Reviews & Ratings for Aveda Institute Of Atlanta

03/22/12

Great value. I'll be back.

by susansname

First off, Citysearch needs to update the address. (As of Dec. '11, it's on Peachtree NOT Piedmont.)

My few previous experiences with bargain--priced hair salons were fairly awful, so I was reluctant to make this appointment to be styled by a student. VERY GOOD results! And unlike some other reviewers, I didn't find the cut any more time-consuming than at typical salons.

Some tips to make the most of this surprising bargain:

1) Ask for a GRADUATING student for a few dollars extra, and you won't feel like a guinea pig. I paid only $21 for my cut and the differences between this and any other Aveda salon experience were minor: an instructor came over a couple of times to consult with my stylist; I was asked to fill out a satisfaction check-list at the end; and the atmosphere of the room was busy and noisy rather than laid-back and spa-like.

2) Go in knowing what you want and be clear. I specified long layers with a side-swept fringe, and that's exactly what I got.

I'd give you my stylist's name, but since she's about to graduate from the program, it's not relevant to this review. Suffice it to say, she has talent and has been well trained. When it came time to cut my fringe/bangs she did the blow-dry first, since hair gets shorter when it dries and she knew I was concerned about the length. This is a smart step that many experienced stylists skip.

In summary, I'm delighted. I won't call this the best haircut I've ever had, because the best are typically the result of a detailed consultation, a daring mood, and some creative freedom on the part of the stylist. That isn't what I asked for this time. What I hoped for - and received - was a very good technical cut for the price of a hack job.

I'll be going back for color and might even splurge on highlights, having seen some respectable color work emerging from the surrounding chairs.

02/22/12

Great for the price!

by 3ts

If you want a great stylist request Tricia Brooks! She gives a great cut and color, even great foils! Be patient because they are students and it will take a long time. They have to have the instructors check the hair at certain points in everything they do in order to make sure they are doing it correctly. They are graded on everything they do. Don't diss on Aveda Institute! You just have to find the right student. I DID!!!

08/26/11

Botched job, unapologetic, unprofessional

by Amaranthe45

They did a botched job, were rude and unprofessional. Some of their staff realized that and started snickering when they saw what she did. They half apologized but then shouted me down when I tried to explain.

The student got the manager of the salon and her mentor and followed me into the lobby where I tried to pay quietly and leave. One of them pointed to me and asked, "Is that her?"

The student stood inches away from my face and demanded that I explain exactly why I was not happy with the service, adding "It's not my fault that you're unhappy with your appearance." Laughable. She was an overweight, inexperienced student insulting a customer.

Her manager said: "She's going to graduate beauty school. Where did you graduate?" I told them that I was a college graduate and did not need to go to 'beauty school'.

Do not go there. If they do not like you for whatever reason they will deliberately do a bad job and hide behind the fact that they are a school. Don't buy that. If you care at all about your looks, pay for a real salon where they are obligated to be professional, deliver quality service, and gosh, even be nice to customers.

05/20/09

don't waste your time or money

by stephpardue

i get it. it's a SCHOOL.... so you can't expect much.

but the quality of the haircut is ridiculous. i've tried it about 4 times. i would MUCH RATHER spend 10 more bucks and go around the corner to the VAN MICHAEL where their "students" are fabulous.

05/11/09

You people are ridiculous...

by moni567

Just FYI...I'm going to vent!

This is a SCHOOL you imbecilic morons! I can't believe some of you spoiled whiny brats have the audacity to come on this website and trash hard working STUDENTS. God forbid one of your precious hairs be an inch too long. These men and women work their butt's off! If you want to take your unnecessary aggressions out on someone, then talk to a teacher at the Institute. Can you imagine if someone talked that way on a public forum about YOU?! Much less while you were trying to LEARN and PURSUE your career! Where do you people get off acting like this? Grow up you selfish pigs!

• Pros: It is affordable and the students give 110%
• Cons: Occasional grouchy and insensitive customers...

05/07/09

The teachers need to pay more mind

by slymm

I used to go to the Institute in Denver and it was always fine, often really good, sometimes great. The big thing with Atlanta is the teachers don't check on the work. In Denver they would always come, make sure everything was even etc. Atlanta, they nod at you as you walk out the door. Last cut I got was way off - when I got home I realized I had a whole chunk of hair that was about 2 inches longer than everywhere else. I went to a real Aveda salon to repair it. The students vary, but it is on the teachers to check it and in Atlanta they rarely do check.

• Pros: Can be good
• Cons: Can be bad

04/30/09

Do not go here for mani/pedi

by traveler42

Obviously they are students, so you don't expect the best from them. I have gone here for a haircut, where it took 2 hours to blowdry my long, curly hair (it takes me 20 minutes). Haircut was mediocre--nothing spectacular, just a plain haircut that I could have gotten at great clips. I have also been there for a facial. My face just feels nasty afterward with so much product on it. Most recently I went in for a pedicure ( I don't know why I keep going back) and had the WORST experience. 3 different people worked on my nails. Do not ask for a french manicure, b/c they don't know how to do that. White tips were not striaght and I had them take it off and just cover with regular nailpolish. Even that was bad. They kept putting coats on top of each other so the nailpolish never dried. An hour after my pedi the nailpolish was still not dry and ended up messing up from my shoes.....and this was put on my the instructor. It was just bad! I was there for 2 hours and had the worst pedicure ever. I understand that they are not professionals, but if you charge for a service, you should give it well! Please avoid this place if you are looking for any sort of quality. If you go, make sure you have a lot of time put out of your day for the appt.

• Pros: Atmosphere
• Cons: Quality of services

03/12/09

Unhappy with services

by lrivera15

I would not return to the Aveda Institute. I had an appointment for a 30 minute pedicure and to get a polish change for my fingernails. The "30 minute pedicure" lasted an hour and 10 minutes and did not look good when it was finished. She did not put my feet under a dryer so after I drove back to work I slipped on my open toe shoes and my pedicure was instantly ruined. I also had to tell her that I did not have time for the finger nail polish change since the pedicure clearly took longer than expected. Very dissapointed overall and will not return. Yes, I did know that students would be performing my services but they should not advertise a 30 minute pedicure if it simply can not be done in that time.

• Pros: Cheap
• Cons: You get what you pay for.

11/10/08

Disappointed after several visits

by Graciebaby21

I have always been a big fan of Aveda Institues including the New York and St. Petersburg training schools. However, my experience in Atlanta could not have been more disappointing. I have been several times and the last 3 times I have waited at least 30 past my appointment time. For one of the appointments, I waited nearly 1 hour. The stylist I booked, and loved, was given to another client and I was given to a very green student who ultimately did a decent job, although it took her nearly 2 hours to cut my hair.

I left frustrated. While they apologized several times for the confusion, it didn't seem to make the service any faster. I treasure my salon time. It should be a retreat and this left me feeling the exact opposite.

• Pros: Price! Very cheap!
• Cons: Always late, service takes a very long time

10/10/08

Dirty and disorganized

by liannestewart

I went here for a haircut and have always been a loyal Aveda customer. This place was dirty, disorganized, and unprofessional. I won't be going back even if it is less expensive than the regular Aveda places. I would rather pay more and have a better experience. Possibly use an Aveda certified independent salon.

• Cons: Poorly trained and late staff, disorganized, dirty, unprofessional, out of products