09/15/09

Worth it

by minneapolitan

It takes about two hours to get a haircut here, because the student is still learning and needs to check in with his/her instructor a few times during the cut. It's worth it, though--it only costs $15, and the last two haircuts I got there were the best I got in years. The students listen to exactly what the customer wants.

• Pros: Cheap, good haircuts
• Cons: Long appointments

06/13/09

a really good experience- a really good haircolor

by Alpha66

I had my haircolor done by student Jazzmin- a budding haircolor expert. She was a bit reserved but I LOVED my cute new reddish and gold color. She knew just what I wanted before the Instructor came over and she needed no help. I'm coming back to her before she graduates!

• Pros: my haircolor looked great at a reasonable price
• Cons: A major stack of paper used just to do a customer's hair

05/01/09

Wonderful place to get your hair done

by Tracy1272

My mother and I went to Aveda this past Thursday. I had Hannah to my hair. My mother had Samone. We had the most wonderful time there. We were treated so well. Our hair looked beautiful. We could not get over how great we looked for such a great price. We went into the shop afterwards and looked at some products. There was wonderful tea to drink from Aveda the whole time.

Thank you Hannah and Samone for such a wonderful experience. You definitely will see us back there again.

• Pros: Best place in town to get your hair done
• Cons: There were none

04/19/09

Great place for a girls day out!

by 7878

The Insittue is such a fun place to go either alone or with friends and family. The people watching, services from head to toe, free tea, free shoulder massage and unbelievable prices are exactly what the Dr. orders to beat off stress. LOVE IT and go back every month.

• Pros: GREAT SERVICE AT AMAZING PRICES
• Cons: services may take longer/training center

01/14/09

Good cheap massage

by unsanitarypaws

Got an 80 minute massage today for $55+tax-which is a great deal. I think the student's name was Dana, she was nice and professional. the massage was just as good as any ive had elsewhere, better in some aspects. It was full body,which i wasnt quite prepared for, but it was nice. Unfortunately, less time was spent on my always painful back because of this, but thats not really anyone's fault. There was hot towels,neck stretching and even that fun karate-chopping you see them do on tv. ive never had any of that stuff done at any other massage place, so that was neat. The only unpleasantness was that there was no signage in the building to direct me where i needed to go, so i wandered around looking lost on each floor i came to, i actually ran into another girl who was lost looking for the same place as me.there was tons of students milling around everywhere and i cant help but feel like they were a little snooty,walking straight into me as i descended the stairs & whatnot..also,the room i was in was right by the bathroom,so everytime someone used the hand dryer i could hear it and every person walking by chatting.which wasnt exactly soothing, but hey,its cheap.

despite those pretty superficial drawbacks, the whole thing was great, i will go back sometime for relaxation, but maybe seek a more specialized massause for my back pain in the meantime.

• Pros: Skilled massage,Nice student massause,Cheap
• Cons: noisy,easy to get lost in the building, snootyish hair dressing students

01/12/09

Outstanding Experience!

by Stefaney

This was my 2nd experience getting highlights and cut at the Aveda Institute. My 1st experience was great. My 2nd experience was outstanding! My stylist, Sara C, was professional, listened to exactly what I requested, and nailed it! I love my highlights and cut, she was very efficient and instead of taking the 5 hours (that I was anticipating), I was in and out in under 3 hours. And on a Saturday, to boot. Which is about how long it takes my regular stylist to do the same thing. The price was 3 times LESS than my regular stylist as well. I will definitely be returning for my next touch up...and I'll be requesting Sara C for sure!

• Pros: Great value
• Cons: Noisy, distracting (but this is a pro if you like people watching like I do!)

10/29/08

Not Coming Back.

by emoclaba

I work and live in the neighborhood. I loved Aveda. I would use them all the time when I wanted a facial or cut and color. I thought it was great . I liked that for a nominal fee I could help the students with hands on training. Sometimes it turned out bad but, most of the time every thing was great. They were always professional.

We usually call for take out at lunch but recently I started bringing some of my clients to the restaurants right in the area and during lunch hour. I see the students out in their black uniforms and name badges and they are drinking booze. I just figured that they were done for the day until last week on my way to the bathroom I heard one of them say to their server " We'll be right back, we have to go clock in." Then they came back, finished their drinks and food, paid and left.

It make me wonder if everytime I've had a bad haircut it's because the student tied one on during their lunch break. I will not pay to be some drunk 21 year olds guinea pig ever again.

• Pros: Affordable services.
• Cons: I can no longer trust them.

10/28/08

Better than my regular salon!

by J4c3lyn1979

I went to the institute after getting a $250 quote from my regular salon for a corrective color. I was worried that letting students perform the procedure was a bit risky but decided to do it anyways and I am so pleased with the result! The instructor paired the original student I was assigned to with another student and both students worked so hard to achieve the look I had requested. The instructor checked back several times throughout the day and was very attentive. The students worked through their lunches/breaks and did not complain once about having to process my hair multiple times! I think my regular stylist would have complained about having to work as hard as the students did! The end result was just what I had asked for and at 1/4 the cost, I was so excited I have been referring all of my friends there for colors. I have been to various "beauty schools" and do think that your experience depends on the specific school as well as the student. They ARE students and some may lack the professional courtesy (not the students that I worked with!) that a stylist with years of experience may have so it can be a toss up but I would highly recommend the institute if you are looking for a new color, cut or just a fun style. The only downside was that I was there for most of the day whereas my regular stylist probably could have completed the process in less time, the overall savings and experience was well worth the extra time!

• Pros: Inexpensive, great products, parking, great service and great instructors
• Cons: Services take longer than at regular salons

09/09/08

Cheap Haircuts and Relaxation!

by designgirl318

I've been going to the Aveda Institute for years and have never left with a bad hair cut. Sure, a few times they've taken a little more off than I wanted, but in the end, I've always been pretty happy with the outcome.

For $14, who can complain too much? I agree with another poster about not leaving tips though. These kids are in school from 9-5 five days a week so it's not like they can have much of a job outside of school. They are learning their trade by working, much like a person gets an internship before going off to the real world. So please give them at least 15% of the cost of your service! You would have paid at least that much at a regular salon anyway.

04/01/08

worst hair experience--save your money and go someplace else!

by clairechacha

---VERY busy, no personal care

---I received an awful haircut--she cut off 4 INCHES more than I asked

--went darker on my color rather than lighter and refused to fix it.

---I spent 6 HOURS at the salon for a cut and color

Even though it is less expensive than other places, it is definitely not worth it!

• Pros: cheap
• Cons: HORRIBLE service, takes a long time, bad hair cut and color, cranky stylists