Aveda Institute New York Inc

11/07/11

AVOID THIS PLACE. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.

by bd6651

AVOID THIS PLACE. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!!!

CONS: Hostile receptionist, An average of 30-40 min wait, Poor management, Extremely hot and/or freezing cold water for rinse, Dirty brown towel, Noisy and dirty environment, Chaotic system, and Incompetent staff

PROS: NONE

I could not write a review without picking a star, but if I could have, I definitely would not pick any star but 5 dynamites/skulls. You must be thinking how bad can it be if it is Aveda. Well, my first experience with the Aveda SPA and salon services was NOT PLEASANT at all. As an Aveda privilege member for many years, I am in fact EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED by the Aveda services at this location.

So I had a $150 gift certificate, and when I called to make an appointment in August, I was told that I had to use it for all services on the same day and that the next available weekend appointment is in November. I said to myself, “Ok, fine! Aveda is worth the wait.” So I made two appointments, one for a rejuvenate package ($80) and the other for a haircut and single color ($80), THREE MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

As soon as I arrived, I checked in with the receptionist and was instructed to wait for a brief moment. So I was waiting for 20-25 minutes, and finally, someone came by to ask if I needed help. Another 5-10 minutes passed by, I was told that the staff was setting up the massage bed for me. (This was already a 30 minute of wait time). As I walked behind doors, there was NO massage room but a narrow space in the hallway separated by curtains. Throughout the next 2.5 hrs, I not only clearly heard staff’s loud conversations in the hallway but also other quests talking aloud in the next bed behind curtains. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT ANYONE COULD RELAX OR ENJOY THE SPA TREATMENT IN THIS ENVIRONMENT!!

My haircut and coloring experience was even worse than I imagined. Before coming to Spring st., I was under the impression that Aveda had its well-known reputation for training skillful and competent hair stylists, but CLEARLY, IT IS NOT THE CASE. Again, I was waiting for another 30-40 minutes for a student stylist after I checked in with the receptionist. Apparently, it is POOR MANAGEMENT, and that you are basically left alone waiting for students who reluctantly decide to return to work after their lunch break once you check in. Meanwhile, you’ll need to prepare yourself for alternating BURNING HOT and FREEZING COLD WATER when your hair is being washed. You are lucky if you happen to have a student stylist with adequate training (I would say 1% possibility), or you may end up walking out of Aveda, looking like a pink punk or orange poodle (SERIOUSLY).

After my unpleasant experience at Aveda, I will DEFINITELY NOT return to this place for any service.

AGAIN, AVOID THIS PLACE. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY!!!

01/31/11

Don't count on getting a haircut.

by Joanbug2

I had waited weeks for this appointment and was really excited about getting my hair cut there. I had my hair cut previously by one of their professional stylists and was very pleased. I felt like a nice cut would be uplifting and I was grateful for the discount. It was in the middle of winter and freezing cold outside, I made it over there, waited, was seated. I told the stylist what kind of cut I thought I'd like and he said ,"we don't do that here" . That was it. End of discussion. I was stunned. (Btw, the cut I asked for was bangs, not too short , a little shorter in the back.) I said, "oh, I just leave now..?" I mentioned what happened to the receptionist and she shrugged her shoulders. I left the place and stood shivering on the on the sidewalk for a few minutes, stunned. I was really hurt. I didn't see it coming. I walked in really looking forward to their service and this person was just plain old nasty. So, I guess, they can randomly decide they don't want to cut your hair. I advise you to ask about this when you make your appointment. Good luck!

01/26/11

student practice spa

by clairelin

It is a school, it is a school, it is a school!

I had the $50 self renewal facial which stated 90 minutes with foot AND scalp massage. I told the student five times my preference of stronger massage, but she kept on her gentle almost could-not-feel-it touches. When asked why no scalp massage, she answered it was one OR the other. Besides, the total service was only 80 minutes.

The whole service was relaxing though very chilly, since I was only half covered with a tiny sheet. She kept on putting different products on my face and did minimum extraction (which I could see my blackheads right afterwards.)

If you just want to experience Aveda's products and relax but not a facial, you could come here. Or save your $50.

09/02/10

Very bad cut, not worth saving the money.

by izzyinsley

I have very long hair. I thought.."they can't mess up a trim, right?" Wrong. I asked to have an inch taken off with a little long layers around the face. One side of my hair is two inches shorter than the other side. The layers are uneven, choppy and cut straight across so there is no blending of any kind. I was amazed at how bad it was. I had to pay to get it done a week later..I'm amazed people would go here for color. I can't imagine how that would turn out. I will never go back.

04/06/10

Quality depends, Supervision sucks

by ChiJadey

So, I went online and found a student to cut my hair by the name of Marie (lacongolove@hotmail is her email address, I still see ads for her on Salon Apprentice so she must still be looking for people). The haircut took 2.5hrs, and since she didn't know what she was doing, her supervisor had to come over and fix it for another 30 minutes. She sliced herself open halfway through the haircut really badly, and I could tell by the look on her face that she was new and wasn't sure of what she was doing.

To be honest, my hair looks ok. I ended up with something I wasn't looking for and it took far longer than it should have, but it isn't terrible. I am more angry about the supervision at this place than at Marie herself. She tried a number of times to get some help because she had lost whatever guide she was using for the length of the layers. No one would help her. She was very shy and perhaps she could have been more pushy about it, but being a med student I know how nerve-wracking it is to have to bug a supervisor a couple times who is grading you to help you out and how terrible it is to have no one help you while you are still new at things. The supervising at this place pisses me off much more than any haircut ever could. I've been to other schools, and this one is the worst in that department. I'm not going back.

• Pros: Cheap haircuts
• Cons: Will take hours, may not look great