Recommends

citysearchreviews

Joined 5 years ago

Not always reliable. I have been going to the institute for about a year for a haircut and single-process color. I almost always had a good cut and the color was what I asked for. But the last time I was there, not counting the most recent, this weekend, the cut and color were all wrong.

The student gave me permanent color instead of the demi I asked for, and it turned out way too red. This bothered me a lot because I bring my own color formula so I get what I want. The student obviously mixed it wrong -- perhaps on purpose, b/c her portfolio showed a lot of red hair. Plus the cut wasn't what I wanted, so I mentioned it, but the student pranced around and told me I looked "runway." I waited two months for it to grow out a bit and went back this weekend for a trim. I pretty much got what I asked for, cut- and color-wise.

The biggest downside to the institute is the time. For a cut and color, I have to plan on about three hours. Though the $65 I pay for both (plus tip) is excellent, I recently decided that I'm tired of telling a new person every time what I want, and may need to find a permanent stylist at a regular salon, even if I need to pay more.

Bottom line -- if you have the time, want to save money and don't mind a new person every time who only might give you what you want, this is the place to go. Call ahead, as appts. are difficult to get (plan to be on hold for a while). As an aside, I had a facial at the institute once, and it was great, good price too. Plus, the full line of Aveda products is available.

Recommends

mackoff

Joined 4 years ago

Be willing to experiment. My GOOD experience:

Great Highlights! He was sweet, and listened to me. My guy took great care in foiling my hair. They look well blended and natural. probably the best highlights I've ever gotten to be honest. They also use as little heat styling as possible.

BAD:

The instructor recommended a paint between to "change my base" and I don't know what happened...maybe it was mixed wrong on left on too long, but my hair turned ORANGE. that gross orange after a botched bleach job. It also took four hours.

Now I have these great highlights with ugly roots. Not the end of the world for me, but I'll probably end up getting corrected.

So if you're the type who cries when you don't get the haircut/color you want, then don't go here.

If you're willing to be brave for a great price, then do it!

I saw some beautiful cuts and styles while I was there. However these are novice hairstylists and they might make a visible mistake...which can be said of the vets as well.

Recommends

Megan06

Joined 4 years ago

Worth the money and time!. Although it is hard to get an appointment at Aveda, the time it takes to get one is completely worth it! Make sure you realize that you are going to a school, and although you have a student working on you, they are very professional. I had a hair cut and color for $6o dollars and walked away very satisfied with the results. Jen, my hairstylist talked in depth about the color and cut I was looking for. She was very attentive and explained everything she was doing before she did it. The total time it took to get everything done was longer than going to a salon, but other than the time it took, I loved the experience! All in all, if you have the time, can get an appointment, and realize that you are going to a place where your stylist is learning from doing work on you the experience will be great!

Recommends

sarahgina

Joined 4 years ago

always a different student, always satisfied. i have been going to the institute for the last 3 years for my single process. i have really difficult roots and go about every 4 weeks. in all of the times i have gone, only once did the color not process. i love talking to the students and hearing all of their stories and why they love what they do. i have not had a facial yet, but am planning on it in the near future. in this economy i love that the single process is less than 40.00 dollars compared to what i used to pay in the salon. it might take longer, but it is worth the value.

Recommends

pigamuff

Joined 6 years ago

Completely Satisfied with Hair, and with the Nice People of Aveda!. If anyone had a negative experience at Aveda, it must just be luck of the draw. I just got back from getting a fabulous perm... I know, I know. Perm? No one's had a perm since 1985. But Jennie gave me a great, natural looking non-poodle perm. She was very friendly, professional, and I felt totally at ease. The teacher on duty, Kevin, was also fantastic and made me feel very comfortable. I was there for 4 hours, but it really felt like the time flew by, because I was actually enjoying just sitting there and having these nice and down to earth people working on my head. I gave Jennie my card and told her that whatever salon she ends up at, let me know, because she already has a client.

Doesn't Recommend

flanabrand

Joined 5 years ago

men's cut took 2 hours -- not up to pro standards. For the amount of time I had to spend sitting in the overcrowded classroom, they should have paid ME $20. I had no idea how hard it is to cut hair until going to Aveda Institute. Do not go here for a haircut or coloring. The pack of Band-Aids sitting portentiously in the open drawer as I sat down, remembering the waiver I signed that said "I understand that I may incur injury at the Aveda Instittute and waive my right to soo [sic] in the event I am injured." The woman's unbelievable slowness -- which, as she jabbed herself with scissors and sliced her hands up, I came to thank for my own lack of bloodletting. They are slow and do a bad job cutting and coloring hair in our opinion, and it's not that cheap to boot. Boys: let your hair grow an extra week and go pay someone else $30 for a haircut if you must. You will be seriously bored and confused -- and possibly frightened -- and your hair will not look good afterward.

Recommends

M1122

Joined 5 years ago

Facial Great for the Value. I read the reviews and was scared before going to aveda. I did not do a haircut as i am VERY picky about my hair but i like to get facials once a month and i decided to go for it. I am so happy i did. I picked the green facial which was $65 but when i showed up the girl recommended a cheaper one saying i was a little too young for the green facial and should do some thing with extractions. The facial she ended up doing was actually $15 cheaper! The rooms are in a clincial setting which i did not mind at all. Its an open room with curtain dividers and meditation music playing. Obviously if i was at bliss or some other high end, expensive spa i would be quite upset with this, but for $45 it was fine by me.

The student was very professional and made me feel comfortable. The supervisor came in and also evaluated my face and talked over with the student what to do. I left looking very refreshed and feeling great. I made another appointment for 3 weeks later.

What you have to remember is that while the people in clinic are students, they are on there way to almost graduation and they would not be in that setting if they didnt have prior training first. Cut them some slack, i've had people had very upscale spas mess up my face, so price is not always an indication of good versus bad.

Doesn't Recommend

prettysjf

Joined 5 years ago

uncaring place-do not get highlights!. Do not color your hair there!

I wanted highlights. I came there with caramel color highlights & left twice as a brunette with highlights. My hair was needlessly damged & the worst part of all no one cares at aveda. when my hair was washed-everyone disappeared,including the teachers-this was convenient for them since this was the end of the day. They knew the job was not good.The teachers don't care, when you are finished getting whatever service, they just nod in ok"" to the student & client; they get a salary & so they don't care!

I waited on the tel. as others for about an hour until someone picked up to get an appointment. the teachers let the students do whatever they want & always agree with them as if they are almost afraid of them. Not a professional place!

Doesn't Recommend

elle422

Joined 5 years ago

Snitty reception. AVOID if you need to stick to a schedule of appointments! On hold for an hour to make and appointment. On the day of my appointment, received a call 3 hours before appointment moving my time up 90 mins. Caller/scheduler was very rude about it. Couldn't work with me or offer any time options. As I was trying to fisure out another option, scheduler says "HELLOO?!!....as if I was supposed to fix the scheduling issue. Free is not worth being treated poorly. Pay for you haircut or go free ELSEWHERE!!!

Recommends

socialgirl

Joined 9 years ago

A total steal. I've gotten my hair cut there, I've gotten my color done, and just yesterday I got a facial...and I can't believe what a good deal it was. I almost feel like I'm advertising for the place with the raving I've been doing about it, but seriously--$50 for a one-and-a-half-hour long facial with hand and foot treatments?! Where else in NYC can you get that? All the products smell amazing and my aesthetician student was very nice. My hair color hasn't always turned out the way I wanted it, but they've never made a mess of it, and the haircuts have always been fine, but it's the facial that I can't wait to get again...awesome.