Aveda Institute

09/26/09

Hitt or miss: get a referral or go on a weekday

by J Wilson

Keep in mind this is a school, and that students are learning as you go. Your service, whatever it may be, will probably take more time than if you went to someone with more experience. Licensed instructors usually come to check in with the student before a cut is made, and before styling begins to check the quality of the cut. If you go during a busy time, instructors may skip you (eep!) or be rushed and not have time to help a student fix something. This also contributes to veeeery long haircut times.

I've had a great cut there, so-so cuts, and one that was completely awful. The stylist who gave me the great cut graduated and moved to a new job - congrats to her! My so-so cuts were not bad enough to complain about - just not quite what I was looking for. They were with beginning students who were open to hearing what I had to say, and willing to make an adjustment if I asked.

My awful cut was with a woman named Magdelena, and while she did a good job of cutting in some layes to my long, wavy hair, she cut 3" too much because she kept making mistakes. I asked for my side-swept bangs to be trimmed slightly, and she cut them so short that they rest a quarter of an inch above my eyebrow. "Oops. Is that too short?" IS NOT something I want to hear! Since this was on a Saturday afternoon and the whole place was busy, the instructor came before M was done cutting my layers (pre-bangs destruction) to give her a go-ahead to style. M promised to do my hand ritual and massage at the end because she didn't do it in the beginning to the instructor, and never did it. I asked from the beginning that she style my hair wavy (like I do every day) and she had no clue how to do it, and when I told her how I would style my hair, M insisted my hair wasn't wavy because she couldn't get the product to work so my hair mustn't be as wavy as I thought, and she thinks she'll dry it straight instead. After 2 hours of sitting with her, I was done, and the only instructor I found to talk to about my concerns was with a potential student and couldn't talk with me.

I think I'll spend the $40-50 and go to a salon with someone with experience and a guarantee that I will be listened to. My hairstyle is a big part of my image as a professional, and I need to feel confident and fashion-forward in my career.

• Pros: inexpensive services, beautiful building
• Cons: push to buy Aveda products, hitt-or-miss service

06/12/09

Best armpit wax of my life!

by pickledpenguin

I made my appointment mid-week and showed up on Saturday afternoon for my waxing services (I live within walking distance, so I did not have to deal with parking). I had an absolutely wonderful time getting to know the student who did my waxing! I believe you have to take it for what it is--a school--and if you do that, you'll have a great time there.

This young lady gave me the best armpit wax I've EVER had. EVER.

As for the staff, I think you've got to hand it to 'em. When I came in I think almost every chair was full and all the spa rooms as well. That's a heck of a lot of people to take care of in one place and I think they do a pretty great job of it.

As always, the products are amazing (especially the tea!).

I'll be back for sure!

06/10/09

A NIGHTMARE IN DISGUISE........GO TO PAUL MITCHELL SCHOOL!!!

by csdating

I arrived ONE MINUTE late (at 5:16pm) for a 5:15pm haircut and they turned ME AWAY!!!!!!! Show's the ridiculous lack of customer service and egotistical state of the MANAGER that works there.

Thought it would save money and be nice, but there are just EXTREMELY RUDE AND INCONSIDERATE people working there.

• Cons: Customer Service is Non-existent.