Aveda Institute - Minneapolis

04/01/2008 Posted 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

02/18/2008 Posted by wiigii

Know yourself before going to the Institute! Ask yourself the following questions: 1) Do I have a large chunk of time on my hands? 2) Could I sit in one place for several hours at a time? 3) Do I believe that "it's just hair and it will grow back"? If you answered "yes" to those questions, the Institute is a great way to save money on a haircut. But if you don't like unprofessional students stopping your service to walk over to another student to gossip and giggle, this is not the place for you.

Pros: Price - the only "pro"

Cons: Unprofessional behavior, cranky instructors

12/09/2007 Posted by 2slm

I was a little nervous about going to the institute after reading the reviews. My appointment pretty much started on time and the staff was super friendly. After moving to the Twin Cities a couple of years ago, I have struggled finding a good hair dresser. I know that the best graduate from the Aveda Institute so I decided to give the school a try. My appointment lasted about 4 hours but the service was incredible and the outcome of my cut and color was great. I know that I will return. The students at the institute do a wonderful job.

Pros: Price

Cons: Time it takes

08/07/2007 Posted by eeghc8

My friend and I are college students and were in Mpls on a whim and looking to do something to our hair. I booked a cut, she booked a color, arriving early so she could have a patch test done @ 12:45pm she wasn't seen until nearly 2pm while I was taken for my 1:15pm haircut at 12:40pm. The Institute is huge, the student works closely with you and their instructor to make sure everyone is happy and going well but my haircut took over 2 hours, my friends color nearly 4 hours. For $14 I got one awesome haircut complete with a scalp/neck/back massage, shampoo, and 'finishing touch.' If you've got time and patience I HIGHLY suggest a visit. Not to mention Aveda products smell so good.

Pros: Great price

Cons: takes forever

07/31/2007 Posted by creason

I LOVE going here to get my hair cut. However, I bought a 7-service package for $99 and was extremely disappointed with the pedicure. The gal acted like she was high - confused, tired and sloppy. She wasn't a bad person, just really disappointing with pedicures. However, I did get an excellent facial. Service is really iffy here. But for the price, I won't complain too much. Just make sure if you do complain, it's before you leave the chair.

Pros: Price, price, price! Some aestheticians are jewels in the rough

Cons: Inconsistent quality, no recourse for bad service

04/05/2007 Posted by h2okiki

I went to Aveda for a pedicure and left with a bloody toe. I had my first pedicure recently at the Aveda Institute and left unhappily and in pain. The pedicurist was friendly and sweet, but didn't respond when I repeatedly told her she was hurting me. She was pushing back the cuticles on my feet with a sharp instrument and I repeatedly pulled my feet away and told her that is was painful. Finally, she stopped scraping and started trimming. Unfortunately, she cut the nail bed of my toe and I looked down to see that my toe was bleeding. I was hoping for a relaxing experience, but certainly didn't get it. I would definitely pay a professional in the future!

Pros: Pretty Atmosphere, Great Products

Cons: Rude Staff, Difficult Parking

02/22/2007 Posted by nansher

I had a facial here the other day. WOW. I've been to local salons and spas in years past, but I've rarely been impressed, until now. I was a little scared to go to a school at first until my friend convinced me to. She had recommended a girl she saw the week before to me and I made an apt with her. When I got there I was pleasantly surprised. The staff was warm and welcoming and my facialist was amazing. I have had facials before at other places but it was my first time at the institue. I was greeted promptly and led into my room (everyone is in the same room with curtains dividing off into smaller rooms.) The esthetician asked me about my skin and did a thorough consultation. She recommended some products from my specific skin type and got started. Throughout the facial she told me what products she was using and why. Since I'm not very savvy about skincare It was very interesting to hear everything she had to say. It was so relaxing I fell asleep halfway through and woke up after I caught myself snoring! After the facial one of the teachers came in and checked if everything was ok and to see if I had any questions. The best part was the hot towel and the tingly massage oil she put on my back after I was done. I was in heaven when we were finished. She walked me out to the store and helped me pick out the products she had recommended for my skin, gave me her card, and thanked me for coming to visit. It was literally the best facial I've had in years, and I will most surely be coming back.

Pros: Welcoming staff and students, price, exceeded my level of expectation

Cons: The student I saw (rachel n) was only going to be there a while longer

12/05/2006 Posted by missmanners2

I have used the Aveda Institute several times, and while I am always fairly satisfied with the haircuts, the desk staff are so rude it's unbelievable. Every time I call in I get someone snide who has absolutely no interest in helping me. My favorite quote this time "I've been doing this job for 6 years, and I know you can't do that" which was funny .. . since I had the same service every 6 weeks for the last year! So watch out when you are calling in . . .liable to get a right beastie on the phone.

Pros: Cheap cuts of decent quality

Cons: Desk and phone staff are rude, ignorant, and unprofessional

02/09/2006 Posted by amw777

I was terrified, but after being seriously underwhelmed at some of the "big name, big attitude" salons in the area, I decided to give the institute a try. They are extremely busy but manage to handle everyone in a courteous and efficient way. I am picky about my hair and had a complicated color request and my student did a beautiful job. For under $50, I walked out of there looking great. Similar looks have cost me $200+. If you are brave enought to trust a student, it is worth it. Having an experienced instructor there for help and final approval helps too. Be prepared to spend a long time there (my appointment took 4 hours), they are still learning, after all. Will definitely go back!

Pros: Value, Great Hair, Unpretentious

Cons: Time Investment

10/29/2005 Posted by rleer

Best for hair cuts. Students want to please you and the teachers check the cut so 99 percent of the time you will leave happy. Though it's cheaper to get your hair colored here, beware of complicated requests. These are students, after all, and don't yet know their trade.

Pros: cheap, deli

Cons: slow, new stylist each time