairstylist for almost 2 years… and I finally found you.
Let me back up… Empire Beauty Supply & Salon sells beauty products. Everything from shampoo and conditioner, to hair color, brushes/​combs, make-​up, nail polish… you get the point. At the same time, you probably know that EBSS is family owned and is in its 3^rd generation ownership. I like family owned!
However, what makes this location special, is that is provides a 1^st class stylist! Now, I know that the saying «to each it’s own», is exactly that. There are hair stylist everywhere… just like nail technicians. But, finding the right hairstylist that will cut and style «your» hair is a skill.
Ladies & Gents, you know what I’m talking about. It’s a relationship unlike any other you have. It’s your hair! Your hair can make you, or break you. That’s the truth.
So, when my co-​worker one morning walks in with a new do. (And, I like it. Because if I didn’t I certainly would not have asked for her stylist number.) I ask, where does she go to have her hair cut? She provides James phone number.
Deep inside I was praying, please let this be the one!
I schedule an appointment for Thursday at 5:30 evening. I show up a few minutes early… honestly, I left early from work because I had no idea where I was going. Thank goodness too… I had a difficult time finding EBSS. In reality, it’s easy to find. I don’t know Mira Mesa… so I did a few unnecessary circles.
It’s a store, and before you get to the Salon part, you walk through all the products. They know what their doing… and it’s effective.
I’m focused and on a mission… having my hair cut. James greets me and shows me to the waiting area. Clean, and classic. Lots of magazines to keep you occupied.
After just a few minutes, James is ready to start on my hair. He is friendly, listens to what I want accomplished with my hair, and looks at the picture I have brought in. Washing my hair, he is gentle, and comforting. Afterwards, the brushing part is a delicate situation with me. I am sensitive when it comes to the brushing of my hair. He understands… and allows me to participate in the brushing process. What a relief!
Off he goes doing his magic. I will admit there was more hair falling down than what I was anticipating. But, I decide not to say anything and believe that he knows what he’s doing. And, he did!
He starts drying my hair… but wait, he hasn’t cut my bangs… I ask. He tells me that he has to dry my hair to see how it was cut, and how it lays. WOW! Impressed! After drying, he starts cutting and texturizing… NICE!
James,
Thank you! for exceeding my expectations. You have just acquired a new client!
I’ll definitely be back.

Beware when you get any services done here. The women in this shop will ALWAYS try to offer you extra stuff during the middle of your service without telling you it will be extra for the X service. They will wait till you’re at the cash register to give you the total.
This happened to me months ago and today I found out that they did this to my sister.
They should not offer services without telling the customer that it will be extra and if they don’t want to tell the customer its going to be extra then they shouldn’t offer extra services that we’rent asked for to begin with.
I hate giving this place a star because I rather give them none. I haven’t gone to this place since my last visit and I don’t plan to ever go here again. Now you can rest assured that I will be telling friends, family and co-​workers to avoid this place. I do not approve of people who try to scam others.

James, a hair stylist, is AWESOME. He’s really nice and reasonably priced. This store has a lot of products but usually there is only one person working at a time. It can be tricky to get your questions answered if there are a lot people ahead of you in the line. Overall, I can’t complain about their services. Thanks! p. s. don’t forget to get your frequent buyers card.

I have been a customer for over 15 years. You should know that at whatever location I have visited or called the staff is always fully knowledgable about your products and beauty supplies in general. They have found items for me over the phone and suggested another location if what I want is not in stock. They have advised me about how to choose the correct product, it’s application and the reasons behind their choices. They are patient and friendly without pushiness. I have been a technical customer service manager so I feel qualifed to label their work as expert. I tell all my friends why they should choose to shop with you.

They have a great selection of products to choose from. A little bit on the pricier side but they pretty much have everything you’re looking for so it compensates for the drive to ULTA for ex.
The workers are always happy to answer any questions or give you suggestions. The establishment is organized and clean which saves you time in looking for certain products.
Their clearance shelf has a lot of great deals and they typically have an ongoing sale of «Buy one, get one half-​off».
But then again, it’s just my opinion.

Never buy makeup brushes from this place! When I brought home my new make-​up brush I noticed the hairs were falling out. It was obviously defective, but that greedy store wouldn’t even make an exception with their store policy and at least exchange it or recieve store credit. Shame on you Empire Beauty Supply! You just lost one customer. And if you continue to treat your customers this way, don’t be surprised if many others go elsewhere for their beauty supplies.

Great selection of salon products. The place is very clean and organized and the staff is very helpful.
Went here the other week and they were having a buy one, get one half off sale off several lines. I was able to get a couple Abba products at a reasonable price.
Definitely a great place to go to when you need to stock up on supplies and are in the area.
They also have salon services in the back of the store… I haven’t used their services though, so can’t really comment on it.

I came here after getting a mani/​pedi to look at some nail polish. They have OPI, China Glaze, ORLY, and Essie nail polish and treatments. One of the girls working there saw that I was browsing through the nail polish aisle and was kind enough to offer me some Scotch tape for testing some colors out. I thought that was awesome of her. And the store was pretty organized and clean. I’d definitely like to come back again and browse around some more.
The store is located near Aaron Brothers, Panera, Barnes & Noble, Men’s Warehouse, and Buca di Beppo.

There are three places that I can drop $ 100 in under 2 minutes with reckless abandon:
1. Whole Foods. Especially if I just got paid and I am hungry. (This is an obvious one)
2. The Impulse section in Macy’s. (Can I please KISS the buyer of that section? Bring you home to mama?)
3. Empire Beauty Supply. I live no where near this one and yet Ill drive up here because it was once close to school and I found it next to Panera.
This is my absolute favorite beauty supply store. With the risk of sounding like a complete product whore, they have extensive collections of Essie, China Glaze, OPI, the whole line of JAQUA that smells like candy, organic shampoos and conditioners, all the normal good salon quality lines. A whole wall of brushes and appliances. Syti-​Style makeup is also difficult to find and oh yes, of course Empire has it. This store has everythinggggg.
Including nice and helpful saleswomen and a salon in the back.